Computer crashes when new driver installed

Question

I've got a Dimension 8300 computer and a Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 graphics card that came with it, and whenever I try to download the lasest driver for it, halfway through the installation the screen completely shuts down and I have to restart the computer, and when I do nothing's changed. I've also recently reformatted if that helps, and I've talked to Nvidia about it, and they said to ask here.

Nascar Nut72 · Answer

What procedure are you using to upgrade your drivers? How to uninstall old drivers prior to installing new versions, from the Nvidia site. How do I uninstall my NVIDIA display drivers? Driver files should always be uninstalled before updating to newer drivers or when removing an older NVIDIA card and replacing it with a newer card. To uninstall your current NVIDIA Display Drivers from your system, follow these steps: 1) Go into your Control Panel 2) Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon 3) Select the NVIDIA Windows Display Drivers from the list of programs. 4) Click Change/Remove or Add/Remove button. 5) Confirm with Windows that you wish to continue with the uninstall Note: A prompt appears asking whether you want to delete all of the saved nView profiles. If you click Yes, all of the nView software and all of your saved profiles will be deleted. If you click No, the nView software is removed, but the profile files are saved in the Windows
View directory on your hard disk. If you take advantage of the nView profiles, you may wish to keep your custom nView profiles. Once the driver files have uninstalled, Windows will request that you restart your computer to complete the uninstallation. More Info from Nvidia site: Driver Installation Hints * 'Download Accelerator' utilities should be disabled when downloading any drivers. * Do not run virus protection software in the background while installing the drivers. This prevents the driver from configuring itself properly. * Before installing new drivers make sure you uninstall all NVIDIA display drivers from the Windows Control Panel. Browse to the Start Menu > Windows Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and search for 'NVIDIA Windows Display Drivers' or 'NVIDIA Display Drivers' and select remove Are you following the above advice?

Bridge Cake · Answer

I've been using the Nvidia website 'download drivers' page, selecting Graphics Drivers, GeForce and TNT2 and Windows XP/2000, which is what I need, and then I download and install.

dt9447 · Answer

I had a similar problem with the monitor flashing on and off intermittiently (evey few seconds) making it impossible to do anything.

I left a post here and tried everything suggested prior to loosing all my data with a rebuild/complete wipe.
I contacted telephone support about this some months back and the representitive recommeded rebuilding windows.
This I did but I still have the same problem.

I am currently running in VGA mode which is pretty poor and prevents me from using certain programs effectivley...or at all in some cases..

When I load the updated drivers from either the Nvidea site or Dell the computer crashes and gives a blue screen with error messages, or restarts on its own on off on off.....

I am at a complete loss now and have contacted Dell to send a technician.......

No one has the answer to this problem which seems common!!!!!

Nascar Nut72 · Answer

You didn't answer my question? Did you follow the procedure listed in my reply? This procedure is from the Nvidia Site. Failure to follow the proper procedure can cause many problems when you try to update drivers.

Bridge Cake · Answer

Yes, that's what I've been doing, it doesn't work.

Bridge Cake · Answer

Bump

dpk48291 · Answer

Has anyone sorted this problem out? Spent 2.5hrs on the phone with Dell to be told that I need a new video card!! They can't seem to solve the problem, but the computer works in safe mode which I think is strange.

If anyone has any information it would be really helpful!

Nascar Nut72 · Answer

Just curious, if you remove your present video card and then go into the BIOS and reset your video to onboard video (pretty sure 8300 had onboard video as default) and then restart your system and see if things work that way...

dt9447 · Answer

I think safe mode works as it doesn't load the drivers! You can also run your monitor in VGA mode so you can at least work on the rotten thing. But scrolling pages and using certain programs that require high resolution are not possible.   No answers here either....   Very frustrating....Dell haven't even replied to my request for an engineer....very fishy!!

Bridge Cake · Answer

You might have to guide me around that, I don't know where my graphics card is or how I remove it or anything.

dt9447 · Answer

1 thing I treid on the recommendation of a previous reply..was to take out the card and clean the pins for dust etc....done that. Didn't work either.   Dan:smileymad:

Bridge Cake · Answer

Uh, I don't know what BIOS is and I don't know what a video card looks like or how to remove one. Can you be a bit more explanative?

dt9447 · Answer

:smileyvery-happy:

after much correspondence with Dell via email and diagnostic tests (which I can pass on via email to anyone interested, Dell have agreed the video card is faulty and are going to send one to me!!

Wooohooo

dt9447 · Answer

:smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy: :smileyvery-happy:

New video card fixed the problem!!

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Computer crashes when new driver installed

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