System doesn't recognize graphics card

Thunck · Jun 16, 2009

First time post, so thanks in advance for any advice.

Here's the problem. My GeForce 9800 GTX is no longer recognized by my computer. As a result it doesn't recognize my monitor specifics either. When I look under Device Manager it doesn't have a listing for display adapters at all. There is a new entry under "Other devices" labeled "Video Controller (VGA Compatible)". When I reboot or "scan for new hardware" it trys to download drivers but fails. When I try to manually update the driver I get a message:

"Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.

NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+

The system cannot find the filed specified."

I've tried everything including updating my BIOS, updating my mainboard drivers, downloading current WQHL certified graphics drivers, uninstalling any and all drivers related to NVIDIA, etc with no luck. I have a feeling there is something simple that I'm not doing but I have no idea what it is. Any help? I can't play any games because the system "Failed to find a suitable display device. Exiting program."

stoneys-nutz · Jun 16, 2009

Hello Thunck,
Did it just stop suddenly or has it been playing up for a while ?, if you have another card can you try that or try re-seating your card, and also check to see if it is getting power, i had a problem like this and i removed the power lead from the PSU for about 5 min's, then re-connected it and it worked, dont ask me why but it did. Good luck and post your results.

fadedrs · Jun 16, 2009

did you try to re-seat your video card?

stoneys-nutz · Jun 17, 2009

fadedrs, read my post again.

Crispy2007 · Jun 17, 2009

Get some surcit board cleaner spray it on and it will work fine.

fadedrs · Jun 17, 2009

sorry stoneys-nutz must have missed that when i read it.:eek:

stoneys-nutz · Jun 17, 2009

LOL, Im glad im not the only one to do it then.

JimJoe · Jun 17, 2009

Sounds like deja vu.

stoneys-nutz · Jun 17, 2009

Yea, we all do it dont we ?.

Thunck · Jun 17, 2009

I was getting random BSOD crashes every few days that I thought were graphics driver related but a reset usually worked. It was just recently that it crashed and when I reset it all of a sudden didn't show up in my device manager. I haven't tried to reseat the card yet. I'll give it a go when I get home from work. I do have my old 8800 card that I can try if that doesn't work.

stoneys-nutz · Jun 18, 2009

Try the 8800 and see if that helps.

Thunck · Jun 18, 2009

I removed the 9800 and used a can of air on the contacts and the port before reseating it in. It didn't work. I still get that error when trying to update drivers. I guess I'll try the 8800 next.

fadedrs · Jun 18, 2009

does the card use a seperate power supply? or just the power from the slot?

if it uses a seperate power supply maybe switch it with another plug.

Thunck · Jun 18, 2009

I swapped in the 8800 and got the same problem. Windows has found drivers for your hardware but encountered problems while trying to install. It then lists the correct card (did so for the 9800 as well) and says beneath it "Cannot find files specified". My wife has an 8800 GT so I went into her C:\Windows\inf folder and just copied her "nv_disp_XXXXXXX" folder over to mine and reattempted to update the drivers. It worked, but I can't update to the most current drivers, I'm stuck at the 178.13 versions. At this point I'm pretty sure it isn't the card, the PSU, or any of the hardware. I think there is something in the registry that won't allow me to install video drivers.

stoneys-nutz · Jun 18, 2009

Here is a method that has worked for a lot of people, you will need two bit's of software, both are free, link's below.

1.Ccleaner.
2 Driver Cleaner.

Follow the instruction's and i think it will work.
I cant take the credit for this, it's from the Nvidia forum by a guy called Luttiano.

CCleaner - Download

Guru3D - Driver Sweeper (Setup) download from Guru3D.com

Normal Mode :

Turned off automatic driver updates (set to "never" was confirmed) [after done, reset to "ask before installing"]
Uninstalled Nvidia motherboard drivers
Uninstalled Nvidia display drivers
Ran DC.net cleaner [Driver Cleaner.NET]
--Cleaned nvidia
--Cleaned nvidia control panel
Rebooted

Safe Mode :
Ran DC.net cleaner
--Cleaned Nvidia
--Cleaned Nvidia Control Panel
Rebooted

Safe Mode :
Ran DC.net cleaner
--Cleaned Nvidia
--Cleaned Nvidia Control Panel
--Do not reboot at this time.

[for the following reg changes, use search to find all occurences]

Opened Regedit and removed the nvidia CPL registry keys
Deleted the NVCP*.* files from windows\system32
Deleted any NVC file that housed a description of Nvidia Control Panel from windows\system32 [pass mouse over file and read "description"]
Used CleanMyPc Registry cleaner [or CCleaner] and fixed all registry issues
Rebooted

Safe Mode :
Installed Nvidia Motherboard Drivers [latest]
Installed Nvidia Display Drivers [latest]
[installed nVidia System Tools]
Rebooted

Normal Mode :

Display works 100%
Control Panel works 100%
Multiple Monitor Support works 100%

Thunck · Jun 18, 2009

Thanks, I'll give that a shot when I get home from work.

fadedrs · Jun 18, 2009

stoneys-nutz - beat me to it. LOL

stoneys-nutz · Jun 18, 2009

LOL, sorry dude. :roflmao:

Thunck · Jun 19, 2009

I got it working solid and was even able to update to the newest drivers without problem. There is a new issue that I've narrowed down to World of Warcraft now so I'll post that under the Games forum.

Thanks for all the help!

stoneys-nutz · Jun 20, 2009

Glad you got it working ok. Good work. :party:

System doesn't recognize graphics card

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