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Nvidia drivers - some help

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Flogger23m

Grizzled Veteran
May 5, 2009
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#1
Looks like Vista updated my Nvidia video card drivers. Very annoying... I only noticed when I loaded up some games, and realized that there was no AA. Typically, the control panel does not show up so I can not set up my AA.

I used to have the 182.50 drivers, now I am running these according to the device manager:

8.17.12.5896

So what I would like to know is if there is a way to make the Nvidia control panel work with these drivers? I am using Vista 64bit and a GTX 260.

Finally, if I must try reinstalling, what would I have to do? I will try this, but it was not sufficient in the past:

1) Uninstall Nvidia video drivers from Add/Remove programs list
2) Go into safe mode (should this be in SAFE NETWORKING?), run Driver Sweeper
3) Run Crap Cleaner and its Registry Cleaner
4) Delete the Nvidia folder in Computer/Drive C
5) Boot into Vista (normal mode), install drivers


Usually this results in errors during installation of the new drivers. Sometimes it will install fine, but there will be no control panel unless I reinstall the 182.50 drivers.


Any other cleaning programs I should try? Any other folders I have to delete? And should I physically remove my video card anywhere in this process?


...and now I remember why I wanted to upgrade my video card. :p Just bought a new CPU, so I am stuck with Nvidia for a few more months...
 
#2
No need to jump through those hoops. 'Driver Cleaners' are by and large a waste of time (and money if you paid for one.) You most certainly do not need to remove the card for any of the update process. No need to boot to safe mode.

Just go here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Download the appropriate driver package. Disable A/V, spyware, etc. apps, these can interfere with installers (and can in some cases corrupt the installer download). Install the drivers. Reboot. Re-enable anything you disabled. Done.

I use (and have used for over a decade and a half) products from NV and ATI, sometimes switching cards between machines, and I've never used any kind of 'cleaner' before installing drivers, and never had a problem updating drivers.

If after doing the above you have problems, feel free to PM me, I'd be happy to help. I'm at GDC this week, so response may be a bit delayed. I'll be lunching with an NV biggie, so if things get really twisted, we have a resource :)

Edit: Also, you can tell windows not to update certain drivers and give you manual control - google is your buddy.
 
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#3
HeyCarnut said:
Edit: Also, you can tell windows not to update certain drivers and give you manual control - google is your buddy.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll just try manually updating one last time. Though honestly, I do find ASUS BIOS updates far easier than video driver updates. :p

As for Vista auto updating my drivers, I disabled it. Looks like an update renabled it. :confused:
 
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#4
Manually installing is usually the way to go. If all else fails, you can use Nvidia Inspector, which functions in the same way as the Nvidia Control Panel in regards to anti-aliasing and all that other stuff. And it works with the most recent drivers, unlike nHancer.

http://blog.orbmu2k.de/tools/nvidia-inspector-tool

The download link is at the bottom. Personally however, I prefer older drivers with nHancer as I require its more in-depth options for tweaking Flight Simulator X. But if you usually use the Nvidia Control Panel, then Nvidia Inspector should be fine.
 
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#5
PNV said:
Manually installing is usually the way to go. If all else fails, you can use Nvidia Inspector, which functions in the same way as the Nvidia Control Panel in regards to anti-aliasing and all that other stuff. And it works with the most recent drivers, unlike nHancer.

http://blog.orbmu2k.de/tools/nvidia-inspector-toolhttp://blog.orbmu2k.de/tools/nvidia-inspector-tool

The download link is at the bottom. Personally however, I prefer older drivers with nHancer as I require its more in-depth options for tweaking Flight Simulator X. But if you usually use the Nvidia Control Panel, then Nvidia Inspector should be fine.
Click to expand...


Thank you for that link. I will give it a try. This won't effect my drivers in anyway correct? So if I decide I don't want it at a later date, I can just uninstall and everything else should be fine?
 
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#6
Flogger23m said:
Thank you for that link. I will give it a try. This won't effect my drivers in anyway correct? So if I decide I don't want it at a later date, I can just uninstall and everything else should be fine?
Click to expand...

Yes, it shouldn't affect anything at all. As long as you don't navigate into the overclocking menu and change some things, you should be fine. In fact, you don't even install it, you just extract it and run it, so I don't think anything is put into the registry. I'm actually pretty sure since I manually go through the registry every couple of days.
 
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#7
Good to know. I will give it a try sometime this week, whenever I get a chance. I just installed a new CPU 20 minutes ago, so I am making sure it works. :)

Also, do I have to load the program and run it in the background to see the changes? Or is it like the Nvidia CP where it saves your profiles?
 
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#14
Flogger23m said:
Just tried Nvidia Inspector. Need some help setting up AA for Lock On Flaming Cliffs 2.0.

I can figure out how to make profiles and whatnot, and I created one called Lock On FC2. But how do I select the Lock On FC.exe for Inspector to apply the AA to?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I can't use Nvidia Inspector for some reason, I guess because I'm using older drivers at the moment, but the post here should explain how to add an .exe: http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=192772
 
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