Windows no longer *sees* my video card(s)

Last week, there was a driver update from Nvidia. I downloaded it and began the install (from the nvidia site)

It uninstalled the previous driver then failed on the install.

I've been running with my lame onboard graphic adapter - and should have come here first but went through the long hurry up and wait processes with nvidia help folks and the microsoft answers people.. who really didn't solve anything.

I should have just come here first.

Among other things, I've unseated and put back my original card - which was running flawlessly until that day's updates.. which also included some Microsoft updates.
It was an Nvidia Geforce GTS 250 - old model but was new in the box in December.. it was the backup from when we built the box.. ran well until that blasted driver update.

I've gotten a beta driver from the nvidia help human (or bot.. could be bot) and tried that. Fail

My error code is 800f0104

I've run the microsoft Mr fix it for installation errors.. none detected.

I've checked my bios to make sure I'm booting from the PCI

I've started up in safe mode to try and install the driver - no success

my device manager is not detecting the card.. which I'm fairly sure is why I can't install a driver.
it sees a generic VGA device - which also won't do a driver update.

The last suggestion the Nvidia guy had was to put the card in a different PC.. well, I'd have to have one first.
I chose to go get a new vid card instead.. also not detected by windows.. and it's in the other PCIe slot on the MB. PNY GEforce gt 730

When I boot up, my monitor sees the new vid card.. I get stats while booting. I don't recall if that happened with the one I took out.

Might anyone know how to un-blind windows 7 so it sees my video card?

stats from belarc below


Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)

Installed: 12/26/2014 12:55:53 PM
Boot Mode: UEFI (Secure Boot likely not supported by this UEFI) No details

available
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.80 gigahertz Intel Core i7 860
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
8192 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Hyper-threaded (8 total) Board: Intel Corporation DP55WG AAE57269-409
Serial Number: BTWG133000JH
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
UEFI: Intel Corp. KGIBX10J.86A.5924.2011.0223.0145 02/23/2011
Drives Memory Modules c,d
249.82 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
51.10 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

Optiarc DVD RW AD-7240S ATA Device [Optical drive]

Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0, s/n S1DBNSAF918384N, rev EXT0BB6Q,

SMART Status: Healthy 4086 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'J1MY' has 2048 MB
Slot 'J2MY' has 2048 MB
Slot 'J3MY' is Empty
Slot 'J4MY' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 249.82 GB 51.10 GB free
Network Drives
None discovered


Microsoft Shared Fax Driver on SHRFAX:
Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
Controllers Display
ATA Channel 0 [Controller] (2x)
ATA Channel 1 [Controller] (2x)
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 3B26
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family 4 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 3B20

None discovered
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B34
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B3C

NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
Virus Protection [Back to Top] Group Policies
avast! Antivirus
None discovered
Communications Other Devices

↑ Intel(R) 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection

Connection Speed: 1 Gbps
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

Networking Dns Servers:

Texas Instruments 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller
HID-compliant consumer control device (2x)
HID-compliant device (8x)
USB Input Device (4x)
USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
HID Keyboard Device (2x)
HID-compliant mouse (2x)
Generic USB Hub (3x)
USB Composite Device (2x)
USB Root Hub (2x)
Generic volume shadow copy
USB Storage Use in past 30 Days (mouse over last used for details) Hosted Virtual

Machines (mouse over name for details)
Last Used
USB 3.0 LucidPort USB300, s/n WD-WMAJ95562520, rev 0100 4/20/2015 3:17:08 PM*
USB 3.0 LucidPort USB300, s/n WD-WCAP91031557, rev 0100 4/20/2015 9:19:17 AM*
USB 3.0 LucidPort USB300, s/n WD-WCASY7811096, rev 0100 4/19/2015 6:23:12 PM*
USB DISK 2.0, s/n 1305170333365025, rev PMAP 4/19/2015 6:23:12 PM*
USB DISK 2.0, s/n 1305241629319380, rev PMAP 4/19/2015 6:23:12 PM*
USB DISK 3.0, s/n 07073AF7B0D74E60, rev PMAP 4/19/2015 6:23:12 PM*

.


Network Map (mouse over IP address for physical address) [Back to Top]
IP Device Type Device Details Device Roles
Router Arris / TG852G Router 2.0.40_0508B / #C1HBPLAGP259789 DHCP Server,

Gateway, Web Server
192.168.0.3 Printer Hpb2dbc3 (in MSHOME), HP Compaq / HP Officejet 6500 E710n-z /

#CN19U3409T05JW Web Server, Samba Server
Windows 7 Workstation Opal2015 (in WORKGROUP),


Software Versions & Usage (mouse over i for details, click i for location) [Back to Top]
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8pecxstudios - Cyberfox Version 36.0.4
(64-bit)

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Adobe Systems - Flash Player Update Service Version 17,0,0,169
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Adobe Systems - Shockwave Flash Version 17,0,0,169
(32/64-bit)

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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice 4.1.1 Version 4.00.9774

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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Base Version 4.00.9774
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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Calc Version 4.00.9774

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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Draw Version 4.00.9774
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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Impress Version 4.00.9774

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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Math Version 4.00.9774
ıı
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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Writer Version 4.00.9774

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Apache Software Foundation - OpenOffice Writer(Web) Version 4.00.9774

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Apple - Safari Version 5.1.7 (7534.57.2)

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Avast Software - Antivirus Version 10.2.2215.880
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Belarc - Advisor Version 8.4
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Cerulean Studios - Trillian Version 5, 5, 0, 19

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Flux Software - f.lux Version 3, 10, 0, 1

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Freemake - Video Converter Version 2.0.0.0
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Giorgio Tani - PeaZip Version 5.5.3
ıı
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Globalscape - CuteFTP Version 9.0.5.0007

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Google - Update Version 1.3.25.11
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Howie's Funware - Quick Screen Capture Version 1.0.8
ııı
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IObit - Advanced SystemCare 8 Version 8.2.0

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IObit - Advanced SystemCare Version 8.0.0.0

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IObit - Driver Booster 2 Version 2.0

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IObit - Product Updater Version 2.0.0.0
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IObit - Smart Defrag Version 3.3.0

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Irfan Skiljan - IrfanView Version 4.37

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Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.5483
(32/64-bit)


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Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 3.0.6920.5011
(64-bit)


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Microsoft - .NET Framework Version 4.0.41210.0
(32/64-bit)

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Microsoft - Internet Explorer Version 9.00.8112.16421
(32/64-bit)

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Microsoft - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 5.0.7600.16385
(32/64-bit)


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Microsoft - Windows Media Player Version 12.0.7600.16385
(32/64-bit)


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Microsoft - Windows Script Host Version 5.8.7600.16385
(32/64-bit)


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Microsoft - Windows Search Version 7.00.7600.16385
(32/64-bit)

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Moonchild Productions - Pale Moon Version 25.3.1
(64-bit)

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Mozilla - Waterfox Version 28.0
(64-bit)

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NVIDIA - Driver Helper Service, Version 340.52 Version 8.17.13.4052
(64-bit)


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NVIDIA - Network Service Version 2.3.4.58

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Oracle - Java Platform SE 8 U45 Version 8.0.450.14
(64-bit)


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Oracle - Java Platform SE 8 Version 8.0.45.14
(64-bit)

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Piriform - CCleaner Version 5, 01, 00, 5075
(32/64-bit)


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Piriform - Defraggler Version 2.18.0.945
(64-bit)

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Privacyware/PWI - Privatefirewall 7.0 Version 7, 0, 30, 3

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Privacyware/PWI - Privatefirewall Network Service Version 7, 0, 30, 3
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Tweaking - Tweaking.com - Registry Backup Version 2.2.0.0
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Tweaking - Tweaking.com - Windows Repair Version 3.1.0.3

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Tweaking - WR Tray Icon Version 3.0.0.0
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VideoLAN - VLC media player Version 2,2,1,0
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WiseCleaner - Wise BootTime Service Version 1.0.2.0
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WiseCleaner - Wise Care 365 Version 3.4
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WiseCleaner - Wise Program Uninstaller Version 1.6

 

Check if this works. Remove the graphics card and reset the BIOS. Put the card back.

 

Happy to.. but I'm going to need a little more specificity -- reset the bios to ???

I can get to the bios, and can navigate around but thus far, have not changed anything in there. Might there be a master reset switch I'm not aware of? I was directed to look specifically for PCIe under configuration .. and it was there so that's my bios experience.

 

Ok. Usually it's the last tab. Look for Reset BIOS to Default Settings. Don't select Optimal or any other setting. Ensure you click Save and Exit.
If it doesn't work, remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes and then put it back.

 

ok.. excellent, thanks!

I'll be back after doing things....

 

well that didn't go well.
the good news is my monitor still knows I have a vid card.
Here's where I stand. My OS is present on my SSD but windows doesn't see it as a bootable device... will only boot from optical drive. Changing boot order doesn't help. Recovery doesn't fix things and so I'm off to buy a hard drive to put my OS on.

If it were not for photoshop and sketchup - which I use daily - windows would be history in favor of linux cinnamon mint with wine.

 

If Windows won't boot from SSD but runs OK once booted externally then your SSD's boot files or boot configuration database (BCD) is corrupt. That's usually fixable. What I don't understand is why you would feel that moving (cloning?) the OS to a HDD will help with the vid card issue.

If you want us to try to help fix the boot problem and save all the expense and time required moving the OS to HDD then please start by posting a screenshot of Disk Management. Also, can you give us a bit more detail of exactly how you are booting Windows from the optical drive? Without the use of a special bootable CD I can't see how that is possible.

 

EDIT - OK, I think you mean that Win 7 will boot providing the Win 7 DVD is in the drive but not otherwise. That confirms your boot files or BCD are corrupt and following through this tutorial should fix it.

 

I'm sorry I was unclear. When I last typed, I was on someone elses computer, who was just hanging over my shoulder yapping at me.. so I was a little frazzled.

After I did the first two suggested things in the thread, I was only able to boot with the installation disc in the optical drive. Windows would not come up at all.. it only wanted to install. It refused a fix my installation, recover operation - even though I could via the driver options for an installation see all my files on my C drive.

It turned into way more than a video card problem, in under an hour.

I now have a brand new drive, with a spanking new installation of windows 7 going.. my SSD is sitting near by for file access as I need it. There is room in my tower for I think 6 hard drives if I want them.

I got my motherboard drivers installed.. got avast up and running - ditched IE and have pale moon running, and am working on getting some of my settings all straightened out now. Next up getting the drivers for the new graphics card from yesterday going.. my desktop is now running at 800x600.. fun right?

 

Resetting the BIOS to default settings, will not mess up anything. Which is proven by Windows now running fine. Earthling is correct, the BCD has become corrupted.
Also, there are alternatives to Photoshop and Sketchup.

 

well.. as much as I didn't want to loose everything.. a clean install is ok. I found a 3 week old back up that's going to get me started.. while I was in vid card disaster area - I didn't do my weekly backup.

Do you think that I'll be able to access anything on that SSD using it as a secondary drive in my tower?

Gimp and blender.. the open source alternatives to photoshop and sketchup have interfaces that I do not see well. I can't learn the tools if I can't see the tools.
I'm partitioned now to get some version of linux on here too when I do more reading up on it.

 

You'll have to connect it and check.

The first time (and every other time) I installed GIMP, I hated it. Recently a member recommended Gimpshop.

http://www.gimpshop.com/

Wikipedia.

Have a look at these free Windows alternatives to Sketchup.

http://alternativeto.net/software/google-sketchup/?license=free&platform=windows

 

ok.. back up and running.. SSD in service
taking ownership of the old windows file on the SSD so I can remove it.. no need to have two installations of the same OS when one is broken, right?
I've partitioned the drive for linux cinnamon mint (with wine) and will be checking out some of those programs you folks linked to. I have my bootable thumb drive ready and will back up the new installation of win 7 first.. just have 4 days of things to catchup on first.
hopefully I'll be able to happily wave goodbye to windows soon.

 

Why not save any files from the SSD and simply reformat it?

It's an odd situation, using SSD as a data drive and a HDD for the system drive - the very opposite of what is recommended for optimum performance.

 

I could do that now, but that would require another reinstall of windows 7.. and all the blasted updates again and at this moment, I'm fairly sick of playing get the computer right compared with use the computer for what I need it for.

I am now pretty set on having 2 OS's on the same drive.. I guess linux cinnamon mint and windows 7 would fit on a 250 gig SSD with room to spare for flippin windows updates.. *eye roll*

maybe tomorrow... so much work I'm behind on right now.. just playing catchup this afternoon

 

Yeah, understand, but there's no rush. At any time you could image/backup both drives to an external and just swap the images. I've just done this on a laptop to get the OS onto an SSD and the whole process was complete in under 1 1/2 hrs. Otherwise you are stuck with this unsatisfactory configuration for the duration.

 

gonna have to get another external drive.. my 4 are pretty full.. prolly should dip in the terabyte market.. geeze.. just spotted another one I have to see what it contains

the mind boggles

I appreciate everybody's help and input

 

well.. I have almost everything up and running. Sound is my next job to tackle.
when I do a sound check, my system test makes the speakers work.. but that's it. Nothing else makes sound happen.
Youtube is silent as are some of my saved vids..
*confused look*
I attempted at the intel site to get a picture/map of my motherboard.. so I can see if I knocked a plug for audio out but their "find" button doesn't work and their forums are abysmal. The registration confirmation email didn't even arrive.. ~shakes head~

I know this is straying off topic .. my own topic even but you folks that use linux.. does the device driver situation work the same as with windows? Updates whenever?