Windows XP not recoonizing display adapter in Device Manager
I recently re-installed Windows XP Professional over XPSP2 v. 1185, since I had not archived my uninstall files. Anyway, I've pretty much been able to update all of my programs and drivers and such except for my NVIDIA GeForce MX400.
This topic was started by platinumstephen,
I recently re-installed Windows XP Professional over XPSP2 v.1185, since I had not archived my uninstall files. Anyway, I've pretty much been able to update all of my programs and drivers and such except for my NVIDIA GeForce MX400. In Device Manager, there is no category for Display Adapters, and when you go to properties via desktop, under Settings -> Advanced -> Adapter it says no information available, where it should normally say the NVIDIA BIOS number, model, and driver information. The adapter itself is blank. I have tried installing the 44.03 WHQL off of nvidia.com, and also the 44.65's, which worked for me before I re-installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, for the driver of the "blank adapter" it says "Resource: VGASave" as if it's running in Safe Mode. What is wrong? I've never seen a problem like this in 6 years of working with hardware drivers.
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Did you do a repair or a full install over your XPSP2? I assume a repair since it wouldn't make much sense to do a full install over XPSP2 without reformatting. Or did you reformat? I recommend to do a clean install (with format). I think the SP2 files might be interfering with your 'new' WinXP install if you didn't do a format.
VgaSafe is a WinXP builtin display mode to which WinXP resorts when it has problems loading the 'normal' display mode. In VgaSafe mode your graphics are rendered by your CPU instead of your GPU (graphic processor on your graphics card). In other words, your graphics card is disabled by WinXP. Thats why you can't find your Graphics Adapter in 'Device Manager'. It passes through the display data for your monitor from the CPU but does nothing more. VgaSafe Mode is also a boot option (VGA Mode) in the bootoptions menu (where Safe Mode is listed also).
You might find info on why WinXP fails to load your graphics adapter (drivers) in 'Event Viewer'. RMB click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'. On the left in the treestructure you will see a folder called 'Event Viewer'. Look for errors in the 'Application' and in the 'System' subfolders which might be related to your graphics card (drivers). You will most probably find info in the 'System' subfolder.
I don't have a simple solution for you (except reformatting and reinstalling). You will have to do some exploration on your own and post some more details here (or somewhere else). Somehow WinXP doesn't recognize your graphics card right or thinks it is damaged. Since it functioned fine before it most probably is a WinXP system error.
VgaSafe is a WinXP builtin display mode to which WinXP resorts when it has problems loading the 'normal' display mode. In VgaSafe mode your graphics are rendered by your CPU instead of your GPU (graphic processor on your graphics card). In other words, your graphics card is disabled by WinXP. Thats why you can't find your Graphics Adapter in 'Device Manager'. It passes through the display data for your monitor from the CPU but does nothing more. VgaSafe Mode is also a boot option (VGA Mode) in the bootoptions menu (where Safe Mode is listed also).
You might find info on why WinXP fails to load your graphics adapter (drivers) in 'Event Viewer'. RMB click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'. On the left in the treestructure you will see a folder called 'Event Viewer'. Look for errors in the 'Application' and in the 'System' subfolders which might be related to your graphics card (drivers). You will most probably find info in the 'System' subfolder.
I don't have a simple solution for you (except reformatting and reinstalling). You will have to do some exploration on your own and post some more details here (or somewhere else). Somehow WinXP doesn't recognize your graphics card right or thinks it is damaged. Since it functioned fine before it most probably is a WinXP system error.
