Nvidia GeForce mx440
Discussion
Calling computer experts.
I am trying to fix a computer with a problem regarding a mx440 graphics card.
The system is running Windows XP and to be quite honest there is a lot of junk on there too.
After a while the screen goes off for a second then back on. Seconds after that a 'No signal' message comes up and nothing happens. The computer sometimes turns it's self but usually keeps on going, just the monitor is blank.
Occasionally the error message comes up:
szAppName: Drivers. Display saApper: 10DE0181C110531682
szModName: nv4_disp.dll szModVer: 6.14.10.5303 offset: ED0F06EA
The owner has changed the Monitor, made no difference, and also changed the graphics card (although to a very similar one) which hasn’t helped.
I tried using my hard drive in his system to try and establish it as a software or hardware problem. The same problem occurs when using windows 2000. I have also tried several different drivers and no joy.
So I assume its a hardware problem, and there is nothing left to change but the motherboard.
There is about £5k's worth of software on there and lots of important files, so the last thing we want to do is format the hard drive.
any suggestions? Do we just buy a new Motherboard and hope that works?
Cheers
Alan
I am trying to fix a computer with a problem regarding a mx440 graphics card.
The system is running Windows XP and to be quite honest there is a lot of junk on there too.
After a while the screen goes off for a second then back on. Seconds after that a 'No signal' message comes up and nothing happens. The computer sometimes turns it's self but usually keeps on going, just the monitor is blank.
Occasionally the error message comes up:
szAppName: Drivers. Display saApper: 10DE0181C110531682
szModName: nv4_disp.dll szModVer: 6.14.10.5303 offset: ED0F06EA
The owner has changed the Monitor, made no difference, and also changed the graphics card (although to a very similar one) which hasn’t helped.
I tried using my hard drive in his system to try and establish it as a software or hardware problem. The same problem occurs when using windows 2000. I have also tried several different drivers and no joy.
So I assume its a hardware problem, and there is nothing left to change but the motherboard.
There is about £5k's worth of software on there and lots of important files, so the last thing we want to do is format the hard drive.
any suggestions? Do we just buy a new Motherboard and hope that works?
Cheers
Alan
Why can't the software be re-installed and the data backup up after a fresh install of windows?
In any event, if you change the motherboard, a re-install is recommended.
To be honest, that's the only clear way of isolating the problem. It doesn't sound like a hardware problem if you've tried a different card. Trying lots of different drivers can get messy and leave remnants.
You should always be prepared to re-install if need be, with backups of all vital data, CDs/licenses/patches all present.
It should take 1 day absolute maximum.
In any event, if you change the motherboard, a re-install is recommended.
To be honest, that's the only clear way of isolating the problem. It doesn't sound like a hardware problem if you've tried a different card. Trying lots of different drivers can get messy and leave remnants.
You should always be prepared to re-install if need be, with backups of all vital data, CDs/licenses/patches all present.
It should take 1 day absolute maximum.
Muncher said:
Why can't the software be re-installed and the data backup up after a fresh install of windows?
Back up the data after a fresh install? Is there not a chance that we could loose it all? If I was to back it up then I would prefer to do so before reinstalling windows. The problem is the error could appear during the installation and cause serious problems. Which is the reason I cant back up before, because there is not enough time before it switches off.
alan_driver said:
If I was to back it up then I would prefer to do so before reinstalling windows. The problem is the error could appear during the installation and cause serious problems. Which is the reason I cant back up before, because there is not enough time before it switches off.
As you've already switched your hard drive into his machine, can you not:
- Put his drive into your machine as a slave and boot as normal
- Backup his data
- Put his drive back into his machinea and reformat
- Restore from the backup
?
Go with plotloss first but if that fails, you say you can't backup the HDD because you may encounter the problem half-way through... why don't you bung the HDD into another (working) machine and back up from there. Then replace the HDD in the "faulty" machine.
ETA: Great minds eh mrwomble!
>> Edited by chim_knee on Wednesday 25th August 11:08
ETA: Great minds eh mrwomble!
>> Edited by chim_knee on Wednesday 25th August 11:08
My PC is custom built and very difficult to add another Hdd, even with it hanging out the case.
First step will be to follow plotloss advice, but we have decided to upgrade the motherboard, Ram, PSU and a new CDRW while were at is. (it was becoming outdated anyway)
If I simply dragged and dropped the contents of his Hard Drive into mine. When it comes to putting them back it wont install all the original programs will it? He has several programs that have been downloaded but I don't think he has kept the install file.
First step will be to follow plotloss advice, but we have decided to upgrade the motherboard, Ram, PSU and a new CDRW while were at is. (it was becoming outdated anyway)
If I simply dragged and dropped the contents of his Hard Drive into mine. When it comes to putting them back it wont install all the original programs will it? He has several programs that have been downloaded but I don't think he has kept the install file.
Dont do that!
If you just copy the binaries as they exist on the current drive the registry will be hosed when you restart the computer with the new components due to the way plug and play and ACPI interact with Windows.
Best to go component by component once you have resolved the driver issue.
I am 90% sure that this is a software issue...
If you just copy the binaries as they exist on the current drive the registry will be hosed when you restart the computer with the new components due to the way plug and play and ACPI interact with Windows.
Best to go component by component once you have resolved the driver issue.
I am 90% sure that this is a software issue...
plotloss said:
Download Driver Cleaner 3.0
Clear all VGA drivers and then reinstall the Nvidia ones.
Job done, or at least it should be...
You could also try uninstalling any NVidia drivers from the Control Panel (Add/Remove programs). This should leave you with a basic VGA driver which may give you enough time to do your backups.
NVidia certainly recommended you uninstall the drivers before upgrading versions so it's possible this is a problem. The driver version you quoted is a lot newer than your card so it's possible it's no longer compatible.
TJMurphy said:The thing is TJ, this may just reboot, find the NVidia card and attempt to reinstall it with the same drivers (probably keeps a copy under winntsys32drivers).
You could also try uninstalling any NVidia drivers from the Control Panel (Add/Remove programs). This should leave you with a basic VGA driver which may give you enough time to do your backups.
NVidia certainly recommended you uninstall the drivers before upgrading versions so it's possible this is a problem. The driver version you quoted is a lot newer than your card so it's possible it's no longer compatible.
Better to flatten it and start again, if you have backup copies of the software. I tend to do this with both my PCs as the amount of cack that gets installed, then uninstalled etc, it soon creaks a bit.
GregE240 said:
Better to flatten it and start again, if you have backup copies of the software. I tend to do this with both my PCs as the amount of cack that gets installed, then uninstalled etc, it soon creaks a bit.
Couldn't agree more. I reckon a year is about the limit for a Windows machine before it starts to gently die. Keep decent backups and rebuilding a machine needn't take more than an evening.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff