Solved Windows 8.1 Has rendered Graphics Card Useless

RBunning

New Member
Messages
51
Hello-

Things to know before I start:
>Graphics Card: Galaxy NVIDIA GT620
>I also have an integrated graphics card (Which is an AMD), but I want to use the other graphics card
>I have installed Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store update, Just today

Problem I am having:

After installation, I have no picture on my screen when the '620 is installed and monitor connected to it, however when I remove the '620 and connect my monitor to the integrated graphics, Windows boots with a picture and runs normally.

What I suspect:
I think that there is a driver problem with the '620.

What I have tried:
Since there is no picture when the '620 is installed (and I need it to be in order to install drivers for it), I set veamviewer to launch with Windows, put in the '620, and connected to the computer through my laptop.

Controling the computer through my laptop, I noted that the computer was running in a low resolution (whatever is below 800x600 or something like that). I noted that my monitor had been renamed to 'Generic Non PnP Monitor'; and it was running off of the BasicDisplay Driver.

I went to install my NVIDIA driver, but everytime i tried it failed for numerous reasons.

After numerous fails, i went to device manager and tried installing my driver through there. The latest driver for my card that I got from NVIDIA is what i set to be installed. After a few seconds... *BING* on the monitor i have a picture... but only for a few seconds, then the screen goes off *and on the laptop controling it* it says there was problem installing the driver.

After this, when I try to controll the computer (through teamviewer on my laptop) i get a black screen with the mouse cursor on it, and cannot do anything else.

Any assistance i would appreciate, This is not something that I want to be dealing with right now...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
Do you have a monitor to connect to your other connection on your 620? It's just switching over to one of the other outputs. Or plug your cable into one of the other connections on the 620. You won't see the initial boot, but once Windows comes up you should see it on the other monitor.

Run your NVIDIA install. Should work fine. Then you can have it set boot to whichever monitor output you want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel I-7 860
    Motherboard
    Asus P7B
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 580
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer (Primary), Asus (secondary), Sony TV (third)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston 128GB SSD Windows 8 Boot Drive
    WD Black 1 TB (2 ea)
    WD Red 3 TB
    WD Black 500GB
    Keyboard
    MS 1000
    Mouse
    MS Flip
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FIOS 35/35
    Browser
    IE 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 Defender (MS Security Essentials)
Do you have a monitor to connect to your other connection on your 620? It's just switching over to one of the other outputs. Or plug your cable into one of the other connections on the 620. You won't see the initial boot, but once Windows comes up you should see it on the other monitor.

Run your NVIDIA install. Should work fine. Then you can have it set boot to whichever monitor output you want.

Yes, my monitor is connected to the 'other' connection (Its plugged in on the VGA, I have an open DVI port). Funny, I thought that this was the problem at first... Sadly, I do not have a DVI cord around, i'll have to get one.

I would like to ask two more things about this:

>How comes its switching outputs now in 8.1, and never did in Windows 8?
>Why can't I (and never could) see the initial boot?

Thank you for your assistance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
Not sure. Since you have an integrated card as well, check your BIOS to see if you can set one or the other card to default. Then when you boot, it will use that one from the get-go.

Not sure about this, I don't have a system with dual cards, but others here can help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel I-7 860
    Motherboard
    Asus P7B
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 580
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer (Primary), Asus (secondary), Sony TV (third)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston 128GB SSD Windows 8 Boot Drive
    WD Black 1 TB (2 ea)
    WD Red 3 TB
    WD Black 500GB
    Keyboard
    MS 1000
    Mouse
    MS Flip
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FIOS 35/35
    Browser
    IE 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 Defender (MS Security Essentials)
To the OP. Did you ever go into bios settings and check to make sure that embedded graphics/GPU is not enabled. Windows 8.x.x is not the issue here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Since there is no picture when the '620 is installed (and I need it to be in order to install drivers for it),
"ALL" graphics cards, monitors, and operating systems support standard VGA protocols and resolutions right out of the box. If they didn't, how could anyone setup a brand new computer? Or see the menu when booting into the BIOS Setup Menu, or see anything in Safe Mode (which by-passes user-installed drivers)? Typically, what "should" happen when you replace integrated with a card, the integrated graphics is automatically disabled and the graphics tasks are sent to the card. You normally don't need to make any changes in the BIOS Setup Menu - UNLESS you had previously made changes that affect graphics processing. Did you? You might consider uninstalling all graphics drivers, resetting the BIOS, setting the date and time and trying again.

I noted that my monitor had been renamed to 'Generic Non PnP Monitor'
Just to ensure common understanding it is important to note there is NO SUCH THING as monitor "drivers", per say. This is because operating systems do NOT communicate directly with monitors - ever! That is the job of the graphics solution (card or integrated).

All the [so-called] monitor driver does is (1) provide the monitor brand and model number to Windows and (2) grays out unsupported resolutions so the user has the few supported resolutions to select from, instead of the entire list the card supports.

So don't worry about monitor drivers or monitor names at this time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Do you have a monitor to connect to your other connection on your 620? It's just switching over to one of the other outputs. Or plug your cable into one of the other connections on the 620. You won't see the initial boot, but once Windows comes up you should see it on the other monitor.

Run your NVIDIA install. Should work fine. Then you can have it set boot to whichever monitor output you want.

Just got a DVI cord today to plug into the 'other side' of the 620. Booted and same story as before- no signal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
Since there is no picture when the '620 is installed (and I need it to be in order to install drivers for it),
"ALL" graphics cards, monitors, and operating systems support standard VGA protocols and resolutions right out of the box. If they didn't, how could anyone setup a brand new computer? Or see the menu when booting into the BIOS Setup Menu, or see anything in Safe Mode (which by-passes user-installed drivers)? Typically, what "should" happen when you replace integrated with a card, the integrated graphics is automatically disabled and the graphics tasks are sent to the card. You normally don't need to make any changes in the BIOS Setup Menu - UNLESS you had previously made changes that affect graphics processing. Did you? You might consider uninstalling all graphics drivers, resetting the BIOS, setting the date and time and trying again.

I noted that my monitor had been renamed to 'Generic Non PnP Monitor'
Just to ensure common understanding it is important to note there is NO SUCH THING as monitor "drivers", per say. This is because operating systems do NOT communicate directly with monitors - ever! That is the job of the graphics solution (card or integrated).

All the [so-called] monitor driver does is (1) provide the monitor brand and model number to Windows and (2) grays out unsupported resolutions so the user has the few supported resolutions to select from, instead of the entire list the card supports.

So don't worry about monitor drivers or monitor names at this time.

Excuse me, for I may not have worded that correctly-

I am aware that there is no such thing as a monitor driver. When I said 'Since there is no picture when the '620 is installed (and I need it to be in order to install drivers for it)', I ment that the 620 needs to be installed so when I go to install the NVIDIA drivers for it, the installer sees the card and doesnt spit back an error that it couldnt find hardware to install the drivers for.

When I commented about the monitor being renamed I ment that it was taking on the name it usually does when the graphics card is plugged in; and the monitor is connected to it. What I was more concerned about with it, though was when I clicked Advanced and under adapter settings, the adapter was titled 'Basic Display'- not GT620 like it should have.

If what the monitor and adapter titles arent what i should be worrying about with this, than what should I be?

I have never made any changes in the BIOS regarding graphics processing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
To the OP. Did you ever go into bios settings and check to make sure that embedded graphics/GPU is not enabled. Windows 8.x.x is not the issue here.

The field that I assume it for altering integrated graphics is greyed out (When using integrated graphics). I cannot see to load into the BIOS with the other card installed because it does not show anything during that period of time during booting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
I ment that the 620 needs to be installed so when I go to install the NVIDIA drivers for it, the installer sees the card and doesnt spit back an error that it couldnt find hardware to install the drivers for.
Right, but if the BIOS does not know to use the card, it does not matter what order you install things.

If what the monitor and adapter titles arent what i should be worrying about with this, than what should I be?

I have never made any changes in the BIOS regarding graphics processing.
That the card is inserted properly - to include any extra power connectors from the PSU - as many cards need these days.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The field that I assume it for altering integrated graphics is greyed out (When using integrated graphics). I cannot see to load into the BIOS with the other card installed because it does not show anything during that period of time during booting.
That would be because you have to connect your monitor to the onboard GPU, so that you can get into the bios and disable the onboard. Then you would be able to use the third party card.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
The field that I assume it for altering integrated graphics is greyed out (When using integrated graphics). I cannot see to load into the BIOS with the other card installed because it does not show anything during that period of time during booting.
That would be because you have to connect your monitor to the onboard GPU, so that you can get into the bios and disable the onboard. Then you would be able to use the third party card.

Alright, I think I got it fixed :)

It was a driver problem:

*remember I was controlling my computer through team viewer*
Through Device Manager, my graphics card was labeled 'Basic Display Adapter' (or something of a similar nature). I knew this was my graphics card, because it was located at PCI Bus 1 (Bus 0 is my integrated)... This time, when I went to install the driver, i used the next- to- latest driver. After installing, i was prompted to reboot, and *BING*, there's Windows.

Thank all of you who have helped me with this problem. I do have to comment though I sometimes have a hard time explaining things about issues..

If I have any more problems Ill be right back to the forums :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX (SX2110G-UW23
    CPU
    AMD E1 1500
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Galaxy NVIDA GEForce GT620
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG free
I do have to comment though I sometimes have a hard time explaining things about issues..
If folks knew exactly how to explain technical issues, they probably already have the expertise to fix it and there would be no such thing as thingamajigs, doohickeys, or whatchamacallits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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