Problem with PC graphics – bad chip?

Factual Questions
1

Unfortunately, when I agreed to build a computer for my parents, I was also agreeing to be free 24-hour tech support. Nevermind that I have no official training; if there’s a problem, I have to pull an answer from my nether regions.

Basic system specs: Asus nForce2 mobo with integrated 64MB GeForce4 MX 4000, 1.9GHz Athlon XP CPU, 512MB DDR333, Antec PSU (400W, I think).

Anyway, the system was refusing to run Windows (XP Pro) except in safe mode, citing the graphics card (integrated) as the source of the instability. I uninstalled the nForce drivers, restarted, installed the nForce drivers from nVidia’s website, and restarted again. The drivers for all of the integrated peripherals worked, except for the graphics; I was getting the sort of low frame rate you get when you have no display drivers installed. Furthermore, Windows was detecting “new hardware” (the graphics chip), but refused to find drivers for it.

Next, I tried uninstalling the graphics component of the nForce drivers and installing the standalone display drivers from nVidia’s site. This caused amazing instability, so I uninstalled it, along with the nForce drivers, and installed the drivers that were bundled with the motherboard. Again, everything but the display was working properly. I’m starting to think that there may be something wrong with the integrated graphics card, but I’m hoping there’s another explanation that doesn’t involve spending quite so much money. Is it possible that there’s something wrong with Windows that would cause the driver not to work properly?

2

Do you have anopther desktop you can try the card in?

3

Do you have another desktop you can try the card in?

4

The graphics chip is integrated into the motherboard (It’s an nForce2 board), so putting it in another system or swapping for a known good part isn’t an option.

5

…Which you said in the OP :smack: …

6

I would put another hard drive in there and try a fresh install of XP to make certain it’s not some weird software issue.

I assume that board also has an AGP slot. If I couldn’t get the integrated graphics to work, I’d probably buy some cheap-o AGP card to get it to work. A bottom of the line one can’t be more than $50, can it? Maybe you have a friend who would be willing to donate some old card he doesn’t use anymore?

7

It’s been a while since I’ve used integraed graphics, but do the Nforce drivers contain the necessary files for your video chip? Try installing the latest detonator Nvidia Drivers for the Geforce chip seperately.

It might work :wink:

8

Yep, try installing the graphics drivers separtly. And if that doesn’t work, you can pick up a cheap graphics card from Newegg for $20-$35 or so.

9

I believe the nForce drivers do include display drivers. In any event, installing the Detonator drivers caused the instability I mentioned in the OP. Thankfully, the board does have an AGP slot, so I can buy a replacement card if necessary. I was just hoping it wouldn’t come to that.