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Widows XP freezes at boot screen after installing NVidia drivers

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 04:19:57 PM

Recently, my system that has been running stable for 6 months had a funny shutdown procedure where the screen went black and just a cursor was left blinking in the upper left corner. Upon reboot, the system froze on the windows boot screen. When this happens, it restarts on its own and then tries again, but fails. I fortunately had made a complete back-up of all my files not too long ago, so I tried a clean install of XP x64 PRO.

The install works fine, and I can get all drivers installed successfully, (with successful restarts in between), including updating to service pack 2. I leave the Video card drivers for last, and attempt to install the latest drivers for my SLI GeForce 7900GS cards, When the NVidia installwizard launches, the system goes black and restarts with the same black screen as before. Then the system will no-longer boot. Safe mode still works. I tried skipping the installshield and manually installing the drivers, but the problem persists. Anyone have any ideas?

Reinstalling windows for the sixth time including reformatting the drive into NTFS is getting extremely frustrating, especially on a system that was fine just 3 days ago...

Thanks, Tucker

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badge   09-09-2007 at 05:50:30 PM
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You could try installingthe video card driver with just one video card. You didn't list your specs., but your power supply may be weak six months down the road. Sounds like you have a problem with either a video card or your psu. Also, perhaps try the video card CD that came with the card and see if that manufacturer tested driver will install.

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 06:42:24 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the advice.

The specs are as follows

MB: Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
CPU: AMD Opteron 185 socket 939
PSU: PowerTek 750Watt
GPU: 2 x NVidia GeForce 7900 GS (XFX)

Everything was new in Jan. '07

I'll try with just one card, and post in a couple of hours. Repairing the version of windows just results in the whole process cycling endlessly, which means I have to go through a clean install every time. Is there any known reason why I can't do a Quick NTFS format over the normal one? That would save me a bunch of time.

Unfortunately, the driver disk that came with the cards didn't include a x64 version, but the cards worked flawlessly for 6 months, so I know that they are compatible.

~Tucker

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 06:49:02 PM
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Also, is it recommended that I install service pack 2 and fully update the machine BEFORE I try to install the video drivers? Since I know the problem is with the drivers can I try them immediately after windows finishes installing?

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badge   09-09-2007 at 07:03:20 PM
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After you install your OS, install the system drivers from the MB CD, then install the video driver from the CD. Then install the updates online for your OS. Then install all other software applications you will use.

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 08:31:32 PM
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Once again, the XP install went fine.

MB drivers installed correctly, and the system reboots perfectly.

In the middle of the driver install for the video card, the screen goes black, and just a blinking "_" remains.

Perhaps it is a hard drive error?

Seems as though all system files become corrupted now, as it wont reboot, and even when the driver is removed in safe mode, it still wont boot.

Loads to a black screen and eventually reboots BIOS, resulting in a black screen again.

~Tucker

------------------------------ SLI Baby
 Reply to tuckerjensen
badge   09-09-2007 at 09:28:31 PM
- 0 +

Try loading the video card driver to one card only. If it fails, try loading the driver to the other card. What video card driver are you trying to load?

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 10:44:59 PM
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I'm trying to load the latest driver available from the NVidia website.

I'll post in a few about the success of that.

------------------------------ SLI Baby
 Reply to tuckerjensen
badge   09-09-2007 at 10:50:14 PM
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Three things possible: 1. diver problem. 2. video card problem 3. psu problem.

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tuckerjensen   09-09-2007 at 10:55:28 PM
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Should I try the some archived drivers? Something that worked before?

I can try the cards, I also have an extra 7900GS I can throw in there as well.

The power supply should be fine. It was top of the line back then, and supplies plenty of juice.

I'll post in a little while the results.

Thanks for your help so far...

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ SLI Baby
 Reply to tuckerjensen
badge   09-09-2007 at 10:57:53 PM
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Like I said, I would use the driver that came with the card. That CD has a 64 bit driver I hope?

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badge   09-09-2007 at 10:58:42 PM
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You might go to your MB product website and download and install any updated system drivers too.

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badge   09-09-2007 at 11:18:37 PM
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tuckerjensen wrote :

Should I try the some archived drivers? Something that worked before?

I can try the cards, I also have an extra 7900GS I can throw in there as well.

The power supply should be fine. It was top of the line back then, and supplies plenty of juice.

I'll post in a little while the results.

Thanks for your help so far...




Quote :

Something that worked before?



yes.

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tuckerjensen   09-10-2007 at 03:10:33 AM
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Seems as though I may have isolated the problem.

When trying to just turn on the computer with only one card installed, my second card would not even prompt the BIOS, where my primary did.

I'm reinstalling windows now and Im going to give it a shot.

------------------------------ SLI Baby
 Reply to tuckerjensen
tuckerjensen   09-10-2007 at 05:21:09 AM
- 0 +

When installing the working card, EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT!!!

I guess I'm just down a couple hundred, unless I can get some warranty work.

They are less that a year old...

But, it works great now, and I really appreciate your help BADGE.

Thanks,

~Tucker

------------------------------ SLI Baby
 Reply to tuckerjensen
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