Windows 7 and Nvidia Control Panel crashing with GTX295

[johng_71]

I have the following setup:

Intel i7 920 CPU
Asus P6T Deluxe mb
Gainward GTX295 graphics card
6GB RAM

I am running Windows 7 RC Build 7100 - 64 bit

I am having trouble with the Nvidia control panel - it basically crashes every time I try to start it up. I have tried all the following drivers from Nvidia (64 bit versions):

185.81
185.85
186.18 (which is the very latest)

All have the same problem. Have tried re-installing many times, with no luck. Also tried Driver Sweeper to completely remove the drivers, but still can't get the control panel to load. Basically the drivers seem to load ok, I just can't run Nvidia Control panel, so can't change any settings. It's really frustrating. Any help appreciated, or if anyone else is experiencing the same problem I'd like to know.

 

[Mousemonkey]

What about installing the 190.15 driver over the top without using Driver Sweeper?

 

[johng_71]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried the 190.15 driver which I only found at Guru3d (not the Nvidia site), and still no luck... Nvidia Control Panel just crashes as before.. I'm starting to run out of options now, other than to re-install Windows.. I guess I'm hoping this is some sort of software issue, and not some hardware compatibility problem...

 

[Mousemonkey]

It may be that Driver Sweeper program, there has been word that it can delete files it's not supposed to, which is why I don't use or recommend it, but if a rollback doesn't work then a reinstall may be the only option. GL

 

[johng_71]

The problem was occurring before I put Driver Sweeper into the equation, but I do take your point - it is a program you use at your own risk, and it may have deleted some important files. I'll try installing Win 7 RC on an old drive and see what happens...

 

[johng_71]

Re-installing Windows 7 didn't help, but I finally found my problem. Nvidia control panel doesn't like my second monitor for some reason. When I disconnect it, control panel works fine. My second monitor is actually an AWA TV which used to work fine as a second monitor on my Win XP setup before. Obviously some compatibility problem somewhere...

 

[johng_71]

*UPDATE* - Further tests reveal it wasn't actually the second monitor (or TV), but the monitor cable. Couldn't see anything wrong with the old cable, but I did notice it had a slightly different pin arrangement to the cable that worked. So, even though the second monitor was displaying a reasonable picture, the fact that the cable was a slightly different pin configuration was causing Nvidia control panel to crash. Glad everything is working now.

 

[meodowla]

Asus launched a new BIOS update for Asus P6T Deluxe to support GTX295 with more than 4GB RAM on a Vista64 O.S. Check it.
Bios Update Version 1206
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=vXixf82co6Q5v0BZ&templete=2

 

[Guest]

*UPDATE* - Further tests reveal it wasn't actually the second monitor (or TV), but the monitor cable. Couldn't see anything wrong with the old cable, but I did notice it had a slightly different pin arrangement to the cable that worked. So, even though the second monitor was displaying a reasonable picture, the fact that the cable was a slightly different pin configuration was causing Nvidia control panel to crash. Glad everything is working now.

What kind of cable was it? I'm using a DVI cable right now, and I'm having the same problem you had. :O

 

[johng_71]

What kind of cable was it? I'm using a DVI cable right now, and I'm having the same problem you had. :O

It was an old VGA cable. I was using a VGA to DVI convertor to connect to my graphics card. I replaced it with another, slighly newer looking VGA cable (and still using the VGA/DVI convertor), and everything worked fine. The only difference I could see between the two cables was that the pin configuration was slightly different - and also that the older cable was a fair bit longer (by about 1 metre) but not sure it the length had anything to do it.

 

[JessicaD]

Johng_71,

Several users have had a similar experience with drivers, specifically for graphic cards, and Windows 7. Remember, Win 7 is still in development and therefore the drivers are as well. In many cases, use of Windows Vista certified drivers should work if installed and run through compatibility mode. For additional help and feedback from other users like yourself, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 RC Support Forum located here http://tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to check the threads there.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team