Optimus II graphic card problems

[totomas]

{Resurected post : please see last post}

Hi all,

I bought 2 years ago a Laptop Optimus II with a Nvidia GeForce GT555M. I was all fine with it, I could use Maya, Zbrush, Cryengine all open in the same time with no problems at all.

Recently, it's an other story. I can't open most program, even Photoshop CS5 crashes on me. I receive all the time the "Nvidia graphic driver recovered from unsuspected error" (or something like that) warning message.

So obviously, I have a problem with my graphic card.

What can I do to know what's wrong? (and yes, I did update the drivers). Can I run some tests? How do I get information about the state of my graphic card? Is it normal that it dies after 2 years?

Thank you for your help in advance!

Thomas

 

[keynes]

I would contact technical support to diagnose the problem.

 

[steaky360]

Hi its not normal at all. I understand you have updated your drivers but did you do a clean install of them? I would advise you try that in the first instance as its a driver error most likely rather than a hardware fault.

Another thing would be to use windows restore to go back to a point before these issues started to occur because it may be a conflicting driver that is causing the problems.

 

[totomas]

Hi,

thank you for your quick answer.

I did contact the support now . Let's see what they say. I am cautious in making a clean install of the drivers (never done that and don't know how to do it).
I will update this thread if I manage t
cheers

 

[steaky360]

When you download the driver update from nvidia and go to install it there is a tick box for 'custom installation' if you click that you can choose to perform a clean installation.

This wipes the old drivers from your system before installing the new ones. I use it everytime I update my drivers (and have not had any issues with it). Not sure if its reassuring but it really is the best way imo to install these drivers. Definitely worth a shot.

Also, if that doesn't sort the problem, it seems likely to be a driver conflict of some kind, so I'd use win restore as I suggested. It is more likely to be software than hardware I'd suggest.

 

[keynes]

For an nvidia gpu the installation will allow you to do a clean one by choosing custom installation (if I remember correctly), in the worst case scenario you can use system restore to go back.

 

[ubuysa]

Hi,

thank you for your quick answer.

I did contact the support now . Let's see what they say. I am cautious in making a clean install of the drivers (never done that and don't know how to do it).
I will update this thread if I manage t
cheers

You might find the detailed instructions by Boozad listed below useful for performing a completely clean re-install of your NVIDIA drivers...

Download whatever driver you want to use to your desktop. Next, go to Windows update and set it to 'check for updates but let me decide what to install' that will keep windows from automatically installing it's video driver. Next go to C:/Nvidia, open the folder and you should see a folder named Display driver. Inside that folder you should see a folder for every driver you have ever installed. They will be names 320.49 and such. Delete every one of those folders, but do not delete the display driver folder, just the ones inside. Next go to control panel > uninstall programs. Uninstall all of the Nvidia display programs, but this is important, uninstall the display driver last. Uninstall the Nvidia update, Phys X, 3D drivers (few people use them), Nvidia HDMI, and the Nvidia update (it does not work anyway). Last uninstall the display driver. You will be told to reboot, do so. When you log back on, windows will install a display adaptor, that is OK. Open your driver that you have downloaded from Nvidia, agree to terms, do not select express install, select custom install. Make sure the 'clean install' check box is selected and uncheck everything except the display driver and PhysX, then install. You will have to reboot after that. That will be the cleanest install you can get, and you will not have the HDMI driver to conflict with the Realtek drivers, but should have all the drivers you need. You can then set windows update back to whatever you like.

This is from the thread at https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?28124-PC-having-problems/page2.

 

[totomas]

Hi,
Thank you Ubuysa.

I did a normal clean install as adviced but it did not change (Photoshop with artifacts on the screen).

Then I did your super clean install recommendation,and it seem to have done the trick. I tested it only with Photoshop but it is clearly better (no artifact).
I'll test other software to see how it goes.

Thank you all for the quick answer and the help!

Thomas

 

[ubuysa]

Hi,
Thank you Ubuysa.

I did a normal clean install as adviced but it did not change (Photoshop with artifacts on the screen).

Then I did your super clean install recommendation,and it seem to have done the trick. I tested it only with Photoshop but it is clearly better (no artifact).
I'll test other software to see how it goes.

Thank you all for the quick answer and the help!

Thomas

Don't thank me, the information came from Boozad. Some rep for him would be in order I think..

 

[totomas]

will do

 

[Boozad]

Glad to see it sorted your problem. Nice work ubuysa!

 

[totomas]

Hi all,

I need tu resurrect my thread because I have some huge problem again, ie my 3d software like Maya and game engine like Cryengine and UDK won't work anymore (they used to).
I redid all the steps mentioned above, but no changes. The only thing is that I cannot really do a system restore as the most recent restore point is when I actually got the laptop, 2 years ago.
Actually, what would be best : do a system restore that way back or a clean install of Windows?
Is there no way to test the graphic card to see if it is brocken or what? Does it never happen ?
Thank you