Nvidia GeForce FX5500 Problems

The problem started when i was playing World of Warcraft and i noticed that the terrain seemed to bend and have very pronounced peaks as if stretched from the game environment. Thinking this was a video card act-up again, i closed all programs and fired up a movie on my computer using the latest Windows Media Player which did play the movie but had large red pixels scattered on the screen in great number. I checked the Device Manager in Control Panel>System>Device Manager, looked up the display adapters to find the Nvidia GeForce FX 5500 had an error: "This device cannot start. (Code 10) ".

Following this i rebooted the computer into safe mode and removed the Nvidia Driver with Add/Remove Programs. I did attempt to install Driver Cleaner but could not find a working freeware copy, and do not trust the so far unknown software enough to purchase it via credit card. After that i re-booted again entering safe mode and installed the latest Nvidia Drivers for GeForce FX 5500.

Afterward i ran CA Security Center and scanned the computer for viruses, and ran Spybot-Search & Destroy to check if it was a virus or spy-ware related problem but found nothing. Ran Hijack-This to look for any unwanted auto runs that might affect the graphics card and/or drivers but found none. I do not have a decent registry cleaning program so it may or may not be a registry problem but do not know where to get a free and working registry cleaner .

Any help about this would be very welcome, as i feel i am running out of options as of the moment besides taking the computer to a PC repairs shop.

 

I updated DirectX, and it said i already have the latest version.

Ran the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and got;

"No problems found. "

However in the Direct X Diagnostic i did find in the display tab;

The system is using the generic video driver.
Please install video driver provided by the hardware manufacturer.
DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D functionality not available.
You should verify that the driver is a final version from the hardware manufacturer.

So the Nvidia driver though installing does not start up still because of the "This device cannot start. (Code 10) ".

Apologies if i sound rude but as an additional note, World of Warcraft has run fine for some reason for the past four years without any trouble, so its not likely something to do with the game.

 

What happened when you rebooted into normal mode? When the Add New Hardware wizard ran, did you get it to look for the drivers on the drivers CD? If the wizard cannot find the drivers, you can click Cancel (don't let it reinstall the old drivers again).

Alternatively, after you run the uninstaller in safe mode, go back to the Startup Options (F8) and select VGA mode. After you get to the desktop, run the nVidia installer.

Is it possible that old graphics managers are still installed from a previous graphics adapter? Check through the list in Add or Remove Programs.

I have come across some serious problems with graphics drivers and have never needed to use a "driver cleaner" (or registry cleaner for that matter). My opinion is that they can be dangerous.

Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall as many times as you like. Look at how you do the reinstall and if there may be graphics files for a different adapter (still) installed.

You should find the best version of the drivers are the ones on the CD that came with the graphics adapter. I will look for updated drivers at the website of the company that manufactured the adapter (nVidia only manufacture the chipset).

As PeteC mentioned, the 5500 might be "minimum requirements" for WoW. Try going into the Graphics Options of the game and lowering the settings. Make it easier for the adapter to run. (Theory...the graphics might be overheating and drivers "pop out" because they can no longer run the hardware.) If the adapter has a fan, check it is spinning freely and there is a good supply of cool air flowing through the case. You can try running with the case open and directing a desk fan into it (as a test).

Matt

 

When i rebooted the computer into normal, i added the driver by installing the latest Nvidia GeForce FX5500 driver that i downloaded earlier. There are no other graphics drivers besides the one that comes with the computer and thus far do not trust myself to tinker with it. Nvidia driver still shows up the Device cannot start error and i am now trying the step "Alternatively, after you run the uninstaller in safe mode, go back to the Startup Options (F8) and select VGA mode. After you get to the desktop, run the nVidia installer. "

 

Uninstalled the Nvidia Driver by Control Panel>System>Device Manager in Safe Mode.

Rebooted into VGA Mode and while installing the latest driver the computer went to the blue screen of death once the installer reached half way. The computer then would not successfully boot into normal mode and then after rebooting into Safe Mode the driver reports that it is now installed. Cleaned the case, which has liquid cooling and does have a reasonable airflow, there is no fan however for the graphics card, just the standard one that comes with most computers.

 

Use the uninstaller in Add or Remove Programs (in safe mode).

If the graphics chip is built into the motherboard, I would suggest the best driver version would be from motherboard manufacturer's website.

To save me rereading the thread, has anybody asked/considered it may be a clash with a recently installed Service Pack (SP3)?

I don't THINK it would be due to the version of DirectX, but I expect you have installed version 10. I avoid installing version 10 unless necessary (even then I might brace myself for problems). I use version 9.0c unless the graphics adapter is made for using DirectX 10. I think DirectX is still "uninstallable" (you cannot uninstall it and don't consider third party so-called "uninstallers "). I wonder about a System Restore if all other possibilities are exhausted.

Matt

 

SUCCESS! After thinking about System Restoring the computer, i decided to find an older driver for Nvidia FX5500 which i am happy to say works great, and the problem appears to be solved. I think it must have been a problem with the compatibility of the newer Nvidia drivers, making it so that the new drivers could not be detected by the computer and when Nvidia which auto updated the drivers, the update was not recognized as a driver and couldn't find one to replace it making the symptoms as foretold in my first post. Thanks very much for all the help PeteC and mattman, i probably would have ended up banging my head in frustration for many days without the timely assistance.

Chris