drivers uninstall

[aristorias]

I have a nvida 8600gt card and since installation can not get current opengl games to work. i used an application glinfo to see what opengl version is installed and it reports 1.1 with microsoft generic drivers.

I have repeatedly reinstalled latest version drivers to no avail. I had almost given up on the issue, but saw on a posting on an opengl fan site ( yes there are such things!) that the problem probably lies in not completely removing the previous cards drivers.

It said there is a tool for the less than tech savvy, which will remove all graphics drivers completely allowing for a clean install from the manufacturer.

I would try to reinstall windows (xp) but I do not have a separate windows disk, as windows is reinstalled when required vis a partion operated by PCAngel, and this automatically restores the old card drivers.

The tool seems the way forward - does anybody please know what it is?

Thanks

Aristorias the baffled greek geek

[Paul Komski]

I don't know of a tool and the following registry tweak is not without risk but if you are starting from an image restore and can redo the restore that shouldn't be a problem.

What I have done in the past is navigate the registry to:-
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI and expand all the keys starting VEN. Look in each one to find the relevant hardware (A Radeon 7500 in the image below) then delete the whole of that key (the one starting VEN) and reboot. I think that if you deleted the correct key the PC new hardware wizard will run at restart. Even on-board video should appear in the PCI section - since it is still normally on that particular bus.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2r4242q.jpg

No guarantees (haven't done it in some time) and the risk is all your own. If you allow the new hardware wizard to run straight away it may find and install the old drivers so cancel it and run the makers updated setup if there is such a facility otherwise customize the wizard to select your specific drivers.

[aristorias]

Thanks for the advice Paul; I will now go off and summon up a lot of dutch courage..

Aristorias

[nuz]

Just don't work on the pc afterwards. Those things are trouble enough when you're sober.

[Paul Komski]

Since you apparently have a way of restoring your system it shouldn't take that much courage. The main risks are when one has valuable data on a system that hasn't been backed-up.