Tech Deficient: updating video card drivers?

[RKelly]

Hey all,
I cannot believe I am having problems updating my video card with the latest drivers but here goes my plight, hopefully one of you can help!

I have a Sony Vaio desktop, and my video card is identified as NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440. This Vaio has a tv tuner (giga pocket software) installed as well if that makes any difference. I went to NVIDIA's website to update the drivers, but I cannot find my specific video card listed in the downloads. I am not sure what to choose, I don't want to download the wrong drivers and potentially run into problems. I am tryng to update b/c I bought a new lcd monitor, and the recommended specs are 1440x900, which currently I cannot achieve. If anybody can help I would appreciate it!

[jameshgross]

Many computer makers use customized drivers for their devices.
Try the Sony site for your drivers.

[Skith]

Make sure windows is using the correct monitor profile (I have heard of instances where monitors switch but the profile doesnt, causing problems, mabey that is why you can not get the proper resolution).

Also check your documentation to find out specifically what graphics card you have, so you can get it's specifications.

Nvidia's Unified Drivers should work, they support everything from the Geforce 4 line. Don't forget about their driver archives either, where you can download older driver versions. I run a Geforce 4 Ti4000 and am using v56.73 (runs stable for me, so I don't mess with it.) I have heard that the latest drivers sometimes don't run smoothly on older hardware, I have no idea if it is really true.

If you do end up trying different drivers, here are some tips:

1) Make a manual recovery state with your original driver set.

2) Always uninstall old drivers and switch to standard VGA display mode/resolution before installing new drivers. Reboot after each step. (switch res/uninstall - reboot - install - reboot)

3) A nice tool to help clean up problems, and reminents of old drivers can be found at http://www.drivercleaner.net

It is a great tool, allowing for fresh driver installations. Saves one from having to reformat to have a clean system.

----

Worst case scenario, you may need a new card, but I doubt it is necessary.

[RKelly]

thanks for the advice. I contacted Sony directly who informed me the drivers were not available online, and they suggested I contact a Sony authorized dealer. From there I went to NVIDIA's website (seeing as they have the card listed on their website, just no drivers for it), posed my problem in a form of a email to them, and now am waiting for a response. Whether I get one or not, is another story. If they don't reply I will probably try the advice to look into some other (hopefully compatible)drivers.

[JourneymanIM]

Hi

Your drivers are on the nvidia site
follow this link :- http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
click on graphics driver
geforce and tnt2
then on which operating system you have you will then be taken to the download page
nvidia have a one driver for all cards solution and you card is supported

hope that helps

[RKelly]

are you sure this is the correct driver? As far as I can tell, it doesn't say anything about compatibility with my video card. thanks

[moviebuff2]

Hi RKelly:

Go to http://www.nvidia.com, type in GeForce4 MX 440 driver, click on "search" (top of page), you will see:

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (84.43) [100%]
Last Updated: Apr 12, 2006

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (84.25) [100%]
Last Updated: Apr 12, 2006

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (84.12) [99%]
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2006

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (82.12) [99%]
Last Updated: Feb 28, 2006

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (84.20) [99%]
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2006

Beta Driver - Windows XP / 2000 (81.87) [98%]
Last Updated: Dec 19, 2005

Products Supported [49%]
Last Updated: Apr 18, 2006

Products Supported [37%]
Last Updated: Nov 15, 2005

Products Supported [37%]
Last Updated: Aug 05, 2005

Products Supported [37%]

Cheers

[RKelly]

thank you. That was so simple, why I did not do the search I don't know. Sometimes I'm so clumsy! Anyways thanks for the help!