Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Use the following suggestions to help you solve problems with your display hardware.
The display works when booting and in the BIOS Setup, but not in Windows.
Solution
If you have an acceptable picture while booting or when in the BIOS Setup but no picture in
Windows, most likely you have an incorrect or corrupted video driver installed. Boot Windows in
either Safe Mode (which uses the Microsoft supplied vga.sys driver) or Enable VGA Mode (which
uses the current driver with VGA resolution settings). If Safe Mode or VGA Mode works, get a
correct or updated driver for the video card and reinstall.
If you have overclocked your card with a manufacturer-supplied or third-party utility, you might have
set the speed too high. Restart the system in Safe Mode and reset the card to run at its default speed. If
you have adjusted the speed of AGP/PCI/PCIe slots in the BIOS Setup program, restart the system,
start the BIOS Setup program, and reset these slots to run at the normal speed.
Can't select desired color depth and resolution combination.
Solution
Verify that the card is properly identified in Windows and that the card's memory is working
properly. Use diagnostic software provided by the video card or chipset maker to test the card's
memory. If the hardware is working properly, check for new drivers. Use the vendor's drivers rather
than the ones provided with Windows.
Can't select desired refresh rate.
Solution
Verify that the video adapter and the monitor have the latest drivers installed and are properly
identified in Windows. If necessary, obtain and install updated drivers for the adapter and display.
Can't adjust OpenGL or Direct3D (DirectX) settings.
Solution
Install the graphic card or chipset vendor's latest drivers instead of using the drivers included with
Microsoft Windows. Standard Microsoft drivers often don't include 3D or other advanced dialog
boxes.
Can't enable multiple monitors.
Solution
If you are using a multihead graphics card, make sure the additional monitors have been enabled in
the manufacturer's driver. This might require you to open the Advanced settings for your driver.
(Make sure you are using the latest one.) If you are using two or more video cards in an SLI
(NVIDIA), CrossFire (ATI), or CrossFireX (AMD) configuration, you must normally disable this
configuration before you can enable additional monitors. If you are using multiple video cards in
separate slots, check the BIOS Setup configuration for the primary adapter.
Can't enable SLI operation.
Solution
Make sure the MIO (SLI bridge) device is properly installed between your video cards (refer to
Figure 12.16
)
. If you are not using identical video cards, you must use NVIDIA ForceWare v81.85 or
