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    Video Card Not Being Recognized

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Carbo, Jan 3, 2011.

  1. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    New XPS 15. I wiped the drive and did a clean install of Windows 7 Pro.
    Followed by installing the Dell Systems Utility and the chipset driver. Then I installed the nVidia driver, taken off the Dell Drivers and Downloads page. It installed without any errors.

    But now, when I right click on the desktop>screen resolution, the only display option offered is the Generic PnP Monitor on Standard VGA Graphics Adapter. No indication that the nVidia card exists.
    However, under Device Manager>Display adapters, it lists the NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M. Device status says the device is working properly.

    So, how do I access this card and its capabilities to take advantage of the 1080p screen?
     
    Carbo, Jan 3, 2011
    #1
  2. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    Update:
    Uninstalled the video driver that Dell provides on their website. Then I went to nVidia and downloaded and installed their latest driver for my specific card. Received this message: "This graphics drive could not find compatible graphics hardware".
    Now I'm thinking this isn't a driver issue but a hardware issue. :confused:
    Bad card? Card never installed at the factory?
    Anyone??
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
    #2
  3. dog_pig

    dog_pig Notebook Enthusiast

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    As far as I'm aware Dell have the drivers locked so that you can only install the video drivers from the ones available on the Dell site.
     
    dog_pig, Jan 4, 2011
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  4. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I've tried Dell's video driver from their site twice, but no luck. So then I went to nVidia's site, hoping that might work. But, again, still can't fix the issue.
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
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  5. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    What are your exact specs?
     
    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  6. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm guessing i5, 420m/intel gpu's with Optimus?
     
    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  7. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    That is correct.
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
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  8. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ok, did you install the intel gpu driver -then- the nvidia driver?
     
    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  9. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    By the way, is there a setting in the BIOS that might not be enabled and that would cause this?
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
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  10. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    As per Dell's instructions, after the install of the OS I installed Dell's Desktop System software, followed by the chipset driver. Both installed fine.
    Then I installed the video driver. . .and that's where I'm stuck.
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
    #10
  11. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    But you have a seperate driver for for the Intel gpu and a seperate driver for the Nvidia GPU and the Intel has to be installed first, did you do that? Or did you go straight for the Nvidia driver first?
     
    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  12. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  13. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    Dane, I appreciate your help, but I'm a bit confused so I want to make sure I follow you.
    After installing the OS, the order of drivers should be
    1) Dell System Software
    2) Chipset
    3) Intel HD Graphics Driver
    4) Video driver

    Is that correct?
    Up to now I have not installed number 3. Didn't know I had to! :eek:
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
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  14. Carbo

    Carbo Notebook Consultant

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    It worked!! That was the issue. I never installed the Intel HD driver, (didn't know I had to :eek: ) Soon as I did and then followed with the Nvidia driver, the screen went from the 800 X 600 Teletubbies look to 1920 x 1080.
    I just wish somewhere on the Dell drivers page this little tidbit would be mentioned.
    Dane, thank you! Much appreciated.
     
    Carbo, Jan 4, 2011
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  15. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    You're welcome, Optimus is a different game now! Pm me any time you need help! ;)
     
    DaneGRClose, Jan 4, 2011
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  16. compwiz0620

    compwiz0620 Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there anything I really need in the Dell System Software? When I reinstalled Windows fresh, I never installed that.
     
    compwiz0620, Jan 5, 2011
    #16