169.25 released!

Yes, I know, the guys at nvidia are just crazy!
No release for XP

Vista 32-bit
Vista 64-bit

My own modded inf, based on latest inf version from LV2GO: (not yet tested, use at your own risk!)
View attachment nv_disp.zip

Highlights:

Again lots of fixes, too see a full detailed list, check out the release notes:
Release notes

I haven't fully read the release notes, but it's probably support for TRI SLI (3-way SLI), although it mentions " numerous game and app compatibility fixes"

 

it just doesnt stop!!!!!

 

what??? so fast??? I have just installed yesterday the 169.21....

 

Read the release notes. Didn't change much. Thx though.

All GPUs
• Blu‐ray disc titles over component‐out do not play at 576p.[304186]
GeForce 8 Series GPUs
• GeForce 8 Series: The Help topic for Antialiasing inaccurately states to use override
when turning off in‐game AA. [308859]
The override option should be used only if your application does not have built‐in
antialiasing control.
GeForce 7 Series GPUs

 

..lmfao good thing I didn't download 169.21 on my uber dialup connection.

 

For non-english users, note that it's english only version! No international ver. so far

 

I'll wait this time. Installing 21 messed up all of my power management options and reduced my 3dmark scores.

 

My 3dMark with the 169.21 reduced 2 points (no kidding), windows vista told me it was good: from 5.1 to 5.3 in graphics (windows experience), and I haven't noticed any changes in Oblivion (haven't tested anything else).

 

i tried those modified drivers a few times but they just keep up messin up my notebook , i dont think a modded driver would bring that much of a speed up anyway.

 

#1 You mean modified inf? The drivers are the same for desktop and notebook.
#2 Modified inf is not supposed to speed up anything, just support mobile graphics cards

 

Anyone tested them yet? Can't install, because of non-english OS

EDIT: What the heck ? It's not because of non-english OS. Now the 169.21 won't install either. It doesn't force the drivers to be installed, just completes setup and restart with no effect?
I have SP1 RC1 installed... do you think it's because of that?

 

What kind of 3dmark numbers do you get with your Zepto? You have a pretty similar setup to my Dell.

 

I lost a few points with 169.21 Think it was 3167 :S

@ res. 1280 x 1024

LOL, I can't install ANY nvidia driver! WTF? Any suggestions? At the end of installation it says "the system is not modified"

 

Thats a relief. I've been fighting with those numbers. I OC'd my 8600 to 600/500 and was able to get 39xx in 3dmark06 at some point, but I changed the nvidia drivers, dropped to 35xx and I've been struggling to get back.

I've seen 3dmark06 scores of 4500+ but they never tell you those are at 1280x800 because their screens can't support 1280x1024.

 

They bench at 1280x800 AND they have the GDDR3 ver.

 

I hate that too lol, cheeky bastards. Another thing they do is put the score window on top the main window so you cant see the resolution selected either. Very misleading.

 

Should i update it from .21? i only installed it less than 24hours ago aswell lol.

 

Great, I had to roll all the way back to 156.45, stock drivers!!! This is driving me nuts. I'm sure it's because of SP1 RC1. Haven't touched any system files since SP1 installation, and all of sudden it won't install new drivers

 

^ Don't think so, I installed these no problem.

 

I got that same system is not modified problem like some else has posted, going to install .21 again.. lol

 

See if you can do that? I couldn't

 

I noticed there are some drivers out there that are missing key files. I'm not sure what they are, but whenever I install these it says "your system has not been modified" and when I check event viewer it says a file couldn't be found but not what file.

 

Same here! Gaaah, I don't wanna reinstall Vista! I think some system files are missing. or not?
Because I can install the stock drivers :S

EDIT: Somwhow got 169.09 to work, phew! Guess I'll have to wait for LV2GO ver. to see if they can add the missing files

 

This is getting ridiculous...I swear, these guys update drivers faster than I can change my socks...

 

i downloaded a random driver i think it was the 169.04 one everone is talking about. I unzipped the stuff into a folder and moved the modded inf file there.

Istarted the setup from the folder and got a few windows compability warnings - however i still installed it but once i restarted my computer my whoke screen was messed up and after i could finally start aqua mark 03 i got even less points so i went back to my dell driver which are awesome in my opinion.

 

In most cases, it is MUCH MUCH MUCH better to install these drivers using the lapopvideo2go.com 'Have Disk Method' Instuction guides. I have never been able to install from the unzipped folder, in most cases I just get major errors and issues when I have tried.

Use the Have Disk method, for some reason it seems to work better/more often.

 

So....when can we expect 169.26? Tomorrow or later tonight?

 

Definitely you did something wrong. One method is:
1) Unzip the driver to a folder and place there the modified .inf
2) Uninstall your actual driver and restart.
3) Install the new driver and restart.

 

not .26.
I think you meant 169.29
Later tomorrow

 

Using 169.17 right now. So weird. I could install 169.21 a couple of days ago, but not today? WTF? and not .25
Hope LV2FO will fix the problem with missing keys.
Anyway, have you guys benched?

 

These install just fine on Vista x64 but not with the modified INF from LV2FO.. I had to make my own INF string with my own Hardware IDs

I do this with all the drivers that come out but don't support my gear.

For Example:

Looked for the Closes string to my hardware.
NVIDIA_G71.DEV_0295.1 = "NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT"

Renamed this string " " to fit my hardware name..
NVIDIA_G71.DEV_0295.1 = "NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX"

Then I Searched for the Install Pointer ID for example mine is "NVIDIA_G71.DEV_0295.1" Search up if you are blinking at the bottom of the document.

This locates this line in the .inf
%NVIDIA_G71.DEV_0295.1% = nv_NV3x, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0295

I got the PCI\VEN ID from Device Manager -> Display Adaptor -> Nvidia GeForce ????? -> Details Tab -> From the Property: Drop BOX select Hardware Ids.

Original INF has "PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0295" for the string I'm taking over NVIDIA_G71.DEV_0295.1

I changed the original id
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0295

to

PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0297

Then I click setup.exe and it works like a charm..

once you figure out how to read the basic pointers of the inf you can pretty much get other drivers to work.

I used this on other OEM drivers to get my network drivers to work. because many companies have not released any vista drivers for some of their hardware even if they exist from the chip manufacture. best example ATHEROS has a vista driver at http://www.atheros.cz/ for almost every OLD and NEW network adaptor but D-Link didn't have one released for most of these except for the Pre-N cards or USB Devices. so with a quick download and a few INF line changes *tada* working driver..

The reason I do this for the INF released with each driver is because if you drop the inf from a older driver with a newer driver the INCLUDED files change sometimes.. like in this one the missing international files.. but at least when your editing for the INF that came with the drivers you know the INF is only going to call for the files it was created for..
anyways maybe I can post a screenshots of everything I explained..
take care.. hope this helps someone even if it's only two lines of code to change but looks like hell to explain.

 

This is juz crazy.... lol... i juz update to 169.21 yesterday...

 

I'm tired with driver uninstalling & reinstalling newer & uninstalling......

WTF nvidia doing ?

 

BTW I went back to 169.04 as I have had better luck with these in "average framerate" in "average programs".. and some of the other drivers even if I get better framerate, when the framerate is middle-low. it stutters more often (feels less optimized). The 169.04 seem to be smoother. Noticed this in "Titan Quest - Immortal Throne" Anything newer then these seem to target better optimization for a "Particular Game" but things then shutter elsewhere. I wish nVidia would actually put more real world driver optimization that effected the driver as a whole in a GOOD way rather then Per Application and cut the over all bloat of having multiple optimization paths for different programs. Seems like each time they plug in new code to fix one thing it breaks something else.

But to avoid this turning into some sort of long driver quality speech lets just remember these are beta(s) targeted for a Particular game or games as Nvidia would put it. This just suck tho for those complaining about downloading drivers and installing beta's remember what "Beta's are all about" just be glad these updated driver revisions are not like the CVS where there are Beta updates almost every few hour.. ick..

 

So with these can I actually run Crysis longer than 15-20 minutes or no?

 

I'am sticking to the 169.09 driver works great with Crysis & Bioshock, I'll let you guys be the guinea pigs, it's very funny watching you guys install everything that comes out I'll sit back and wait till something worthwile comes out.

 

amen to that. i'm kicking back and chillin as well. i think i still got .04's lol

 

^ Whats up with that V? Don't tell me your slackin on me now.

 

I'm still use 169.12

 

lol truth hurts some times! lol but u better feel me in on what's been going on with all the new drivers as of lately!

 

Any increase or decrease from 169.21 to 169.25 ??

 

Finally managed to install them, but haven't really noticed a difference in performance :S

 

I think I will stay with my 169.21 then

Just to be sure: can anybody run some benches ?

 

I ran it. Lost points in 3dmark06 and functionality in my power options. I tried reverting to Dell drivers, using restore points and nothing worked. The system wouldn't sleep or hibernate.

So I rebuilt. Am running MS's nvidia drivers and am on 156.69 right now. I plan on going back to 169.04 or 09 or something else... I just am trying to figure out which is the better option.

 

You got me excited here , i am willing to try it one more time.

So how does the "have disk method" actually work ?


*edit* nvm i figured it out! , but before i update the driver I got a question :

When i installed a custom driver the lasttime i lost the ability to overclock the card - will this occur again?

 

Ok I realized today that I've been using the setup.exe method and switched to the have disk method. I moved back to the 169.09 drivers so we'll see how she does from here on out.

 

Ôh my lord , I just installed the drivers "169.04" i believe and I get around 45.XXX points in aquamark 3d now, thats ridiculous , usually i get around 90.XXX points and i was hopin to reach the 100.XXX mark with those new drivers.

I used the special method as describted , and I am very dissapointed


any hints for me ? I am on windows xp professional and i am also using ati tools to manage my card.

thanks :/

 

Have you tried the 'standard' method?
That is: uninstall actual drivers -> restart -> install new driver -> restart?

Edit: I have read that just installing new drivers over the old ones can cause problems.

 

Gonna try that one last :/ !

 

Omg its so slow now and the comp takes forever to boot! it just shows my desktop background for approximate 60 seconds and then finally the icons appear and the taskbar - I am pretty close to reinstalling whole windows again.