New drivers won't work with GF2 and LCD monitor

[Davidoo1]

I'm having a problem with my "old" computer (2001 model) that has a nVidia GeForce 2 MX 400 card with 64 MB RAM on the card. I am using the DVI with a 18 inch digital LCD monitor. I have tried for a year to upgrade the driver from the 21.83 I am now using.

Everytime I install a new driver, like the 56.64 I just tried, the computer starts to boot up, but right when it is going to start windows the screen goes blank and the computer is dead. The only way to get out of it is to cut the power and start again, pushing F8 during startup and using "restart using last known good settings." Of course, that gives me the 21.83 drivers back. I have always disabled antivirus and removed the drivers through the control panel add/remove.

I have had 2 other computers with nVidia cards and have always been able to update the drivers using the same method. I just upgraded my GF4 4200 to the 56.64's last night, and they work great. That computer also is using the DVI out with an LCD monitor.

My old computer is still a "good" system with a P4 1.8GHz, 256 MB RAM and 100GB HD. There is no reason a GF 2 shouldn't work with this new driver, is there? These drivers are supposed to work with the old GForce 256, which I also used to own.

[MaxRat]

sounds like if it will run on the 21.83 but not the 56.64's it may be a compatability problem....what brand of card is it?

[Davidoo1]

It is an nVidia card. It came in a Gateway machine, but I don't know if the actual manufacturer is PNY, Chaintech, or many others that use the nVidia chipset.

[MaxRat]

that may make a difference....some drivers may not play well with different brands....I would check the Gateway web site and see maybe what brand they used and then go from there...

[glc]

No reason to upgrade with a GF2 - the 20 series drivers work very well with them.

[Davidoo1]

You're probably right glc. Sometimes I get caught up in the hype that updating the drivers will somehow lead to fantastic gains in performance on this older card. I also heard from another source that the newer drivers may utilize features on the newer cards that my older card doesn't even have, so no reason to update them.

[glc]

You can't squeeze blood out of a turnip - a 2MX isn't gonna game well any more anyway without cutting down the resolution and effects no matter what you do. If it's stable and has correct video quality, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.