Video Driver Compatability & Help w/Installation

[MarcusMaximus]

Like several people here I too appear to be having driver issues.

My question is will my video card accept the latest endorsed video driver?

Background:

System Specs:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/14/2006, 00:50:50
Machine name: RAVEN
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-FS660_W
BIOS: Phoenix NoteBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.73GHz
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 288MB used, 2171MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce Go 6200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0167&SUBSYS_81C2104D&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Sony Notebook LCD (1280x800)
Monitor Max Res: 1280,800
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7086 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/3/2005 20:34:00, 3971968 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 4/3/2005 20:34:00, 3299616 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4227-11CF-5368-C8A100C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0167
SubSys ID: 0x81C2104D
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1


Performance causing issue:

While I see a very nice background, all "built" items appear as whitewashed and have no details.
I originally had the mouse drop the cursor image but would still function, when I could find it. Tips here are helping.


I have infrequent access to highspeed anything so a 40MB D/L is a strain. If there is a smaller D/L or another path to follow, I would be happy to learn of it.


Another issue I have is the unload/reload of the driver. When I did a great deal of WIN98 techie work I had no problems. Since moving to XP, it has not been as kind. Any tips or advice or even a stupidme step by step walkthru is appreciated.

I am mostly concerned about losing access to my current drivers should the revision fail. I have been bitten twice not trying to update the video drivers and have resorted to a full rollback in order to recover. Needless to say, the updates were never accomplished.

Thanks in advance!

[Keith]

The answer to your first question is, no, you can't use the current drivers for Nvidia with a NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200.

Nvidia says you should get any drivers for your card from Sony. Check to see if they have your current driver 70.86 there on file.

There's not getting around the filesize of driver file downloads. They are what they are so be ready to download a sizable file.

Nvidia instructions on how to uninstall your current drivers are here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_13955.html

XP does have a roll-back function so it should be able to restore your old driver from the Device Manager section on your graphic card display driver properties. To get there right click on the My Computer icon, then from the menu select Hardware. Then click on the Device Manager button. Then the Display Adapter listing on the Device Manager list, then right click on your video card and select Properties. On the properties menu selec the the DRIVER tab. The Uninstall and ROLL BACK buttons are found there. See image below.

I believe that the Go Drivers are not as current as the the ones for the normal Geforce cards. I believe they are somewhere down in the 84 or 85 series instead of the current 91 series.

One other person that had a GO 6100 found a site that let him used a hacked set of normal 6100 drivers for his GO card. It involved a hacked INF file. He said the regular 6100 drivers with the hacked INF file works just fine.

The site is http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ check out their forums. They should have a driver hack for your Go 6200 and they can tell you how to install it.

Here's a link to a sticky thread on their forums:
GeForce Go 6xxx Notebooks, that are not in NVIDIA's list (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=7221&hl=go+6200)

And a search of their forums for anything containing GO 6200:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=923cdf601d4c8396f6e01927713813df&search_in=posts&result_type=topics&highlite=go+6200

[MarcusMaximus]

It looks like I cannot play the demo.

I have the most current driver loaded. I played with the resolution and everything and the best I can do is to be able to see a shakey curson and only while it is in motion.

Can't upgrade & can't afford a new machine.

I've attached the full DXDiag file. Doubt it will help.

I don't know how to read the site mentioned for alternative drivers. But I think I am still SOL for a GO 6200.

[Keith]

Go to their forum site and use forum search function for 'go 6200' and read through all the posts that come up in the results. Spmething that they recommend you do.

I just read through one thread there where someone else with a go 6200 updated their drivers using the modified files and got it working.

They also recommend that your read through their Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=9) section.

Then join their board and have them help you with the tweaking of your system. They can answer questions about how to do it and what to use.

[PCDania]

You have an "M" series and not a Pentium 4, so as I said, I'm not sure about it, but that could be a problem, I'm sorry to say.

MarcusMaximus has a Pentium M 1.73Ghz which almost compares to a Pentium 4 (Prescott) at 2.8Ghz so the CPU should not be a problem. As I see it the problem is his graphics driver especially as a similar problem on a desktop computer is usually fixed by updating the graphics driver.

[MarcusMaximus]

Have some wine...

I need to find some bandwidth to d/l one of the laptopvideo2go drivers.

The SH error is an old one. I verified an older DXDiag file from the PC I used to keep it loaded. I also unloaded/reloaded, tinkered with everything imaginable...

No luck.

If someone could spare $2,800, I could make a nice upgrade! :p

[PCDania]

Sorry to say, ALMOST doesn't cut it. It clearly states P4 and not less. Being a laptop he might get by, but if that, that's how I see it. As it is a fact letter CPUs are downgrades. I did say that wasn't my real concern so last thing to do if necessary.
Sorry, but in this case it does. A Pentium M 1.73Ghz is almost comparable to a Pentium 2.8Ghz (Prescott) in that it all in all is only a tiny bit slower and in some cases actually is a little faster. Actually I personally build and testet some of the first laptops build here in Denmark using the Pentium M 1.73Ghz CPUs.

The Stronghold error in the Dxdiag file means nothing. It's just a message telling that Stronghold can not be played online using the DirectPlay function in DirectX. Every single computer in the world that has Stronghold installed will have that entry and I have not seen one single problem regarding this in all the years I have helped people online getting their games or computers to behave. I have that entry on my computer myself and have not experienced any problems, my computer runs as great and troublefree as allways.

If someone could spare $2,800, I could make a nice upgrade! :p Sorry, but I'm saving up for a new speedmonster myself :p

Cheers http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/10.gif

[PCDania]

Also my name is Phil, NOT Prescott. That's my location, thanks! Sorry, Prescott is the widely known codename among techies for that CPU. I mention it as to distinguish from the Pentium 4 model before that, codenamed Northwood, which is less powerfull than a Prescott model running at the same speed.

I know you are talking about what CAN and MIGHT be the cause for the problem and I can tell you FOR SURE that the DirectPlay warning related to Stronghold is NOT the cause If it were there would be a lot of people around the world having problems as the game has been on the market with that specific Dxdiag warning for 5 years as the game was released in 2001, so that file has been missing all the time. Probably it was intended for the game to use DirectPlay for multiplayer but it was not implemented in the retail version.

I have Stonghold installed on my computer but as I have never had any problems related to it (not even with Caesar IV) I have never bothered fixing it in the registry, and it's not because I don't know how to do it, it's simply because of "if it works don't fix it". I must say I also fail to see how a DirectPlay warning concerning multiplayer gaming for one game can concern a graphical problem with a totally different game.

As the DirectPlay warning is not the problem we can remove it as a potential cause for the error and look on other possibilities. The Pentium M 1.73Ghz should have no problems what-so-ever running that demo and the way the game behaves when MarcusMaximus tries to start it points very strongly at a graphics driver that needs getting updated. Unfortunately manufacturers of Notebooks are not good at updating their drivers unless they have to because there's a problem annoying a lot of people.

[Springer]

Just dropping by to say hi to PCD, how are you MeLady ;)

[PCDania]

Just dropping by to say hi to PCD, how are you MeLady ;)
Hi Springer :). Umm well, the last time I checked I was still a man ;) :p

[Springer]

Hi Springer :). Umm well, the last time I checked I was still a man ;) :p


I know, just trying to pull your leg ;)

I always thought Dania sounds ladylike ;)

[PCDania]

I know you are trying to pull my leg :) and you find my nick is ladylike because it ends with an 'a'. Actually I'm Danish and Dania is the Roman name for Denmark. I once had a different nickname (not here at TM) but because it was a bit long I shorted it to PCDania which I find quite fitting as I use a lot of time working with computers and I'm from Denmark.

[Springer]

I know you are trying to pull my leg :) and you find my nick is ladylike because it ends with an 'a'. Actually I'm Danish and Dania is the Roman name for Denmark. I once had a different nickname (not here at TM) but because it was a bit long I shorted it to PCDania which I find quite fitting as I use a lot of time working with computers and I'm from Denmark.


I stand corrected ;) you learn something new every day :cool:

[MarcusMaximus]

Now I am worried whether the full version will work on my laptop.

It is currently the gaming PC in the household. I would hate to fall out of the gaming world again.

[MarcusMaximus]

As is?

[wodinoneeye]

Don't give up hope just yet. As I indicated earlier there are other things to try that we haven't yet. Don't be concerned until confirmed is all I'll say.

Sincerely,
Phil





Its a concern to people who have stores that dont give refunds.

I downloaded the Demo recently and all I get is a white screen (even after turning off everything likely to downgrade the quality in the .INI file). I wouldnt doubt that its drivers or more likely a feature deficiency for the GPU chipset. I have an older laptop with a Nvidia 440 GO (the BIOS upgrade site had a listing for it). I wont be attempting an upgrade with a hack because I use my laptop for many other more important uses and Im not going to risk frying it.

I doubt that C4 will run on it, so its likely I wont be buying it anytime soon.

It still puzzles me why C4 is requiring such most recent upgrades (directx features) for the graphics (not mine, but all the other people who have several generations later GPUs than mine). I dont recall hearing other 'big time' games having such problems (and C4 hardly is pushing the envelope on graphics effects).

[MarcusMaximus]

...Alone in the darkness, cursing the light.

It's a good thing that I find another unopened bottle from which I may at least draw refreshment, if not entertainment.

:(


Anyone have any idea whether I can buy AND play the full version on my poor laptop?

[MarcusMaximus]

But I am not willing to jepordize the stability just to play a game, even a great game. Last I checked, my pile of chips will not support the latest dirver. The only confirm hit I get is below the minimum recommended for the game. I have to think about upgrading my desktop but it is 5 years old and has an NVidia 5500 in it. And then there is getting the boss' okay.

I haven't been far, actually. I had hoped that some clever sole would have posted the answer and then I could have been sickeningly sweet in my thanks! :p

Alas, no game for me. :(

Must find another bottle...