[Tbird24]

Driver Provider: NVIDIADriver Date: 12/10/05Driver Version: 8.1.9.8.

[mphenterprises]

TBird, I went to my favorite driver resource, www.driverguide.com and I found an update to the NVidia GeForce 6800 Card dated November 2, 2006.http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=dosearch&qm0=nVidia+6800&qa5=4&qa6=744&dp=3&sm=h&jmd=andI would check on Nvidia's website first but if you can not find anything there, click this link and follow the instructions. The site may ask you to go through a free registration but I live by this site in cases like this.

[Tbird24]

MPH, there is a ton of stuff on that page. I really have no idea what/where to click. im really sorry for the trouble. could you be a little more specific about what to download exactly? im terrible with drivers.

[mphenterprises]

After a closer look, let me go straight to the source....the version was 7.3.0.0.This is what I got from Nvidia:http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp2k94.24.htmlI got this link by selecting:- Graphic Drivers- GeForce 6 Series- Windows XP/2000Here is what video cards this driver supports:http://www.nvidia.com/object/94.24winxp32_supported.htmlThis is the latest release of your video card driver

[Tbird24]

before i download that, am i supposed to do this? http://www.nvidia.com/object/driverinstallationhints.htmland how do i check if my virus software is running the background, and how would i turn it off temporarily>?

[mphenterprises]

That third point is what Rgreen mentioned, temporarily uninstall the previous drivers. As for the second point, that is best down in Task Manager. If you are using Process Explorer as your Task Manager, open Process Explorer and "kill" any process associated with Symantec. The easiest way to do that is select each process, one at a time, and hit "Delete."You can download the driver with no problem. Once you have down both steps, uninstalled the current driver for your Video Card and turned off Symantec, install the updated driver.If you would like to hold off and wait to see if RGreen and Retired concur that is cool. It's always best to get second and third opinions.

[rgreen4]

Tbird, MPH, while I was gone I was looking back into the Sysinternals forum postings on this referred to on our P3. I jumped to P20 (of 41) to see if they had solved the driver issue. The consensus was that it was not a driver issued but the 6800 chip itself. The discussion around April 19, 2006 among several respondents including Animatednoise that the only way they resolved the issue was by replacing the card. Several RMA'ed recently purchased cards. Tbird - because of the time that has passed, I don't think this is an option for you. You can try renewing the drivers, but the easiest way I have found is to let Windows find the drivers. When I was experimenting on my D530 with XP, when I attempted to replace the drivers on my card, I let it search my machine thinking I had the most recent drivers, however, it reinstalled the orginal 2003 drivers from the Windows directory. They would work OK, except, for my widescreen monitor, all the resolutions are 4x3 with no 16x10. So I rolled back to the previous drivers when when I let Windows search them out about two months back. I learned my lesson on night after spending 3 hours searcing for Vista drivers for my OEM wireless card in my Media Center. I couldn't find anything. Then I let windows search out the drivers and in less than 10 minutes, they were downloaded and installed waiting for me to do a restart. If the drivers don't work, you may have to replace the card. I did research Newegg and they have nVidia cards in the 6200, 6600, 7300, 7600 and 8xxx series, but the 6800's are gone from the market. You can try to push back against Delll with the history of this card, expecially if you have a record of you support contacts, but how much more agrivation do you want to spend on a $35-$50 card.Try the drivers, and if that doesn't work, and Dell gives you too much of a ration, I may have another solution for you. BTW, is this a PCI express or AGP card?

[spike]

[quote name='spike']This may be as easy as a chipset fan thats gone bad, or a fan controler.After watching this thread , since the begining, I must still stick with the above diagnosis. However ; if you are positive this is not maleware or a software configuration error, then re-install windows, and then if you still have this problem, you will most likely have to replace your motherboard.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Spike. Tbird has reinstalled Windows at least once before. I think it may be a moot point to reinstall again. Getting another motherboard, to at least test, is not such a bad idea.

[Tbird24]

In response to Rgreen, i do not know if i have an express PCI or whatever. i have no idea. Also, I will try this driver thing, but if that doesnt work, i will get a new graphics card. im sick of this crap, ill spend any amount of money to get this fixed.also, now that i think about it, it might be a graphics card problem. Im not sure if ive said this, but when i watch a video either embedded or in a new window, my CPU sometimes spikes. videos are pretty graphic intensive, right? so that might be something there.

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='Tbird24']also, now that i think about it, it might be a graphics card problem. Im not sure if ive said this, but when i watch a video either embedded or in a new window, my CPU sometimes spikes.LOL now you tell us... LOL well, definitely driver and then new card if that doesn't work.If you have to go that route, whatever you do, do not just get a card because you are tired of dealing with this problem. Get something that is compatible with the type of system you have. You have a very powerful system and you need to make sure you get a card that matches.

[Tbird24]

any suggestions on a card?i do not play computer games.i have a 21 in. (i think) dell monitori watch ALOT of videos.i both do video editing and image editng. (Sony Vegas and Adobe Photoshop)I capture video via a capture card.i think thats it as far as anyting you might need to know to suggest something. and, I KNOW NOTHING about video cards. how to install them, what they look like, where to get them, what a good one is, what it does, etc. nothing. so all the help i could get would be great.

[mphenterprises]

Worry about the card if and when the driver update doesn't work. Normally, I do not recommend products but if the driver update does not work, I will do some digging for you.

[rgreen4]

Looking at the XPS600 owners manual, you have not one, but two PCI Express x16 slots. I know this sounds like Greek, and it can be confusing. When you open your case (and from the diagrams the XPS600 case is different than anything I have seen) you will see several differnt lengths of connectors on top of the motherboard. At least one has a card in it, and it should be the slot furtherst to the left as you look over the back of the case. There are two major video card connections, the current PCI Express 16 and the fading out AGP. My older machine has AGP and my new one PCI Express 16. There are three manufacturers of graphics chips, but only two are a concern to you . ATI and nVidia, the third Intel only manufacturers chips for inclusion on motherboards. For the most part, both are good, ATI has had problems in the past with particular chips, and from your situation and the forums, so has nVidia now. Various board manufacturers produce video cards utilizing these chips and various levels of memory. You can find a card from a manufacturer with a particular chip and several levels of video memory.I would use (if it were me) an nVidia card in the 7x00 series with about 512K memory. My current HP m7690y Media Center came with an nVidia 7300LE (for Low End?) with 64K of memory. Even after pulling the card I cannot find a manufacturers name on it (but what can you expect from OEM). It runs my 22" monitor at 1680x1050 just fine, and I also am not a gamer, but have done video editing. I am considering upgrading to a 7600 series card with 512K. I would like to find a manufacturer who produces the same card in both AGP and PCI x16 so I will have matched cards in my two machines. My other machine has the integrated Intel chip.Maybe some other forum poster who know more about ATI can recommend a similar ATI card as I have not kept up with their number series. Cards in this range from Newegg run from around $100 to $120. This seems to be a sweet spot in mainstream video cards, Low end cards which I would stay awary from are $50 to $75, and high end gaming cards run $300 to $600, but then they are a different breed all together.Maybe others have some recomendations. One other thought, if there is a Best Buy in the area, and you have done some research on Newegg, you can see what BB charges for the same card and how much they would charge to install it. I have been known to see an item at BB and then reseach it at Newegg and go back that afternoon if it has good reports to buy it. Newegg can get the card to you in short order, but then you have the installation which is more of an intimidation than really difficult.The steps are turn off and the unplug machine. Disconnect all cables. Open case. Identify video card and remove screw holding the metal back piece in place. Gently (repeat gently) remove card. Some sockets have a "lock" at the tail end that will have to be moved gently to one side while pulling up slightly on the card. Once the old card is out, insert the new card by alighning with socket and gently pressing down into the socket. Then replace screw and close case. Reconnect all cables, connect power cord, and turn on machine. Any thoughts MPH?

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='rgreen4']The steps are turn off and the unplug machine. Disconnect all cables. Open case. Identify video card and remove screw holding the metal back piece in place. Gently (repeat gently) remove card. Some sockets have a "lock" at the tail end that will have to be moved gently to one side while pulling up slightly on the card. Once the old card is out, insert the new card by alighning with socket and gently pressing down into the socket. Then replace screw and close case. Reconnect all cables, connect power cord, and turn on machine.Absolutely, 100% correct. You don't necessarily have to disconnect any cables. However, if you choose to disconnect cables, make sure you remember from where you disconnected each cable. If I may add a warning. Tbird, if you decide to get another card and if you decide to install it yourself, spend a couple extra dollars and buy an anti-static wrist guard.For those that don't know, an anti-static wrist guard connects to your case while you are working inside of the case. This guard will protect your computer from static buildup in your body. More proficient technicians know to touch any part of the case to release the static electricity from the body. But I would HIGHLY recommend buying this guard. It's about $5 or so at NewEgg.But still, I feel that you should not worry too much about another card until you have exhausted all other avenues. The very last viable option is the driver update. Once you try that and if it doesn't work, then we can concentrate on the card.

[spike]

NVidia uses a self installer, and all this uninstalling and re-installing is unnecessary, when you are only updateing a driver. If you were installing a radeon-ATI card it would have been necessary.

[Tbird24]

OK GUYS: im at work now, and just talked to the engineer. I told him about my DPC problem, etc. he searched some forums and actually told me, it might be my Graphics card. Now, for him to actually agree with my suggestion of it being my G Card, means it probably is it. because he never agrees with anyone. he also said i should first try downloading the drivers. but he said go to www.guru3d.com he said that site is good. I think ill just use the site you guys suggested, but maybe you'll like at this site and see its better. i dont know. when i getr home i will install the new drivers. however i will tell you that im going to have trouble uninstalling the old drivers, and then reinstalling the new ones. if you dont mind, can someoen tell me again how exactly to do it?

[mphenterprises]

Hi TBird. Okay, now that the problem has been isolated, you can breathe a little easier. First off, I would not try any other driver site. The driver that you either have downloaded or are about to download come straight from NVidia.Secondly, the easiest way to uninstall your video driver is as such:- Download the new drivers from the Nvidia website that was given to you - Make sure you save it to your Desktop- In Device Manager, right-click your video adapter, and then click Uninstall to remove the video adapter- Restart your computer. After restart, you will receive a New Hardware Found dialog box with Video Controller (VGA Compatible) listed as the description and the Found New Hardware Wizard starts- Click Next to start the wizard- The next screen will ask you how you want to search for the drivers, select the option to "Browse" and choose your desktop- Click Next to start the search - The computer will automatically find and install the new, updated drivers- Once completed, you will be prompted to restart- Once you restart, start running some tests to see if yoru system spikes If your system spikes, you know what you have to do

[spike]

Hey, gang, while you are correct to try all the other avenues first, as I stated earlier, the faulty chipset could still be the culprit, meaning a new motherboard might be the final solution. :cry:

[mphenterprises]

Hi spike, very true....it could ultimately come down to a motherboard situation. However, my as well rule out everything. Also, TBird seems pretty confident in his engineer's opinion of the situation.I truly hope that it is either a driver or card issue. Because if it comes down to the cost of a new motherboard versus the cost of a new graphics card, it's no comparison.