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Seven_PRX

5 Posts

14113

September 6th, 2007 09:00

When will Dell release recent nVidia Geforce GO 7900 GS driver for Windows Vista x86? (& 59Hz problem)

I am a owner of a Dell Inspiron E1705/9400, with the nVidia Geforce GO 7900 GS videocard and am using Windows Vista Ultimate x86 for a while.
 
The latest official Dell drivers listed on the product page are v97.46 from 19-01-2007. These are the 'official' drivers Dell recommends, almost 8 months old!
 
They also give the option to use driver version 101.19, which was posted on 21-06-2007, but is originally intended for the Geforce GO 7950 GTX. It does work/install on the 7900 though.
 
After some searching, I also found the driver version 101.44 which was released on 03-07-2007 by Dell, but is originally intended for the Geforce GO 7300/7400, but again, it does work/install on the 7900 GO.
 
All these drivers are *old*. For example, all the 101.xx drivers work, but in many games, when I alt-tab out from those games, and then back to the game later on - the screen remains black. Meaning I cannot alt-tab anymore when playing games - very bad.
 
I have downloaded the latest *beta* drivers modded to work with laptops, the version I'm using now is 163.44. With these drivers I can alt-tab, so that problem is solved.
 
But there are other problems I have with these drivers, from example, when I change display settings in the control panel and click on apply, the options get applied, but Windows also reports a RUNDLL error. Now, this is no biggie, it's just annoying. Just as it is annoying that there is no system tray icon with this version, meaning that if I want to turn on my TV, I have to go to the Control Panel each time.
 
Windows Vista has been RTM now for 8 months (11 if you count from RTM for Enterprises), but the latest official drivers that Dell wants me to use is still v97.46 from 19-01-2007... When can we expect a RECENT (i.e. 16x.xx version) for our laptops for Windows Vista? I'm quite disappointed in the support.
 
Oh, and next to the problems/issues above, I have 1 more:
The screen refresh rate keep resetting to *59* Hz. When I turn it to 60 Hz (which it should be at!), it works, untill I reboot, then it resets to 59Hz again. Perhaps this has to do with an incompatible (beta/modded) driver, again a reason why we need a new official version from Dell. The annoying this about this is, that most games set their own refresh rates, and in my games, the games use 60Hz. Now, when I alt-tab between my games & Windows, the screen has to change the refresh rate, meaning it turns black a few sec to do this, and then it's ok again. But it's just plain annoying & stupid.
 



Message Edited by Seven_PRX on 09-06-2007 12:06 PM

SwampYankee

4 Posts

September 7th, 2007 14:00

Sorry I can't help. but I have the same laptop and same problems. I bought the best video card I could for this machine so I could play the latest games. Well that is not happening. I'm up to the may driver you described and Bioshock still crashes. Looks like a great game, someone lt me know how it is becuase it's too unstable for me to play. P.S. Where did you get the 163.44 beta driver? Any problems installing it? I'd like to give it a try. thanks

Seven_PRX

5 Posts

September 8th, 2007 08:00

SwampYankee

4 Posts

September 8th, 2007 21:00

Great links, thanks. They actually have a newish (8-17) driver that is supposed to address my Bioshock issues. he driver installs, but I often get this wierd choppy 3d effect on my screen that makes it unusable. Funny thing is, when I run the nvidia stability test the screen looks fine. Strange, I'll persue it on the forum over there. thanks again and we will keep up the pressure.

SuperSubZero

70 Posts

September 9th, 2007 19:00

The 59hz thing really is a pain, and it happens on my Vista x64 also.  It does have a minor effect on some apps, I know the Hold'em poker extra for Vista Ultimate x64 would throw a fit if I tried to play at 59hz, it would flash constantly and be unplayable.  Set it to 60hz, problem goes away.
 
I do wish there was some way to force it to 60hz and have it stay there.  This happens with all the drivers, from the shipping Vista x64 drivers right up to the latest modded nVidia released drivers.

Seven_PRX

5 Posts

September 12th, 2007 07:00

Well, I contacted nVidia to ask them when/if they would release recent drivers for the nVidia Go 7900 GS for Windows Vista. They told me they are not responsible for the drivers for Notebook GPU's.
 
So, then I contacted Dell to ask them when they would release recent drivers, and they told me nVidia is responsible for supplying (Dell with) drivers.
 
How great is that, both companies pointing to each other telling them the other is responsible for the drivers.
 
After Dell's 1st e-mail I e-mailed Dell back again saying that nVidia says the OEM/Notebook manufacturer is responsible for the drivers, but I basicly got the same answer I got the 1st time: nVidia is responsible for supplying (Dell with) drivers.
 
Can we have an official response by Dell on this issue, or don't Dell people post on these forums?
 
-7


Message Edited by Seven_PRX on 09-12-2007 10:43 AM

SwampYankee

4 Posts

September 12th, 2007 12:00

OK, I opened a ticket with Dell describing the problem and asking when to expect a new driver. I do not expect much of a response but since you are probably under warranty I suggest you do the same. I expect they will make me walk through re-creating he error and send logs, etc. Since I uninstall BioShock this will just eat up time but I am willing to take this to it's logical conclusion, "the current driver does not work". Where it goes from that is a mystery but I get a feeling it will just be a waste of time and will end up pointing at some fine print saying "live with it". Hey Dell, you records will show I have purchase 7 computers from you. Lets fix this so we continue our happy relationship

SwampYankee

4 Posts

September 12th, 2007 18:00

Nope, Dell told me to everything I had already done including reinstall the driver yada, yada, yada....just a canned message that they followed with a "go scratch your hindquarters" message: "If the issue persists thenI would like to inform you that the Dell Limited Warranty provides support to ensure the functionality of your Dell hardware. This does not include software usage, "how-to" support or support for non-Dell hardware and software. If you need additional assistance we have our new Dell on Call service with experts who specialize in providing software usage support. This will be a fee based support. Dell on Call is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. Dell on Call offers several plans, and I am sure that one of them will meet your technology needs.

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