Display Drivers

[Guest]

In Device Manager, Windows has an error since there's no driver for my
monitor. I downloaded and tried to install the driver (an .inf file) by going
to Update Driver, but it won't work, and when I go to "choose from a list of
drivers" nothing is displayed.

The same thing happens for my DVD/CD Reader/Writer.

 

[Guest]

S Murder,

Usually, monitors don't need special drivers. Windows supplies the driver
monitor.sys in most cases. In Device Manager, direct the search for a driver
to C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\monitor.sys and see whether that works. If
not, describe what type of monitor you have.

Regarding your CD/DVD drive, describe that as well, name, model, etc. Also,
what is the exact message in Device Manager regarding the drive?

 

[Guest]

I solved the monitor problem by deleting the infcache file. The DVD problem
persists.

It's a Samsung DVD/CD Reader/Writer:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151141
It shows up as a TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S183L ATA Device. It has the following
device status: "Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The
driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

Click 'Check for solutions' to send data about this device to Microsoft and
to see if there is a solution available.".
Checking for a solution did nothing at all, trying to install a generic
Windows driver fails.

 

[Guest]

Freddy:
I've seen you participating in this forum quite frequently and giving very
sound advices.
I this case I would slightly disagree about the "not-need" of special drivers.
Monitors need the installation of their manufacturer supplied "inf" file
which depicts all the features it has (scanning freqs, screen sizes, etc.) so
that the graphic card knows exactly its capabilities.
I always have my Windows (whatever version you chose) with the proper inf
for the monitor installed.
Inf is not a driver per se, just a bunch of text thingies that describe the
monitor.
Carlos

 

[Guest]

Hi Carlos,

I agree, an inf file is needed for all hardware, in case anyone wants to know.

 

[Guest]

S Murder,

Here is a Microsoft KB article about removing upper and lower filters in
registry to correct problems, such as you likely have. Take a look:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929461/en-us

Let us know whether this works for you.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

NOT true, not at all true.
I have a Gateway widescreen LCD monitor. Gateway says that an inf file is not
provided and is not necessary. Under Device Manager my monitor is identified as
a Generic PnP Monitor, yet the nVidia graphics driver identifies my monitor by
the correct brand and exact model and automatically sets the native resolution
and refresh rate.

 

[Guest]

"Cal Bear '66"

Good to know. There must be the equivalent of an .inf somewhere in the
hardware then, not? Curious minds want to know.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Don't know. But if that were true, then it seems that Device Manager could
identify the brand and model number.

 

[Rob Norton]

NOT true, not at all true.
I have a Gateway widescreen LCD monitor. Gateway says that an inf file is not
provided and is not necessary. Under Device Manager my monitor is identified as
a Generic PnP Monitor, yet the nVidia graphics driver identifies my monitor by
the correct brand and exact model and automatically sets the native resolution
and refresh rate.

Here's what you need to do. In device manager select "update driver
software". Then "browse my computer for driver software". Then "Let me
pick from a list of device drivers on my computer". You'll see the
model shown as "Generic PnP Monitor". Now, uncheck the "show
compatible hardware" box and a full list of monitors will show
(including Gateway's). I know this is illogical, but it works!

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Thanks, but it is not listed.
I wonder how the nVidia driver is able to correctly identify and configure the
monitor (FPD2185W).

 

[Guest]

All,

I'm going to add all these facts to my long list of things I know but don't
understand.

 

[Captain Roberts]

"Cal Bear '66"

Good to know. There must be the equivalent of an .inf somewhere in the
hardware then, not? Curious minds want to know.

There is. It is the standard PnP inf file for monitors.

 

[JW]

A specific .inf file is not needed if the display provides the OS with its
information via EDID.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Thank you.
Good information.
Clears it up now for me.

 

[Guest]

Me too.

Thank you.
Good information.
Clears it up now for me.