XPinfo shows the Graphics adapter as non-original (is this normal?)

[Joe]

Is it normal for XPinfo to indicate that the Graphics adapter has
failed the XP validation process?

I've installed XP twice now (second time in about a year, each time
was a new OEM version, activated by M$ no problem). Each time, XPinfo
indicated that the graphics adapter did not pass the validation
mechanism (video card was not changed or swapped out between the time
XP was installed and XPinfo was run).

Video card in each case was Nvidia GeForce4.

 

[Zimran Douglas]

Did it say that it "failed" the test. Or did it say that is was not
certified?
It's normal since most hardware vendors do not want to incur the extra
expense to certify their drivers for
Microsoft HQL compatibility
However you can always download updated drivers from NVIDIA's website. I
believe the current drivers are WHQL certified
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

: Is it normal for XPinfo to indicate that the Graphics adapter has
: failed the XP validation process?
:
: I've installed XP twice now (second time in about a year, each time
: was a new OEM version, activated by M$ no problem). Each time, XPinfo
: indicated that the graphics adapter did not pass the validation
: mechanism (video card was not changed or swapped out between the time
: XP was installed and XPinfo was run).
:
: Video card in each case was Nvidia GeForce4.

 

[sm5w2]

Did it say that it "failed" the test.

This is not a question about HQL compatibility.

When XP installs, it examines certain aspects of your computer's
hardware and builds a registration key out of them and sends it along
with the license number of your copy of XP to Microsoft.

The items that are looked at are the CPU (exact model number), the
amount of RAM, the serial number of your hard drive, the MAC address of
your ethernet adapter, the model number of your CD drive, and a few
other things. Each item is given 1 point (MAC counts for 3). When XP
is first installed, each item is "inventoried" and should automatically
get 1 point. As you change items in your computer, you will lose some
points. When you reach only 5 points (or 6?), XP will basically become
non-functional and ask you to re-validate it with Microsoft.

XPinfo is a third-party piece of software that can tell you the current
state of each item that is examined. As items are changed, they will
lose the check in the checkbox beside each item.

Here is a link to Xpinfo:

http://www.licenturion.com/xp/xpinfo-exe.zip

I want to know why my graphics adapter is NOT showing a check in it's
box even though it's the exact same card that was in the computer
during installation of XP.

Video card is Nvidia GeForce4.

Now it could be that NVidia graphics cards do not have an "industry
standard" serial number or model number that can be used for this
purpose, so it is just skipped in the validation process.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

The video card check can be removed if you did do a video card driver
update. It happened to mine and I needed to contact MS Activations.