Vista - Latest Released Nvidia Driver Issue

When I install the driver off of my cd, I can get max resolution of 1900x1600 (or whatever it is, I know it is in the 1900's).

I installed the newest driver released this month and I lost that now. I can only have 4 different stages of resolution and when I used to have MANY. The highest it goes is 1280x1024. Any ideas?

I will try to download the beta if you think that will help. I'm confused why it would take a step back in resolution?

There are several possibilities.

1. the cd had a newer driver, the web site is behind. Not usual, but I have seen it happen.

2. somehow a monitor other than the one you have got selected during the downloaded driver setup. I have done this one to myself in the past.

3. probably something I haven't thought of.

Try loading or reinstalling the driver for your monitor.

+1

Check on DeviceManager/Display to see if your video cards name appears on it or just "Generic PnP or VGA display" shows. If you reinstall your drivers, make sure to Right Click on the executable and use the "Run as Administrator", Vista is finicky about this

Thank you guys for your advice. Unfortunately, I can't get anything to work properly.

Here is where I stand with everyone's help, which I've tried:

1) The latest driver I installed is version 186.18 and was created on June 18, 2009. So that is the latest and greatest and is younger than the driver that came with my card.

2) I try to install my monitor's driver, but the monitor properties are grayed out. So I can't even access it. Also, it is only showing a single monitor option, when there should definitely have a second, grayed out monitor shown on the display settings tab.

3) There is the full name of my video card under the Device Manager list.

4) I am a bit lost to JimJoe's suggestion that possibly there was another monitor selected during downloading of the driver? Can you please elaborate?


I might just reinstall my old driver since that worked fine. I am trying to find my monitor's driver's online but can't seem to do so. I just don't understand why my monitor properties are grayed out under display properties option?

Sure. Sometimes 'Generic' gets loaded instead of a driver specific to your monitor.

I installed the driver that came with my card. It automatically placed my HD Monitor to 1920x1280. I could also install my monitor's drivers fully.

I think I might worry about this down the road if I happen to hit a speed bump and I am forced to install a new driver. I just hope by then the same thing does not happen.

I thank you guys for your help though in this matter. I honestly don't know what I did wrong concerning choosing a monitor during driver setup, since I don't see that option anywhere??? But that's why I come to the experts for help!!!

Thanks again all

Edit for grammar... my bad yo.

Don't quote me on this but, it used to be where you would only have to update your video and sound drivers. Now a days, since the inception of Vista (or so it seems), you not only have to update your video drivers but your monitor's drivers as well as they go hand in hand... God Blessed!!!

Can someone tell me how to stop Vista just loading the generic PnP monitor driver when I am trying to install an NEC monitor driver?

You can't but, you can always upgrade the driver/profile once Vista is finshed installing the generic drivers, assuming you have the correct drivers for your Monitor and OS... (read: 32 bit or x64 bit)

Instead of opting for default drivers, choose the let me choose manually. Browse through where you have your monitor profile, choose it and go with it. If Vista still insists on its own driver, you gotta choose a newer driver or a driver for a newer model monitor... I had to do that with my Acer.