[mdlug] (semi-OT) A rant - the difference between Windows and Linux

[Ingles, Raymond]

 I have a Windows XP (SP 3) partition. I use it for two things:

 1. Games
 2. Remote-connecting to work, which tool insists on IE.

 At the prompting of Steam, which warned of various unspecified
incompatibilities, I decided to upgrade my video drivers. "What's the
worst that could happen?"

 I didn't download the very latest Nvidia drivers, of course! Just the
latest one to pass "Windows Hardware 'Quality' Labs" testing. It ran
through the 'wizard', copied files over, and then I get...

 "Nvidia Installer Failed"; "Graphics Driver Install Failed".

 That's it. No indication *why* it failed. Just "failed". Installing
older drivers (275.33) gets the same message. Of course the screen still
works, but with no acceleration at all, which makes even moving a window
a chore. No way to undo, not even the slightest hint how to proceed.

 I've posted a question on the Nvidia forums. No answer so far.

 I've had driver issues from time to time on Linux. Even video troubles.
But on Linux you can find *error messages*, which actually offer some
hint as to *what went wrong*. At this point, it's looking like I might
have to reinstall Windows to get past this.

 Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                          (313) 227-2317

 "There is not a single state in the U.S. where medical malpractice
   OR health insurance premiums have come down by $0.01 since the
       introduction of any tort 'reform' measure." - Webhund