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

[Robert Adkins II]

Typically, with Nvidia drivers, you have to uninstall the existing drivers
before installing the latest set from Nvidia's website.

The Nvidia installer actually does this by itself now. It used to complain
and crap out after telling the user that the old drive must be removed
first.

Also, I don't trust Microsoft's driver installation utility/patch subsystem.
I won't ever use it to install any graphics drivers.

-Rob
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org 
> [mailto:mdlug-bounces at mdlug.org] On Behalf Of Ingles, Raymond
> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 10:47 AM
> To: MDLUG's Main discussion list
> Subject: [mdlug] (semi-OT) A rant - the difference between 
> Windows and Linux
> 
> 
>  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 
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