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Looking for the correct update

Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=258
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 7:43am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Looking for the correct update
Posted By: rossdorn
Subject: Looking for the correct update
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 4:01am
Hello,

I am new here, and after using my computer for two years I have a problem with the setup and I want to find out, if there are any updates for my motherboard. (But do not know where exactly to look.)

Speccy shows:

Motherboard

         Manufacturer  ASRock

         Model      B85M (CPUSocket)

         Version    To Be Filled By O.E.M.

         Chipset Vendor       Intel

         Chipset Model Haswell

         Chipset Revision      06

         Southbridge Vendor        Intel

         Southbridge Model ID8C50

         Southbridge Revision      05

         System Temperature        33 °C

                  BIOS

                           Brand       American Megatrends Inc.

                           Version    P1.90Y

                           Date 29.07.2013

 

I am using an B85M and Intel Core i5 4570, Haswell,

Socket 1150 LGA, Intel Core i5-4570 CPU @ 3.20GHz


Thnak you




Replies:
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 12:33pm
What is the problem with your PC? To fix a problem you don't necessarily need "updates", the problem could be any number of things.

You did not tell use what version of Windows or other OS you are using. We also don't know about any of your other hardware besides your mother board and CPU.

Updates for your mother board I assume means drivers and possibly a newer BIOS version?

The BIOS version you apparently have now, 1.90Y, is not listed anywhere on your board's download page. That version may have been removed or was a version used at the factory and renamed or never released.

Your board's software/driver and BIOS download page is here:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download" rel="nofollow - http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download

If you used the driver and software disk that came with your board, the driver and software downloads for your OS version may have newer versions available.

You can also get the most current drivers directly from the manufactures of the various chips your board uses, like Intel, Realtek, and Qualcomm. Of course you must know what you are looking for.

For example, this is Intel's driver and software download page:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/" rel="nofollow - https://downloadcenter.intel.com/

Newer drivers and software is not automatically better, and I have experienced new versions of drivers that had problems the older versions did not have.



Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 1:20pm
Hello

After this computer worked for three years without a problem, two days ago I switched it on, and  everything on the screen appears 5cm to the left, leaving a black stripe on the right of the display.
This already happens BEFORE Win 7 has started, it starts on the very first screen, which is of course the ASRock logo. I asked NVidia, because I am using their GeForce GT 630, but they tell me that it is not their product, because the problem starts too early, but they suggested it might be a mal-functioning driver and so I asked here.

What I found out after trying all kinds of things is, that the picture is no longer centered on this acer x223w display, when the native resolution 1680x1050 is used. Which it has been since the computer is used.
If the resolution is changed to 1600x1200 the picture is again centered, but no longer sharp because the resolution does not fit.

I have then written all the information I thought relevant... and waited for your answer. I am using Win 7 ulti, installed on a Crucial M100 SSD.

There was no change made to the computer or any new software installed, on the day before the malfunctioning began---
I had a look at the software/driver and BIOS download page. I assume I need the driver for Intel ? Where can I find the version of win 7 I have installed?

Or what else should I do?


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 1:29pm
It sounds to me like your monitor lost its alignment for that resolution. Try using your monitor's auto adjust function and see if that sorts you. If that fails you should be able to manually shift the image back to the center in your monitors position settings.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 3:34pm
No the manual possibility of Win 7, or the one in-built in the display  either will move the picture for no more than  1 cm on the screen, or the picture will move to the right, but vanishes at the black strip, which remains the same size...


Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

Hello

After this computer worked for three years without a problem, two days ago I switched it on, and  everything on the screen appears 5cm to the left, leaving a black stripe on the right of the display.
This already happens BEFORE Win 7 has started, it starts on the very first screen, which is of course the ASRock logo. I asked NVidia, because I am using their GeForce GT 630, but they tell me that it is not their product, because the problem starts too early, but they suggested it might be a mal-functioning driver and so I asked here.

What I found out after trying all kinds of things is, that the picture is no longer centered on this acer x223w display, when the native resolution 1680x1050 is used. Which it has been since the computer is used.
If the resolution is changed to 1600x1200 the picture is again centered, but no longer sharp because the resolution does not fit.

I have then written all the information I thought relevant... and waited for your answer. I am using Win 7 ulti, installed on a Crucial M100 SSD.

There was no change made to the computer or any new software installed, on the day before the malfunctioning began---
I had a look at the software/driver and BIOS download page. I assume I need the driver for Intel ? Where can I find the version of win 7 I have installed?

Or what else should I do?


You can find the version of Windows by opening Control Panel and then clicking on System, and look at the System type line, either 32 or 64 bit.

If you are using a GT 630 video card with a Nvidia chip (you are), then you are not using an Intel video driver with that card. The Intel video driver is used only with the Intel graphics on your CPU.

If Nvidia manufactured your video card, you can download a video driver for your card from their website. Otherwise what the malfunctioning driver might be, I don't know. It is possible the video card itself has a problem.

You can test if the video card has a problem by changing to the Intel graphics, connecting the cable to the monitor to a video output on the board's IO panel. You might need to install the Intel video driver on your board's download page, if it is not installed already.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 8:59am
Thank You Parsec.

When I ask about the "Win Version" I mean that, which I have now found found at winver. It is
6.1 Build 7601, Service pack 1

The bad news is, that on ASRock page

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7

... where I am searching for the correct download of a suitable driver, there is no such version ..... can you help me with this (or would replacing the drivers from the ASRock page be just a waste of time?)
The details of Chip and socket I am using are in my very first post detailed


Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

Thank You Parsec.

When I ask about the "Win Version" I mean that, which I have now found found at winver. It is
6.1 Build 7601, Service pack 1

The bad news is, that on ASRock page

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7

... where I am searching for the correct download of a suitable driver, there is no such version ..... can you help me with this (or would replacing the drivers from the ASRock page be just a waste of time?)
The details of Chip and socket I am using are in my very first post detailed


You don't need to worry about matching a driver to a Windows product at that level. You also won't find drivers categorized in that way anywhere. ASRock has not omitted anything.

That "version" is the internal version number that Microsoft uses to identify the version of the MS Windows kernel used in their products. What is sold to consumers as Windows 7 is the NT 6.1.7600 kernel to Microsoft.

More precisely, kernel version 6.1, Build 7600 is the first officially released build of the Windows NT kernel used in Windows 7. A different Build number (7601) makes no difference in driver versions. Service packs also do not have any affect on driver versions. Winver is displaying the technical way of identifying Windows 7.

All you need to know is if you have a 32 or 64bit version of Windows 7, and select drivers from those lists. For your purpose of testing to determine if your '630 video card is bad, or provide clues to what is wrong, the Intel graphics driver on your board's download page is fine. If you were using the Intel iGP on a long term basis, you could use a newer version of the video driver from Intel.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 3:57pm
Thank you, sounds good. I was looking at the list:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7

And found that they do not have simply two drivers one which is for 32 (which is what I need) .

WQhere you losse me is here:

"All you need to know is if you have a 32 or 64bit version of Windows 7, and select drivers from those lists. For your purpose of testing to determine if your '630 video card is bad, or provide clues to what is wrong, the Intel graphics driver on your board's download page is fine. If you were using the Intel iGP on a long term basis, you could use a newer version of the video driver from Intel."

So, as you suggest I again looked for the Intel video drivers on your list... and again find three different ones, none of them says video. The last one says VGA, but not Intel....

Puzzled again, RD


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 10:46pm
OK, what Parsec was recommending is for you to connect your monitor to your motherboard rather than your 630. Your system has intel graphics built in so we can use this to determine if your problem with the band is coming from your 630. 

Here are the drivers for the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/24965/Intel-Iris-and-HD-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-7-8-8-1-32-bit" rel="nofollow - intel HD graphics  

These are for windows 7 32bit

The only considerations you need to make when looking for drivers are:

1. Operating system version, IE windows XP/vista/7/8/8.1/10 etc
2. 32 or 64 bit

So you are on windows 7 32bit that is what you need to search Wink

On your motherboard you should find both a DVI and Dsub connector, you can connect your monitor to either. Just be sure the system is powered down when you connect the monitor as the iGPU will not initialize if you just switch when you are in windows unless it is configured in bios. Connecting the monitor to the motherboard when it is powered off will ensure that it enables the iGPU on boot.

Fire up your system on the intel graphics, install the drivers and let us know if you still have the problem.  


Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 11:42pm
Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

Thank you, sounds good. I was looking at the list:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7

And found that they do not have simply two drivers one which is for 32 (which is what I need) .

WQhere you losse me is here:

"All you need to know is if you have a 32 or 64bit version of Windows 7, and select drivers from those lists. For your purpose of testing to determine if your '630 video card is bad, or provide clues to what is wrong, the Intel graphics driver on your board's download page is fine. If you were using the Intel iGP on a long term basis, you could use a newer version of the video driver from Intel."

So, as you suggest I again looked for the Intel video drivers on your list... and again find three different ones, none of them says video. The last one says VGA, but not Intel....

Puzzled again, RD


Sorry, I'm so accustomed to knowing what driver is used for what purpose, I forget someone else may not know what to look for.

That last driver that says VGA that you mentioned is the correct one, the VGA driver ver:15.33.31.3993.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7" rel="nofollow - http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/?cat=Download&os=Win7

The name being used for that driver and its description does not include Intel, you are correct, just another example of professionals assuming everyone knows what to look for. I've never noticed that myself, but you make a good point, since other driver descriptions include Intel in their description.

I hope you don't feel bad about this, since I understand and appreciate your desire to be exact about locating the appropriate driver. You're the first person I've encountered that is more strict about this than I am, I like that! Thumbs Up

Xaltar, your link to the Intel graphics drivers did not work when I tried it. The URL looks correct, but it might not be working since it is an https type link that somehow may change for security purposes.

I'll try posting the same link and we'll see if it still works as time passes:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/search?keyword=4th+Generation+Intel%C2%AE+Core%E2%84%A2+Processors+with+Intel%C2%AE+HD+Graphics+4600" rel="nofollow - https://downloadcenter.intel.com/search?keyword=4th+Generation+Intel%C2%AE+Core%E2%84%A2+Processors+with+Intel%C2%AE+HD+Graphics+4600

Also, the Insert Hyperlink function of this editor is strict about how a link is created. You must select the type of link (http:, https:, etc) at the top left, and the link text we add must have the "https:" removed, since that is added by the Insert Hyperlink function, and will be in the link text twice if you don't.


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2015 at 11:54pm
Thanks for that Parsec, updated the link. It seems to work now.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:00am
As you have probably noticed, I do not know too much about computers. I can install an OS, or additional software, or FIerfox add ons, and add an SSD.
Thanks for identifying the driver and giving me an understandable link, as the Intel page itself gives me 7 different offers without explaining something that you make very simple.

Now to the real porblem. You (as parsec already did) suggest connecting the monitor to the motherboard either to the "DVI and Dsub connector".
Let me explain what I assume I understand about that.
There is cable that connects the display to the NVdia, which I disconnect, and plug it into the motherboard instead? (Computer switched off of course)

How do I recognize that cable, and how do I recognize those two sockets on the motherboard, where it is supposed to go?

ALso, my logic suggests, that I have to install the Intel driver BEFORE this?

Thank you for help and your time, I do appreciate it.      Smile


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:15am
Ah I see where you are stuck, here this should help Wink


These are the different types of display connectors that are most common. The blue connector is Dsub, White is DVI and Black is HDMI.

Whichever you have should correspond to the connectors on the motherboard back panel.


I hope this clarifies things for you Wink

And no, you do not have to install the intel drivers first, in fact you may not be able to as it is likely disabled because you are booting off the 630. Plug the monitor into the appropriate connection boot up then install drivers.

Good luck 


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 12:01pm
Thank You Xaltar, Thank You Parsec,

no need to be sorry, I am used to this. It is one of the problems that users like myself have in many forums, that the answers are usually given in a way, that can only be understood by poeple who would not have to ask that question in the first place.

And unlike here, the questioner has to expect to get insulted for that. (In case you are wondering, worst forums with this are of course Linux, and surprisingly Mozilla)

I am using what I thought is called a VGA(?) ??what you call a Dsub cable. What I actually did not understand was, that I do not change any cable inside the computer, but that it is at the backside.

Users like me plug that cable in, after they have bought the their computer, in my case over three years ago, and never again make a change to that display connection??

When I had plugged the cable in the motherboard socket just now, I remembered that when I connected it for the first time, the same thing happened that happend now: the screen remained black.

The only working socket at the back of the computer is the Nvidia entrance??

 

Installing the driver also does not work, I get the pop up telling me, that my computer does not fulfill the minimum requirements. (I am not making this up!)

I sort feel like trying to wipe the SSD, and then to re-install my Win 7. Could that make sense? Sort of, on the next rainy day?



Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 1:30pm
Some forums like one you mentioned are populated with a lot of... children, identified by their immature responses.

Your use of the term VGA for that video cable/video connection is not incorrect, as it is the commonly used term to describe this connection. The term VGA is also used as a generic term referring to any and all types of PC video interfaces

Strictly/technically speaking, VGA is not a kind of cable, but a video interface standard, and the connector is actually a D-subminiature VGA connector. That is where the term Dsub comes from. So they are both in general the same thing. None of this matters regarding your problem, we can use VGA to identify the video interface and cable you are using.

I decided to check your monitor, which seems to be an older model, how long have you had it? It has a VGA and a DVI input, and apparently both types of cables were supplied with it. I would try the other input with a DVI cable if I had this problem. But I would definitely want to try another video source besides your '630 video card, such as the Intel graphics.

VGA is an analog interface, while DVI is a digital interface. DVI allows a higher resolution, beyond that of your monitor, and is not affected by interference that can harm analog signals.

Do you have another monitor you can test the video card and cable with? Frankly, I would suspect the monitor as much as the video source.

The error message you got while attempting to install the driver is a generic message Intel uses for any number of installation failure causes, I've seen it myself when installing a different Intel driver.

You saw that message when installing the Intel video driver, but did not have a cable connected to the Intel video output on the mother board's IO panel, correct? Without a cable connected, the Intel graphics is not active or enabled, which causes the driver installation to fail.

Windows 7 has a generic video driver that will work with the Intel graphics, but it will be a low resolution display until you then install the Intel graphics driver.

When changing between video sources on a PC, it is usually best to clear the CMOS/BIOS before starting the PC after the change. You may get away with not doing so. You may not be familiar with that procedure and I don't want to send you off on a tangent.

A fresh Windows installation might fix your problem, but IMO that is a gamble since you do not know what the cause of the problem actually is. If your monitor, video card, or VGA cable were (independently) the source of the problem, installing Windows again won't fix it.




Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 1:47pm
Are you familiar with entering the bios? Go to the "Advanced" tab and enter the "Chipset Configuration" menu. In that menu you will find a setting called "Share Memory", set that to any number other than auto. This will force the iGPU (integrated Graphics Processor Unit) enabled. Then save and exit the bios. Power down the system and connect your monitor to the motherboard. You should now have signal to your monitor from the intel graphics on your CPU. Enter windows and install the driver and see if you still have a problem.

As Parsec said, try using the DVI cable that came with your monitor. Both the monitor and PC should have corresponding connections for this.

Don't worry about your level of understanding, we are more than happy to talk you through it. The fact that you are here asking how to fix it yourself and are following the steps we provide already sets you apart from most average users Wink

If you need anything clarified please do not hesitate to ask Smile


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 2:44pm
Hello parsec,  Thank you again for your help I really do appreciate it

I bought this ACER monitor about 6 years ago and it has worked without any problem until a few days. It still works without a problem, except it no longer has a centered picture at its native resolution. If I use the next less perfect one, then the picture is a little less clear, but other than that good enough.

I tend to just stick with that, but I somehow suspect that what caused this first the fault might soon cause another-

We have three computers with three different displays in our house.

The ONLY combination that is not working is this display connected to this computer, at this resolution. I have a second display (actually a 32??TV) connected to this computer, which still works unchanged (with a smaller resolution of course), but it is also connected to the Nvidia 630. Even connected via the same cable to the switch that separates the two displays (I tried without the switch and with different cables).

That is why I thought it could be a driver fault.

 

I canNOT change the video source, as I cannot install the driver for the Intel, without having the driver already installed??there is no picture.   Censored

 

I have a habit of installing a clean Win 7 version every two years or so, I always found the computer working a lot faster afterwards. A year ago I installed a Crucial MX100 SSD, so, no need for more speed, but??reading around on the internet I find several complaints about SSDs, also my Crucial. The funniest one actually from today, maybe this is of interest for you guys:

https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/" rel="nofollow - https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/

https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/" rel="nofollow -

My problem is that I am European living in Japan, so the internet is essential for my ?žsurvival?? I use a VPN and watch any TV channel I choose or even movies, all without any porblem. If I Knew it is the display, I would go out and buy another one, but I just might get more pi?? off, if it shows the same problem. And as I am almost 70, I do not want to have stroke??  Wacko

 

Maybe it is wisest, to just stick with the wrong resolution?

I really appreciate your help and your time, but if even you cannot pinpoint the problem at a long distance??   ???

 

Thank you again for your help I really do appreciate it




Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 3:14pm
Hello xaltar,

no, I am not familiar with the bios, I only have the basic knowledge of what it is and what it does.

But, as I felt adventurous, I checked some websites and found how to enter it with F2. I was not too surprised by what turned up, the ASRock page, but, of course, moved 5cms to the left and the black stripe on the left. Luckily for me, after clicking advanced, there was just enought ot see the ?�ig??of chipset config and the ?�ory??memory, (everything to the left of it was not visible) to do as you wrote and changed from auto to 32.

 But after re-starting?? same as before, black screen, no picture....

So, I changed the cable back, the bios setting back to auto, and I am now back to where I was.

As I wrote to parsec, I am by now willing to just stick with lower resolution, until the next thing brakes??If you have another suggestion, a not too complex one, I am fine with trying anything, but probably like you helpful guys too, getting a bit bored with this stupid malfunctioning??


Thanks   Handshake




Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 4:40pm
Short of getting very brave and opening up your PC and removing the 630 physically from the system I am afraid I have no further advice to give. I would however suggest you take it in to a professional and have them determine where the fault lies. If it is the motherboard and it is within warranty you should be able to get it fixed/replaced, the same applies for the graphics card. 

I find it best when there is a problem to deal with it now rather than when warranty is over Wink

Lastly, you are most welcome, any time you need advice or have a question please do not hesitated to ask Smile


Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2015 at 4:16pm
Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

Hello parsec,  Thank you again for your help I really do appreciate it

I bought this ACER monitor about 6 years ago and it has worked without any problem until a few days. It still works without a problem, except it no longer has a centered picture at its native resolution. If I use the next less perfect one, then the picture is a little less clear, but other than that good enough.

I tend to just stick with that, but I somehow suspect that what caused this first the fault might soon cause another-

 

Unfortunately, things break. It would be great if the longer a device functioned normally, that in turn meant the chances of it continuing to work increased along with its working lifespan. Alas, that is not the case.

Electronic devices give us very little if any warning before a component fails. Which brings us to the modern day cliche,  "It was working fine but suddenly broke". Exactly how it is.

"It still works without a problem, except.... ". No, it has a problem now, otherwise you would not be looking for a solution to a non-problem.

Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

We have three computers with three different displays in our house.

The ONLY combination that is not working is this display connected to this computer, at this resolution. I have a second display (actually a 32??TV) connected to this computer, which still works unchanged (with a smaller resolution of course), but it is also connected to the Nvidia 630. Even connected via the same cable to the switch that separates the two displays (I tried without the switch and with different cables).

That is why I thought it could be a driver fault.

Well, if you can't try one of the monitors from one of the other two computers on the PC system that has the display issue, you cannot demonstrate that the Acer monitor is not at fault.

Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:


I canNOT change the video source, as I cannot install the driver for the Intel, without having the driver already installed??there is no picture.   Censored

You just described a perfect Catch 22 situation. If that was correct, how could the Intel video source ever be used?

Consider, when you install Windows, do you install a video driver during the installation? When Windows starts for the first time after the installation is complete, what video driver is it using? The answer is a video driver "native" or built in to Windows.

When you disconnect your video card (no cables connected to it) and connect the cable to the Intel graphics on the mother board's IO panel, even without clearing the BIOS/CMOS, Windows should detect it needs to load a driver for the new video device. If it does not do so, pressing the Reset button will give it another chance to do so. Otherwise, a CMOS/BIOS clear is required.

 

Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

I have a habit of installing a clean Win 7 version every two years or so, I always found the computer working a lot faster afterwards. A year ago I installed a Crucial MX100 SSD, so, no need for more speed, but??reading around on the internet I find several complaints about SSDs, also my Crucial. The funniest one actually from today, maybe this is of interest for you guys:

https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/" rel="nofollow - https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/

https://blog.algolia.com/when-solid-state-drives-are-not-that-solid/" rel="nofollow -

My problem is that I am European living in Japan, so the internet is essential for my ?�survival?? I use a VPN and watch any TV channel I choose or even movies, all without any porblem. If I Knew it is the display, I would go out and buy another one, but I just might get more pi?? off, if it shows the same problem. And as I am almost 70, I do not want to have stroke??  Wacko

 

Maybe it is wisest, to just stick with the wrong resolution?

I really appreciate your help and your time, but if even you cannot pinpoint the problem at a long distance??   ???

 

Thank you again for your help I really do appreciate it




Perhaps it is best to stick with the wrong resolution, if you allow this situation to anger you to the point of inducing a stroke. Do you own the equipment, or does the equipment own you?

Yes, nothing beats the hands on approach, if I was there we could check if that monitor is at fault in a few minutes.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2015 at 6:12am

Once more, Parsec,

 

?žElectronic devices give us very little if any warning before a component fails. Which brings us to the modern day cliche,  "It was working fine but suddenly broke". Exactly how it is.??/p>

 

Sadly, that is not the point. The problem is not that something broke, the problem is that its cause cannot be pinpointed. It can be the monitor, it can be the videocard, it can be one of several drivers, and one of several used firmwares, it can be the videocard, it can be the SSD or it can be Win 7.

 

?žWell, if you can't try one of the monitors from one of the other two computers on the PC system that has the display issue, you cannot demonstrate that the Acer monitor is not at fault.??/p>

 

I HAVE tried them, all of them work, but none of them can test 1680x1050 for me. I need to test an identical monitor, which then might show, that there is actually nothing wrong with the first one?

 

I remember trying the display on both the VGA sockets and only one of them, the Nvidia, which I used ever since, worked even then. I saw no reasón to assume that this was not normal. So the motherboard did not work correctly from the very beginning?

But that would be another issue, right? Beause the problem itself did not arise until three years later??/p>


Well... what to do....




Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2015 at 1:07pm
Sadly, as Parsec insinuated there is only so much we can do to help you on a forum. Troubleshooting is somewhat of an art form. Often times testing methodology takes a back seat to gut feeling when you have been doing it for a while and on a forum, lacking the ability to look at the problem first hand, it is very difficult to find a gremlin. All we can do is talk you through some troubleshooting steps as to where we suspect the problem could be. If any of those steps are followed incorrectly or missed out it renders the entire process moot. 

If I were to come to your aid in person I would have brought a laptop or netbook with me and tested your monitor at the desired resolution on that. If there was a problem with it it would immediately become evident. 

The next step if the monitor checked out would be to try and get your iGPU to work by clearing CMOS after removing the dedicated GPU. If that proved impossible then it would identify the motherboard or CPU as the fault.

At this point I would remove, carefully clean and reinstall your CPU after checking for bent/damaged pins on the motherboard. 

If this did not resolve the iGPU problem then the entire system would be taken back to my workshop so I could test the CPU on another board and determine if the motherboard or CPU is at fault and then replace the offending component (likely motherboard as CPUs tend not to be the culprit).

It all seems so simple written down this way but its the things that happen during each step that are difficult/impossible to translate to a forum medium such as:

I sit down at your PC and smell burned electronics, I investigate and determine your PSU is damaged. Replace the PSU and the problem persists. Further inspection reveals that the damaged PSU caused damage to the motherboard...

As you can see there are many variables to encompass.

At this point, based on the information you have provided and the steps Parsec and I put you through your problem could be, in order of likelihood:

1. Screen fault
2. Bent pins on the motherboard CPU socket or poor CPU connection.
3. Power Supply Unit (this last one only because a faulty PSU can cause all kinds of random havok and it should be tested or replaced only if items 1 and 2 prove not to be the fault.)

Given that the problem occurred over time I would say the screen is likely the problem, nothing else makes sense. LCD monitors save specific data for each resolution so it is possible a single resolution may be corrupt or damaged while others appear to work correctly.

Now the iGPU problem I believe is a separate issue that has been in place since the system was built. It could easily be as a result of bent pins or improper CPU seating into the socket.

If you could provide the monitor Brand an model number I will take a look and see how to reset it to its factory settings and clear any potentially corrupted resolution information. I am afraid that is the last thing I can think of to help you without physically being there.

Good stuff sticking with it, this is how we learn Big smile



Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2015 at 4:41pm
Hello xaltar, I did not expect you to be around still... Thanks for putting it all together for me, once again.

What is hard for me to understand is this double sympton.
When I simply pull out power and VAG cable from the monitor, and connect it to my wife's computer, also Win 7, its the exact same problem at 1680x1050, the native resolution. That would normally mean, it is the monitors problem, right?

But, back at my computer (where the picture is only, but always centered at 1600x1200) NO MATTER what resolution is set, the very first start up picture, MSRock, is ALWAYS moved to the left.... no matter monitor is connected....

Now that is a puzzle to me, but....

You two did what was possible and I thank you for it, I think I will do the reasonable thing, leave the 1600x1200 resolution, so I can use the monitor and wait till it either breaks down completely, or... by a miracle goes back to normal..

So, what to do, but to wish a good day...

PS   You live in Bulgaria? In the 70s I drove through Bulgaria and Sofia several times on my way to Turkey, lovely country side, but then, I was only driving through, did you live there in the "old" days?


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2015 at 4:50pm
I moved here in 2006 Wink My wife is Bulgarian so it was a natural choice to come here for us to raise a family. It really is beautiful here.

Now that you have tested the monitor on another PC and it had the same problem we can be certain the monitor is the problem Thumbs Up

The Asrock logo being off center is not a problem with the PC, again, the monitor saves settings for each resolution including positional data so obviously that resolution is not set correctly in the monitor setup Wink

One last thing we can try, give me the make and model of your monitor so I can find how to reset it to factory defaults (unless you already know how). If it is just a corrupted buffer in the monitor then it may resolve it.


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2015 at 12:13pm
Last night I put "ACER X223W" in Youtube as a last gamble and found many posts, and among them one that had the same problem and also used NVidia. THere, in the Control Panel, under "scaling", and I still have no idea what scaling means, there are three possibilities to click offered: Aspect ratio, no scaling and full screen. The YouTube video suggested setting it from the normal "no-scaling" to full screen. I did...

And now the display works normally again...

It is so complicated to get to that control panel, so no way can this be changed by accident. And they told me that "no scaling" was normal and for GAMING it is set to 1600x1200, but had not updated anything for months and so why and what and how is a puzzle, and no one knows what changed the setting, if it indeed was changed....

So, in the end I got lucky, and it saved me from buying an new monitor. I guess, as you write, the monitor needed to be set to factory defaults, but the acer menu offers no choice for that and it is not possible to contact the company per e-mail.

So, all right then, have a nice sunday and thank you for everything


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2015 at 12:58pm
You are most welcome Rossdorn Wink

Glad to see you have your problem sorted now Big smile


Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2015 at 12:44pm
Originally posted by rossdorn rossdorn wrote:

Once more, Parsec,

 

?�Electronic devices give us very little if any warning before a component fails. Which brings us to the modern day cliche,  "It was working fine but suddenly broke". Exactly how it is.??/p>

 

Sadly, that is not the point. The problem is not that something broke, the problem is that its cause cannot be pinpointed. It can be the monitor, it can be the videocard, it can be one of several drivers, and one of several used firmwares, it can be the videocard, it can be the SSD or it can be Win 7.

 

?�Well, if you can't try one of the monitors from one of the other two computers on the PC system that has the display issue, you cannot demonstrate that the Acer monitor is not at fault.??/p>

 

I HAVE tried them, all of them work, but none of them can test 1680x1050 for me. I need to test an identical monitor, which then might show, that there is actually nothing wrong with the first one?

 

I remember trying the display on both the VGA sockets and only one of them, the Nvidia, which I used ever since, worked even then. I saw no reasón to assume that this was not normal. So the motherboard did not work correctly from the very beginning?

But that would be another issue, right? Beause the problem itself did not arise until three years later??/p>


Well... what to do....




I'm glad you figured this all out, although a question remains which may be an aside at this point.  What suddenly caused the need to adjust the scaling in order to get the image centered on the screen correctly.

I was unaware that you had tried the other monitors you have with the apparently original offending PC, as well as the Acer monitor on the other PCs. Did I miss that or did you mention that for the first time in your post above? This test was critical IMO, but could not be accomplished given the resolutions you had available on those monitors. I fell into the trap of assuming one or more of your monitors had higher resolutions available, as I do in my world. That is a debugging 101 mistake.

Frankly, when I look back on our suggestions, we (I) failed to ask how you were changing the resolution of your display. I assume now that was via the Windows Display option in Control Panel.

Also, the fix you found in the Nvidia Control Panel software should have been an obvious suggestion on our part.

Then you had this phenomenon:

"But, back at my computer (where the picture is only, but always centered at 1600x1200) NO MATTER what resolution is set, the very first start up picture, MSRock, is ALWAYS moved to the left.... no matter monitor is connected...."

That occurs at the "very first start up picture" because the default resolution that had the problem was active at that point. The adjusted resolution that did not have the problem became active only after the video card had fully woken up and changed to the non-default resolution.

My theories about the sudden cause of this problem are either an automatic Windows update of the Nvidia video driver caused an incompatibility with the default scaling settings and that Acer monitor, or the monitor itself deteriorated a small amount and required the change of the scaling option. I'm starting to lean towards the former.


Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2015 at 1:11pm
I was thinking it was probably a refresh rate change or some such, either way the problem seems to have been resolved, at least for the time being Smile

I can't believe I missed checking refresh rates and such in my suggestions Shocked

Thank you for your patience Rossdorn and I hope you continue to visit the forums for more discussions and info Smile


Posted By: rossdorn
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2015 at 7:01am
Look, guys, for someone with my experience in forums... this has been a pleasure.

And on top of it, it was only because of your continuing attempts to help, that I kept on looking and only by sheer luck I found the solution to the riddle, on YouTube of all places.
I might have tried other things, like buying another display and have been really p....off with myself for having wasted the money...

So, thanks and keep up the good work



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