How do I fix a video driver problem?

This computer has been running successfully on Windows XP-Home for almost a year. I recently purchased a Logitech Optical Cordless Mouse and loaded it on the computer. About 3 days later my monitor screen darkened to a small degree and waivered. The brightness controls on the monitor no longer worked, but instead shifted the size of the viewing screen. I ran diagnostics on the system and it said I had a problem with the Multimedia Controller driver. It said it was a Chromatic Research driver that was incompatable with Microsoft XP. I never even knew I HAD a multimedia controller before this. I uninstalled the driver. No help. When I rebooted, the New Hardware system looked for it and the problem remained. I uninstalled the multimedia controller but when I rebooted the Found New Hardware reinstalled it and the same problem persisted. Chromatic Research is a defunct company which was sold to ATI. No help there. I went to the driver.com place, no help there. I reloaded the mouse and reloaded XP - no help there. I wrote to Logitech but received no answer from them. Now I'm writing to you. About the only option I see left is to reformat the drive and start over. Is there any other way I can correct this?

This question was answered on September 24, 2003. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Is your graphics card onboard (connected to the motherboard)? or Is it located in a slot like the PCI or VGA?

Have you checked the Microsoft website and did a windows update?

they might have a driver there that is compatible with XP

If not go to this web site I Queried the web and came up with a couple sites with a Chromatic Research driver: http://list.driverguide.com/list/company213/

If all else fails you can use System Restore, a Windows XP feature that is similar to the "Last Known Good Configuration" in Windows NT and Windows 2000 You can use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, using the backups that it makes of selected system files and program files However, "Last Known Good Configuration" restores the computer back to the last state that Windows determines might work, whereas System Restore gives you a choice of previous states to restore the computer to That is, System Restore maintains multiple restore points instead of one last restore point.

To get there click your Start menu Point to All Programs, then Accessories, then System tools and, finally, click on System Restore (You'll also find System Restore hidden in the Control Panel under Performance and Maintenance.).

hope one of these suggestions help you

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Posted by Student of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on September 24, 2003

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