Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Video drivers cause Windows7 samsung np-qx411-w02ub to crash

Feb 7, 2020 5:55PM PST

So as I mentioned in the title, my Windows 7 Samsung np-qx411-w02ub laptop crashes whenever I install new display/video drivers. I went to the official Samsung website, searched for my laptop, and downloaded the display driver that it recommended for that model. Whenever I install it, it works fine for about half an hour, but then all of a sudden the screen goes black and some thin, colored lines start flickering on the left side of the screen. After that, I uninstalled the driver, then downloaded another display driver. I installed it, worked good for about half an hour, then the same thing happened. (The standard VGA display driver that came on the laptop works fine, but I would just prefer better display drivers because the VGA one has low resolution.)

Thanks in advance for the help

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Could be failing hardware but let's check out one area.
Feb 7, 2020 7:12PM PST
- Collapse -
Thanks i'll tell you how that works out
Feb 8, 2020 7:10AM PST

Let's see how it works

- Collapse -
That actually caused the computer to crash a lot quicker
Feb 8, 2020 7:36AM PST

So i'm guessing it's a hardware problem

- Collapse -
Have to agree.
Feb 8, 2020 8:35AM PST

That's not a good finding. But before we call it quits we would clean install the OS of choice or Linux. We find that many just need the old PC to get to Chrome and Office apps which Linux gives us without cost.

You also have the option to snag your W10 license for free before that fades away entirely but you have to do that before you wipe out the old W7. Articles about that are on the web.

I rarely call it quits without some other trials.

- Collapse -
Is there any way to repair it?
Feb 8, 2020 10:19AM PST

Or am I better off just getting rid of it?

- Collapse -
Have to write no.
Feb 8, 2020 10:42AM PST

Since the free upgrade to W10 as well as a clean install of W7 along with factory issued drivers and Linux all failed, that's usually the end.

I could try the usual deep clean of the heat sinks and a fan check but given the usual reload fails the signs are that it's a motherboard failure which for such old machines means the end.

- Collapse -
I installed windows 10, and I'm happy with the results
Feb 8, 2020 7:27PM PST

So I installed windows 10 on the laptop. It works great, and the default video driver (which doesn't cause the computer to crash) looks really good, so I'm really happy with the results

- Collapse -
That is good news.
Feb 8, 2020 9:29PM PST

For a time there I thought it was the end.

- Collapse -
That actually caused the computer to crash a lot quicker
Feb 8, 2020 7:36AM PST

So i'm guessing it's a hardware problem