HOW TO: Modify and install Nvidia drivers for mobile graphics chipsets in Windows 7 when all else fails
When I installed Windows 7 RTM on my Sony VAIO laptop I discovered the same problem as when beta testing WindowsVista some years ago. The problem is that drivers for the video card for Nvidia mobile graphics chipsets is missing which means running with the feature lacking and slow Standard VGA driver.
In all releases of Windows 7 up to RTM there has been a driver available via Windows Update for the Nvidia mobile card but this driver seems to be pulled from Windows Update (and Microsoft Update Catalog). If you did not already know it Nvidia offers drivers for many of its mobile graphics chipsets on www.nvidia.com, but unfortunately these drivers do specifically not work on SonyVAIO machines.
The solution to install the Nvidia driver anyway is to download and unpack the driver from www.nvidia.com and then modify one of the INF files to make it support your video card. May I mention that this solution is not support in any way, but the important thing is that it works.
In my case I looked up the hardware ID for my Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT in device manager and found out that is has the hardware ID “PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D”. Then I went to C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\186.03\International\Display (the path might differ when using a newer driver) which is where the files are unpacked when you run the downloaded driver. Then I opened nvam.inf and added the below two lines where there are similar rows in the INF file.
Note that the “0426” part in the beginning of the first and second line is derived from “DEV_0426” part in the hardwareID which is unique depending on what graphics card it is. In my example the lines I am adding looks like:
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio FZ38M)"
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D
If you look in the INF file it will be quite obvious how to proceed. Then run setup.exe or install the driver manually. It should work like a charm ;)
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About Author
Andreas Stenhall
I'm Andreas Stenhall and my work passion is the Windows client in combination with Microsoft 365 security and management services. I do consulting, I produce and teach my own courses, I lecture and I present and my formal work title is prinicipal workplace advisor and architect at Coligo in Stockholm, Sweden. I'm also proud to be an Microsoft MVP since 2009. I have presented at BUILD, TechEd in the US and Europe and regional TechDays. Follow me on twitter @AndreasStenhall.
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I’m a little confused on your instructions. I understand that I download the file, then open the inf file and type in
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio FZ38M)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D
But I’m unclear exactly where. Am I replacing the text that you said is similar, or typing it after that text or what?
Add these two lines in the approriate section in the INF file. Replace in this example NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio FZ38M)” with the device name of the card but also change the 0426 part to the corresponding device you find in the hardware ID (in this example PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D). Replace this string with the hardware ID of your card and also change the 0426 part on the second line.
Hi there, I’m not a TERRIBLY technical person, but I’m wondering if this fix would work for an issue which seems pretty common (from trawling other forums) – I’ve got a Sony Vaio running vista 32bit and the Windows 7 advisor says that the drivers for my NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT are not compatible for Windows 7.
Apparently, NVIDIA don’t have a solution and have been sending people to Sony, and Sony say that they haven’t upgraded the drivers yet for Windows 7 and don’t know when they expect to do so…
What do you think?
NickG, you are so right. I have a Sony laptop myself and the only solution to get the Nvidia drivers into the system is by following the steps in my article. I have been running it for months without any problems whatsoever!
My wife has a Sony Vaio laptop that uses the GeForce 8400M GT graphics card and has the same Windows 7 upgrade issue.
I understand the idea of adding the appropriate code for this graphics card in the nvam.inf file. The problem is that the latest NVIDIA driver update has changed to 186.81 and the nvam.inf file looks different. For example, I can’t find a sections anywhere that has lines that look similar to this:
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio FZ38M)”
Is it possible to give an example that relates to the 186.81 driver update nvam.inf file?
Thanks!
Ken, the necessary sections are there in the Nvidia 186.81 driver in nvam.inf. Look at line 168 for the first section and 3021 and forward for the second section. Add the corresponding information for your video card on those two lines. As you have a Sony laptop and the same video card as I do it might be the same hardware ID but make sure first before you add the lines. In Device Manager choose Properties on the video card and then go to Details and choose HardwareID in the dropdown menu.
Andreas, thank you for your reply. I am learning a lot as I work to resolve this issue. I found the places in the inf file to add the lines, thanks to your help. I have a question regarding the correct hardware ID for my graphics card. The first line that shows in the “Value” box in the Hardware ID is: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D&REV_A1
Below is the same value minus the “&REV_A1” at the end.
What should the line look like that goes in the second section? Should it include the “&REV_A1” at the end? I just wanted to be clear on this.
If it’s not too much trouble, I’d also be interested to know why you knew to assign this second line to “Section012” as opposed to some other “Section” value. Just curious.
Thanks again for your help!
Ken, glad to help!
The hardware ID PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D without the “rev” part is enough. The second line should then look like:
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D
I chose Section12 as it was the closest to the other family of 8400M G range of cards.
Andreas, once I add these two lines to the “inf” file can I run the setup.exe in Vista and update my driver or should I wait until I upgrade to Windows 7? My thought is that the 186.81 version is good for both Vista and Windows 7 so I should be able to test it while running Vista.
I’m curious about what was the driver update sequence when you upgraded your Sony Vaio to Windows 7.
This is the first time I’m doing anything like this so I want to be certain of the sequence of events BEFORE I begin.
Thanks!
I did a clean installation so I practically installed Windows 7 and noticed that there was no driver for the Nvidia card, after which I did what’s in the guide above. If you are planning on doing a so called in-place upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 I would wait with installing the drive this way until after you have upgraded to Windows 7 to avoid potential problems with the upgrade process.
Hi,
I want to try that solution, but the problem is that I can’t install the driver so I don’t see it in the device manager… SO I can’t check the ID…
I have a vaio vgn fe41m – windows7 64 bit.
Can somebody help me?
thanks
It’s not possible, but it works!!
I just planted the ID of the VGA card into the inf file and after an error, just say go on and it works fine!!
Andreas, I could use a little help if possible. Here is what I have done so far.
My hardware Id’s are:
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_0300
Pasted inside nvam.inf file
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D
After I run setup.exe I get a message saying The system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, run the installation again.
I am trying to do a win7 64 bit clean install. Thanks in advance.
Sorry I forgot to list that I have a Sony Vaio VGNAR520E With a video card NVIDIA GeForce
8400M GT that win7 does not see.
@jay6600. Does it work better if you enter 9005104D instead of 9016104D on the second line?
I don’t know how that got pasted in there. It should not even be there.
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9016104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_0300
I am currently up and running but using an older vista 64 bit driver from http://www.laptopvideo2go.com
Andreas, I have the All-in-one Sony Vaio VGC LT19U with the same NVIDIA adapter
GeForce 8400M GT GPU. I would like to modify the NVAM.inf file, but I don’t know where to copy the device ID information.
Should I search and replace something, or just insert a new line, and if so where?
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9018104D&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9018104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&CC_0300
Should it come on the first line after the bracketed section:
[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0]
like this?
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio VGC LT19U)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9018104D
Also, once it is saved, how do you install manually? Do you double click NvCplSetupInt.exe file in windows explorer?
Thanks in advance for your help on this!
Linda
@Linda: Each line is to be placed in the file where each line resembles what is already there. You place the line “NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio VGC LT19U)”” almost at the bottom of the file and to find where to enter the line “%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9018104D” do a search for “%Nvidia_Dev”.
Once this is done you can run setup.exe and the installation will succeed.
Hi. Here is an update on my upgrade to Windows 7 on my wife’s Sony Vaio laptop model VGN-AR520E. I ran the “in place” upgrade first and expected to then update the driver as we discussed but it was not necessary! The current graphics driver from Sony, version 7.15.11.117, works fine under Windows 7 even though the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor says it is not compatible. My wife has been using the laptop for several days and it is working like a charm – faster than under Vista and no issues with the display.
For now, I don’t plan on updating the driver using the modified nvam.inf file as there appears to be no need. I hope this is helpful to other Sony Vaio owners. Thanks for all of your help Andreas.
Ken
That won’t work for me because I am going from 32 to 64 bit.
Hiya, I was really glad to find this thread, but unfortunately, when i try to implement the changes, I get an error when running setup.exe, saying: the nvidia set up programme could not locate any drivers compatible with your current hardware.
I have recently upgraded from vista business 32 to windows 7 home premium 64 (clean upgrade) on a sony vaio vgn with a nvidia geforce go 7400 which is no longer recognised by the system. Any suggestion would be hugely appreciated!
thanks
Miriam
Quick update: I just managed to make the driver work! The difference to all previous attempts were:
– i entered the relevant lines directly under the logically preceding line in the .inf file (i.e. if it is a 7series card, don’t enter the info at the end, but before the 8series start)
– i ignored the section part but inserted something aligned to the closed _dev XXX line (i.e. if your dev code is _01D8, i copied from a similar line into the part following %NVIDIA_DEV.xxx.01% = )
– i created a line saying: nvidia_g74. followed by the hardware id as there was no such line previously.
I am not sure which one of the above helped but it appear to be working now – so hopefully this may help other
rgds
Miriam
Mima, can you provide more information about what you did? Which INF file did you modify? I found at least a dozen that include the 7400 chip.
Further update: I got it working! Here’s what I did. I have a Sony SZ390P with a Geforce Go 7400.
1. I followed the instructions for the driver heaven modification, except that I removed all inf files except for the NAMF.inf file, so that only that file would be modified and I could keep track of it. When I ran the setup (step 4), it told me that it was not able to make any change.
2. I went to the NAMF file and added this right after the similar entry for the “G73,”:
%NVIDIA_G74.DEV_01D8.1% = nv_NV3x_G7x, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_81E6104D
3. I found this entry in the inf: NVIDIA_DEV_01D8.1 = “NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400”
Right after that entry I added this one:
NVIDIA_DEV_01D8.1 = “NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 (Sony Vaio SZ390P)”
I did not see any other manufacturer names like that, but I just added it anyway.
4. I ran the setup.exe again that was in the Display subfolder a few levels down from the main Nvidia folder. This time it said it was successful, and I restarted and it worked.
OOops, the Driver Heaven instructions are here:
http://www.driverheaven.net/nvmodtool.php
I followed the instructions above. Then launched the .exe and it loaded successfully. However after the restart the driver still shows the old driver date and the same revision in the NVIDIA control panel. Is this normal or did it not succesfully install?
I have SonyVaio VGN-FE41M, could you please help me Andreas how to update the NVIDIA Driver, I downloaded the latest one wich is 179.48, for Go 7400,I have the Windows7 Ultimate x86, If you could post clear advice for me here please, step by step, i will be very pleased, this are my hrdware ids ;
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_81EF104D&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_81EF104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&CC_0300
Thanks a Lot
Kind Regards
@search37: You need to add the below two lines to the corresponding section in nvam.inf and then run setup to install the driver (successfully) :)
NVIDIA_DEV.01D8.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 7400 Go (Sony Vaio VGN-FE41M)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.01D8.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_81EF104D
Thanks Andreas yes it worked fine with this, very kind of you
Kind Regards
Hi, I’ve followed your steps, but it keeps saying “The system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, run the installation again.” Any ideas on what to do?
HI,
I have tried all, but ther is no way. I have a LG M1-JDGFG with the Nvidia Go 7400.
1400×1050 resolution is executable with only 16 Bit Color (oh oh my eyes), my installed OS is Windows 7 64 Bit. I can not connect my LCD TV, because the driver does not recognize it. The switching on the external VGA Port is not possible
I have downloaded the Win7 driver from the Nvidia Homepage (179.48_notebook_winvista_win7_64bit_beta.exe), I wanted to edit the NVAM File, but i can not find the String:
NVIDIA_DEV.01D8.01
I found that one instead:
%NVIDIA_G72.DEV_01D8.1% = nv_NV3x_G7x, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_12111043
Since my Hardware ID is: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_00401854
I typed in:
%NVIDIA_G72.DEV_01D8.1% = nv_NV3x_G7x, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_00401854
There ist no “section012” :-(
I think I am wrong.
An where I have to put: NVIDIA_DEV.01D8.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 7400 Go (LG M1-JDGFG)”?
Can someone help me?
here is the unmodified INF: http://www.pennella.de/NVAM.INF
Thanx
Hi Andreas,
I can generally figure out these problems with so much advice but this one truly has me stumped.
I am trying to install the Geforce 8400M GS on my Sony Vaio SZ58GN. I have tried countless times with the instructions posted but I seem to keep getting the same result as chris2212 has posted above. The message reading..
“The system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, run the installation again.” …I hate it!
I’ve pasted the 2 lines in between the lines above and below.
%NVIDIA_DEV.0427.01% = Section015, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_17C21043
NVIDIA_DEV.0427.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS (Sony Vaio SZ58GN)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.0427.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_9008104D
%NVIDIA_DEV.0427.02% = Section017, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_3D7A17AA
As I found the 0427 strings twice in the nvam file I inserted the lines twice.
Am I doing something wrong or is it just an unfortunate case?
@chris2212: Try to install the driver manually by not using the setup.exe instead using Device Manager to right click the device and choose Update driver. Then browse to the files and choose the latest driver.
@alcapone_il_mafioso: Adding this line should workd
%NVIDIA_G72.DEV_01D8.1% = nv_NV3x_G7x, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D8&SUBSYS_00401854
and then place this line almost at the bottom of the file:
NVIDIA_G72.DEV_01D8.1 = “NVIDIA GeForce 7400 Go (LG M1-JDGFG”
@whitakick: Does it make a difference if you put the line
NVIDIA_DEV.0427.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS (Sony Vaio SZ58GN)”
at the similar looking section at the bottom of the file?
Nope, afraid not.
I have even gone so far as to add the 2 extra lines in every one of the other N***.inf files where I have found the 8400M GS lines. It runs and always tells me that no changes were made at the end of the setup.
I just cant figure it out.
I can’t get my graphic card’s hardware ID. I downloaded Everest but can’t figure out where to get it.
Thanks
@chachodci: Start “Device Manager” then expand the section “Display adapters” and then right click the video card and choose Properties. Then go to the “Details” tab and finally choose “Hardware IDs” in the dropdown menu. There you will find what you are looking for.
Hi,
I modified the INF just as said here (except for placing the “%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01%…” twice) and installed the latest driver 197.16. But Upgrade Advisor still says its not compatible with Win7. I’ve also verified the ID, etc.
Am I doing something wrong?
Please help. Thanks.
@WinterAce: This trick will not change anything related to WIndows 7 Upgrade Advisor as it bases its information on centrally stored information and matches it if it find the corresponding hardware on your machine.
have a sony vgn-fz348e im running windows 7 and have tried every combo of drivers for the 8400m gt if anybody has it running or has a driver for it contact me at fcm94@yahoo.com
i have the device id for my vga card can someone put this in a modified ini file for the geforce 8400m gt sony vaio vgn-fz348e running windows 7 pro,i tried doing it myself but it kept messing up thanks
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D&REV_A1\4&12A31CFE&0&0008
@fcm94, check your email and please have a look at what I did in the file :)
Andreas , please help me… I Have a laptop Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E ….i tried all your possibilities…but still won`t work… it sais ” The system has not been modified. To install this program at a later time, run the installation again.” …if you could help me… what can i do…i think i don`t put ”
NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01 = “NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT (Sony Vaio FZ21e)”
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section012, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D , in the right place…i tried to install from device manager by select the folder nividia ,but still didn`t work…THx…I need urgently
@theycallmepapu: Did you get this resolved already? I’m a bit late I know, due to vacation. It seems you have copied my settings right off, only changing the model within the brackets. Did you look up what the HardwareID for your video card is?
Hi Andreas Stenhall,
I am from Indonesia. I use a Vaio VGN-SZ670N. I’ve been stuck with Sony’s famous drivers are rarely updated. now, I can use nvidia drivers after following the tutorial. I am very happy. You’re very nice. thanks.
Hi Andreas Stenhall,
Im using sz320cp and running win7. I can not check my Driver ID through the Device Manager in the Display Adapter. Instead of running the nvidia 7400, it is running the Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family. Any suggestion? Further, im kind of messing up the .inf file. Pls Help?
@hieu: According to the specs provided by Sony your machine has a Nvidia 7400 Go card. Do I understand you correctly if you do not see this card in “Display adapters” in Device Manager but instead you see the Intel 945 Integrated video card there?