Setting up workstations and servers using NVIDIA Quadro GPUs can be troublesome. We have experienced blue screens, sudden system slowdown, lack of features, etc., so we like to share our experience on how to deal with such systems.
If a system does not behave properly, and if this behavior is connected with the usage of NVIDIA Quadro (e.g. operating the control panel), we recommend a clean reinstall.
These are some symptoms:
- GPUs are missing in NVIDIA system topology.
- Connected displays not showing up in Windows, but listed in NVIDIA system topology (check adapters and signal cables first).
- NVIDIA control panel works very slowly.
- NVIDIA control panel nearly empty or not showing the usual set of features.
- Blue screen when operating with NVIDIA features (e.g. setting up Mosaic).
- Other anomalies.
A clean reinstall and system configuration requires 10 steps:
- Step 1- Prepare to reinstall the GPU Driver. Disable all Mosaic settings and perform a complete uninstall.
- Step 2- REBOOT.
- Step 3- Use the driver setup and perform a driver installation. Install the driver in expert mode, and install just the driver – nothing else (un-mark all check boxes). After driver install…
- Step 4- REBOOT.
- Step 5- Set EDIDs for all connected projectors (how does this work). Then…
- Step 6- REBOOT.
- Step 7- Set up a Mosaic (how does this work). Then…
- Step 8- REBOOT.
- Step 9- If everything looks good and behaves well, create a system image for backup and rollback. Then make your final….
- Step 10- REBOOT.
DO NOT SKIP ANY REBOOTS!
This workflow avoids nearly all possible anomalies, blue screens, slow down, corrupted settings, etc.