Windows 10: Can only use "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" as my graphics driver

Infuriatingly, even using that driver causes the same errors to happen. It seems that it can't just be the driver version that is causing it :/

Is it maybe worth me reformatting my hard drive and seeing if that resolves the issue? I am reluctant to wipe my hard drive as there is plenty of games and files that I will have to redownload but if this is my only solution then I will do it


Also whilst browsing a web page with the driver enabled it came up with this message, I have seen the message blocking other applications but this one is totally new:

 

I would think that reformatting your hard drive would be a long shot, at best.

See if you can borrow your dad's graphics card.
If you do this, make sure you completely remove any traces of the old card or any of it's drivers before the switch!

 

In my experience, changing drivers often, specially going back and forward with versions, can wreck system to the point of reinstalling it being only option.

 

I am going to try my dad's graphics card out later on today and see if that resolves the issue. If it does fix it then it looks like I'll be dishing out £400... *Sad

 

How old is the card? It's not still under warranty?
What Brand and Model #?

 

The card is not very old at all, it is less than a year old. It is a Sapphire DualX R9 280x

Here is a link to the card

Sapphire Dual-X AMD Radeon R9 280X OC 3GB GDDR5 Graphics Card: Amazon.co.uk: Computers Accessories

 

Okay I tried out my Dad's card and it works fine and doesn't cause any of the issues even using the same 15.7.1 driver version. I am unsure as to how the graphics card has been damaged considering I was able to play borderlands on it with no issue but Terraria would make it crash. I will just have to look for a new card to buy as a replacement. It is a shame that I will have to buy another but at least I know the cause so I can right it.

 

However I tried putting my card in my dad's PC and for some reason it works in his PC. I really want to just order a new card but my dad is determined that it has to be some other issue which is infuriating

 

Your card is under Sapphire 2-year warranty.
You could send it back by RMA and they will send you a new one, usually with no questions asked.
SAPPHIRE Technology

You do not need to 'break' electronic components, sometimes they are just defective. And defects do not need to be glaring or obvious. A defective graphics card can exhibit many different symptoms in different systems.

An explanation as to why your Dad's PC does not show any of your symptoms is that his PC is a different environment - not running the same software, different OS settings, different hardware, many things could be different.
The only fact that matters is that his graphics card in your system works without problems.
As long as you have thoroughly tested it under all conditions that made yours crash then you can be confident you have found the problem.

 

+1

Send it back. Unless you regularly do AnandTech level teardowns and reviews there's no point in stressing out over this. You isolated the problem to the Sapphire Card.

If you can't fix it, and it's under warranty send it back. If it turns out to not be the card when you get the new one back you'll have the same issues, and plenty of opportunity to stress out about it then. Why do the stressing unnecessarily now?

 

It is amazing how much work you spent trying to solve the issue. What a shame, that there obviously is no better solution!

 

What is your father's card? Same sort or another?

I hope that your Sapphire card is in fact defective, and that a replacement will not behave exactly the same.

 

I don't know the exact make of my Dad's card but I know its an AMD 7800 series card.

I am currently looking at the return policy for the site I bought my card from so hopefully i should be able to send it back and get a replacement

 

Sounds right, as said in parts by TV2. Could be some other conflict in your system with that specific card, software ,drivers, OS, could be many other reasons and sending it back they most likely will not find an issue with it. Put back same card checked out or a replacement and your at square one. Hope this is the correct solution as we do not know all about Dad's PC. Not going against what others know here and suggested so far, just say good luck whatever the outcome is and you decide.

 

While the store you actually bought your card from may have a return policy, it is most likely 30 days or so. You are warrantied through Sapphire for 2 years. That is where you should be sending the RMA request.

Be sure to follow all of the instructions they give you for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) exactly.