Avast 5 and video display

[ineuw]

I have one video card, but after installing Avast, I discovered that two installed video cards are showing, the second marked as "Secondary", and it's a phantom card. Has Avast created this for some reason or, is this a hardware, or another software requirement, or perhaps a glitch? All BIOS updates are current.

ATI Control Center 9.2?
Avast! Antivirus

OS: Windows XP Pro 5.01.2600 SP 3
Mainboard : Asus P5B-E
Chipset : Intel P965
Processor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2400 MHz
Physical Memory : 2048 MB (4 x 512 DDR2-SDRAM )
Video Card : Radeon X1300/X1550 Series
Monitor Type : Samsung SyncMaster - 15" (It's 17")
DirectX : Version 9.0c
Bios : American Megatrends Inc.
Chipset : Intel P965
Physical Memory : 2048 MB DDR2-SDRAM
Processor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Current Display : 1024x768 pixels at 85 Hz in True Colors (32-bit)
Number of monitor : 1
Monitor Type : Samsung SyncMaster
Video Card : Radeon X1300/X1550 Series

[DavidR]

No avast hasn't created that as there is a) no reason for it to do so and b) no functionality within the program installation to do it.

I can't recall ever having heard of this happening and I don't mean just in relation to avast (which I have been using for almost 6 years), but windows problems in general.

Is it an identical card it is reporting ?
Perhaps after a video driver update ?

What tool is reporting the second video card ?

Try this tool, http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitorpro.php and see if that reports two cards.

[ineuw]

DavidR, Thanks for your comment. I posted here because I noticed the phantom video card just after installation of Avast!. I am not saying that it's Avast!. I was just wondering if anyone knows the reason.  I also posted to an ATI forum but not had a response. The existence of the phantom is reported by the device manager as well as in the desktop properties display manager.

[DavidR]

I would try that HWMonitor program (free version) and see what that reports. Hopefully you will get an answer on the ATI forum sometime soon.

In the Device manager there is an option to uninstall the driver, if you right click on the driver (your phantom). What I don't know is if you uninstalled that driver whether it would cascade and take out the original driver, which would require you to reinstall the original driver.

So it isn't without risk and you would have to have a driver downloaded waiting in the wings if needed. Hopefully ATI will come up with an answer before having to take any action. One point of course is if it isn't effecting your system is it best to leave well alone. Good luck.

[ineuw]

Hi DavidR, and thanks to all who replied. I solved the problem by uninstalling all ATI support files and reinstalling just the basic driver. Everything is fine, unfortunately my card is no longer supported by ATI. Thanks again.

[.: L' arc :.]

Its just normal. I have 2 also (ATI Graphics card).

[DavidR]

Hi DavidR, and thanks to all who replied. I solved the problem by uninstalling all ATI support files and reinstalling just the basic driver. Everything is fine, unfortunately my card is no longer supported by ATI. Thanks again.

You're welcome.

If you are feeling adventurous you could try installing the support files and see if that is what the cause was. As if other than it showing 2 cards there are no other adverse effects it shouldn't be an issue.