Win Update installs NVIDIA 376.53 - breaks Core 21 again

[STFC9F22]

Win 10 Home 64-bit, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070.

For information -
Windows Update has today (10 February 2017) downloaded and installed a new NVIDIA Driver described in windows update as 'NVIDIA - Display - 12/29/2016 12:00:00 AM - 21.21.13.7653' and which Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> NVIDIA Control Panel -> Help -> Sytem Information reports as 376.53

The thread 'WARNING Do not upgrade to 375/376.xx drivers (for xx<48)' describes the issue - in summary NVIDIA driver version 373.06 works with Folding@home then all versions fail on core 21 projects until 376.48

Having had at least three Work Units download and fail immediately, 376.53 apparently reinstates the issue.

I have since visited the NVIDIA UK site (http://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers) where 378.49 is offerred (as a WHQL driver) and installed it. This is currently running Project 9197 so I presume it corrects the issue.

[ComputerGenie]

"How to Stop Windows 8/10 Installing Driver Software Automatically":
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/482 ... -10-a.html

[bruce]

... 376.53 apparently reinstates the issue.

Possibly, but I doubt it. Whenever Microsoft installs a new driver, they REMOVE components which support OpenCL. Without OpenCL, FAH cannot fold.

(This could be tested by downloading 376.53 from nVidia --- which, unlike the components installed by Windows Update, includes support for OpenCL and CUDA -- but I'm not sure anybody needs to do that. We recommend you ALWAYS get your drivers from nVIdia.)

[STFC9F22]

Hi Bruce - thanks for your response.

Oddly 376.53 is not returned on the NVIDIA site when searching for drivers for my configuration, the list jumps from 376.33 to 378.49 (understandably 376.48 is not listed as it was a 'Hotifx') so I cannot verify that what you are saying is correct, however, I think your explanation fits the facts in that, as far as I can remember, this is the first time I have
installed an NVIDIA driver via Windows Update since fitting the graphics card. As driver update via windows update has become the norm under Windows 10 and is now not easily turned off by non-technical donors I guess this is potentially quite damaging for Folding@home.

By the way, since downloading and installing 378.49 from the NVIDIA site I have successfully completed seven Work Units so I can confirm that there is no problem with that driver from that source.

[ComputerGenie]

....As driver update via windows update has become the norm under Windows 10 and is now not easily turned off by non-technical donors...

Clicking the words "Settings", "Update & security", and "Advanced options" isn't really that "technical" (@ 5 clicks and close a window, it' is literally less involved that installing and getting F@H to run).

[Leonardo]

On four computers yesterday, all running Windows 10 (3 Pro, 1 Home), all of which I've set to "Never install" device drivers, 376.53 presented for download in Windows Updates. Although the drivers did not automatically install, I found no way to remove the presentation. So, next time I need to install actually useful updates, I'll have to also accept the new drivers? Win10 Windows Updates are presented as a group, not for individual selection.

[STFC9F22]

....As driver update via windows update has become the norm under Windows 10 and is now not easily turned off by non-technical donors...

Clicking the words "Settings", "Update & security", and "Advanced options" isn't really that "technical" (@ 5 clicks and close a window, it' is literally less involved that installing and getting F@H to run).

Hi ComputerGenie,

Thanks for posting the 'How to Stop Windows 8/10 Installing Driver Software Automatically' guide however, it includes a note that Option 1 (which you are describing) is no longer available in Windows 10 build 15019 - I don't know if this means that it has been removed from all current versions of Windows 10 but I can confirm that in my installation of Windows 10 Home the checkbox option 'Include driver updates when I update Windows', shown in the guide screenshot, does not exist.

[ComputerGenie]

...no longer available in Windows 10 build 15019...

A beta OS falls under the heading of "Caveat Emptor", no?

[bollix47]

There is no option to check in Windows 10 Home. Use Option Two or Four. See my post here for more info which I've used on Home and have not seen a driver update since.