Symptom(s):

• Cannot install the Intel® graphics driver downloaded from the Intel support website
• Error: "The driver being installed is not validated for this computer. Please obtain the appropriate driver from the computer’s manufacturer. Setup will exit."
• Error: "This driver could not be installed on this computer. Please contact the computer's manufacturer for further information."

Solution:

Get and install the appropriate graphics driver from your computer manufacturer. Your computer manufacturer recommends using the Intel graphics drivers they have customized and validated for your specific computer model. These validated drivers can usually be downloaded from the computer manufacturer's web site.

Intel makes available generic versions of the Intel graphics drivers for general purposes. However, the computer manufacturer may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the graphics driver software or software packaging that they provide for your computer. To avoid any potential installation incompatibilities on your computer, Intel recommends that you first check with your computer manufacturer and use the driver software provided by your computer manufacturer.

Work-around:

A work-around is available if you choose not to use your computer manufacturer's validated graphics drivers and want to install Intel's generic graphics drivers. If you encounter problems with using the generic drivers, Intel recommends re-installing and using the validated drivers from your computer manufacturer.

The work-around involves using the Windows* "Have Disk/Known File" method for updating a driver. A disk is not needed. Download the latest ZIP file (not the EXE file) of the Intel graphics driver from the Intel Download Center to the computer and unpack to a folder of your choice. The folder should contain the unpacked items similar to what is shown in the screen-shot below (Figure 1 or Figure 2):

(Note: To unpack the graphics drivers ZIP file: Right-click on the ZIP file. From the menu that appears, select Extract All or select Winzip* and one of the Extract options. Follow the prompts to extract or unpack the files to a directory or folder of your choice.)

Figure 1 (Unpacked PV14.20 and earlier driver files)

Figure 2 (Unpacked PV14.21 and later driver files)

Once unpacked, follow the steps below to apply the work-around:

1. Click Start, right-click on My Computer, and select Properties. The System Properties window will open.
2. Select the Hardware tab, and click on Device Manager. The Device Manager window will open.
3. Double-click the Display Adapters line and view the Intel Graphics Chipset listed. See Figure 3 for an example. Your system may list a different Intel Graphics Chipset.

   

   Figure 3
   

4. Right-click the Intel Graphics Chipset listed under Display Adapters. This will open a smaller window with options. (See Figure 4.)
5. Select Update Driver.

   

   Figure 4
   

6. The selection of “Update Driver” will offer an option to go online and look for an appropriate driver to the display adapter. This is not necessary. Simply select No, not this time” and click Next to continue. (See Figure 5.)

   

   Figure 5
   

7. With the next window, the process offers a choice of search and installation options. By default the “Search for the best driver in these locations” button will be activated. De-select Search removable media (floppy, CD_ROM…) and check the box Include this location in the search.
8. Browse to the location the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) GMA Graphics ZIP folder was extracted to (Figure 1 or Figure 2) and select the Win2000 or Graphics directory.
9. Click on Open. This selection will fill the box with the correct file location in the box as seen below.

   (Note: The C:\ line in the box will vary based on the folder chosen by the user to hold the unpacked ZIP files. See Figure 6.)

   

   Figure 6
   

10. Click Next and the driver installation will begin. (See Figure 7.)

    

    Figure 7
    

11. Once the driver installation is finished a window will display (See Figure 8). Click Finish to close the installation wizard. Although the window may not advise a reboot. It is advisable to reboot the computer.

    

    Figure 8

In some cases, removing the previous graphics driver is a recommended step before using the “Have Disk/Known File Location” driver installation method. To remove the previous Intel graphics driver before installing the newer version, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and browse to the Control Panel.
2. Select Control Panel and double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select The Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver (GMA) and click Remove. (See Figure 9.)

   

   Figure 9

4. Reboot the computer when prompted to do so.
5. Upon boot-up, Windows will detect new hardware and display the same window shown in Step 6's Figure 5 above. The process is identical from that point on. Ignore any new device messages posted on the bottom right task bar. These will disappear once the newer driver has been installed.

Operating System:

Windows* XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows* 2000, Windows* XP Professional, Windows* XP Home Edition, Windows* XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows* XP Media Center Edition

This applies to:

Intel® 82852/82855 Graphics Controller Family Intel® 82865G Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 82915G/82910GL Express Chipset Family Intel® 82945G Express Chipset Intel® 82946GZ Graphics Controller Intel® 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 82Q963 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 845 Chipset Family Intel® 852/855 Chipset Family Intel® 865 Chipset Family Intel® 910 Express Chipset Family Intel® 915 Express Chipset Family Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family Intel® 946 Express Chipset Family Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family Intel® G31 Express Chipset Intel® G33 Express Chipset Intel® G35 Express Chipset Intel® Q33 Express Chipset Intel® Q35 Express Chipset Mobile Intel® 910GML Express Chipset Mobile Intel® 915 Express Chipset Family Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express Chipset Family Mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family