Matrox PowerDesk Tools Unavailable after Windows 2000 Upgrade (227476)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q227476
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade your Microsoft Windows NT-based computer using a Matrox video adapter to Windows 2000, the Matrox QuickDesk and PowerDesk utilities no longer function properly.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because the Matrox video adapter tools for Windows NT 4.0 are incompatible with Windows 2000.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
To resolve this issue, contact Matrox to inquire about the availability of a fix for this issue at (514) 685-0270, or visit their Web site:

http://www.matrox.com

To work around this issue, disable the Matrox video adapter utilities:
  1. Use Registry Editor to locate the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

    Delete the following values:

    MGA QuickDesk = "C:\Program Files\MGA NT
    PowerDesk\QDesk\MGAQDESK.EXE"
    MGA Hook = "C:\WINNT\System32\MGAHOOK.EXE"

    Quit Registry Editor.
  2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Services.
  3. Double-click the MGACTRL service.
  4. Under Startup Type, click Disabled, click OK, and then click Close.
  5. Restart the computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.


Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbHardware kbpending kbprb KB227476
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.