sun java update kills vista AND nvidia update breaks display

[gadgerama]

Model: X-55
Product: nnb-737vp
Vista Home Premium, SP 2
Optical: Matshita bd-cmb uj130js ata device
Graphics: nvidia geforce 9650 m gt

Hi all, whenever I try to update to the latest sun java I get problems with vista, in that I regularly lose my optical drive (it just disappears from the 'Computer' screen), and when I try to restart the system the lappy goes into a permanent hang as soon as I've entered my password and pressed enter. So far, my only successful resolution has been to roll back to before the update.

Secondly, I've been trying (unsuccessfully) for some time to update the driver for my graphics card, through windows update, and the nvidia site itself. I never see any error msgs, I just get lots of random 'noise' displayed on screen when I move the mouse. Again, a system restore resolves this issue.

Any ideas on how to resolve these would be greatly appreciated, I'll provide more info as required.

TIA!

[snakedoc]

Hello there.
To be honest, neither of those things should cause you these problems. This suggests to me that you have a dodgy install of Vista and perhaps a fresh clean install would be best. I assume you are attempting to install the correct driver and not a modified one. Unless anyone else has any pearls of wisdom? perhaps there is a restore feature with your laptop to do a fresh install. Backup any important data first though.

[gadgerama]

Thanks Snakedoc - yeah, all the drivers I've tried have either been the ones grabbed by Vista or the official ones from the manufacturer. I'd rather not go through all the hassle of another fresh install tho :-). Guess I'll muddle along until the thing grinds to a halt.