BF3 problems since new patch

First of all I am a novice when it comes to computers. I have had serveral problems with BF3 since it came out, but have able to ignore them or work around them. However, since the new patch last week I have a new one that I cannot find a fix to. Upon entering a game, Campaign, MP or Co-Op the sceen goes blank. I have audio, but no video. I have spent hours searching the multitude of forums. There are several people who have the same problem. I have tried several suggested fixes, including a previous restore point. Still getting no video. I almost did a full system restore, but did not really want to have to reinstall all of my programs and files.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I forgot to add that I have unsinstalled and reinstalled BF 3 three times and updated my video driver twice. Here is my system info

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DON-PC
System Manufacturer Alienware
System Model Aurora
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 950 @ 3.07GHz, 3068 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Alienware A04, 10/28/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
User Name Don-PC\Don
Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.99 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.65 GB
Total Virtual Memory 7.98 GB
Available Virtual Memory 5.81 GB
Page File Space 3.99 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

What type video card are you running?
Shows only 4 gig RAM, is this DDR2 or DDR3?

Blank as in black?

Hi L2. I just checked the Video card. It is an Nvidia GTX 260, it is below the recommended level, but was working OK until 2 days ago. May need to get a new one? I have 8 MB of memory installed.

Not sure about the DDR2 or DDR3. i just added the memory (up from 4 to 8 )) a few months ago getting ready for BF3. I had the Dell tech spec the extra memory but I installed it. Here is the description. I got 4 of these:
Dual In-Line Memory Module,2G,1333,128X64,8,240,1RX8

Here is some other info:

Name NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Adapter Type GeForce GTX 260, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Adapter RAM 1.75 GB (1,879,048,192 bytes)
Driver Version 8.17.12.8562

If you think the video card is the answer, I can get a new card and power supply. But do not really want to spend the money if it just "may" fix it.
Thanks for the help

Steel, "Yes" Blank and in totally black.

Well after a week of serching the forums, several phone calls and countless attempts to fix my problem. still no luck. I will continue to explore fixes, but I am real close to giving up. Hope see you guys soon in BF3. Meanwhile, I am back to BFBC once in a while just to keep my skills (for what they are) honed...

Your memory configuration is messed up for one. Windows is only recognizing 4gb of your 8gb total. Make sure they're in the correct slots. Also, since you're running them in pairs instead of triple you're only running at double channel rates (ddr2). To run at triple channel rates (ddr3) you need to run sets of 3 memory modules in the corresponding slots (they should be color coded on your motherboard). You have win7 64bit installed, so that's no problem with seeing more than 4gb. Check your motherboard manual to figure out how to get all the memory seen in windows.

As for your blank screen issue, if I recall correctly that seems to be a known issue with BF3 on machines of various configuration. The nvidia cards seem to have a number of problems, specifically the 2xx series, I'd consider upgrading that to something different, I think the 5xx series doesn't have many issues if you want to stick with nvidia.

Thanks Hive, I will give try your suggestions.. I really appreciate it...

Also on a side note. ddr2 will not fit in ddr3 nor will ddr3 fit in ddr2 slots. Do a search for windows not seeing all memory. You can try to go to start bar and in search area type msconfig. After that you need to go to the boot tab the click Advance Options. Make sure the Max mem is unchecked. reboot system and right click on my computer and go to properties and it should see 8Gb. Or you can check the properites of my computer first.

Aren't ddr2 and ddr3 keyed differently? It's my understanding that, you cannot fit a stick of ddr2 ram into a ddr3 slot unless your name is Goose... And you have a big enough hammer..

STEELHED wrote:

Aren't ddr2 and ddr3 keyed differently? It's my understanding that, you cannot fit a stick of ddr2 ram into a ddr3 slot unless your name is Goose...

ROFL!!!!

STEELHED wrote:

Aren't ddr2 and ddr3 keyed differently? It's my understanding that, you cannot fit a stick of ddr2 ram into a ddr3 slot unless your name is Goose...

......LMAO

you guys are confusing data rates with physical dimensions

Hive, you are right about the memory. I discovered I have a 3-way channel, whatever that is. I pulled one card out and the memory is now 6 GB. I have ordered two 2GB cards to get me to 12 total.

I am still working on the blank screen problem., Hopefully, I will be back in BF 3 by the end of the year.

Malone

Glad to be of service, good luck with the other issue!