Hello again, I downloaded & got installed/ running this torrent. The second time I tried to play the graphics went crazy. This in turn upset 3 other games. Anno2070,simcity4 & poker stars. I am not saying that JA download caused it but curious as to whether it could have, Messages received:-
JA - this game requires a shader model 3.0 compatible graphics adaptor.
Failed initialize directX
Anno2070:- Nvidia display settings are not available.
You are not currently using a display attached to an Nvidia GPU.
Sim city4:- could not initialize Direct Draw.
Poker Stars :- Display driver stopped and has recovered.(blank screen ) and now OK
I have a feeling that graphics card has died, would just like to have some input before I rush out & buy a new card. All associated programmes & updates have been installed and anything else that thought may be a cause has been looked at. I found 2 threats (Trojan) and removed them but damage may have already been done.
Any thoughts?

Is it possible that malware has "turned off" my graphics card, and if so , where would I be able to find it? I have deleted & reinstalled Nvidia & directX. ?

yes , hello ! .

if you are running a windows OS .
check for a system restore point dated at or before this download .

if you do have a restore point dated before this event .
it should clear up this problem .

unless as you said " I have a feeling that graphics card has died . "

if after running a system restore .
and say this problem is still there ?

then as you implied , it is time to look at the Nvidia card .

[1] go to computer/device manager .
look for Nvidia , under display adapters .
disable Nvidia , then uninstall the drivers .

[2] go to control panel , i had 6 entries for Nvidia .
uninstall all 6 .

[3] go to program files x86 .
find the Nvidia folder , and delete it .

[4] shut-down and pull the Nvidia card .

[5] restart and check for updates .

[6] shut-down an re-install the Nvidia card .

after the restart without a card and running
updates without a card .

you can now do a clean install of the card .

[7] start up and see if windows identifies the card
as a new device ,

if it does , go through the install process .

if the system restore point works .
or if the re-install of the card works .

[ once this problem has been corrected ]

then review how you download and install .

you said that you removed , 2 Trojans .
do you scan all your downloads .

if it is zipped or rar , i scan both before and
after , unpacking .

Hey, thankyou very much, my Guru is coming over at the weekend , he lives next door, I have printed all of this and I hope between us we can fix the problem. Luckily my computer store is open so if it,s the card I may be able to get anew one. I will do reply again here if all goes well.

Thanks to all who responded. Turned out to be Graphics card, swapped it over for another one and away it all went.
Problem SOLVED. Thanks.