Topic: NVIDIA drivers crashing

[Yoshi2889]

Right, you can consider me an idiot and I'll give you a +1

Now, I had a NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS which was total crap. Screen blink here and there, graphical errors everywhere.

So I moved on to a NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT. Works fine, but is crap at the same time. When I try to play a damn game it's supposed to run I get a BSOD for a second and my PC restarts (FYI the game is Portal 2, via Steam). I reinstalled the drivers, which didn't work either as Windows said "The driver whatever.dll has crashed and has been restarted" even with simple tasks. So now I deinstalled the driver and used the driver Windows installed for me, which causes the BSOD as I said.

If I try to play the game with the 7600 GS, it gets to the menu fine but when I try to play it just...hangs. Still works but I have to terminate the game. So that's a no-go. At least no BSOD.

Can't mention what's on the BSOD as it flashed before my eyes, it's gone in just as quick as a second.

My computer specs:
CPU: Intel Pentium D (Dual core) @ 2.80 GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT (with 1 GB video RAM as far as I know)
Motherboard: ASUS P5KPL AM Special Edition
Running tasks in the background: Antivirus (Microsoft Security Essentials), lots of Windows crap and Software Informer.

[Louie]

Here is how I have fixed a number of odd and end problems in Windows.

Sysinternals Process Utilities ....     http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb795533

Download the entire pack or just download the Autoruns.exe tool .... http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902

Run the tool and then look at the "Image" path and where ever you see a path with "file not foud", then delete that entry. A lot of bad installs and uninstalls leave crap hanging over and the Autoruns.exe tool shows this to you.

You can use the following registry cleaner as well .... http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

As with any reg cleaner, back up  the data to be deleted. CCleaner will prompt you to do that.

If you are overclocking the board, drop back to stock rates.

Check your BIOS settings also. Disable Pallete Snooping, Check your chipset settings, make sure you card is in the correct PCIe slot for
the correct bandwidth.

[Glitch]

Yoshi2889,

The more information we get...the more we can help...

First of all, getting the info from the BSOD you're getting can be most useful.  If you can boot into Windows, before getting the BSOD, you can edit the setting in Windows that pauses the BSOD so you can read it.  To do this...follow this procedure:

Pausing the BSOD:

• Right-click Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings > Advanced Tab then click Settings at the bottom alongside Startup and Recovery
• In System Failure remove the tick from ‘Auto Restart’

Note:  Some systems have ‘Disable automatic restart on system failure’ as an option on the Safe Mode (F8) menu

1.  When you receive a BCC (Bug Check Code or informally, a BSOD) error, the STOP error details are displayed on the screen. Make a note of the hexadecimal error number (the format is 0x00000aaa, where aaa is the error code, e.g. 07B). Also, there will be an error name, like INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE and the message may point to a specific file. After noting the error, you will have to manually turn off the computer, i.e. press and hold in the power button, wait 10 seconds then restart. Look for an explanation of your error number as shown here http://www.aumha.org/a/stop.php]http://www.aumha.org/a/stop.php

2.  Alternatively, try the free WhoCrashed program, which may reveal the reason for the crash. Obviously, you can only run this if you can boot the computer. Download it from here http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed and install it. To run it, click Analyze then scroll down to see the error(s). When it is first run, it will download the Windows Debugging package, which is perfectly normal. All minidumps found on the system will be listed.

Hopefully, we can get a better idea of what the actual culprit is...

[Yoshi2889]

Here is how I have fixed a number of odd and end problems in Windows.

Sysinternals Process Utilities ....     http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb795533

Download the entire pack or just download the Autoruns.exe tool .... http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902

Run the tool and then look at the "Image" path and where ever you see a path with "file not foud", then delete that entry. A lot of bad installs and uninstalls leave crap hanging over and the Autoruns.exe tool shows this to you.

You can use the following registry cleaner as well .... http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

As with any reg cleaner, back up  the data to be deleted. CCleaner will prompt you to do that.

If you are overclocking the board, drop back to stock rates.

Check your BIOS settings also. Disable Pallete Snooping, Check your chipset settings, make sure you card is in the correct PCIe slot for
the correct bandwidth.

thanks for the reply.
I'm sure it's in the correct slot as I only have one that fits, lol.
I might consider getting a new processor with integrated graphics that fits though (Intel Core 2 Duo processors fit on my board, don't know about quad ones, maybe I'll get an i3 if that fits).

As for cleaning my registery, I use CCleaner. Haven't cleaned in a while though, I should do it more often.

Yoshi2889,

The more information we get...the more we can help...

First of all, getting the info from the BSOD you're getting can be most useful.  If you can boot into Windows, before getting the BSOD, you can edit the setting in Windows that pauses the BSOD so you can read it.  To do this...follow this procedure:

Pausing the BSOD:

• Right-click Computer > Properties > Advanced System Settings > Advanced Tab then click Settings at the bottom alongside Startup and Recovery
• In System Failure remove the tick from ‘Auto Restart’

Note:  Some systems have ‘Disable automatic restart on system failure’ as an option on the Safe Mode (F8) menu

Hopefully, we can get a better idea of what the actual culprit is...

I'll try that as soon as possible, I'm on my iPod now.
Although I'm pretty sure the outcome is that my card can't handle it, lol. Haven't got crashing drivers for a while, last time was when running a Windows prestation test, which resulted in a 2.0 for business programs and games in 3D, lol.

[Yoshi2889]

Right.... Didn't get a BSOD anymore.

However, I did get a burned down power supply, heh. It still powered the motherboard but the system didn't power on anymore. Got loads of crap on my screen, HDD stopped working and the whole system just crapped down.

For 500 euro's I expected a LOT more from this system, seriously..

[Glitch]

If you don't mind me asking...

What did you have for a PSU...and what was its wattage?

[Yoshi2889]

If you don't mind me asking...

What did you have for a PSU...and what was its wattage?

No idea what its brand was, didn't note it. But it wattage was 420 watts if I'm correct. The PSU that's in now has 450 watts and is from X-Gear.

I also noticed that the power supply of 420 watts caused the screen to eventually blink (I put it in to test if my X-Gear PSU was unstable or something).

[Glitch]

Yoshi2889,

Glad you got it figured out.  Sometimes...when left to ourselves...we have a tendency to work things out on our own.  Actually, after ruling out the card...I was going to recommend troubleshooting the PSU.  With the issue you were having it's rather normal that if the card doesn't receive the proper voltage...you'll experience the same issues you were having with your card(s).

Anyhow...if you're interested...here's a link to a software program I use to monitor and troubleshoot any GPU issues I come across:  GPU-Z

TechPowerUp released a new version of GPU-Z, version 0.5.6. GPU-Z is their popular graphics card information and diagnostic utility that gives you technical details of the graphics hardware installed in your PC, and lets you monitor fine details such as clock speeds, temperatures, and voltages. The new version adds preliminary support for some of NVIDIA's upcoming GeForce Kepler family GPUs. It also adds support for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 CUDA cores, which were launched November 29, 2011. Support is also added for AMD Radeon HD 6320, FirePro V9800, FirePro V4900, GeForce GTX 460 V2 (GTX 460 based on GF114), Quadro NVS 420, Quadro NVS 450, and Quadro FX 380 LP. A small bug related to incorrect shader reading on "Blackcomb" is fixed.

Hope you find the above useful...

[Yoshi2889]

Yoshi2889,

Glad you got it figured out.  Sometimes...when left to ourselves...we have a tendency to work things out on our own.  Actually, after ruling out the card...I was going to recommend troubleshooting the PSU.  With the issue you were having it's rather normal that if the card doesn't receive the proper voltage...you'll experience the same issues you were having with your card(s).

Anyhow...if you're interested...here's a link to a software program I use to monitor and troubleshoot any GPU issues I come across:  GPU-Z
Hope you find the above useful...

thanks, I'll try that today.

My issue isn't solved yet though, my card should be able to play Bejeweled 3 in Ultra resolution, and right now it's crashing when I play the game. I gave up on Portal 2.

[Louie]

Now that the faulty power supply is resolved it boils down to software, unless the gpu is faulty.

As long as you are playing offline, I would disable the firewall/anti-virus and other software tools running that really don't do anything for you. Use the tool I listed above and clean up the dead stuff left in the registry and where ever. Get the latest BIOS drivers for your MB and GPU, update the chipset driver for your MB. Take a very careful look at the BIOS settings, most of the graphic settings for your board will interfer with your add on graphic card.

[Glitch]

Any new BSOD(s)?  If so...post the Stop Error(s)...

[Yoshi2889]

Now that the faulty power supply is resolved it boils down to software, unless the gpu is faulty.

As long as you are playing offline, I would disable the firewall/anti-virus and other software tools running that really don't do anything for you. Use the tool I listed above and clean up the dead stuff left in the registry and where ever. Get the latest BIOS drivers for your MB and GPU, update the chipset driver for your MB. Take a very careful look at the BIOS settings, most of the graphic settings for your board will interfer with your add on graphic card.

as far as I know, I can't disable MSE. I already cleaned my registery with CCleaner.
If I install the official NVIDIA driver it continuously crashes and restarts the driver. I might try the driver Windows Update gives me.

@Glitch: I've only had driver crashes, no BSODs so far. Every time I boot the game I have pen and paper with me.

[Glitch]

I never use Windows Update for drivers. I always get them from the device manufacturer.  Do you have the installation software that came with your device?  If so...why not just remove the device via Device Manager and shut down the PC.  Once you do that...remove the card from the PC...after disconnecting from power source and protecting the PC from ESD.  Hopefully, there's an onboard graphic port you can use until you get the hardware re-installed.  You can always set the default BIOS settings...making note of your previous settings.  If all else fails...Louie made mention of a possible faulty GPU...and this, too, may be the case.

[Yoshi2889]

I never use Windows Update for drivers. I always get them from the device manufacturer.  Do you have the installation software that came with your device?  If so...why not just remove the device via Device Manager and shut down the PC.  Once you do that...remove the card from the PC...after disconnecting from power source and protecting the PC from ESD.  Hopefully, there's an onboard graphic port you can use until you get the hardware re-installed.  You can always set the default BIOS settings...making note of your previous settings.  If all else fails...Louie made mention of a possible faulty GPU...and this, too, may be the case.

I've tried two GPUs and neither worked.
I do have a port for onboard graphics but as far as I know my processor doesn't support it, lol.
As far as my BIOS... I'm sorry but I'm not going to wonder around in that menu. It's biting me D:

[Louie]

I've tried two GPUs and neither worked.
I do have a port for onboard graphics but as far as I know my processor doesn't support it, lol.
As far as my BIOS... I'm sorry but I'm not going to wonder around in that menu. It's biting me D:

Well, the onboard graphics works independent of the processor, more or less. Of course there is the speed/cpu cycle factor but none the less, you can use the onboard gpu without fear. Unlikely though it will play your games to your satisfaction.

As for the BIOS, bite the bullet on this one. You are going to need to get in there. The good news is that all BIOS firmware have a reset to default setting so it is no big deal if you set something wrong. There is a strong chance you have the BIOS optioned incorrectly, especially if you added on the 9400 as an after market item. First thing is to disable Pallet Snooping and disable onboard GPU. Give us a list of the BIOS video and chipset settings. Once those are correct then start with the driver uninstall, updates, cleaning, etc. You will also need the correct DirectX version for the 9400.