Vista - Random BlueScreen in Vista

**UserName1** · 05-24-2009

I get the BSoD about once or twice a day probably because of my video drivers, but I'm not sure how to fix it. My screen also flickers a lot and a message in system tray says something "has stopped responding and has recovered."

These are the problem details I get after my computer boots up again:

Code:

Problem signature:
  Problem Event Name:    BlueScreen
  OS Version:    6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.6
  Locale ID:    1033

Additional information about the problem:
  BCCode:    116
  BCP1:    85B08228
  BCP2:    8E221D20
  BCP3:    00000000
  BCP4:    0000000D
  OS Version:    6_0_6001
  Service Pack:    1_0
  Product:    256_1

Files that help describe the problem:
  C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini052409-02.dmp
  C:\Users\Ray\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-72587-0.sysdata.xml
  C:\Users\Ray\AppData\Local\Temp\WER227D.tmp.version.txt

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Any help would be appreciated.

**smarteyeball** · 05-24-2009

That error codes is not a lot to go on. Could you attach a mini-dump from:

C:\Windows\Minidump

The nvlddkmlm.sys (nvidia) or atikmdag.sys (ati) has stopped responding message is indeed the video drivers. Have you tried installing the latest drivers from either from nvidia or ATI (depending on your card)

**UserName1** · 05-24-2009

I tried updating the drivers, but that made the situation worse because it wouldn't keep my video settings and I still got the same errors, so I had to rollback the drivers.

I hope this is what you were looking for.

**smarteyeball** · 05-25-2009

SYMBOL_NAME: atikmdag+21d20

FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: atikmdag

IMAGE_NAME: atikmdag.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 48286b80

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: 0x116_IMAGE_atikmdag.sys

BUCKET_ID: 0x116_IMAGE_atikmdag.sys

All indications point to the display driver being at fault.

What card do you have? On-board or add-in? Some older cards have stopped being supported with each new release, although the driver should have failed to install if that was the case.

It may be worthwhile 'starting from scratch' driver wise. There are many reasons why BSOD's occur, so it's best to start troubleshooting with something simple.

Here's a site with current and previous versions versions of ATI catalyst drivers:

ATI Catalyst Drivers Downloads

Download Driver Sweeper and install it:
Guru3D - Driver Sweeper

Then in Control panel>uninstall programs - Uninstall "ATI Catalyst Install manager" and let it express remove all ATI components.

*(If there is no ATI install manger, then it's likely that you don't have Catalyst Control Center installed. Just the drivers. It may be one possible cause for the crashes)

Once you've uninstalled Catalyst, Reboot into safe mode and run Driver Sweeper. It must be 'run as administrator' . (right-click on Driver Sweeper>properties>compatibility and tick the "run this program as administrator)

Make sure you only select ATI and then select analyse first to verify that's it's only ATI components your removing. Then clean the drivers.

Re-boot normally and then run the driver installation again. If all goes well, then you should have a working CCC and drivers which will let you keep your settings and hopefully put an end to the BSOD.

If you have any problems with the above, feel free to ask.

**UserName1** · 05-25-2009

When you say "run the driver installation again", do you mean to install the CCC again?

**smarteyeball** · 05-25-2009

Yes. re-run the downloaded driver .exe which contains both CCC and the driver.

**UserName1** · 05-25-2009

Thanks for the help. I haven't had a BlueScreen thus far and my screen hasn't been flickering anymore.

**smarteyeball** · 05-26-2009

Good to hear mate. Fingers crossed that fixed it for good

05-24-2009	#2 (permalink)
smarteyeball Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 : Seven Ultimate x64 1,688 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista That error codes is not a lot to go on. Could you attach a mini-dump from: C:\Windows\Minidump The nvlddkmlm.sys (nvidia) or atikmdag.sys (ati) has stopped responding message is indeed the video drivers. Have you tried installing the latest drivers from either from nvidia or ATI (depending on your card)
My System Specs

05-25-2009	#4 (permalink)
smarteyeball Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 : Seven Ultimate x64 1,688 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista SYMBOL_NAME: atikmdag+21d20 FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner MODULE_NAME: atikmdag IMAGE_NAME: atikmdag.sys DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 48286b80 FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: 0x116_IMAGE_atikmdag.sys BUCKET_ID: 0x116_IMAGE_atikmdag.sys All indications point to the display driver being at fault. What card do you have? On-board or add-in? Some older cards have stopped being supported with each new release, although the driver should have failed to install if that was the case. It may be worthwhile 'starting from scratch' driver wise. There are many reasons why BSOD's occur, so it's best to start troubleshooting with something simple. Here's a site with current and previous versions versions of ATI catalyst drivers: ATI Catalyst Drivers Downloads Download Driver Sweeper and install it: Guru3D - Driver Sweeper Then in Control panel>uninstall programs - Uninstall "ATI Catalyst Install manager" and let it express remove all ATI components. (If there is no ATI install manger, then it's likely that you don't have Catalyst Control Center installed. Just the drivers. It may* be one possible cause for the crashes) Once you've uninstalled Catalyst, Reboot into safe mode and run Driver Sweeper. It must be 'run as administrator' . (right-click on Driver Sweeper>properties>compatibility and tick the "run this program as administrator) Make sure you only select ATI and then select analyse first to verify that's it's only ATI components your removing. Then clean the drivers. Re-boot normally and then run the driver installation again. If all goes well, then you should have a working CCC and drivers which will let you keep your settings and hopefully put an end to the BSOD. If you have any problems with the above, feel free to ask. Last edited by smarteyeball; 05-25-2009 at 04:11 AM..
My System Specs

05-25-2009	#5 (permalink)
UserName1 Vista Business 32bit 5 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista When you say "run the driver installation again", do you mean to install the CCC again?
My System Specs

05-25-2009	#6 (permalink)
smarteyeball Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 : Seven Ultimate x64 1,688 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista Yes. re-run the downloaded driver .exe which contains both CCC and the driver.
My System Specs

05-25-2009	#7 (permalink)
UserName1 Vista Business 32bit 5 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista Thanks for the help. I haven't had a BlueScreen thus far and my screen hasn't been flickering anymore.
My System Specs

05-26-2009	#8 (permalink)
smarteyeball Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 : Seven Ultimate x64 1,688 posts	Re: Random BlueScreen in Vista Good to hear mate. Fingers crossed that fixed it for good
My System Specs

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