Repeated BSoD -- Suspect 196.21 Nvidia drivers

msdunkel

Member
Member
Good day,

I have been suffering some significant computer issues and am hoping for some major help. Unfortunately I did 4 things together in close close proximity and cannot be positive what the culprit is; however, I have a very strong suspicion it's the new nVidia driver I just installed.

What I did:
1) Installed an aftermarket fan on to my i920. I really don't see how this could be a player but I'm listing it only to be complete. Installation was fine and core temps are idling in low 40s.

2) Installed a bunch of windows updates.

3) Installed newest driver for my GTX 285.
EDIT
4) I installed triple channel DDR3 (3 2G sticks, can't believe I forgot this!)

Symptom: After the installation of the drivers/win updates everything rebooted fine and the computer was good to go. After the next restart, I was able to login, then immediately began getting warning windows that various windows services were no longer functioning and shutting down. When I tried to restart from there, I got to login screen, typed password, and the computer gave me a BSoD. The computer runs just fine in safe mode, but now will consistently BSoD just as the login screen pops up.

Attempted solutions:

1. System restore -- BSoDs when I try to System Restore from Safe Mode.

2. Remove video driver in safe mode -- I restart in normal mode and it starts up; however, I have gigantic text and the computer automatically installs a new driver and prompts for a restart. On the restart computer crashes again.

3. Remove driver in safe mode and install old driver -- driver installer crashes during install midway thru.

Eventually through an unknown (to me) process of iterations, over about a 2 hour span of removing drivers, system restores, BSoDs, and reboots I was able to get my computer back. I reinstalled the nVidia driver (but not the windows updates) and the computer ran normally for about 2 restarts, then I got the exact same problem as before.

So, 2 questions really:

1) Do you think it's my video driver?

2) Any idea how to fix this?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Thank you, hope this works...

Some amplifying data, sometimes I can get a system restore to work, but it doesn't necessarily fix the problem. Safe Mode always works, and after removing video drivers my computer will at least get me to a login screen on a normal boot.

I made all the changes over a 24 hour period, and it wasn't like I made one change and *bam* the computer started acting up. The only thing that was really weird, was when I installed the aftermarket cooler I got a message on the next start up that windows has detected a new processor (my guess is dead motherboard battery, I have since replaced it). The real problems began a couple days and reboots after I'd done the last of my changes.

There were a bunch of these minidump files, I just put the most recent one in here, do I need to post all of them?
 

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  • Mini012610-08.zip
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Hello msdunkel
It may help to post them all. (the dump files).

The fault was probably caused by ntkrnlmp.exe, which is a part of "Microsoft Windows Operating System"

Usual causes: Device driver, memory, kernel

I would start by removing the NVidia driver and re-installing.
Use driver sweeper in safe mode to remove all driver parts. (link below).

Guru3D - Driver Sweeper (Setup) download from Guru3D.com

If that does not fix it, remove all but one stick of ram and try to bootup, if that works, add another stick, and continue until you get a BSOD, the last stick you put in should be the faulty one.

You can also run a file check, just to eliminate your file system.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

Also, just double check that your CPU and cooler are seated OK, and that everything is as it should be, all seated down and all connections tight.

Give this a try, and we will look at the other dump files when you upload them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Thank you very much for your reply. I will do all the homework assigned! Currently I am running on my old RAM, "standard VGA driver" under a normal windows mode. Processor and cooler appear to be seated properly, and temps are good (I never even moved the processor when I swapped the fan, just unclipped the bracket so I could apply the cleaner to the heat sink before reapplying arctic silver).

All 4 cores are between 36C and 39C with 0-1% load.

I have uploaded minidumps from 23 Jan (1st date of problem), 24 Jan, and today.

Other thoughts: would my computer run normally in "safe mode" if there was a hardware problem with either my RAM or CPU? Maybe wishful thinking since this solution doesn't require spending any more money. After the initial problems on Saturday, I did a complete memory check using my Vista install CD which came back as good to go.

Thanks again, now off to clean the drivers in safe mode...
 

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My Computer

Problem with blue screen

Hello,
I have recently been experiencing bluescreen auto dump errors.
please help!
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A135
Hello techron,
Go to the second post and follow the instructions for uploading dumpfiles, after you have done that, open a new thread so things don't get confusing on this thread, thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Use winrar to compress the dumpfiles, go to the main page on the forum and click on Drivers or General Discussion, when on that page, there is an orange box at the top which says "New Thread", click that and your good to go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Ok, I ran the sweeper under safe mode and reinstalled the newest drivers, booted with 3 old sticks of RAM, no issues.

I then shutdown, restarted with just 1 stick of new RAM with no issues. Shutdown, removed new stick of RAM and replaced with 2nd new stick of RAM, reboot no issues. Shutdown, removed 2nd new stick of RAM & replaced with 3rd new stick of RAM, no issues, shutdown...

I then added a 2nd stick of new RAM to additional slot, reboot, no issues. Then the 3rd stick new RAM to empty slot, reboot, no issues (which is where I am now).

Normally I'd say I'm good to go and issue fixed; however, as you may have noticed from my BSoD minidumps, I "fixed" this on both 23 and 24 Jan already, but it keeps coming back.

I have windows updates on autonotify, but not auto install. I have not installed any windows updates since 23 Jan (ie, my computer crapped itself this morning but I hasn't installed the updates).

I certainly HOPE that the issue was I installed a new nVidia driver over an older version without doing the sweeping in safe mode, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I have also decided to upgrade to Windows 7, hopefully that will be an OS that likes me a little more, since I've had issues with Vista 64 since the day I installed it.

If you find anything interesting in those minidumps I'd love to hear about it, since I have to assume this problem will probably manifest itself again before I actually perform the win7 upgrade, and I'd really like to be able to get up and running again in 10 minutes, not the 2-3 hours of fruitless reboots it's taken me the last couple times!!!!

Thanks again.
 

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thx, i created a new thread with no response..but how can i upload my dump files?
i see no "paperclip" file attatchment button?
please respond asap
i will no longer respond to this thread..
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A135
Lets hope that it was the driver.
Have you set the memory timings and voltage manually ?, i have an Asus board and had a lot of problems with BSOD, until i did just that, i had to up the Northbrige voltage too.
For some reason i cant run 8Gig of memory, only 6Gig, but thats another story.
Did you run the file check ?.
Some of the dump files were different, but the cause could of been the same in all of them, ie, drivers, memory, system files.
Anyhoo, keep us posted and good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
I did not do the file check.

I had previously overclocked my RAM an itty bitty bit, but JUST prior to installing the new RAM i set it back to the defaults.

I have never updated the BIOS on my MB since the ASUS site says only update BIOS if you're having problems... Maybe now would be a good time to do that?
 

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I don't think it would do any harm, just don't do it through Windows, use EZ Flash in the Bios, with a USB flash drive.
Do the file check, just so you know your file system is good.
I have found Asus boards to be picky about ram, so i set as many settings as i can manually.
My ram is on the QVL,and i still get grief.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
UPDATE: Since my first trouble with BSoDs I have replaced RAM, Video Card (went from nVidia to ATI), and OS (Vista 64 to Win7). I am STILL having the same trouble which pretty much eliminates the OS as my culprit :).

After a "reset" my computer runs normally. I put "reset" in quotes because I'm not even sure why my computer resets, but every now and then it will just start up normally and run perfectly -- sometimes after a system restore, sometimes after just starting in safe mode a few times, sometimes after unplugging the computer. Today for example, I turned the computer on and it BSoD'd when I typed in my login password. From there it rebooted and only gave me the option of a normal windows start up or a repair start. I selected repair start and it BSoD'd in the middle of the repair. Rebooted windows normally, and BSoD before I even hit login screen. On next startup I got a message that windows needed to check my file system continuity, and as soon as that began I got a BSoD. I then unplugged the computer, walked away and had a cup of coffee and booted. From there I got the same file check message; but, this time chkdsk ran all the way through and deleted a TON of files, windows rebooted, and it started up normally.

So, I'm now on a fresh reset. Generally this session will work well with no issues. After a reboot or two, I'll start getting messages that windows has encountered a critical error and will restart in one minute. Often various windows processes stop working, to include windows explorer and device drivers. I also get random pieces of hardware that just stop working: my USB N52 Nostromo controller one day, another my front panel audio jack.

I have begun to suspect my motherboard and have been on the line with ASUS (P6T6 WS Revolution). My MOBO is under warranty for 2 more years so I could just RMA that; however, they wanted to start with the BIOS chip first (buggers charged me $15 to ship a 1 ounce EPROM, for a part under warranty, WTFO?) I hope the BIOS chip is the solution, but I'm thinking there's probably something seriously wrong with my MOBO.

Anyway, I have attached a .zip of 5 minidumps I've had over the last 10 days or so, I appreciate any feedback on what you might think my problem is.

Thanks!
 

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  • minidump.zip
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This is my second Asus MB, and i have had to RMA both of them, the Striker went back three times, this one twice, (so far), so, no more Asus boards for me.

These are what the dump files threw up.
As you can see, its a bit of a mixed bag.

STOP 0x00000050: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA (3 BSOD)

Usual causes: Defective hardware (particularly memory - but not just RAM), Faulty system service, Antivirus, Device driver, NTFS corruption, BIOS

STOP 0x0000003B: SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (1 BSOD)

Usual causes: System service, Device driver, graphics driver, ?memory

STOP 0x0000001A: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT (1 BSOD)

Usual causes: Device driver, memory, kernel


Memory is referenced in them all, but as you have changed that, i think we can rule that out.

Drivers are referenced in all of them too, apart from the normal drivers, (video, sound, chipset), do you use any third party drivers ?, as you have changed the OS, I'm assuming the OS drivers are OK.
Just to completely eliminate drivers, read this. How to identify a buggy device driver on Windows Vista | Vista Rewired

It may be worth running HDD diagnostic software, you can download this from the makers site, just to eliminate the HDD.

It could well be the MB, i had a similar problem and had to up the NB and Memory voltage to get it to run smooth.
As you have been in touch with Asus, I'm assuming that your Bios is the latest one.
Have you sent the chip off yet ?, if not, i would RMA the MB, and let them have the grief.

I did wonder if the PSU could be iffy, may be worth a check, failing PSU's can throw up problems like this.

Bottom line-it cold be any number of things, so a little diagnostics/elimination is called for, (bet you cant wait).

I will go over the dump files again, just to make sure i have not missed anything.

Hope this in some way helps, these type of BSOD's are the worst, much better when they all point to the same thing.
Anyhoo, good luck and post your results.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
There are a few old drivers,

ASACPI.SYS which is related to ATK0110 ACPI Utility, which in turn is an Asus utility driver. (2005)

bcgame.sys is a Belkin Nostromo USB HID driver system driver file. (2006)

secdrv.sys. SafeDisk copy protection file associated with games and other programs using copy protection system driver file. (2006)

As you can see, these are quite old, there may not be any updates for them, but if you can find newer ones, then install asap.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Just an FYI, by a long and painful process of elimination I finally determined the problem to be my processor. Since the processor RMA I've had no issues.
 

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