Vista - 8800GTX Issue with Vista x64

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum and Nvidia's official forum for help on my issue. I am pretty much at wits end after searching for a solution online and finally calling tech support at EVGA and getting nowhere. My specs are:

CPU: Q6600
RAM: 4 GB (2x2 Patriot Memory)
PSU: 750W Silverstone (SST ST75ZF)
Mobo: Asus P5E
GPU: EVGA 8800GTX 758 MB
Monitor: 3007WFP-HC Dell 30 inch
Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500
3 Case fans
Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP1

Everything is stock speed, no changes to voltages, etc.

My issue is that I started getting TDR errors (NVIDIA Forums -> NVIDIA Statement on TDR Errors) when playing Bioshock and Assassin's Creed. To try and fix the problem, I installed the 175.16 driver set from Nvidia. I did not uninstall my previous drivers, I just installed 175.16 on top of my previous drivers. Everything seemed to run fine for a week--no TDR issues, games ran smoothly.

Then a few days ago I was playing COD 4 when the game froze and I had to do a hard reset (this had never happened before as COD 4 was a very agreeable game). Ever since then I get TDR errors whenever I play any game. This wouldn't be too big a deal, but now the problem has migrated so that sometimes when I am in Vista I get display issues where the system just freezes up and the current image becomes pixelated even when I am not playing a game!

To rule out other problems, I ran Prime95 to stress test my CPU, Memtest86 to check my memory, and CoreTemp to insure no overheating. I have the latest bios for my mobo, I updated my chipset and so far no issues with any of my HW components...

So I decided to uninstall my Nvidia drivers in safe mode, ran Driver Sweeper in safe mode, until I confirmed that no traces of Nvidia remained on the system. I tried reinstalling 175.16, 169.44, and 169.25 all with no success. The only thing that worked to allow me to get into Vista normal mode without freezing up is going to a restore point where I know I was stable and then uninstalling the drivers with the method above and installing 169.44. However, I don't think my system is fixed because I just got a TDR (nvlddmkm.sys stopped responding) while surfing the net. The only good news is that my system didn't freeze.

I don't want to play any games as I don't want to have to go through the pain in the ass problem of having to reinstall all of the drivers if the game crashes the system. Does anyone have any suggestions? Did I miss anything? I am tempted to RMA my 8800 GTX, but I am not sure if that will solve anything. Input please--I am literally begging for a fresh look at this!


Thanks,

Dan

I think Dell 3007WFP need dual video card to work...correct me if I'm wrong~~~
Peace~~

Abiosis,

Thanks for the reply. The Dell doesn't require dual video cards to work. I've been using this system for about a month now with no problems which is why this recent issue is driving me nuts. I haven't changed my system at all and I am getting these TDR errors all of a sudden.

I noticed that you have a very similar system to mine. Have you had any issues when playing games? What driver version are you using? Thanks.

Dan

I'm using 175.16 & 9.64 nforce myself with no problems by far...
you may try this one...

[XF]nVIDIA ForceWare 175.70 improves 3DMark Vantage 2008/05/12 - Guru3D.com Forums (175.70)

~peace~

Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven

Okay, will check. Just to give an update: I found out that Patriot memory is not officially supported by Asus P5E motherboards. So I went ahead and purchased compatible memory (Corsair 2x2GB).

Additionally, I am using a spare drive to try and do a clean install of Vista 64 bit. However, before installing anything when I POST I am getting a pixellated screen--does this mean the graphics card is bust? I already reflashed the BIOS with the most recent version (702) and I have a call placed into Asus to find out how to reset the firmware back to factory defaults (e.g. BIOS, chipset, etc.).

I think I have narrowed it down to graphics card or motherboard (as I just purchased new memory that is supported by the motherboard). Confirming with memtest86+ right now.

It sounds like your graphics card is slowly nearing its death.

Has the testing revealed any inconstancies?

I highly doubt it, EVGA 8800GTX graphics cards are very new.

Thanks everyone for the replies. With the new memory, I have run Memtest98+ for 19+ hours (25 passes) and no errors. On a side note, I have changed the BIOS settings to exactly match the memory specs (1.9v, 5-5-5-18). I haven't installed Vista yet.

I called EVGA and I am in the process of RMAing the graphics card. EVGA tech support said that if there are artifacts during POST most likely it's bad video memory--with a small chance it is a bad motherboard.

Is there any way to test the motherboard while I am waiting for the new graphics card?

I couldn't find an HPET option in my BIOS. Does every BIOS have this option? Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.