Vista - Graphics Problem

Hi

I've a annoying problem with me pc crashing, it only happens when i play games like call of duty, halo 2, crysis 2.
i'll be playing the game when the screen will freeze with red dotted lines across it for about 45secs then i get this message.

"To your computer

Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your pc. If the screen appears again follow steps

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installtion ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If the problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software, disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing, if you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced startup options, and then select safe mode.

Technical information
*** Stop: 0x00000116 ( 0xFFFFFA80065CE4E0, 0xFFFFFA60020268F0, 0x0000000000000000, 0x000000000000000Z)

*** NVLDDMKM.SYS-ADDRESS FFFFFA60020268F0 base AT FFFFFA600200E000, Datestamp 491B7353

Collecting data for crash dump...
Initializing disk for crash dump...
Beginning dump of physical memory.
Dumping physical memory to disk: 100
Physical memory dump complete
Contact yor system admin or technical support group for further assistance."


My graphics is a Geforce 8800Gt OC2 512MB, it has the most upto date drivers, my windows is upto date.
I've tried turning down the resolution and what is said in the error message.

I tried my pals HD3870 and that work a treat.

Just wondering if my graphics is faulty or could it be somethig else?

Almost (but not always) every time I have seen that error it was due to a defective graphics card. What brand card is it? If it's EVGA remove it and look for blown caps, very common issue with them.

What kind of monitor do you have and do you have the x64 drivers for it? if so, does it show in the Device Manager with its own name or just as a Generic PnP monitor?

The card is a BFG

My monitor is a 22" samsung syncmaster T220, The device manager states that its a Generic PnP monitor, i will find a x64 driver for it and try that i know i didnt install one when i brought it. I'll let you know what happens

I'm still leaning towards the graphics card. I have yet to see a monitor cause a stop error. NVLDDMKM.SYS is part of the Nvidia driver package, I'd contact BFG tech support if you have the lifetime warranty.

I have seen strange things happen, like an outdated sound driver causing a BSOD error that points to a video error.

All I am saying is that I had a similar issue and it stop after the installation of the correct monitor drivers... go figure!

Thats the fun thing about Windows troubleshooting, the cause could be almost anything

I've installed a x64 bit driver for my monitor.

I got the same stop error message but this one had a new line added which said

"Driver-IRQL-Not-Less-Or-Equal"

That sounds like a conflict of two drivers using the same IRQ, easiest way to solve that is to delete all your USB supported devices and then scan for new hardware... carefull though as you may loose your mouse but, if that happens, just reboot and windows will install the drivers again.

OK, make sure your Monitor, under Device Manager, now lists your monitor and not the Generic PnP, if it doesn't, something went wrong and is now part of why you are getting that message. If you have your monitor under Device Manager

You need to uninstall your video drivers, also unistall the PhysX drivers, reboot, run CCleaner or any other registry cleaner of your choice and re install the video drivers.

Check to see if your sound, mouse & kB are not in need of updating drivers as well. Hell check to see if your Mobo drivers are up to date as well.