Vista - "display driver atikmdag stopped responding and has successfully recovered" error

That's disappointing

A few more ideas:

You do have Vista updated to at least SP1?

You aren't overclocking the CPU by any chance?

What PSU are you using? You might double check that all cables/plugs are firmly secured to the video card.

Are you launching crysis with the x32 or x64 .exe? Whichever one your using, try using the other.


Have you tried temporarily downclocking the card yet? It may worthwhile as a test.

To rule out RAM being an issue, it may also be worthwhile running memtest86+ overnight to see if it throws up any errors at you:

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Try making a shortcut from the folder to the desktop and launch from there.

my vista is updated with service pack 2.
i don't overclock my CPU.
i don't want to downclocking the card... if it doesn't work in his original clocks, so i need to replace my card.
it's not only a problem in crysis... it's just happened to me with the new game-Prototype.
(crashing to desktop with the warning message...)
i think that the cables are firmly secured to the video card... because i didn't touched it since i got this computer, and in the beginning i didn't had this problem (i played Assassin's Creed and GTA IV just fine.)


what exactly i need to do with memtest86+? i never used it.

thanks for your help

With memtest86+, download the iso, burn it to a disc or flash drive and when you boot it will automatically run.

It's a looping program of several tests. It will run indefinitely until you end it. One or two passes isn't enough to guareentee the RAMS fine so that's why I suggest letting it run over night while you sleep.
If theRAM passes, it will show zero errors. If it fails it will show how many errors. You're aiming for zero.

I only suggest downclocking the card as a test. If it runs fine while downclocked then you know the cards a dud and needs to be replaced. Downclocking is quick and not permanent.

It may also be worthwhile downloading and installing the latest physx package (even though ATI doesn't use it)

NVIDIA PhysX System Software

However the fact that GTA IV and AC ran fine tends to suggest a software issue rather than a h/w one.

There is no one answer, yet plenty of suggestions - which might work for one person, but not the next.

In most instances (me included) people have reported that replacing their video card helped solve the problem.

In my caes, my 3870 was indeed faulty (overheating) and had to be RMA'd.

I personally think "one" of the problems lies with the design of the today’s video cards and the heat generated by them, plus the shoddy fans used, which for the most part don't really do a good job of cooling.

I know a lot of people have complained about the heat generated by today’s video cards from both companies, and I've really head huge complaints about ATI's fan speed and cooling solution, which in the end tends to equate to inadequate cooling or overheating.

That’s why it’s really important to have a case with adequate airflow and cooling. A crowded case generates heat.

Just my two cents.

i think it's an hardware problem, i installed the new ATI drivers- 9.6 and it didn't fix the problem. i just experienced a crash in Prototype.
also, the install of physx didn't solve it.
how many clocks i need to down to see if the card is a dud and i need to replace it?

To all of you who are getting this "atikmdag stopped responding and has successfully recovered" error, listen carefully. Before I get to the solution, let me tell you my configuration. ATI Radeon HD3850, 4 gigs of Corsair Ram, Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz CPU, Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 (32 bit), that's enough for now. I've been getting this error while running my lattice screensaver, and on my Grand Theft Auto games. I've spent 3+ days researching the net and reading thousands of forums on this issue. I tried EVERYTHING software wise such as disabling Windows "AERO", removing that KB952287 hot fix, disabling all anti-virus software, installing that new hotfix from Microsoft, uninstalling / updating video driver, and disabling this and that in Windows. None of these solutions have worked! The problem is the ATI driver, not the video card itself. I went out and bought an NVIDIA 9800 GT made by PNY. ALL PROBLEMS SOLVED!! No Lockups, freezes, error messages. This video card is a good middle of the road card that is somewhat comparable to the ATI HD3850. I didn't want to spend $350+ for high end, so for $119.00 this replaces what I had. ATI needs to get their act together on their driver issue, they've been having this problem for quite some time. Other than that, ATI builds a better quality video card (hardware wise), and produces better image quality. NVIDIA on the other hand, is the opposite. NVIDIA's build / image quality isn't quite as good, however their DRIVERS are far more compatible and stable over a wider range of games and apps OVERALL. If it weren't for this, I would have stayed with ATI, as I have been with them for many years. For those of you who are having this problem with NVIDIA, I'm surprised! Try updating your drivers & make sure that your video card is compatible with whatever game(s) you're having the issue on. One more thing, I've been running Vista Ultimate for 14 months now, and I've had very few problems, if that, very stable & reliable.

@ smitty1983

Please read this entire thread and do a Google before blaiming ATI's drivers!!! You might even discover that this problem affects both video card companies under Vista!!!

The Display driver has stopped working - The Saga

Thanks

lol, I've seen plenty of "nvlddmkm.sys has stopped working" errors with nvidia cards

Each company sometimes release good drivers, okay drivers and woeful drivers.

I fought this problem for two weeks on my Vista Home Premium 64-bit. I kept downloading ATI older drivers until I stumbled on to this one:

"8-12_vista64_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_72276.exe" and it worked for me.

I would download the newer updates and they still caused the same error. The latest version "9-6_vista64_win7_64" released in June finally works without the errors.

I can't say this will work for anyone else as there have been numerous "fixes" that don't work for everyone. Having used ATI cards for years, I'm disappointed in the way AMD hasn't responded to this error that have caused so much consternation among ATI card owners. I just spent $200+ for this card in December so I really didn't want to trash it for a new one quite yet.

Hope this helps someone.