Windows 7: Constant ATI Graphics Driver Crash

Hey guys,

I've done a lot of helping out in the past and now I am the one in need of help.

I recently got an HP Pavilion Elite HPE-210F with the AMD PhenomII X4 945, 8GB Ram, and an ATI HD5450.

I just took it out of the box today and ever since I've started it up for the first time, at the most random times (including but not limited to opening a menu, clicking the start button, typing something ANYWHERE, etc) the display will freeze, go black, and come back saying the graphics driver crashed and recovered.

Like I said, this happens at very odd times. I'm not using it for games or anything like that, it's a work machine. Sometimes it won't recover at all and BSOD with 0x124. I've gone through the 0x124 list on this site with no success.

Here's what I've done already:

* Updated the processor driver
* Updated the graphics driver (had an old 2009 version on it when I took it out of the box)
* Uninstalled/re-installed the graphics driver (since the above didn't work)
* Ran windows update

It can sit for a long time and not do anything whatsoever. Before, I updated the driver to the current version, I was getting "Kernel-Power" critical errors and an s-ton of "kernel panic" on screen before crashing.

I'm writing this from my other machine because I don't trust the stability of this literally brand new machine.

I've attached an exported text file from the event viewer of everything yellow and red. While I was doing that, the driver crashed again and it's not on the attached list, but I think you got the idea.

Short of calling up the manufacturer and dealing with that crap, any ideas?

I appreciate the help!

This is a brand-new pre-built PC?

The Kernal Power error simply means the PC lost power. Not really a problem in and of itself.

The Kernal Panic may help isolate the issue though.
According to Wiki:


My advice: If you just purchased the machine, I would simply return it and demand a exchange ASAP.


Beyond that, the only other things I can think off right off hand is run MEMTEST and see if the memory is OK.

Possibly look in bios and see if theres a option for onboard/intergrated graphics and disable it since you have a physical GPU.

BSOD 0x124 I believe is a Hardware issue, just as the error seems to point to you are getting.

Post your dmp logs so someone can look at them.

I am not good at interpreting dmp logs or debugging, so hopefully someone can take a look at them for some more information.

+1.
What limited experience I have with such systems is that usually the first thing that I would change is the power supply. HP, Dell and others are notorious for configuring decent systems with generic (underpowered in my opinion), custom form factors in some cases, power supplies.

The best solution as advised by Wishmaster is to RMA the desktop and if need be, get them to change the power supply for you (obviously you may incur some cost on the change)


Edit

Just had a look at your attachment - also update the drivers for your network card.
Also have a read at this thread, it may help with your troubleshooting - TDR

Regards

Thanks for the feedback. It's so odd because I can run video or the Experience Index test and nothing happens (that's bad. Both run just fine).

I didn't get to see the box for the unit but I just found out that it's a refurbished unit from HP. (freakin wonderful).

*sigh*

Update 1: It doesn't seem to act negatively with aero turned off. We might be able to get by like this until we can negotiate an RMA with HP. This machine was commissioned immediately and is in full use now. We can't just send it back whenever :S

(I guess I shouldn't care too much, anyways. I'm being laid off from this position in 3 weeks. LOL)

Hey Jelyman,

I bought the exact same system and its a refurb and have the same 0x124 errors randomly. Tews has been looking at my issue and suggested upgrading the PSU. I wanted to find out from you if you were able to make any determination that could help me resolve this issue on my system.

Thanks in advance.

Given it's within a week old, I'm going to RMA it. the PSU in the machine is only 300 watts and I used the eXtreme PSU Calculator and It gave me a 285W req. Given this PSU is most likely not 80%+, I found my problem. I should have at least a 350W or even a 400W to reach the bare minimum safely.

UPDATES

Update 1: Spoke with HP. Rendering diagnostics didn't cause a problem but when we shut down the machine, the driver crashed as it was shutting down (LOL). Per their troubleshooting process, I restored the unit using their recovery partition. I will be testing it again and update my status.

Update 2: Done an s-tone of crap. Jumped through every hoop they have. Called them on their BS and am at the Case Manager level (Level 3).

Hey Jelyman,

Not sure if you made further progress. Here are updates from my side -

1. After 5 hours on call with HP tech support in India they agreed there is a hardware fault and initiated RMA
2. Received the box on 16th, dropped off same day and Teleplan (HP's contracting service provider) received it yesterday, Nov 22nd
3. Teleplan tech guy called me and advised he is seeing no issues. Asked him to keep it running for many hours but he claimed he has already done that and no issues. Advised him that if he changed SATA Controller setting in BIOS from RAID (default) to IDE it will fail. He was surprised to know it was set to RAID but advised will check and call back.
4. Received call back from him today afternoon and he advised that this system requires SATA controller to be RAID by default. Changing it to IDE requires a complete OS reinstall. Advised him that my issue was seen before touching anything in BIOS but he continues to maintain there are no issue
5. Called up HP support in India again and advised that the issue exists and I had seen it several times while on call with them - they assured they will contact Texas service center and advise them to repair / replace

Did some research and found that the issue with SATA Controller setting change without requiring a OS reinstall is know and there is a Registry hack to overcome this issue -

Guide Guide to enable IDE/AHCI without reinstalling

Good to know.

I ended up sending it back to whom I bought it from and got a refund. I got up to Level 4 (Regional customer service manager, in the US) and he told me that the fact I only had a 90 day warranty was not a really good sign as to the quality of the refurb. certification from HP.