BSOD at beginning of games, error 116

Windows 7 x64 Full retail
Most of the hardware is about 1 or 2 years old
OS was installed about a year ago.

I BSOD in particular circumstances with error code 116. Its something to do with the graphics but im not completely sure which aspect of it. I crash when i load a skyrim [COLOR=#3485bd !important][COLOR=#3485bd !important]game[/COLOR][/COLOR] most of the time. I can get through the [COLOR=#3485bd !important][COLOR=#3485bd !important]menu[/COLOR][/COLOR] fine, it will give me loading screen tips fine, but as soon as it reaches the actual game screen, i get a display of red square patterns, the display shuts off, then it comes back on with a BSOD before rebooting. On some days it works well, and if it loads past the initial 2 seconds of [COLOR=#3485bd !important][COLOR=#3485bd !important]gameplay[/COLOR][/COLOR] then i can play all day long without a problem. Movies are ok and so are most other games, its only Skyrim and another game (dungeon defenders) that it happens with.
The card is not overheating. It's something [COLOR=#3485bd !important][COLOR=#3485bd !important]software[/COLOR][/COLOR] related, it must be because it happens only with particular software events (the start of a game). I've tryed different drivers but no luck. Also the fact that it works sometimes leaves me absolutely stumped.
I have an AMD motherboard, graphics card, and CPU; and i know it trys to underclock and overclock my cpu based on demand. Maybe it is doing the same thing with the graphics card, and as soon as it trys to overclock when the game starts it freezes?
I have tryed different drivers, including the latest one- it didn't seem to do anything. I ran memtest and it came up fine
Any ideas from anyone would be greatly appreciated!
(ps, regardless of what the performace test says, i have AVG installed as antivirus)

Sorry for the messy post, here it is again.

Windows 7 x64 Full retail
Most of the hardware is about 1 or 2 years old
OS was installed about a year ago.

I BSOD in particular circumstances with error code 116. Its something to do with the graphics but im not completely sure which aspect of it. I crash when i load a skyrim game most of the time. I can get through the menu fine, it will give me loading screen tips fine, but as soon as it reaches the actual game screen, i get a display of red square patterns, the display shuts off, then it comes back on with a BSOD before rebooting. On some days it works well, and if it loads past the initial 2 seconds of gameplay then i can play all day long without a problem. Movies are ok and so are most other games, its only Skyrim and another game (dungeon defenders) that it happens with.
The card is not overheating. It's something software related, it must be because it happens only with particular software events. I've tryed different drivers but no luck. Also the fact that it works sometimes leaves me absolutely stumped.
I have an AMD motherboard, graphics card, and CPU; and i know it trys to underclock and overclock my cpu based on demand. Maybe it is doing the same thing with the graphics card, and as soon as it trys to overclock when the game starts it freezes?
I have tryed different drivers, including the latest one- it didn't seem to do anything. I ran memtest and it came up fine
Any ideas from anyone would be greatly appreciated!
(ps, regardless of what the performace test says, i have AVG installed as antivirus)

Thanks for the help guys, but i solved it anyway. Turns out one of the Asus programs was overclocking the graphics card every time it detected a 3d program. I guess it was overclocking it too much. Once i disabled the program all works well.

Moth3r said:

Thanks for the help guys, but i solved it anyway. Turns out one of the Asus programs was overclocking the graphics card every time it detected a 3d program. I guess it was overclocking it too much. Once i disabled the program all works well.

Nice troubleshooting! Which program was it for future users with similar issues?

"AMD VISION Engine Control Centre". I turned off the graphics overide, which is under the performace tab.
I never knew it was there to begin with :/. I guess i should pay attention to what's being installed on my PC

Thanks. I've added this thread to my favorites and given you rep for the help.