nvlddmkm.sys and windows 7 BSOD, dual GTX 295's  

Hi guys,

My first post here and relatively newb so plz bear with me...

I'm running a pretty decent set up which I built myself around 4 months ago (my first ever build),

Around 1 months ago my screen starting developing odd pixels that would come and go at random, lasting for a few hours up to a day then stopping for a few days etc..

Then the screen would often start to black out for a second, with the screen repositioning, as if adjusting the resolution (and I wasn't changing program or anything like that),

And now whenever I play certain games I get the same blacking out, which extends and if lasts beyond 3 or 4 seconds results in a BSOD, stating that the error was with the above mentioned driver (Which is fully up to date),

Does anyone have any idea of a solution for this? The only thing I could think of was running in compatability mode to no avail...

And the specs are as follows:

i7 975
Asus rampage motherboard
12gb ram
2 x gtx 295's
liquid cooling + lots of fans so that's not an issue, and I've not started to overclock at all so again that's not the issue...

Thanks in advance.



P.S again apologies for the newbiness but I'm running quite a shit monitor, I'm assuming there's no way this would cause a BSOD?

O.K so having read through about 200 different posts on the forum I've come accross 2 or 3 solutions, and I've tried all the ones I know how to (driver roll backs etc..)
I dloaded the K-Lite codec pack and tried the suggestions however to no avail,

The one that looks most promising however is the one I don't know how to do! the GPU fails and if it doesn't sort itself out within a time limit (I believe TDR is the phrase) the computer BSOD's,

I'm in the registry editor and everything looks very scary, the only walkthrough for this I can find is for windows vista and given I've heard screwing with registry is easiest way to screw up the P.C I don't want to act without specific instructions...

As ever any help is appreciated!!

This is from my Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues. Not sure it will help, but it may give you some ideas...

Error - Driver Stopped Responding And Recovered (ATI) or Display Driver nvlddmkm stopped responding (Nvidia) – Do any type of search on these errors and you will get hundreds of hits, even here. This issue started out in Vista and is now seen in Windows 7. As you see, it affects both card manufactures. There are many theories on the causes, as well as solutions, to this problem, but no singular fix seems to work for all. While one fix might work for some, others find they don't work at all. I will however suggest you look at…

-a- Overclocking – If your system is over clocked, chances are that you card is as well. Or, you may be simply overclocking the card by itself. Either way, back off and see what happens.

-b- Overheating – The card could simply be overheating from a faulty or low running fan, to the thermo past on the heat sink wearing out or being inadequate for the job. Inspect the video card and insure everything is in good working order and that there are no loose parts.

-c- Case Cooling – If your case is small and cramped or has inadequate ventilation or fans, well, not only will the case get hot, but so will the components inside, including the CPU and GPU, which puts out enough heat on their own!!! Plus overclocking also causes heat!!! Something to think about.

-d- Power supply - Many of today's GPU's require at least a 450 watt power supply. Is your the power supply adequate for the job? Check with the card manufacture. Also, If the card requires a power connection (4-pin connector) double check to make sure it's connected!

Outside of the above mentioned steps, the best way to go about this one unfortunately is through trial and error. However there have been quite a few people, including me, who have reported that replacing the video card solved the problem. Again, something to think about.

Disable CPU/PCIE Spread spectrum in your BIOS

Hmmm.... spread spectrum

As useful as the link is...

It explains something about disabling the spread spectrium, however as I say in my last post...

I have no idea how to edit registry settings or (I'm guessing) the motherboard settings...

Can someone give me a walkthrough on how this is achieved..?

Either turning the timeout (TDR?) to 0 in the registry settings or doing what the link above suggests..?

Once more many thanks,

Mark.

Bonobo said:

As useful as the link is...

It explains something about disabling the spread spectrium, however as I say in my last post...

I have no idea how to edit registry settings or (I'm guessing) the motherboard settings...

Can someone give me a walkthrough on how this is achieved..?

Either turning the timeout (TDR?) to 0 in the registry settings or doing what the link above suggests..?

Once more many thanks,

Mark.

Spread Spectrum is a BIOS setting. There are many different BIOS's, even among the same manufacturers. With that said it would be hard to explain to a novice how to adjust BIOS as the wrong adjustment could render the board useless. Also someone would have to know, and be familiar with, the BIOS your motherboard is using. If you do not know how to enter or adjust BIOS settings I'd suggest looking towards your owner's manual, taking it to someone who knows BIOS settings, or leaving it alone. Sorry.

As for TDR adjustments, that’s a registry thing, and under Vista you had to add a registry setting, not sure about Windows 7. Like the BIOS, the same rules apply - if you do not know how to edit registry setting, you could render the OS inoperable. However it’s easier to do a walkthrough with the registry than BIOS because the registry is standard on all OS’s (for the most part).

Also note that Microsoft has stated that the TDR registry edit thing is for "testing purposes only".

Here’s the info, along wiht the registry settings - Timeout Detection and Recovery of GPUs through WDDM.

About adding the keys - Rage3D Discussion Area - View Single Post - “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered”

The entire thread to the above link - “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” - Rage3D Discussion Area

I've never used them myself so...

I personally wish (suggest) people providing such suggestions also provide the info associated with their feedback along as well as the necessary help associated with it.

Telling someone to disable Spread Spectrum without providing info isn’t very helpful in my opinion, as seen by your posted reply.

Good luck.

Attachment 69724

Bonobo said:

As useful as the link is...

It explains something about disabling the spread spectrium, however as I say in my last post...

I have no idea how to edit registry settings or (I'm guessing) the motherboard settings...

Can someone give me a walkthrough on how this is achieved..?

Either turning the timeout (TDR?) to 0 in the registry settings or doing what the link above suggests..?

Once more many thanks,

Mark.

Which Asus Rampage motherboard do your have? Rampage Formula or Rampage2 or 3?

Spread Spectrum is located here in the BIOS: