BSOD playing games error 0x116, nvlddmkm.sys (display driver timeout)

stereolab · 25 Sep 2014

Have been having this problem for a while now. From reading the forums I figured it must've been a faulty VGA. Tech support has replaced it for a brand new and have also given me a new PSU/Power Brick.

Whenever I tried to do anything that was VGA-demanding, it would blue screen on me, even after a fresh format. Both the new VGA and PSU have not fixed the problem, they gave me a bit more gaming time before BSODing, but not much.

Things I've already done:

- Formated the computer;
- Did a fresh install of my NVIDIA Drivers (using the remove program);
- Did a memm test, 4 passes 0 errors;
- Installed new VGA and got a new PSU (as already stated);
- Reinstalled the games that were crashing;
- Used FurMark on 1080 for 16 minutes, temps never went higher then 95 degrees;
- Tried the Windows Fix thing ("Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error in Windows 7 or Windows Vista)

Uploading the files to see if I can get a better insight before I send this back to tech support for another week of tests. Honestly don't know what to do anymore.

Thanks for all the help in advance.

essenbe · 25 Sep 2014

stereolab, I'll see if I can help you on this. As I'm sure you know the error reports in the Dump files are all the same.

Code:

nvlddmkm
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0f408000 fffff880`10049000   nvlddmkm T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys
    Image name: nvlddmkm.sys
    Timestamp:        Mon Nov 11 07:24:05 2013 (5280DA75)
    CheckSum:         00C10283
    ImageSize:        00C41000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

That is your Nvidia graphics card driver which is almost a year old. but the real troubling part of it is,

Code:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)
Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.
Arguments:
Arg1: fffffa80148e8010, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff8800fda32bc, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: ffffffffc000009a, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 0000000000000004, Optional internal context dependent data.

TDR is a time delay and recovery failure. Tell me if I am correct. You have Nvidia Optimus technology. Optimus allows you to use the on chip graphics, which is much less power demanding when the dedicated graphics card is not needed and switches to the Dedicated Card when additional graphics power is needed. AMD has the same thing, which is a good idea. The problem is the implementation of the technology, in other words, how they both make it work. If that is the case, most likely, sending it back, will not work. This is a common problem and I have never seen it solved but by one way, which is not always well received. What is happening in all cases is the laptop is trying to switch either to or from one to the other. The problem is the implementation of all manufacturers, is different, but have 1 thing in common. The switch takes longer than Windows allows, so Windows assumes that there is a graphics failure and the CPU throws an error. Now, before you blame Windows, remember Windows was out long before this technology and Windows limits were well known. In fact, Windows 7 is more forgiving in that area than any Operating System before it. That is probably what is happening. If you don't have Optimus Technology, then your driver is crashing and is not recovering within the allotted time. If you have had the card replaced before, there is some other problem going on. Tell me which it is, do you have Optimus or switchable graphics?

stereolab · 26 Sep 2014

essenbe said:

TDR is a time delay and recovery failure. Tell me if I am correct. You have Nvidia Optimus technology. Optimus allows you to use the on chip graphics, which is much less power demanding when the dedicated graphics card is not needed and switches to the Dedicated Card when additional graphics power is needed. AMD has the same thing, which is a good idea. The problem is the implementation of the technology, in other words, how they both make it work. If that is the case, most likely, sending it back, will not work. This is a common problem and I have never seen it solved but by one way, which is not always well received. What is happening in all cases is the laptop is trying to switch either to or from one to the other. The problem is the implementation of all manufacturers, is different, but have 1 thing in common. The switch takes longer than Windows allows, so Windows assumes that there is a graphics failure and the CPU throws an error. Now, before you blame Windows, remember Windows was out long before this technology and Windows limits were well known. In fact, Windows 7 is more forgiving in that area than any Operating System before it. That is probably what is happening. If you don't have Optimus Technology, then your driver is crashing and is not recovering within the allotted time. If you have had the card replaced before, there is some other problem going on. Tell me which it is, do you have Optimus or switchable graphics?

Thanks for the reply!

I assume/believe its Optimus, since I (a) Have the Intel graphics listed along with my GTX in the device manager and (b) I can choose which programs I can run with accelerated graphics in my nvidia control panel.

essenbe · 26 Sep 2014

In the Nvidia control panel, you should be able to select which is the primary graphics adapter, Intel or the Nvidia. Select the Nvidia as the primary adapter. Then you may have to go program by program, but set the Nvidia as the primary for each one. You will just have to play with the settings to get it right, but it will work. That way there is no switching back and forth which is what is causing you problems, I suspect. Try it though, just to see. If it stops your problems, then you will know that is the problem, and it usually is. Now, the downside of doing that is that it will have a pretty big impact on your battery life. But, you will learn what your battery life is and can plan accordingly, and get used to it. If you want, you could set the Intel to primary and not use the Nvidia. Unless you game on it, That won't matter. The Intel will do fine with You Tube Videos or HD Movies and such and it will make your battery life much better. Either one will do OK. But, chose one or the other, what you do not want is it switching back and forth. I believe that is what is causing your problems.

I have a Samsung 17" Laptop with Optimus and that's what I did and I never have problems, but my battery life is about 2 hours Max. That doesn't bother me, but I rarely use it on battery for extended periods anyway. Others it would seriously affect. I seriously would not, select one for some programs and the other for other programs. That is what will cause you issues. Pick one or the other, for everything so there is no switching back and forth. Then you will see if that is your problem.