Driver IRQL Not Less NVLDDMKM.SYS

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased Windows 7. Everything installed successfully, except for my video driver for my MSI nVidia 9800 GX2 card. I saw two exclamation marks next to two adaptors that appeared under Device Manager > Display. I installed the latest drivers from nVidia and I received the BSOD:

Driver irql not less or equal

If I use the Vista-64bit video driver that came with my MSI Video Card CD (dated Jan-2008) the driver works perfectly and no issues with Win 7. However, some of the newer games crash and I receive "driver recovery" errors.

My system is setup for Dual-boot for Win XP and Win 7. When I boot into Windows XP, everything works perfectly using the latest drivers from nVidia, so I am confused why I am having a hard time with Windows 7.

I have performed Memtest, reseated RAM and the Video Card, nothing is overheating. I have tried reinstalling several times with all my USB devices disconnected, except for keyboard and mouse. To no avail, I cannot determine if I have a video card issue, other hardware issue, or if this is a Windows 7 compatibility issue.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :) I have been working on this since Windows 7 was released and cannot figure this out for the life of me.

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Motherboard: Asus P5E3 WS Professional
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 (2.5Ghz)
RAM: 4GB (4 x 1GB) Enhanced DDR3 1333
HDD: 2x WD 250GB 7200 RPM HDD (in Raid-1 config)
HDD: 2x WD 320GB 7200 RPM HDD (in Raid-0 config)
PSU: Antec TruPower 1000W SLI-certified
Video Card: MSI N9800GX2-M2D1G PCI-E

I have attached the memory dump files from the BSOD:
http://www.conspirazy.com/dl/110809-28142-01.zip

Hi.

You should be able to install this without any problems. If not, attach a screenshot of the device manager with display adapter section maximized. Also, another screenshot with system devices maximized. You can use the paperclip to attach them to a post.

Hi Torrentg,

Thanks for your reply. That driver, as well as any clear back through 2008 is what's causing the BSOD. The attached dump files in my above post were the result of installing that driver.

My problem is if I install a driver (other than the old driver on my video card install disc) I get the BSOD.

Any other suggestions?

Not really sure, but maybe your x2 card has difficulties with the standard version of the driver.


Perhaps, visit MSI's website and use the latest driver for your card from them.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've tried that as well. Driver after 173.67 gives me the BSOD. Were you able to observe any hardware problems with the minidump by chance?

conspirazy said:

Thanks for the suggestion, I've tried that as well. Driver after 173.67 gives me the BSOD. Were you able to observe any hardware problems with the minidump by chance?

There are no obvious indications of a hardware error in that minidump (which doesn't prove there isn't one there). In this instance, think of the "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" message as having the following meaning:

"The nvlddmkm.sys driver attempted to work with invalid memory for reasons best analysed by an nvidia engineer."

I'd suggest you forward that minidump to nvidia. They may already know of a fix or be working on one.