Windows 7: Trouble booting with latest Graphics Driver

auburncoast · 18 May 2010

Hi,
I recently did a clean install of my OS which is Windows 7 x64. I had downloaded all the latest drivers for my computer before hand so that I could be up to date right away. The problem is when I installed my video card driver, which happens to be the latest release from Nvida for my 9800m GT, I get a BSOD quite often when I restart Windows. It might not happen everytime but it occurs right when it says Welcome and the circle to the left is spinning. What is strange about this problem is that before I did a refresh I had this driver installed and everything was working fine. So, I have tried reformatting and using the drivers given by the manufacturer. This seems to work fine and I get no error, but with the latest Nvidia driver it occurs often. I have tested my ram with memtest and it passed (some suggest this could be why the error occurs). What else is weird is that if I manage to boot into my OS everything seems to work fine. I have even stress tested the system and I get no crashes. This suggests to me that it is software related but I'm not sure how to fix it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached my dump file for inspection. The error seems quite common but each case is different so I would really like some help!

Bill2 · 18 May 2010

The dump file points to nvidia graphics driver (nvlddmkm.sys). Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. Or you can try downdating to a version that works.

Also suggest, you look up the nvidia forums. You're likely to find a wealth of info there including download links and tricks for working drivers.

auburncoast · 18 May 2010

Hi Bill, I have tried looking through the nvidia forums but haven't had much success. The answers were all over the place and none seemed to lead to a solution. I thought I would maybe try here. The thing that is weird is that this driver has worked for me before but does not work for me now.

**Capt.Jack Sparrow** · 18 May 2010

Hello !!

I looked at your Dump files as Bill said it's your nVidia Drivers that has caused the problem. Follow this Guide and clean up your Drivers completely and reinstall it.

Info: nVidia Driver Cleaning Guide - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net also run a stress test to make sure nothing is wrong with your card. FurMark: Graphics Card Stability and Stress Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

To know more about your issue follow this link https://www.sevenforums.com/crash-loc...eshooting.html

Code:

Built by: 7600.16539.amd64fre.win7_gdr.100226-1909
Debug session time: Tue May 18 14:09:21.645 2010 (GMT+6)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:26:01.455
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116
PROCESS_NAME:  System

Hope this helps,
Captain

Jonathan_King · 18 May 2010

Some drivers are just written poorly. I often tell people the latest nVidia drivers for my card have issues, but the September ones Windows Update finds work great.

I encourage you not to update your drivers, or if you do, be sure to create a restore point first.

System Restore Point - Create

auburncoast · 18 May 2010

thanks to both of you, captain I have actually tried all of those suggestions even specifically furmark. It ran without crashing for quite a while and temps seemed fine. I've uninstalled and I'm now using a DOX optimized driver from laptopvideo2go. I have always had good luck with these drivers and I have just rebooted for the first time without issue. The weird thing is Jonathan is that I had this driver installed before. Seems strange that it shouldn't function on a clean install.