Instability with Win 7 x64 + nVidia drivers (9600M GT)

[phmoschetta]

Hi!

It's been 4 months since I've bought a new laptop (HP Pavilion dv7-1253ca with a GeForce 9600M GT, originally branded with Vista) and upgraded it to Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit version). Since then, I have a series of instability problems caused by an unknown agent (possibly an incompatible/conflicting driver?), and that includes:

• constant Firefox crashes (with the crash report window);
• constant Chrome "Aw, Snap!" messages;
• constant Flash Player 10 crashes with all browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IExplorer);
• constant random crashes playing games like The Sims 3 and Fallout 3;
• "Desktop Window Manager" service constantly stopping.

Here are a few fixes I've already tried:

• fresh re-install of Windows 7 a couple of times (32-bit & 64-bit versions);
• disabling DEP (Data Execution Prevention);
• uninstalling/disabling IDT Audio drivers;
• uninstalling/disabling Bluetooth drivers;
• clean-boot Windows;
• memory testing with memtest+ (diagnostic OK);
• BIOS update to the latest version;
• disabling Powermizer within nVidia drivers.

So, the only solution to the problem I've found was to uninstall the nVidia drivers and use the crappy "Standard VGA Display Adapter" drivers that come with Windows, that don't support Aero or let me play any game. As soon as I install the GeForce drivers, everything starts crashing again. Another solution I've found was to run Windows Vista, but that's totally unacceptable after you try Windows 7 for the first time.

I've already tried using many driver releases, from the HP-provided 179.04 to the latest 195.62 from LaptopVideo2Go.com; but it's no use...

Any ideas? Please help! It's been weeks I'm after a solution, but I'm just hopeless... Thank you!



P.S.: I'm also starting the same thread @ nVidia Forums and HP Forums.
P.S.2: One thing I've noted: older driver versions have better stability.

 

[jcaum]

I'm experiencing the same issue with my Geforce 9800 GT.

Also, in the device manager, I have exclamations next to my processors, stating the following:
Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (Code 52)


I had no issues in Win 7 32-bit. But I found 64-bit was working flawlessly on my Dell Latitude laptop at work. Guess my Intel i5 processor just isn't up enough to specs as the Intel Core2 Duo... even though all the parts I bought assured full 64-bit Win 7 support. Gotta love it.

 

[Frostmourne]

Hi!

It's been 4 months since I've bought a new laptop (HP Pavilion dv7-1253ca with a GeForce 9600M GT, originally branded with Vista) and upgraded it to Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit version). Since then, I have a series of instability problems caused by an unknown agent (possibly an incompatible/conflicting driver?), and that includes:

• constant Firefox crashes (with the crash report window);
• constant Chrome "Aw, Snap!" messages;
• constant Flash Player 10 crashes with all browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, IExplorer);
• constant random crashes playing games like The Sims 3 and Fallout 3;
• "Desktop Window Manager" service constantly stopping.

Here are a few fixes I've already tried:

• fresh re-install of Windows 7 a couple of times (32-bit & 64-bit versions);
• disabling DEP (Data Execution Prevention);
• uninstalling/disabling IDT Audio drivers;
• uninstalling/disabling Bluetooth drivers;
• clean-boot Windows;
• memory testing with memtest+ (diagnostic OK);
• BIOS update to the latest version;
• disabling Powermizer within nVidia drivers.

So, the only solution to the problem I've found was to uninstall the nVidia drivers and use the crappy "Standard VGA Display Adapter" drivers that come with Windows, that don't support Aero or let me play any game. As soon as I install the GeForce drivers, everything starts crashing again. Another solution I've found was to run Windows Vista, but that's totally unacceptable after you try Windows 7 for the first time.

I've already tried using many driver releases, from the HP-provided 179.04 to the latest 195.62 from LaptopVideo2Go.com; but it's no use...

Any ideas? Please help! It's been weeks I'm after a solution, but I'm just hopeless... Thank you!



P.S.: I'm also starting the same thread @ nVidia Forums and HP Forums.
P.S.2: One thing I've noted: older driver versions have better stability.

Try all of the troubleshooting guide in my sig.

 

[phmoschetta]

Try all of the troubleshooting guide in my sig.

Well, I think I've tried pretty much everything you suggest on your troubleshooting guide. Maybe I'm doing something wrong... Maybe nVidia drivers/services are conflicting with other device drivers (but how am I supposed to diagnostic that?)...

The strange fact is that with Mozilla Firefox, for example, there aren't normal Windows crashes with that "Check for a solution and close the program" message. There is always the Mozilla Crash Reporter window.

...

Attached: I've generated a report with HWiNFO32 for better details of my hardware configuration.

 

[bobtran]

I have found 191.07 driver to be very stable. I tried some of the newer ones and had issues. I'm using dual 9800gt cards in SLI mode for my desktop and a single 8600gt card in my Home Theater....so far I find both are stable on Win7 x64 for me with this driver.

I do download my drivers directly from Nvidia as I have also had some issues with the ones installed from Windows update.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

 

[thefabe]

Welcome to Seven Forums. Their is a program for modding the 9600M GT .inf file that has had success in the past. Just follow the instruction provided and hopefully it will resolve your problem. Good luck. Fabe NVIDIA MobilityModder - HardwareHeaven.com

 

[phmoschetta]

I have found 191.07 driver to be very stable.

Yup, I tried playing some minutes with this driver version, after removing the older version with Driver Sweeper, but got no success.

Welcome to Seven Forums. Their is a program for modding the 9600M GT .inf file that has had success in the past.

Thanks! I've tried using the MobilityModder with the 191.07 drivers and some other versions, but still... Nothing.

:huh::huh:

Guys, I believe this is something all nVidia drivers have in common, like a component, or a service running, or a DirectX/Aero issue... I don't know. Because this isn't exactly an instability (with BSODs and that stuff), it looks more like a conflict/incompatibility.

Everything without the nVidia drivers, or using Windows Vista, runs fine. Why?

 

[FZ21Z]

I've already tried using many driver releases, from the HP-provided 179.04 to the latest 195.62 from LaptopVideo2Go.com

Have you not tried the 195.66 or 195.88 - LaptopVideo2Go Forums -> 19x Series GeForce Driver Releases

 

[phmoschetta]

Have you not tried the 195.66 or 195.88 - LaptopVideo2Go Forums -> 19x Series GeForce Driver Releases

Yeah, I did. I even tried with the latest 196.xx drivers and the DOX optimized drivers, but still got the same thing. :huh:

 

[thefabe]

I'm going to ask this mostly our of curiousity. What temps are you seeing? Thanks Fabe

 

[phmoschetta]

I'm going to ask this mostly our of curiousity. What temps are you seeing? Thanks Fabe

Right now? On idle:

• CPU: 42C/50C (min/max)
• GPU: 51C/55C (min/max)

Benchmarking with FurMark, GPU can reach up to 75C.

 

[Frostmourne]

I would better money on this being a hardware fault. Flash the BIOS from HP's site, then try uninstalling and reinstalling the ACPI driver. If that doesn't work, send it back to HP - this is probably a motherboard fault.

 

[phmoschetta]

I would better money on this being a hardware fault. Flash the BIOS from HP's site, then try uninstalling and reinstalling the ACPI driver. If that doesn't work, send it back to HP - this is probably a motherboard fault.

Actually, I can't rely directly on HP Support, since this laptop is not supported by HP Brazil.

I'm not an expert, but could this really be a faulty hardware? I mean, even if it was, shouldn't I be getting BSODs and things like that? And how do I exactly reinstall the ACPI drivers?

 

[Frostmourne]

Right click the ACPI entry in device manager select uninstall and reboot. Things may slow down create a restore point before hand. This points to hardware, programs do not randomly crash, especially after fresh 7 installs.

 

[phmoschetta]

Right click the ACPI entry in device manager select uninstall and reboot. Things may slow down create a restore point before hand. This points to hardware, programs do not randomly crash, especially after fresh 7 installs.

There are many "ACPI" entries in the Device Manager. I can't find a guide for uninstalling it.

Under "Computer":

• ACPI x64-based PC (this one has any "Uninstall" option greyed-out)

Under "System devices":

• ACPI Fan
• ACPI Fixed Feature Button
• ACPI Lid
• ACPI Power Button
• ACPI Sleep Button
• ACPI Thermal Zone
• Microsoft ACPI-Compilant Embedded Controller
• Microsoft ACPI-Compilant System
• Microsoft Windows Management Interface for ACPI

 

[BWK]

Just a question for ya... did you have them(Nvidia) choose your driver or did you put in your card specs and d/l yourself? If so did you happen to choose 32bit instead of 64bit?
MSI Afterburner <---- get this and post a pic of your settings and temps. are you overclocking at all?

 

[phmoschetta]

Just a question for ya... did you have them(Nvidia) choose your driver or did you put in your card specs and d/l yourself? If so did you happen to choose 32bit instead of 64bit?
MSI Afterburner <---- get this and post a pic of your settings and temps. are you overclocking at all?

Nope, I've always downloaded the 64-bit versions of all driver versions I've tested, from nVidia's website and from LaptopVideo2Go.com. I never overclocked anything.

Firefox keeps crashing, and I've noticed that the bigger responsible for this is Flash Player.

 

[BWK]

Does your video have a fan on it...If so using the bottom control in afterburner, click it from auto then turn it up into the 60+ range and see if more air helps.

 

[BWK]

With all your driver updating you don't happen to have an Nvidia 3d vision plug-in enabled in FF?

Also have you updated Flash itself? to 10? The plug-in and all?

 

[phmoschetta]

Does your video have a fan on it...If so using the bottom control in afterburner, click it from auto then turn it up into the 60+ range and see if more air helps.

With all your driver updating you don't happen to have an Nvidia 3d vision plug-in enabled in FF?

Also have you updated Flash itself? to 10? The plug-in and all?

I don't think there is a dedicated fan to the GPU itself, so the "Auto" button is greyed-out. I have the latest version of the Flash Player 10 plug-in. I also tried using version 9 and beta version 10.1.

Here's the thread I started @ Adobe Forums a few weeks ago: "http://forums.adobe.com/message/2607583".