Solved BSoD after installing ATI Graphics Card on laptop

[iAmAdrian]

Good day everyone,

I'm new here and I'm a noob on tech stuffs. So please explain something by spoon-feeding me if possible.

Here is my problem:

2 days ago, I was playing DotA 2 on Steam for roughly 3-4 hours when suddenly while I was in-game, the game froze, I waited for about 2 minutes then the display had an "artifact"(where the display gets jumbled in color). Few seconds after that, I got the BSoD.

The system auto restarted and I saw it was atikmpag.sys if I'm not mistaken. So I reformatted the system, installed the drivers from the CD which came with the laptop and it was working fine for about 12 hours or so(not playing any games, just watching some stored movies from my backup drive). Then when I opened YouTube, I had the BSoD again. I did a reformat again and after installing the drivers I get BSoDs right after the windows logo.

So I again, reformatted the system, this time I did not install the ATI driver. So now I am able to open my laptop but with terrible graphics. (I keep reformatting, because I can't uninstall the ATI driver even in safe mode)

Things I did:
~Opened the laptop under-hood and cleaned the fan connected with the heat sink.
~Removed the HDD and RAM for blowing off dust(there aren't many). I let it sit for a few minutes to cool down(I'm also open to something got overheated which caused the BSoD)
~Did a MemTest for 10 hours. No errors.
~Hard Disk Sentinel states = 100% Performance, 99% Health, Max Temp measured 48c, Min Temp measured 41c, Max Temp during entire lifespan 63c and have 2 weak sectors.


Questions:
~If possible, what can I do to fix this by myself since I'm low on cash right now due to Christmas season?
~Is it possible that I have damaged the slot of VGA in my MoBo? Or perhaps damaged my MoBo?(I did nothing though, I don't know how to overclock or something, maybe because of overheating?) By the way, there is no Video Card, just a chip.
~Which hardware is faulty? MoBo? HDD? RAM?
~If I continue running my laptop without the graphics driver, what will happen/what are the risks?


My laptop specs are provided in my profile. Also, attached is my diagnostic tool result.



Any kind of help will be greatly appreciated,
Adrian

 

[MadhuJ]

I am also facing the same problem. I was playing online game, suddenly the screen was blank for 5mins and then BSOD. I reinstalled windows. When i install display drivers, i am getting BSOD for atikmpag.sys.

Then booted into safe mode and updated display drivers with "Standard VGA display drivers".

Observation: If I install ATI drivers the monitor drivers are missing automatically in device manager.

Dell Studio 1558
i3 process, 4GB RAM
Windows7 64bit.

Any kind of help will be greatly appreciated,
Madhu

 

[Arc]

Hi iAmAdrian.

The zip you uploaded does not contain any crash dump.

Follow it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html
Go to Option Two, Point 2. Download the .reg file and merge it in registry by double clicking it.

Now wait for another BSOD. When it occurred, search the .dmp files manually in the default path: C:\Windows\Minidump or %SystemRoot%\Minidump. See if the crash dump is recorded or not (hopefully it will be recorded).Post it following the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions.

Dont run any disc cleanup utility before you upload another zip.

 

[iAmAdrian]

Hi Arc,

Thanks for replying.

I haven't had any BSoD for almost 24 hours now.
Only because I didn't install the ATI driver. I don't have any dump files since I reformatted my laptop(or am I wrong?).

If I install the ATI driver, I can't log in. I'm stuck right after the windows logo boot up. Unfortunately, I only have my laptop. If I can't log in, I can't ask the community online.

I called the store where I bought it 3 years ago, and talked to a technician about the symptoms(we just did a phone diagnosis).

He then said it's most likely that I fried my graphics chip(oh no...) and maybe the motherboard? Or the slot IN the motherboard that holds the chip?


Questions:
~Did I really fry my graphics chip from playing Dota 2? Or is my laptop really that old and needs to be replaced?
~This laptop cost $815 3 years ago. Possible payment for motherboard replacement is roughly $339.
VGA repair/replacement is $90-$181. Is it a smart move to have this checked and replace whatever needs replacing? Or should I just let go and get a new desktop?

Also, can someone answer my questions on the first post. I'm afraid I might do further damage if I keep running my system without the graphics card.

By the way, this model has switchable graphics.


Thanks,
Adrian

 

[Arc]

I think it may not be the motherboard, but three years is an age for a GPU.

If I had been in your place, I would have used the laptop as it is, and will get a desktop for the gaming etc.

 

[iAmAdrian]

Thanks Arc, that's what I'm thinking also. But since money this time of year is water under the bridge, what with all the gifts and stuffs, I'll just have to make use of this weird/painful in the eye graphics.

By the way, will keep using my laptop without graphics driver ruin it? Or perhaps damage it even more?

 

[Arc]

I hope the laptop is suing the onboard graphics (integrated GPU) already? No, it will not cause any harm to the laptop.

 

[iAmAdrian]

Yes I'm using the integrated GPU now.

Will just save enough to get a new desktop.

Thanks again Arc.

 

[Arc]

You are welcome mate
Let us know for any further issue.