BSoD caused by nvlddmkm.sys

[kobane]

Hello everyone. First of all, I apologize for any possible misspellings/mistakes, English is not my mother tongue.

I've been having an issue with the "nvlddmkm.sys" driver for about 3 months now. The thing is that it started all of a sudden, when the screensaver started playing back then. It seemed to freeze the laptop and then it restarted, showing a "double screen" and a lot of vertical pink/green lines all along both screens. Even the resolution quality seemed way lower. It was something that could be fixed by shutting the laptop down and turning it on again or just by restarting it but, one day, it just showed that issue everytime. I took it to a technician who couldn't find the problem and I just kept using the laptop as usual. When I turn it on, most of times, it does the "double screen and lines" thing but some other times it works normally, as if nothing was wrong. When it works properly, sometimes it crashes down. That's how I got to finally notice (not long ago) what the problem was: An issue with the nvlddmkm.sys file as it finally displayed a BSoD and I got to see the System failure details. I've been searching for help in different forums with no luck. I've seen there's a way to fix it but many people say it doesn't work (the "download another nvlddmkm.sys file, rename the older one and replace with the new one" thing). I haven't tried it because I'm afraid of making a mistake and not being able to use the laptop anymore ^^; That's why I tried asking of possible solutions and it's effects before doing something wrong.

I'm attaching the .rar archive from the SF tool.


As additional info:

The laptop with the issue is a Dell Inspiron 1420
My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bits
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU T7250
2.00GHz 2.00GHz
RAM memory: 1.00GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
BIOS Video version: 60.86.45.00.10
Driver version: 185.85



I have a question: What are the normal/common temperatures for this kind of laptops? And for that specific GPU?

Any help will be appreciated

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome to SevenForums.

For a stop 116, please go through this link: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...op-0x116-video_tdr_error-troubleshooting.html

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*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
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Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 116, {84891510, 8da4b260, 0, 2}

*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for nvlddmkm.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for nvlddmkm.sys
Probably caused by : nvlddmkm.sys ( nvlddmkm+c260 )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

0: kd> !analyze -v
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*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
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VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)
Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.
Arguments:
Arg1: 84891510, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: 8da4b260, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: 00000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 00000002, Optional internal context dependent data.

Debugging Details:
------------------


FAULTING_IP: 
nvlddmkm+c260
8da4b260 55              push    ebp

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  0

STACK_TEXT:  
90fe0b74 8c93392c 00000116 84891510 8da4b260 nt!KeBugCheckEx+0x1e
90fe0b98 8c93474b 8da4b260 00000000 00000002 dxgkrnl!TdrBugcheckOnTimeout+0x8d
90fe0bbc 8e3ac92c 00000000 00000102 826ad788 dxgkrnl!TdrIsRecoveryRequired+0xb8
90fe0c34 8e3d6a32 fffffcfb 00005312 00000000 dxgmms1!VidSchiReportHwHang+0x3c0
90fe0c5c 8e3d7153 00000000 00000000 00000000 dxgmms1!VidSchiCheckHwProgress+0x68
90fe0c98 8e3b38f0 90fe0c90 82717668 82703378 dxgmms1!VidSchiWaitForSchedulerEvents+0x1b1
90fe0d28 8e3d84b7 826ad788 82e513f1 826ad788 dxgmms1!VidSchiScheduleCommandToRun+0xaa
90fe0d3c 8e3d8573 826ad788 00000000 826b7848 dxgmms1!VidSchiRun_PriorityTable+0xf
90fe0d50 8302366d 826ad788 8b19e68a 00000000 dxgmms1!VidSchiWorkerThread+0x7f
90fe0d90 82ed50d9 8e3d84f4 826ad788 00000000 nt!PspSystemThreadStartup+0x9e
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 nt!KiThreadStartup+0x19


STACK_COMMAND:  .bugcheck ; kb

FOLLOWUP_IP: 
nvlddmkm+c260
8da4b260 55              push    ebp

SYMBOL_NAME:  nvlddmkm+c260

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: nvlddmkm

IMAGE_NAME:  nvlddmkm.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  49fa9243

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  0x116_IMAGE_nvlddmkm.sys

BUCKET_ID:  0x116_IMAGE_nvlddmkm.sys

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

0: kd> lmvm nvlddmkm
start    end        module name
8da3f000 8e3a3ca0   nvlddmkm T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys
    Image name: nvlddmkm.sys
    Timestamp:        [COLOR="Blue"]Fri May 01 12:10:11 2009 [/COLOR](49FA9243)
    CheckSum:         009678C0
    ImageSize:        00964CA0
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Please upload all files next time you get a BSOD.

 

[kobane]

Hello, koolkat77, thank you for replying.

I read read the link you provided me with the info on the Stopx116 problem but I didn't understand exactly what should I do.

As for the last thing you mentioned about the files, which files should I upload? Is there any way to get them besides waiting until another BSoD? I ask this last question because, when the laptop displays the "double screen and the lines", it never crashes down and, instead, works normally, only with thos things and a very low resolution. When the screen looks normal, it usually crashes down (it sometimes doesn't) but hardly ever lets me see the BSoD since the screen turns black or blue but I can't read anything on it. That, or it just freezes and a lot of green lines show up all along the screen. That's why it took me so long to notice it was an issue with the nvlddmkm thing.

 

[koolkat77]

Update your video card driver first:

• Download NVIDIA Forceware 306.23 WHQL Vista - FileHippo.com

For a clean installation of the drivers follow:

Sometimes drivers remain, not completely uninstalled. Follow this tutorial for complete removal of drivers of the particular program:

• How to Clean Left Over Driver Files with Driver Sweeper

If playing with video driver versions hasn't helped, make sure the box is not overheating. Try removing a side panel and aiming a big mains fan straight at the motherboard and GPU. Run it like that for a few hours or days - long enough to ascertain whether cooler temperatures make a difference. If so, it might be as simple as dust buildup and subsequently inadequate cooling." - H2SO4If all that doesn't work, then I'd have to suggest trying a new video card.

A Microsoft article about fixing Video TDR timeout (STOP 0x117) here: "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error in Windows 7 or Windows Vista

 

[kobane]

I've installed the Driver Sweeper successfully. About the driver, will that one work properly? It says it's for Vista and XP but my OS is Windows 7 :/

 

[koolkat77]

Woops, a very bad mistake from my part.

You should get the NVIDIA drivers, not ATI:

Please use this link: Download NVIDIA Forceware 306.23 WHQL Vista - FileHippo.com

 

[kobane]

It's okay ^^ I wasn't able to do much lately so I hadn't tried with the ATI. I did the first part (Uninstalling the drivers from Control Panel and Cleaning everything with the DriverSweeper program). The thing is that I downloaded the file you told me, the last one, and tried installing it but it says something like:

"NVIDIA installer cannot continue.
This graphic controller/driver couldn't find compatible graphic hardware." (I'm sorry if the translation isn't accurate, the original message it displays is written in Spanish ^^; )

What should I do? Or what other driver should I download?

 

[koolkat77]

You might find it in the dell website / your laptop's manufacture website.
I'm not finding an appropriate link.

 

[kobane]

Should I search for an especific driver there? or any for this model will work?

 

[koolkat77]

NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Automatically Detect NVIDIA Products

 

[kobane]

I used the link you provided me. The NVIDIA detect suggested the most recent driver and I downloaded and installed it with no problem but the issue remains and the temperatures on the laptop are higher than before (not sure if that's because of the driver). Before installing it, after cleaning the laptop with the DriverSweeper program, the laptop was working "normally" but with a 880x600 resolution instead of the 1024 one. It didn't give much problem and the lines appeared only a couple of times but nothing serious as far as I could see.

What do you think the problem might be?

 

[koolkat77]

Heat?

Can you open the laptop and clear dust?

 

[kobane]

I can try but I don't know much about it and I'm afraid I might screw it ^^; I've tried cleaning it before with a can of air but that didn't seem to work, unless I really have to open the laptop and clean inside. The temperatures went back to normal today so...I don't know if the issue it's caused by heat.

Just wondering about the drivers, what's the best in this case? To download the latest version? or download an earlier/older version? I've read that these issues are caused by some incompatibilities between the newer drivers and older GPUs.

What should I do now? :/

 

[koolkat77]

Just wondering about the drivers, what's the best in this case? To download the latest version? or download an earlier/older version? I've read that these issues are caused by some incompatibilities between the newer drivers and older GPUs.

You can do that.

 

[kobane]

Sorry for the delay again. I0ve been trying with different versions but none of them seem to worl

 

[Arc]

Is the computer hot? Report us the heat of the computer after a couple of hours of your normal usage. Upload a screenshot of the summery tab of Speccy.

And, if it is crashing irrespective of the drivers version, it might be the problem if the GPU itself. How old the laptop is? Is it still under warranty?

 

[Anak]

I can try but I don't know much about it and I'm afraid I might screw it ^^; I've tried cleaning it before with a can of air but that didn't seem to work, unless I really have to open the laptop and clean inside. The temperatures went back to normal today so...I don't know if the issue it's caused by heat.

Go to Manuals/Documentation tab for Service Manual:
Product Support for Inspiron 1420 | Dell US

You'll be fine, make sure you read the first few pages of the service manual, it will tell you about tools and precautions.
Direct Link to pdf Service Manual.

Better Visual steps for removal of back panel:
How to disassemble Dell Inspiron 1420 or Vostro 1400 laptop >> Inside my laptop

 

[gregrocker]

What's important is to blow the dust out and not into the laptop. So as soon as you can access the fan try it to see if it's sufficient.

If not and high temps persist it may require repasting the processor, which is a major operation that I would not undertake except as a last resort: How to apply thermal grease on laptop processor >> Inside my laptop

Meanwhile is this the original factory preinstall with all the bloatware, or have you already done the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to shed the crapware that throttles Win7 native performance.

I would at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware with an emphasis on establishing a Clean Boot so that none of the bloatware is running, including the Nvidia services which are not needed at all - just the driver delivered by Windows Update.

 

[Pauly]

When you click the shutdown button does the screen return to normal for a brief second or two before powering off or is it scrambled all the way ?

 

[kobane]

Is the computer hot? Report us the heat of the computer after a couple of hours of your normal usage. Upload a screenshot of the summery tab of Speccy.

And, if it is crashing irrespective of the drivers version, it might be the problem if the GPU itself. How old the laptop is? Is it still under warranty?

Here's the screenshot I took of Speccy after an hour and half/almost 2 hours of use. I hope the image it's clear since the screen is currently having the "double screen and lines" issue, and the resolution it's really low while it is like that.


It doesn't have warranty. We got it about like 2 years ago but it was already used by then.

Meanwhile is this the original factory preinstall with all the bloatware, or have you already done the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to shed the crapware that throttles Win7 native performance.

I would at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware with an emphasis on establishing a Clean Boot so that none of the bloatware is running, including the Nvidia services which are not needed at all - just the driver delivered by Windows Update.

I haven't tried any of those. Would you recommend doing it in this case? Would I lose my info or something? (just to know if I might need to make any sort of backups or something)

When you click the shutdown button does the screen return to normal for a brief second or two before powering off or is it scrambled all the way ?

No. When the laptop displays the issue with the double screen and the lines, it does it from the very first moment it displays the DELL screen until the last second the laptop is on. Sometimes the lines dissappear but it hardly ever does that. The rest remains the same unless it decides to run normally from the begin (although, when it does that, most of time, it crashes down). When it runs normally but it's in safe mode, sometimes, the lines show up but it never crashes down in said mode.