Display Driver stopped responding and has successfully recovered

[DUAStacy]

Right for a while i've been suffering from a problem where whilst playing certain PC games (i.e. Empire Total War, Battlefield Bad Company 2 & even Spore) the game begins showing black screens followed by a complete crash of the game, me having to ctrl+alt+delete it and be given this message at the bottom right of my PC ("Display Driver nvidia Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 301.42 stopped responding and has successfully recovered").

I've been to many forums to look for a way to remedy this problem to no avail. Then I thought HANG ON! this isn't my fault it's Nvidia's, It's been like this since I got the computer.

I've e-mailed them and the responses I get will be featured on here to help all of you who are also having this problem, I just wish this forum stays open to give anyone at any time the answer to this problem.

 

[DUAStacy]

The Message I sent them

Here is the message I sent to Nvidia.

When playing certain Video Games (i.e.) Spore, Empire Total War, Battlefield Bad Company 2, The game randomly display black screens before shutting off completley and displaying this message at the bottom of my screen "Display Driver nvidia Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 301.42 stopped responding and has successfully recovered"

I have tried downgrading to a younger Driver Version, Placing all Settings under graphics within the game to Low or Lowest, Emphasize my Graphics card usage through the Nvidia control panel to Performance, Patching the games listed, reinstalling the games listed, Updating all hardware in the computer to the newest versions (including Bios). And I am still experiencing this problem.

I am close to returning the computer back to the store but would like some advice on fixing this problem and hopefully avoiding that. Can you help?

Thankyou
Adam (Stacy) Winson.

---

Followed by a DxDiag report

 

[DUAStacy]

My First Reply

I have received my first reply from them, here it is.

Response Via Email (Rajath)09/04/2012 05:21 PM Hello Adam,

Thank you for contacting NVIDIA Customer Care.

This is Rajath, assisting you with the issue that you are experiencing.

I understand from your email that you are experiencing issues with display drivers and getting an error stating "Display Driver nvidia Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 301.42 stopped responding and has successfully recovered"

There are several factors that can contribute to system instability. Since the graphic card is always drawing to your screen, Windows will often report the graphics card or its drivers as the problematic device after a system error. In most cases, the problem is caused by another device or component in your system such as the motherboard, system memory, power supply or hard drive.

1. Corrupted drivers
2. Issue could due to the OS Or, issue could be due to the other hardware components like motherboard, processor or system memory.
3. Application specific issue.
4. Defective graphics card.

Bad system memory or CPU can cause the error as well. So I would recommend you to please try the memory test and CPU test first.

Incompatible system memory or bad system memory can also lead to system instability. Please verify that your system memory has been tested and is compatible with your motherboard make and model. There are 3rd party utilities which allow you to test the integrity of your system memory. One such program is Memtest86 which is available as a free download from the following URL:

Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

Just as important is your CPU. If it is malfunctioning, it will cause system instability. There are 3rd party utilities to test your CPU. One such utility is Prime95 which features a burn in test which reports to you any errors generated by the CPU. This utility may be downloaded from:

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

Therefore, to analyze the issue better and to determine the cause for the problem, I will need additional information:

1. Have you made any changes to the Operating system?
2. Have you tried installing different drivers for troubleshooting purpose?

I will look forward to your reply to assist you better.

Best regards,
Rajath
NVIDIA Customer Care
___

I will do the above and report back my findings after sending them the second E-mail.

 

[OCIR]

I had the same thing happen to me. i am using the 297 driver now with no prob,

if i ever tryed to update the driver to 3xx.xx the same thing would happen . I did follow the guide here for updating the nvidia drivers,, so for me it was finding a driver that worked, ps i do have hope for the new one comming soon.

 

[Layback Bear]

Because my card was a MSI O/C (see my specs) I'm using the one they suggested. Have not had a problems sense. 258.96
I never could get the 301.42 or the 295.73 to work.

 

[archer]

Right for a while i've been suffering from a problem where whilst playing certain PC games (i.e. Empire Total War, Battlefield Bad Company 2 & even Spore) the game begins showing black screens followed by a complete crash of the game, me having to ctrl+alt+delete it and be given this message at the bottom right of my PC ("Display Driver nvidia Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 301.42 stopped responding and has successfully recovered").

I've been to many forums to look for a way to remedy this problem to no avail. Then I thought HANG ON! this isn't my fault it's Nvidia's, It's been like this since I got the computer.

I've e-mailed them and the responses I get will be featured on here to help all of you who are also having this problem, I just wish this forum stays open to give anyone at any time the answer to this problem.

The error you are getting can be the issue with the drivers or some faulty hardware. I will suggest you to run memtest and check for any errors in the memory. Also, try running the PC with single channel memory (single RAM stick). Let us know.

 

[Victorjensen]

i have the excact same problem when i try to download gw2, only that when my power supply isnt plugged in nothing is wrong, but as soon as i plug it in, at the excact same moment this problem occurs..anyone who can help?

 

[Layback Bear]

Victor you would have a better response to your needs if you would start your own thread. State your problem and members will help you.

 

[Victorjensen]

well i did start my own thread, but there has been no answers..

 

[Mintos45]

This problem has been happening with eveyrone for a long time....
This is what I did:
When windows boots, repeatedly press F12 until the boot option menu appears and select PSA+ (PreBoot assessment)
Wait for the menu to load, DO NOT PRESS ANTYHING.
When menu shows, select Express Scan.
Wait for Express Scan to finish.
If any error codes (Example: Error Code – 0F00:133C Message Disk – No suitable disk media is present) appear, record them and continue the test, DO NOT RETRY.

Next

Reboot the computer, repeatedly press F8 to access Advanced Boot Options. Select Safe Mode.
When Safe Mode has loaded, Start > QuickSearch “Device Manager” or Start > Control Panel > View by: Large Icons > Device Manager.
On Device Manager - Display Adapters > [select onboard GPU](This should be something like "NVIDIA GTX 580" or "AMD RADEON 6850") – right click > Uninstall. Do not select the option Delete the driver software for this device.
Uninstall the GPU, and reboot the computer normally.
On Windows, wait for the card to reinstall. When the card is reinstalled, you should receive the message “Device [GPU Name] has been successfully installed ”. When this notification appears, close it and install the new 301.42 driver.
Reboot the computer ONCE MORE and the problem should be fixed.

 

[DUAStacy]

Hi guys thanks for all your advice and none of it works just played Crysis Warhead - same problem.
Here's the message i gave to Nvidia once more

Hey Rajath,

Tired both with no problems both saying all tests past.

Other than updates there are no changes in the OS

I have installed different Nvidia drivers to troubleshoot those being 301.42, 296.10 & 270.61 with no evail same problem, This problem has also occured in Crysis, Crysis Warhead & Crysis wars

Any ideas?

Thankyou
Adam C,J Winson

 

[DUAStacy]

A Reply From Him

Hello Adam,

Thank you for the update.

For troubleshooting purpose please visit the link below to download the driver version:

NVIDIA DRIVERS 304.79BETA

Here are the simple steps to help you install the driver; please follow them for better result.

1. Click on the link provided above.
2. Click on “Download”. On the next page click “agree and download”.
3. Save this file to Desktop so that it can easily be located.
4. After the download has finished, install the file using custom installation.
5. Tick mark “perform clean install” and go ahead with the installation process.
6. Restart the computer after finishing the installation.

You may also visit the link below for the assistance in the installation steps:

Guide on how to install the NVIDIA Display Driver under Windows 7/Windows Vista

Please try the above steps & update us the status of the issue.

Best regards,
Rajath
NVIDIA Customer Care

 

[Mintos45]

Use this:

Reboot the computer, repeatedly press F8 to access Advanced Boot Options. Select Safe Mode.
When Safe Mode has loaded, Start > QuickSearch “Device Manager” or Start > Control Panel > View by: Large Icons > Device Manager.
On Device Manager - Display Adapters > [select onboard GPU](This should be something like "NVIDIA GTX 580" or "AMD RADEON 6850") – right click > Uninstall. Do not select the option Delete the driver software for this device.
Uninstall the GPU, and reboot the computer normally.
On Windows, wait for the card to reinstall. When the card is reinstalled, you should receive the message “Device [GPU Name] has been successfully installed ”. When this notification appears, close it and install the new 301.42 driver.
Reboot the computer ONCE MORE and the problem should be fixed.

to install the drivers...
or just get a replacement.

 

[DanRex]

I'm getting this error "Display driver has stopped working and was recovered" too...
My computer has been running fine, but now, suddenly, I've started getting this error. You can get the system specs from my profile. I'm also having the GTX 580...

 

[Mintos45]

Yup. Try uninstalling it/doing all the suggestions on the last page, or download the beta drivers

 

[DanRex]

Okay, I'll try by downloading beta drivers first. If they don't help, I'll try the uninstalling.

 

[Mintos45]

You uninstall the card and then reinstall new drivers

 

[DanRex]

Haha, yes. My mistake.

 

[Mintos45]

Have fun

 

[DanRex]

Uh... Just one question before I do this. Is this safe? (uninstalling graphics card) 100% safe? Since I don't want to damage my computer and/or it's hardware.