Solved Driver Power State Failure, ntoskrnl.exe?

[Palladion]

I apologize in advance if this is a duplicate thread to a problem already solved previously.

Two months ago, I purchased this laptop (Alienware M17x R3) and was met with strange problems some time after owning it. An error code for memory failure, refusal to boot, BSOD with the error of DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED. Not sure what to do, I didn't do much of anything, except check my RAM chips for contact damage, and a swapping of positions was performed. So far, those particular error messages have not happened again, except for a DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE. These happen seemingly at random, but occur more frequently when the computer is under graphics stress, such as in a Starcraft 2 match.

I have, per the posting suggestions, attached relevant files.

Thanks.

 

[koolkat77]

Welcome to SevenForums.

Here's an output of your recent BSOD dump file:

*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 9F, {3, fffffa800e3c6a10, fffff80000b9c3d8, fffffa800ed0fe10}

Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for [COLOR="blue"]nvlddmkm.sys[/COLOR]
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for [COLOR="Blue"]nvlddmkm.sys[/COLOR]
Probably caused by : pci.sys

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

0: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE (9f)
A driver has failed to complete a power IRP within a specific time (usually 10 minutes).
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000003, A device object has been blocking an Irp for too long a time
Arg2: fffffa800e3c6a10, Physical Device Object of the stack
Arg3: fffff80000b9c3d8, nt!TRIAGE_9F_POWER on Win7, otherwise the Functional Device Object of the stack
Arg4: [COLOR="blue"]fffffa800ed0fe10, The blocked IRP[/COLOR]

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


DRVPOWERSTATE_SUBCODE:  3

IMAGE_NAME:  pci.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  4ce7928f

MODULE_NAME: pci

FAULTING_MODULE: fffff88000fad000 pci

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  WIN7_DRIVER_FAULT

BUGCHECK_STR:  0x9F

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  2

TAG_NOT_DEFINED_c000000f:  FFFFF80000BA2FB0

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff800`00b9c388 fffff800`031016d2 : 00000000`0000009f 00000000`00000003 fffffa80`0e3c6a10 fffff800`00b9c3d8 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff800`00b9c390 fffff800`030a1c3c : fffff800`00b9c4c0 fffff800`00b9c4c0 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000002 : nt! ?? ::FNODOBFM::`string'+0x33ac0
fffff800`00b9c430 fffff800`030a1ad6 : fffffa80`10cf9168 fffffa80`10cf9168 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KiProcessTimerDpcTable+0x6c
fffff800`00b9c4a0 fffff800`030a19be : 00000014`236bd848 fffff800`00b9cb18 00000000`000875ca fffff800`0320dbc8 : nt!KiProcessExpiredTimerList+0xc6
fffff800`00b9caf0 fffff800`030a17a7 : 00000003`ebc4c1c3 00000003`000875ca 00000003`ebc4c114 00000000`000000ca : nt!KiTimerExpiration+0x1be
fffff800`00b9cb90 fffff800`0308ecca : fffff800`03209e80 fffff800`03217cc0 00000000`00000002 fffff880`00000000 : nt!KiRetireDpcList+0x277
fffff800`00b9cc40 00000000`00000000 : fffff800`00b9d000 fffff800`00b97000 fffff800`00b9cc00 00000000`00000000 : nt!KiIdleLoop+0x5a


STACK_COMMAND:  kb

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x9F_3_ACPI_IMAGE_pci.sys

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x9F_3_ACPI_IMAGE_pci.sys

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

0: kd> [COLOR="blue"]!irp fffffa800ed0fe10[/COLOR]
Irp is active with 4 stacks 2 is current (= 0xfffffa800ed0ff28)
 No Mdl: No System Buffer: Thread 00000000:  Irp stack trace.  
     cmd  flg cl Device   File     Completion-Context
 [  0, 0]   0  0 00000000 00000000 00000000-00000000    

			Args: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
>[ 16, 2]   0 e1 fffffa800e3bb9d0 00000000 fffff8800f29b778-fffffa8010bb4850 Success Error Cancel pending
	       \Driver\ACPI	nvlddmkm
			Args: 00000000 00000001 00000001 00000000
 [ 16, 2]   0 e1 fffffa800f651480 00000000 00000000-00000000    pending
	       \Driver\nvlddmkm
			Args: 00000000 00000001 00000001 00000000
 [  0, 0]   0  0 00000000 00000000 00000000-fffffa80118963c0    

			Args: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
0: kd> lmvm nvlddmkm
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0f205000 fffff880`0fe75780   nvlddmkm T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys
    Image name:[COLOR="blue"] nvlddmkm.sys[/COLOR]
    Timestamp:        [COLOR="Blue"]Thu Mar 10 04:41:51 2011[/COLOR] (4D78022F)
    CheckSum:         00C7FA55
    ImageSize:        00C70780
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

It looks as if old Nvidia drivers are causing the BSOD, but from your msinfo file I see this:

Driver	c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys (8.17.12.6764, 12.45 MB (13,050,344 bytes), [COLOR="blue"]1/9/2013[/COLOR] 4:44 PM)

Driver version from 2013, which means latest drivers might have been installed?

Click on the Start rb: ► Control Panel ► Programs ► Uninstall a program ► Uninstall everything related to "NVIDIA" and reboot the system. Delete remnants of its drivers/older drivers using Driver Sweeper.

Tutorial here:

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...over-files-after-uninstalling.html#post726559​

Now install the drivers linked on this Nvidia link:

• NVIDIA DRIVERS 306.23WHQL

Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

Monitor your temps with Speccy during this test

• Speccy - System Information - Free Download

   Warning

Video Card Stress Test with Furmark can damage GPU if temperatures are not taken care of.

Video memory test (for 20 passes)

• |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download

Clean up some factory bloatware:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html

Also..what security app do you use? KIS? Norton? McAfee?

Microsoft Security Essentials.

Recommended from a strict BSOD perspective, compatibility & stability compared to other antiviruses/internet security software. It is free and lightweight:-

• Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
  • Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer
    • http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html
    • How to Scan Your Computer With Multiple Antivirus Programs - How-To Geek

   Warning

:ar: Do not start the free trial of Malware Bytes; remember to deselect that option when prompted.

Run a full scan with both (separately) once downloaded, installed and updated.

Perform a System File Check:

1. Click on the start rb:
2. Type CMD on Search
3. Left click and Run as Administrator
4. Type SFC /scannow

Full tutorial here:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Reduce items at start-up. Nothing except anti-virus is required plus improves the time for logging in windows.

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html
• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

Disk Check on your hard drive for file system errors and bad sectors on it:

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Let us know the results.

 

[Palladion]

I don't use an anti-virus or firewall, other than the one provided by Windows when I tread unknown grounds on the internet. Risky, perhaps, but I usually have a backup of the drive on a external hard drive, and perform a wipe and rewrite in the event that something catastrophic happens. It hasn't in a long time on my old machine, and with this new one, I haven't even gotten the settings to where I'd prefer them before making a backup.

*

I would just like to confirm that I'm being asked to remove the following...

Nvidia 3D Vision Driver 267.64
Nvidia Graphics Driver 267.64
Nvidia HD Audio Driver 1.2.18.0
Nvidia PhysX System Software 9.10.0514



To be replaced with the download link on this page...

NVIDIA DRIVERS 306.23WHQL

Also, theoretically all drivers were updated upon the installation of this operating system. Updates were applied after driver installation across the board. I only think that all drivers were installed on the word of the man I purchased this machine from.

 

[koolkat77]

Okay.
Let us know when you get a bsod.

 

[Palladion]

Had one last night, same flavor as the earlier ones. Just before the BSOD, computer performance seemed strange and slow. After the BSOD, videos would become glitchy and stutter every several seconds. I had not, at the time, yet uninstalled the nvidia drivers. I am doing so now.

 

[Palladion]

Now this is strange. The nvidia software I downloaded from the provided link is telling me it can't find nvidia hardware inside my laptop. I'm almost 100% sure there's a 460M in here.

 

[Arc]

Execute the SF diag tool for one more time please.

 

[Britton30]

Go to your laptop maker's support page and get the graphics driver from there. Many, most times, laptops have special brand/model specific drivers. If they have a driver detection feature, use that.

 

[Slartybart]

@Palladion: Please provide information in the system specs of your forum profile - use the easy system specs link in my signature below so you don't have to look for th informtion and type it in. Manually update the system mfgr with model information - click on the My System Specs link in any post to get an idea.

Please also provide either a System information report or PUBLISH a Speccy report (pasting the url in a new post on this thread).

Trying to solve a technical issue witout hard information is like talking to a mechanic and saying "I have this car.... it won't start". Lots of guesses can be made - dead battery, no fuel, no battery...

Thanks

Bill
.

 

[Palladion]

@Palladion: Please provide information in the system specs of your forum profile - use the easy system specs link in my signature below so you don't have to look for th informtion and type it in. Manually update the system mfgr with model information - click on the My System Specs link in any post to get an idea.

Please also provide either a System information report or PUBLISH a Speccy report (pasting the url in a new post on this thread).

Trying to solve a technical issue witout hard information is like talking to a mechanic and saying "I have this car.... it won't start". Lots of guesses can be made - dead battery, no fuel, no battery...

Thanks

Bill
.

I agree. Using the program you've recommended, here's a link to the snapshot.
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/unVZGew8oouMlWOucJfoxCj

Execute the SF diag tool for one more time please.

Done.

Go to your laptop maker's support page and get the graphics driver from there. Many, most times, laptops have special brand/model specific drivers. If they have a driver detection feature, use that.

I will look further into it. Thanks. I checked when I first got the computer, but I can always cross my fingers on the easy solution. Let's hope.

 

[Britton30]

Wrong way to do specs.
To better help us to help you would you please add your systems specs? Here's how:SystemInfo See Your System Specs Under System Manufacturer/Model Number add whether it is a desktop or laptop and whether self built. Very important

Log in to Seven Forums and you will be able to transfer the info directly to the specs page in your profile from within the System Info app.

After doing this your specs will be available in each of your posts.
Click on My system Specs in the lower left of this post to see how it should look.
Full instructions are in the tutorial.
It's better now.

 

[Arc]

As per the uploaded zip, the last crash is of 4th of this month, which suggests the display driver is the culprit; and that one is very old.

fffff880`0f2a8000 fffff880`0ff18780   nvlddmkm T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys
[COLOR=Red]    Image name: nvlddmkm.sys
    Timestamp:        Thu Mar 10 04:11:51 2011[/COLOR] (4D78022F)
    CheckSum:         00C7FA55
    ImageSize:        00C70780
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

Your display driver is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M; so you can install this driver hopefully. If not, follow the option two of Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers.

Let us know the results.

 

[Slartybart]

@Britton30: The "Easy System Specs" link in my sig points to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html#post1530002 so I'm not sure why you say it's the wrong way.

Perhaps, Palladion only posted the Speccy link when you commented, dunno. As of this comment, the system specs are there, so it's moot.

Although....... it does help a lot if members manually update their specs on their forum profile with specific model/type (my case: dv6 6c10us / laptop) - if the mfgr is the member, Home build / type of case. There are subtle differences between desktop and laptop software. Again using my machine as an example, AMD detect gives me AMD catalyst "mobile", although HP distributes the desktop version, so I'm not sure the subtle difference matters there. Other differences for drivers do make a difference, so knowing the details gets to a solution faster. When in doubt, I use the the mfgr drivers as a base and work up from there.

In the future, I'll highlight the use of the link in my sig so people don't miss it.

Wrong way to do specs.
To better help us to help you would you please add your systems specs? Here's how:System Info - See Your System Specs Under System Manufacturer/Model Number add whether it is a desktop or laptop and whether self built. Very important
.....

 

[Slartybart]

Nvidia 460M driver:
- NVIDIA DRIVERS 310.90WHQL

GeForce R310 Driver
Version: 310.90 WHQL
Release Date: 2013.01.05
Operating System: Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit
Language: English (U.S.)
File Size: 214 MB

This driver will install on the following GPUs. GeForce 400M series:
GTX 485M, GTX 480M, GTX 470M, GTX 460M , GT 445M, GT 435M, GT 425M, GT 420M, GT 415M, 410M

If you have difficulty installing the driver, try going to Device Manager and uninstall the device (removing software if propmted), then install the updated driver.

You can always get the base driver from Dell if you need to roll back.

 

[Britton30]

For nVIDIA graphics driver install have a look at this post by essenbe.
http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-...opped-responding-please-help.html#post2280013

 

[Arc]

OP's system specs, if you want.

• BaseBoardManufacturer = Alienware
• BaseBoardProduct = M17xR3
• Processor = Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz, 2001 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
• RAM = 16.0 GB
• GPU = NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M (
• Sound = IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
• HDD = SAMSUNG HM321HI, 320 GB.
• Net adapter = Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller, Killer Wireless-N 1103 Network Adapter
• Keyboard = Standard PS/2 Keyboard
• Mouse = Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad

I cannot comment about cooling etc.

 

[Palladion]

Yeah, not sure about the cooling. When I took the computer apart, I saw long, flat copper strips over some of the computer's components.

I have installed and replaced the nvidia drivers, and thanks everyone for all your help. I'll update you in a few days if it all goes well, or post immediately if I can see through my tears if a BSOD occurs.

Here's a final upload.

 

[Arc]

No new crashes. Apparently a good news.
Let us know how it goes

 

[Slartybart]

What enabled you to update the Nvidia drivers this time? Did you follow the excellent instructions in essenbe's post?

The first time you tried to update the driver, you reported:

Now this is strange. The nvidia software I downloaded from the provided link is telling me it can't find nvidia hardware inside my laptop. I'm almost 100% sure there's a 460M in here.

The how will help other members understand.

Thanks,

Bill
.

 

[Palladion]

What enabled you to update the Nvidia drivers this time? Did you follow the excellent instructions in essenbe's post?

The first time you tried to update the driver, you reported:

Now this is strange. The nvidia software I downloaded from the provided link is telling me it can't find nvidia hardware inside my laptop. I'm almost 100% sure there's a 460M in here.

The how will help other members understand.

Thanks,

Bill
.

I didn't know this post existed. Whatever caused the nvidia driver installer to not recognize the fact that there was a 460M either fixed itself, or this was the correct installer this time. I can't say for certain. Wish I could be of more help.

Also, BSOD. Computer was on its best behavior. Subsequent operations following the BSOD were very slow, sluggish, like it wasn't operating at 100%. Diag attached.

EDIT: I did notice that this particular driver installer replaced the previous versions it was trying to install, so in my instance, the issue of needing to go back and uninstall the previous drivers was nonexistent.