Solved Vid driver fails to initialize (0x0..B4) after updates

[mnemonicmonkey]

Rebooted my computer the other day and let 15 windows updates install as I was headed to bed. Next morning, I get a boot loop. I stopped the reboot and got a "Video Driver failed to initialize" BSOD. Error is 0x000000B4 (0xFFFFFA8007698010, 0xFFFFFA800769A000, 0xFFFFFA800769D000, 0x0000000000000003).

Last known good config and safe mode both hang at classpnp.sys then reboot. I tried running repair multiple times, unplugging all usb devices (except mouse- don't have a ps2 anymore), to no avail.

This install was a fresh install of W7 Ultimate x64 I bought from school (Volume Lic agreement, not retail) on a system I built two years ago (specs in profile). I have a restore image from shortly after install that I could revert to, but would probably be better off with a fresh install. However, I'd like to avoid that for time and configuration reasons. If it is a driver problem, is there a way to reinstall from the command line? I'm pretty sure I have some recent drivers already downloaded.

I realize this could just be a coincidence and my video card is bad now, but I can't believe the updates didn't goof something up. You would think I could still boot in safe mode though...

Also, the posting instructions don't specify if your tool works (or would be useful) from the command line. Is it?

 

[mnemonicmonkey]

Update: I ran the repair utility again, and got into the details and noted everything passed except for:

Root Cause Found:
Unspecified changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.
Repair action: System files integrity check and repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0xa

In two other places is says it couldn't find the root cause of the problem.

I ran sfc /scannow and it said other repairs were pending and to reboot and run again. I did, and it said the same thing.

Aside from copying classpnp.sys from the wife's laptop, any other ideas to try?

 

[mnemonicmonkey]

I just Googled my own thread. This is not good...

I got the drive imaged, so I can at least restore it if it does turn out to be hardware. Trying to figure out how to roll back updates from the command line now.

 

[seth500]

Hi mnemonic, you don't have a way of doing a system restore from booting from the installation dvd. If you had system restore turned on then you should be able to plop your install dvd in and repair your computer then select system restore from the menu...

 

[mnemonicmonkey]

Yes, system restore was turned off to save disk space on the SSD. I was trying to figure out how to "uninstall" the individual updates using wusa rather than using a restore point as seen here. However, it doesn't seem to work from the boot environment.

 

[mnemonicmonkey]

Reinstalled Windows, problem solved. Runs faster, and I now have a nice fresh image in case more problems arise. Also haven't turned off restore points... yet. Might get a copy of shadow protect.