Nvidia driver failures.

[saggs]

I've been plagued by short total freeze ups on this system since I built it.  Where everything, video, sound, keyboard, mouse will freeze up for 5-10 seconds then return to normal.  About every third or forth time this happens the whole screen will blackout for half a second at the end of the freeze up and come back with the message.  

"Display NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, version 197.45 stopped responding and has successfully recovered"

Problem started in Vista and has continued since I got 7.

I just updated to 197.45 last week to see if that would help, and the problem has actually now become more frequent.  It really sucks in the middle of a low dogfight to have everything freeze for 10 seconds, and come back to "you have crashed"

This is not strictly an AH problem it happens in any program, but perhaps more often in AH, or maybe that's just my perception I haven't actually logged them.

DXdiag:

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/15/2010, 22:41:04
       Machine name: KIRK-PC
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100226-1909)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
       System Model: EP45-UD3P
               BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q8200  @ 2.33GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
             Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6142MB RAM
          Page File: 1332MB used, 10950MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS  
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E4&SUBSYS_82BC1043&REV_A1
     Display Memory: 3310 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 495 MB
      Shared Memory: 2815 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: X233H
         Monitor Id: ACR009A
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0011.9713 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.17.11.9713
        DDI Version: 10
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 3/16/2010 00:51:59, 11906152 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-45A4-11CF-0256-B7A21FC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x10DE
          Device ID: 0x06E4
          SubSys ID: 0x82BC1043-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_1458A102&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5780 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 1/20/2009 00:12:54, 1699744 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_1458A102&REV_1001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5780 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 1/20/2009 00:12:54, 1699744 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Microphone (Realtek High Definition Audio)
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5780 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 1/20/2009 00:12:54, 1699744 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

            Description: Realtek Digital Input (Realtek High Definition Audio)
  Default Sound Capture: No
  Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5780 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 1/20/2009 00:12:54, 1699744 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Logitech Extreme 3D
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC215
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x3A35
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 7/13/2009 18:07:09, 343040 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 7/13/2009 18:06:23, 7936 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 7/13/2009 17:19:57, 105472 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:04, 50768 bytes
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 7/13/2009 18:00:20, 33280 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:04, 50768 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 7/13/2009 17:19:57, 105472 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:04, 50768 bytes
|
+ PS/2 Compatible Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 7/13/2009 17:19:57, 105472 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:27, 49216 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 7/13/2009 18:00:20, 31232 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:27, 49216 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 7/13/2009 19:45:55, 62544 bytes
| Driver: sermouse.sys, 7/13/2009 18:00:20, 26624 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 7/13/2009 19:48:27, 49216 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 112.6 GB
Total Space: 152.6 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: WDC WD1600AAJB-00PVA0 ATA Device

      Drive: E:
 Free Space: 419.9 GB
Total Space: 476.9 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: GRAID  SCSI Disk Device

      Drive: F:
      Model: WHEHSX K52VWXIBSL SCSI CdRom Device
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7600.16385 (English), 7/13/2009 17:19:54, 147456 bytes

      Drive: D:
      Model: HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H54N ATA Device
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7600.16385 (English), 7/13/2009 17:19:54, 147456 bytes

[Chalenge]

I think this is due to a refresh rate set in the Nvidia settings that is not actually supported by your monitor but looking at your dxdiag it looks like thats not the case. So I suspect its probably due to onboard sound which is never a good thing.

EDIT: How old is your PSU?

[Chilli]

I am no tech (goes without saying  ) but I have Nvidia card and onboard sound.  Important for me to turn Vertical Sync OFF.

I get stutters associated with any keyboard keystrokes, and clipboard manipulation if I turn the V sync on.  If yours is on maybe try it off and see if this helps.  In the meantime, drop hints for b'day gift: sound card like me 

[Skuzzy]

The 8400GS is a pretty low end card.  It is also an older card.  Maybe try an earlier driver.

[gyrene81]

Not absolutely positive but I experienced similar issues at one point and it ended up being related to the sound card hardware acceleration and conflicts between the video and sound card drivers. If that sound card driver you're using is from Realtek you might want to try removing it and using the Win7 built in driver...and drop the hardware acceleration down 1 or 2 notches. If you're using custom sounds, get rid of them.

And absolutely do what Skuzzy recommended.

[saggs]

Thanks:

PSU is a 1 year old Rosewill 450W.  I got it on a big sale, afterwards I started thinking maybe it doesn't put out enough.  Could this problem be caused by an insufficient wattage?  Its powering a full size mobo, 4 core processer, 4 sticks of RAM, DVD-RW, 3 x 7,200 rpms HDDs, the 8400 vid card and 3 x 120mm fans.  I plug this all in Neweggs PSU calculator and it recommends 421 watts.  So my PSU is definitely borderline.  Thinking of stepping up to a 650W unit.  I do have Speedfan which monitors voltage, is there a way to look for problems with that?   Electricity is like magic to me, I don't understand it at all.

Vertical Sync is on, always has been.

I don't know anything about onboard sound messing up video, is there any way to check for that?  A sound card seems pointless to me, the onboard sound works fine.

Will try an older driver for this card.  I would like to upgrade from this card anyway (with new PSU too of course).  I'm just wondering if this is related to something other then the card, because I don't wanna upgrade and still find myself stuck with this issue.

EDIT: Vsync is on, I had it backwards in my head.

[gyrene81]

A Rosewill 450 on a quad core mobo with all that other stuff hooked up?  My P-4 has a 450 in it and that was just above minimal for it.

Start with replacing that PSU...no less than the specs on this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153082


For your sound card settings, I remember Skuzzy saying something previously about Win7 not using hardware acceleration or something along those lines...so I stand corrected on that..

However you can look under control panel > hardware and software > sound > manage audio devices

Find the audio card and go to properties...under the advanced tab make sure you have both boxes checked under exclusive mode.

[chewiex]

I'm running same vid card and I use the 196.21 drivers for it. No issues yet, maybe try to drop down to that version and see what happens. On a side note, I thought V sync was supposed to be ON or you get the "rubber bullets".....Skuzzy? 

[saggs]

I'm running same vid card and I use the 196.21 drivers for it. No issues yet, maybe try to drop down to that version and see what happens. On a side note, I thought V sync was supposed to be ON or you get the "rubber bullets".....Skuzzy? 

Correction, I thought it was off because the box was unchecked, box says disable vsync.  So yes I have vsync on.  I'll try those older drivers.

A Rosewill 450 on a quad core mobo with all that other stuff hooked up?  WHOA! My P-4 has a 450 in it and that was just above minimal for it.

Start with replacing that PSU...no less than the specs on this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153082

See this is why electricity is magic to me.  The Newegg calculator says 421W so I think "Eeh, I'm borderline".  I just googled and found this one http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine which seems a lot more detailed and it says I only need 281W, so I think "Whew, I've got plenty".  Then gyrene81 says I don't have near enough and need 700W so I think "Crap, I'm wrecking my system."

I'M SO CONFUSED!!   

[gyrene81]

LOL...I used to be that way myself...you have to look at the 12v legs...not total wattage available. I use the Thermaltake PSU calculator and take whatever it shows as the bare minimum just to sit idle...not including the startup requirements. For your system it calculates 417w and that would be bare minimum...but then, it doesn't take into account that you may not be putting enough amps out on the 12v rail...and does that PSU rate at least 80% efficiency...etc...etc...etc. ..

Believe me, if you're planning on putting a better video card in that system...that PSU link I posted is the minimum...look at the AMP output on the 12v rails...then go look at the requirements for a 250GT, 260GT or 290GT...I found out the hard way.

[Chalenge]

Your Rosewill is a 16A PSU and your 8400 GS can hit 18A so guess what? I would suggest going overboard on the PSU if you plan on upgrading your GPU later but really you should do both now.

[saggs]

OK, so I'm gathering that this is most likely a weak PS issue then.  IE When I push my PC a bit the PSU can't handle it and the first thing that crashes is the vid card.

It makes sense to me because I've also found the freeze ups to be more common when I'm doing serious pixel mangling in Photoshop.  Which doesn't take much from the vid card, but will pretty much max out the processors.  So perhaps in that case the processor is using the power that the vid card needs just to idle.  And in AH where the vid card is maxxed out it is just starving for power.  Again I have very little understanding of electricity, but in my simpleton mind this makes sense.  Anybody disagree?


Guess that's what I get for picking up a bargain bin PSU. 

[Chilli]

I'm running same vid card and I use the 196.21 drivers for it. No issues yet, maybe try to drop down to that version and see what happens. On a side note, I thought V sync was supposed to be ON or you get the "rubber bullets".....Skuzzy? 

Well, I don't know if the trade off for others is worth it, but with my low end stuff and onboard sound, the game becomes a slide show at the very lowest settings if I don't disable it.  I can play with it on, but as soon as I look at the clipboard or hit any key on my keyboard, stutters / slide show begins.  Put the clipboard away and hide my keyboard from .... itchy fingers and back to almost normal.  Then only occasional stutters, like the machine is refreshing or something periodically.  On top of that, no noticeble difference for me on hits.  The only difference on hits, that I ever experience is when I turn the graphic detail sliders to the left even the slightest,    and if I forget and leave it in Ground Vis Mode.  I will waste a whole box of ammo, see hit sprites and barely do any damage to enemy.  So, I believe that Skuzzy, has it right for most machines, I just never seem to be able to do anything normal. 

Saggs,

Before you throw it all away just yet.  Try and disable  VSync, turn your graphic sliders to the right for performance, turn antialias to none.  Do this just for testing...... Let us know if you still see problems.  I am not disagreeing with the others here, just saying that you might be able to dial back the demands on your system and achieve a more playable alternative until you upgrade or whatever.

[chewiex]

Saggs, I don't think its a "bargain bin" PSU thats the problem. Its the fact the PSU is undersized is all. Like puttin a V6 in a truck and try to pull 4 tons of crap vs. a V8 in the same truck and pullin the same 4 tons of crap. They both get it done, but the V6 is overworked and under powered to be efficient. If your runnin a 450w PSU, dump it and get a good 650w. I got mine from Best Buy a few bucks more than I would have online. Think I paid like $100 for a Corsair TX650W. Got plenty of amps on the 12v rail to handle any upgrade I can afford to do. Its worth the money to go with a little "overkill" if you will, on the power side of your machine. I'm sure many would agree.


  Chili, man you gots some issues with your machine bro.    I thought mine was bottom of the sump, but, sheesh!

[Chalenge]

Of course I dont skimp on the PSU myself. Silent clean and efficient PSUs are certainly the best way to go! 

I use two of these in my current system and it is a very quiet system even with eight case fans and two video cards etc.