Drivers Problem and BSOD

Also posted this in hardware section before this, cuz i thought it was something with the graphics card itself -------> http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=165330

Ok... i first started having this problem while playing games...Like WoW, Lotr2, WC3, Stuff like that...I would get wierd distortions on the screen, and the computer would crash, but for the past couple weeks, the computer doesnt just crash...It just stops and go to the BSOD alot (see Link above for some of the things that have come up on it) I just installed the newest drivers for my Nvidia GEforce 7600 GT card, and now im getting even more BSOD then i did before..I really need help, like im seriously about to D/c my computer and throw it out the window. If its possible, id like a guide to uninstall my graphics card in my computer right now, and install my onboard one on my computer (which is like a GE force 4 MX i think)

Now i have EVEREST...but my Motherboard Model number and stuff arent there? They use to be, cuz ive used everest before, now there not, idk if im looking in the wrong place, but im at Motherboard--->Mother board, lt lists motherboard ID, Motherboard Name, stuff like that, If you need any more info, let me know, Ill be GLAD to help out, cuz i really just want this stuff done with...-.-

 

Go ahead and attach an Everest Report.

Check: Device Manager for bad drivers.
For XP: Go to Start>Control Panel> System. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager, then click the plus sign in front of Sound, Video, Game Controllers.
For Vista: Go to Start>Control Panel>Device Manager
In Device Manager, if there is a ? in front of your audio device, that means no audio driver is installed.
A ! means driver installation attempted but with problems.

Are there any bad ones? What are they?

I saw in your other thread that you were advised to run a memory test. Did your memory pass?

 

This is what i posted in that thread, 2 things failed on it. Also..While i was doing the Report for everest, It kept freezing on the "Benchmark" parts, All the memory things, It would freeze for like 5 sec then let go and it took about 15 sec for each to complete, idk if thats normal thanks for your help, appreciate it! D Oh, and on device manager, there were no "bad drivers" however, all the messages im getting from the bsod leads to bad hardware or a driver problem...and ive already tried taking out my graphics card...Think it could be a ram stick? I installed one a little after i installed my Graphics card...

Ok, did the Memory Diagnostics, and..The first time i ran it, Wmats+ failed, with about 70,000 results, and Erand Failed with over 48,600,000 Results... Second time i ran it, Wmats+ passed, and Erand still failed...it did 2 different tests though, one out of 11 and the other out of 6, the one out of 6, everything passed both times.

 

I didn't see anything I recognize as a problem. (I'm not really great with RAM and hardware though)
Start out with reinstalling your chipset driver. It seems to be OK, but it won't hurt to be sure.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=404643&os=228&lang=en

Did you update your Video card drivers? If not here is the newest one:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_177.41_whql.html

I did see this and don't know enough about video cards to know if it is the problem:

After you install both those drivers and if you still have a problem, I will direct another member here to take a look. She's great with RAM and I think she knows a bit about Video cards, too.

 

Ok...Ill try to do that..but before i do...Do i have to uninstall anything first for my chipset? Or can i just click the link and dl it and just RS my comp...Or do i need to be in safemode, Thanks, Just wanna make things clear Also, My windows OS is Windows Media Center...I dont know if i should do it, since it says Windows xp home and windows Pro...Thanks

 

Ok..well Im stupid, ye i do have windows xp..Lol...but when following the instructions, well it says 6. Click the + (plus) sign next to "Other Devices". Other devices isnt in the device manager...So i dont know what to do from there, and my graphic card should be better for now..I think my system is just unstable now, or i have bad ram, or bad drivers for something...and i really could use help with this..Because i cant do anything but go on the internet, even watchin something on windows media player somtimes crashes my computer... Also...i got 2 new different BSOD first one said MEMORY_MANAGEMENT second said PFN_LIST_CORRUPTED. I installed a security update because well..i googled the memory management one, and it had a solution...Idk if it worked, about to reinstall now..Anyways, thanks for helping out, hopefully we can get this fixed soon...=(

 

Yes, you can just install the chipset over the old. there shouldn't be a problem with that.

Step 6 in what instructions?

 

Ok, I see. The chipset should be self installing as it is a .exe file.
Try running it , then shut down and reboot. That should be all you need to do.

I'm going to PM my friend and have her take a look when she gets a chance.
I think this is a memory problem.

 

Hmmmm.... I posted a reply on this thread a few days ago, and it appears to have vanished. In that post, I said "I don't think this is a driver issue. It looks to me to be a RAM or possibly a hard drive issue, and possibly thermal or faulty power supply". I then went on to suggest running full diagnostics on the RAM and HD, and to check the system voltages and temperatures using HWmonitor or something similar (PCwizard, Everest, SpeedFan, etc). I don't know why my post didn't 'stick' or why it was possibly removed... anyway- here's some links:
HWmonitor http://www.majorgeeks.com/HWMonitor_d5842.html
PCwizard http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3846.html
Everest (you already have it I think)
SpeedFan http://www.majorgeeks.com/download337.html

EDIT- upon reading the other thread linked to in the first post, I also think that maybe the video card is failing, and/or maybe the motherboard is failing. Anyway- run all the tests above. If everything passes 100%, and all your temps and voltages are good and consistent, but you're still having issues, try running the PC in safe mode for awhile. If it doesn't crash, then it just might be a driver issue....

 

I'm going to have to agree with dlb here.... my guess would be that some part of your hardware is failing on you.

As BoldEagle suggested in your other thread, I'd strongly recommend testing the memory. You can download a very good testing utility here: Memtest86. If your RAM fails the memtest, contact the manufacturer and ask them about warranties. If the RAM passes the memtest, remove your graphics card and run your computer on the onboard graphics for a day or two. If your problems are significantly lessened when you do, then it's almost certain that your graphics card is the culprit.

If neither of the above helps, then you may need to replace your motherboard. However, I agree with musknipe and dlb, this is either a memory problem or a graphics card problem. In either case, replacing any of those two is significantly less of a hassle than replacing the motherboard, so let's hope that RAM or graphics card is what is on its last legs here.

One more thing: Your other thread says you got this error message: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA It also said you have 1.25GB of RAM installed. What is the size of your paging file? On your computer it should be 1920MB - 3840MB. If your paging file is too small, it will lead to random crashes, random BSOD's and that specific error message. Please check the paging file size. In XP, you can find it by going to System Properties (Windows Key + Pause Break) -> Advanced -> Performance -> Advanced -> Virtual Memory

 

Thanks guys, ye i just figured out it was a RAM stick last night, ive been getting help also from customer service at Nvidia, here is what i actually just posted

"Hello again,Thanks for your help, but i do not believe it is the graphics card that was causing the BSOD...Last night i was experimenting with the ram cards and i took out the 1gig and the other 256 and left just one 256 in the computer and it ran fine, it ran, but very slowly..Heh, Whenever my 1 gig is in the computer though, that seems to crash the computer, whether its by its self or with a 256 card, I originally had 512mb of ram, when i upgraded it, it ran fine, occasional lock ups, but no bsod, this would be fine and all, cuz i could just leave the 1 gig out, but, when i try to put in my other 256 card, for a total of 512 in my system, the computer wont even start, the LAD light is blinking constantly, but the light around the HP button isnt on and the monitor shows nothing. Ive identified which 256 could run the computer by itself, and which one doesnt work, but i dont think the 256 card is defective because it use to work fine, its just the computer does not show a response and wont turn on...could there be an interference with the graphics card or something? and even with my working 256 card, i still get white triangles appearing randomly in my game, Thanks for your help!"

And my computer did not pass Memtest, as recommended by Nvidia customer care, it either goes to the 2nd or 3rd test and it gets interupted, and dlb, u posted that in my other thread, in the hardware section, u just never responded after that ;p

 

Says its Initial size is 2000 and my maximum size is 4064