System restarts, driver error help

I have been having recent problems w/ my computer restarting randomly, stating upon restart "windows have recovered from a serious error" due to driver problems.
I had to do a full system restore about 3 weeks ago when I lost everything while trying to install a new monitor. So, since then, I have been having problems w/ trying to figure out which driver is the problem.
How do I go about doing this? I am pretty sure that my sound device driver should NOT be RealTek AC'97 but since I seem to have working sound I don't want to mess with it, unless that's the problem.

Here's my system information. Again, I pretty much have the basic drivers except for installation of my printer and new monitor.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Miles


OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name YOUR-XHTR8HVC4P
System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061
System Model DM168A-ABA A320N
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~2079 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 3.13, 8/13/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name YOUR-XHTR8HVC4P\Owner
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 127.82 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.03 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

Another idea of the issue...My display adaptor is Nvidia NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU. My current driver version is 9.1.3.1 dated 6/1/2006. I have a ViewSonic VA1912wb monitor and was told to update my driver in order to have my screen resolution be 1440 by 900. This is what led to all my problems..when updating the driver I ended up losing everything and having to do a full system restore.
When I go to windows update, it tries to have my update my Nvidia NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU but lists a driver dated 7/28/03.
Why is it doing this? Is this the cause of my problems, and if so what should I do?
Thanks for any help!
Miles

 

Okay lets go from the start firstly can you download and install EVEREST Home and print out a PC summary .txt report. In particular I want to know what motherboard you have and the "chipset" that is onboard. Second goto the motherboard manf. website and look there for "Driver Updates", DON"T goto MS for these sort of drivers. Next download DriverCleaner Pro and install. Once you are upto here I will provide the next steps to do the installation PROPERLY.

EVEREST:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

DriveCleaner Pro:

 

Ok..here's where I'm at...
Here's my report from Everest...

--------------------------------------------------------------
Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID Exp$103.013$08/13/2003-17:16:52$nFORCE
Motherboard Name Asus A7N8X-LA

Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 167 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 333 MHz
Bandwidth 2666 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type Dual DDR SDRAM
Bus Width 128-bit
Real Clock 167 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 333 MHz
Bandwidth 5333 MB/s

Chipset Bus Properties:
Bus Type HyperTransport v1.0
Bus Width 8-bit

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1 Socket 462
Expansion Slots 3 PCI, 1 AGP
RAM Slots 2 DDR DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio, Video, LAN, IEEE-1394
Form Factor Micro ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 240 mm
Motherboard Chipset nForce2-IGP
Extra Features CPU Overheating Protection

Motherboard Manufacturer:
Company Name ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Product Information http://www.asus.com/products1.aspx?l1=3
BIOS Download http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

--------[ Chipset ]--------------------------------------------------------

[ North Bridge: nVIDIA nForce2 IGP (Crush18) ]

North Bridge Properties:
North Bridge nVIDIA nForce2 IGP (Crush18)
Revision A2
Package Type 840 Pin BGA
In-Order Queue Depth 8

Memory Controller:
Type Dual Channel (128-bit)
Active Mode Dual Channel (128-bit)

Memory Timings:
CAS Latency (CL) 2.5T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 3T
RAS Precharge (tRP) 3T
RAS Active Time (tRAS) 7T
Row Cycle Time (tRC) 11T
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 12T
Command Rate (CR) 1T
RAS To RAS Delay (tRRD) 2T
Read To Read Delay (tRTR) 2T
Read To Write Delay (tRTW) 4T
Write To Read Delay (tWTR) 3T

Error Correction:
ECC Not Supported
ChipKill ECC Not Supported
RAID Not Supported
ECC Scrubbing Not Supported

Memory Slots:
DRAM Slot #1 256 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #2 256 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)

Integrated Graphics Controller:
Graphics Controller Type nVIDIA nForce2
Graphics Controller Status Enabled
Graphics Frame Buffer Size 64 MB

AGP Controller:
AGP Version 2.00
AGP Status Enabled
AGP Device nVIDIA nForce2 Integrated GeForce4 MX
AGP Aperture Size 64 MB
Supported AGP Speeds 4x, 8x
Current AGP Speed 4x
Fast-Write Supported, Enabled
Side Band Addressing Supported, Enabled

Chipset Manufacturer:
Company Name NVIDIA Corporation
Product Information http://www.nvidia.com/page/mobo.html
Driver Download http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Problems & Suggestions:
Problem Current AGP speed is lower than maximum supported. This may cause performance penalty.

[ South Bridge: nVIDIA MCP2 ]

South Bridge Properties:
South Bridge nVIDIA MCP2
Revision A4
Package Type 484 Pin BGA

AC'97 Audio Controller:
Audio Controller Type nVIDIA MCP2
Codec Name Avance Logic ALC650
Codec ID 414C4720h
S/PDIF Output Supported

Chipset Manufacturer:
Company Name NVIDIA Corporation
Product Information http://www.nvidia.com/page/mobo.html
Driver Download http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

--------[ BIOS ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIOS Properties:
BIOS Type Asus AMI
System BIOS Date 08/13/03
Video BIOS Date 01/08/03

BIOS Manufacturer:
Company Name American Megatrends Inc.
Product Information http://www.ami.com/amibios
BIOS Upgrades http://www.esupport.com/biosagent/index.cfm?refererid=40

Problems & Suggestions:
Suggestion Are you looking for a BIOS Upgrade? Contact eSupport Today!
Suggestion System BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.
Suggestion Video BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
======================================================

Here's what I've found so far as possible downloads for updates. First thing, on the Asus.com website, I could not find anything specific listing the motherboard A7N8X-LA, only listing A7N8X. Is this the same thing? I could download this for driver update:

Version 3.45 2003/09/29 update
OS Linux / OS2 / Win95 / Win98SE / WinME / WinNT / Win2K / WinXP
Description Realtek AC'97 Driver & Application 3.45 WHQL
File Size 22.53 (MBytes)

I have also found on Asus.com a Bios update but it depends on my "PCB Revision." What is that?

---
I've also found a driver file on driverguide.com.
http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=132834
States "This is the driver file for the nVidia nForce chipset placed on the AsusTek Motherboard A7N8X-LA, which is included in the HP Pavilion 735n machines. This chipset driver file will install Video, Sound, LAN, and Bus drivers. Neither HP nor Asus offer these files on their respective sites. I downloaded this file from nVidia's website."

---
I've also found a bios update on hp.com
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...softwareitem=pv-21019-2&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN
States "Release Date: 2005-12-07 Version: 3.21 Description
This is an update to BIOS 3.21 for A7N8X-LA motherboard."
===


Which if any of these should I d/l? Should I be updating both bios and driver?
Also, I have run DriverCleaner Pro as well.

Thanks for all your help!
Miles

 

Okay lets go back a step I have just re-read your intial post and want to know did you recieve a "Driver CD" with the new monitor? If not you can downlaod the drivers for the monitor from here and save to "Desktop":

http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers/drivers.cfm?category=&submit_button=GO&formName=monitor

Next right click on "My Computer" > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager, scroll down to monitors exapnd and double click on the monitor (what is the name of the monitor?). If you have the CD or Downloaded Driver ready click on the "Drivers" tab and "Update Drivers". Here you want to select install from a specific location and then direct the prompts to your Driver. Do this and post back.

We will focus on the other Drivers shortly but let's rule out the obvious firstly

 

I have made sure I have the correct driver for my ViewSonic VA1912wb monitor, so that's taken care of....
What next? Should I be downloading and installing any of the drivers/bios update that I previously listed, and if so which ones?
Thanks for the help..
Miles

 

Stay away from BIOS unless you are very confident with what you are doing or you can have major issues. Make a system "Restore Point" and then goto the link from the EVEREST REPORT:

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

From there select Graphics Drivers > GeForce and TNT2 > Windows XP, on the next you will find the latest drivers if you look at the release notes and pp.47 shows "GeForce4 MX Integrated graphics" which is the onbaord graphics chip you have.

(http://download.nvidia.com/Windows/91.31/91.31_ForceWare_Release_Notes_WHQL.pdf)

Download these drivers, MAKE A "RESTORE POINT" (contingency plan), boot into safe mode and use DriveCleaner Pro to remove the old "nVidia" drivers, reboot into normal mode and install the new drivers (have them saved to desktop so you know where they are. If for some reason these new drivers don't work use the "Restore Point" and we will see what we can do next but this should be a good start.

 

Ok..so this didn't work. I booted the computer in safe mode, uninstalled the nvidia drivers, ran driver cleaner pro, restarted the computer in normal mode, and tried to install the nvidia drivers I d/l from the link on your last post.
The install failed, stating that "The Nvidia set up program could not detect any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware."
Also, I no longer have a monitor listed in the device manager. When I went to display, it lists my monitor as "default monitor" and not the view sonic monitor that I have.
What should I try next? Should I reset my computer to the restore point before doing anything else or is there something else I should do with my current configuration (where I'm at right now)?
Thanks for all your help with everything!!
Miles

 

Ok...here's an update...
So I restarted my computer and when it loaded up it stated "found new hardware" and installed the nvidia geforce4 mx integrated gpu display adapter on its own. When I went to device manager, I found a yellow ? under system devices for NVIDIA nForce2 AGP Host to PCI Bridge. I clicked on update drive, which it did, then restarted. Now it seems to be a-ok and my viewsonic monitor is now listed again as my monitor, not "default monitor" anymore.
The only issue I have now is this..I would like my screen resolution to be 1440 x 900 which is the recommended resolution. My only choices are 800x600, 1024x768, and 1600x900.
This was one of the original problems I had...when I called viewsonic they told me I had to update my nvidia driver, which I did, and then I was able to run 1440x900, however now that I think about it this is when I started having all of my problems..
Can I change my screen resolution to 1440x900 and if so how??
Thanks again!
Miles

 

Once again now that you have "stability" make a restore point. If you still have the new drivers you DL from nVidia open them and make sure they are unpacked into a new folder on your desktop (not compressed or zipped anymore).

Go to Device Manager > Display Adapters and update the drivers except this time choose the advanced options and direct the prompts to the new drivers you have saved on desktop. If these drivers are newer it will install these. Reboot if you have to, next check your monitor in device manager and ensure this is the right one.

If things go pear shaped you have the "RESTORE POINT" to go back to.

The final area to look into is to right click on a blank spot on desktop and select properties > Settings (tab) have a look here and then > Advanced (button) see if you can resolve it within theses options. Hope this helps.

 

This seems to have worked...if there's any issues that come up I'll be sure to post here cause you guys know what you're doing!!
Thanks for all of your help..I really do appreciate it!
--Miles

 

So you have it at the resolution you want??!? Just for the sake of the thread what worked???? For others who may read this.

 

I manually updated my nvidia driver to the one I downloaded (since when the computer automatically updated the driver after I had used drivercleaner pro to uninstall the driver installed an older version). After that, 1440x900 became an option as a screen resolution, thus I am using the resolution I desired. Everything has been working well the last day...
Thanks again!
Miles

 

Ok...thought my system was working fine, now it's even worse than before!!

I have been having these blue screen stop errors repeatedly (as in many times a day) that say the following:

A device driver attempting to corrupt the system has been caught. The faulty driver currently on the kernel stack must be replaced with a working version.

STOP: 0x000000C4 (0x00000081, 0x838F6BE0, 0x0000008A, 0x00000000).

This pops up continually, never quite sure when it will happen (no real rhyme or reason).

Same configuration as previously listed. I haven't made any changes on my computer that I can think of, but this has been going on for a week and has been driving me nuts!

When I restart my computer, at times it will say after sending the error message on the microsoft page that this error is caused by a faulty driver for a video card (this is I believe the nvidia driver that I've had problems left and right...is this correct?? the one I've had to reinstall??) so I went through the whole process of reinstalling the driver and still no change.

Any suggestions? Do I just get a new video card? Any other info I need to post just let me know...

Thanks!
Miles

 

I have the same monitor as you, Im using nvidia version 8.1.3.3 dated 9-18 2005 for xp. I have searched but cant find it. ed

 

Okay here are some links on older drivers for nVidia:

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?id=10

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html

You will have to scroll down the pages to find the suitable one. Hope this can help. I think an older driver may be an excellent idea.