nvlddmkm.sys crash - Time for a new PSU?

[Barrichello]

Not good.

Last night i ended up trying to reinstall, i formatted the system disk/ C: partition and applied a fresh reinstall of Win7 64bit (same disc as before) went through all the setup settings, created initial user then "Windows 7 logging in for the first time etc" screen comes up and then bam! BSOD nvlddmkm.sys comes up!!

How annoying and really was not expecting it. After a couple more attempts i managed to log in ok. I tried a few work arounds as detailed at http://www.nvlddmkm.com/ tried varying levels of drivers 180 to 190 (always driver cleaning in between) basically machine stays up for about 10mins but it can be anything as simple as opening a browser or 5mins of say HL2 and then the dreaded BSOD rears its head.

The fact that it BSOD before i had even launched Windows 7 for the first time from setup after reinstall is the really concerning part. Makes me think the graphics card itself is playing up. I can try putting in the wifes slightly older gts8800 card in when i get back see what happens.

I have memory checked the RAM in windows 7 and that came up clear. CPU sits stock clocked (had not even looked at OClocking it since i purchased it) sits around 40c according to BIOS. I also tried a flashing a couple of different revisions of bios, seems to make no difference to machine.

Sleepyhead you said about underclocking, i read some people had done this, but im not sure if to try that or not, my GTX260 came factory OClocked - so i not touched it at all. I will probably not either depending on what happens tonight with graphic card swap out, if my old 8800gts works fine on my Win7 rig then maybe looking at duff gcard so would rather RMA it back as it came (only purchased 3 months ago)

Running out of things to try, i will give the graphic card swap out a try tonight and see what happens. Wish me luck

[sleepyhead]

Not good.

Last night i ended up trying to reinstall, i formatted the system disk/ C: partition and applied a fresh reinstall of Win7 64bit (same disc as before) went through all the setup settings, created initial user then "Windows 7 logging in for the first time etc" screen comes up and then bam! BSOD nvlddmkm.sys comes up!!

How annoying and really was not expecting it. After a couple more attempts i managed to log in ok. I tried a few work arounds as detailed at http://www.nvlddmkm.com/ tried varying levels of drivers 180 to 190 (always driver cleaning in between) basically machine stays up for about 10mins but it can be anything as simple as opening a browser or 5mins of say HL2 and then the dreaded BSOD rears its head.

The fact that it BSOD before i had even launched Windows 7 for the first time from setup after reinstall is the really concerning part. Makes me think the graphics card itself is playing up. I can try putting in the wifes slightly older gts8800 card in when i get back see what happens.

I have memory checked the RAM in windows 7 and that came up clear. CPU sits stock clocked (had not even looked at OClocking it since i purchased it) sits around 40c according to BIOS. I also tried a flashing a couple of different revisions of bios, seems to make no difference to machine.

Sleepyhead you said about underclocking, i read some people had done this, but im not sure if to try that or not, my GTX260 came factory OClocked - so i not touched it at all. I will probably not either depending on what happens tonight with graphic card swap out, if my old 8800gts works fine on my Win7 rig then maybe looking at duff gcard so would rather RMA it back as it came (only purchased 3 months ago)

Running out of things to try, i will give the graphic card swap out a try tonight and see what happens. Wish me luck

Did the alternate graphics card fix the problem?

During my install of Win7 I unplugged the network cable and made sure it didn't try to update at any point. So far things are ok without have to underclock the GPU.

Can you make another DVD burn of the Win7 install ISO? I made another just in case the first burn somehow got corrupted.

[Barrichello]

Did the alternate graphics card fix the problem?

During my install of Win7 I unplugged the network cable and made sure it didn't try to update at any point. So far things are ok without have to underclock the GPU.

Can you make another DVD burn of the Win7 install ISO? I made another just in case the first burn somehow got corrupted.

The wifes 8800GTS worked perfect after a reinstall. I also tried an old ATI pci-e card and again no problem (apparantly there is a ati version of this bsod) but no problem again. Performed a reinstall with my GTX260 and it BSOD with nvlddmkm.sys straight away. Its getting worse it seems, does not matter what driver i try, it crashes on windows install, crashes on every nvidia revison i have tried (in between driver cleaning and resintalls) and yes i also have 2nd install disc, no difference to the above

Its not even crashing on gaming, i cant even get that far with the 260, will crash simply when logging into desktop.

Also, as an added troubleshooting dynamic (in reference to the orginal thread title) i took delivery of a nice brand new Corsair 750HX modular PSU form Scan today. My parents PC PSU died the other week (was a ancient one so had a good life ) so i decided i can pass on my enermax (more than they would need) and in turn treat myself to a new one.

So installed my nice new PSU today, and booted up with my GTX260 and BSOD straight away. Reinstalled OS and BSOD on setup. BSOD again once i managed to log into my new install. Continued to BSOD on any driver version i tried. I then put the 8800GTS and fine. Tried my ATI card worked fine. So looks like it must be a dodgy GTX260 i have.

My GTX260 is only 4 months old, so thinking i should get it RMA'ed back to Scan. Seems i have to get a XFX ticket number etc first so will need to troubleshoot it with them (will say what i have tried) I know that i could underlock my card but i think it may affect my possible replacement of my faulty card if i do?

[sleepyhead]

Put in the RMA the exact nature of the problem and how to emulate it.

If the card doesn't do what it says on the tin, then RMA it for a replacement. No point paying the premium for a factory overclocked GPU when it doesn't work that way.

One step before you bounce the card back....have you tried googling the specific Win7 build and the GTX260 for incompatabilities?

[kalniel]

My GTX260 is only 4 months old, so thinking i should get it RMA'ed back to Scan. Seems i have to get a XFX ticket number etc first so will need to troubleshoot it with them (will say what i have tried) I know that i could underlock my card but i think it may affect my possible replacement of my faulty card if i do?

As the above, if it's not working as advertised then return it. In the UK that's handled entirely by the retailer, so no need to involve XFX.

[Syllopsium]

It's very unlikely to be your PSU. Unfortunately plenty of Internet idiots blame this whenever anything goes wrong. After that is 'defrag your hard drive'. Both are complete rubbish in 99% of cases.

Unless it fails under load, it's not a PSU issue. If you suspect the PSU unplug everything that isn't needed and try again.

I don't think I've ever seen sudden BSODs, or BSODs full stop, caused by a PSU. A duff PSU either causes a system not to boot, or black screens it when too much demand is placed on it.

Which isn't to say you shouldn't choose a decent PSU of course.

PK

[Barrichello]

It's very unlikely to be your PSU. Unfortunately plenty of Internet idiots blame this whenever anything goes wrong. After that is 'defrag your hard drive'. Both are complete rubbish in 99% of cases.

Unless it fails under load, it's not a PSU issue. If you suspect the PSU unplug everything that isn't needed and try again.

I don't think I've ever seen sudden BSODs, or BSODs full stop, caused by a PSU. A duff PSU either causes a system not to boot, or black screens it when too much demand is placed on it.

Which isn't to say you shouldn't choose a decent PSU of course.

PK

Have to agree, both PSU's i have tried are more than enough for this card, both the Enermax Infinity and my new Corsair 750HX are fairly decent PSU's i understand?

Now speaking to Scan to see about getting the 260 returned, as have tired all available troubleshooting options i have available.

[Phage]

As the above, if it's not working as advertised then return it. In the UK that's handled entirely by the retailer, so no need to involve XFX.

+1
Per the Sale of Goods Act, the problem is Scan's, provided you move quickly.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sho...refunds-exchan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8253915.stm

[I][B]"A key fact is that your relationship in the Sale of Goods Act is with the retailer, not the manufacturer.

[sleepyhead]

OK...with NO windows updates...Win7 just BSOD with NVLDDMKM.SYS.

After 9 days of seemless operation...it has gone bananas. Again.

One can only assume this is some stupid built-in death timer - but is it win7 or the nvidia drivers?

[Terbinator]

OK...with NO windows updates...Win7 just BSOD with NVLDDMKM.SYS.

After 9 days of seemless operation...it has gone bananas. Again.

One can only assume this is some stupid built-in death timer - but is it win7 or the nvidia drivers?

Ouch, ive got a GTX 260 which i got from Scan in around June, mine better not go bump also

[sleepyhead]

After much help from TAKTAK last night, we believe it is my EVGA GTX260 SSC not liking running at 1152Mhz on the Memory Clock. Seems fine at 1100Mhz. Tested using OCCT GPU error check.

Ahh well, time to RMA but probably after my trip from Japan...

[Barrichello]

After much help from TAKTAK last night, we believe it is my EVGA GTX260 SSC not liking running at 1152Mhz on the Memory Clock. Seems fine at 1100Mhz. Tested using OCCT GPU error check.

Ahh well, time to RMA but probably after my trip from Japan...

Hi, sorry to hear you having same probs again. I feel your pain. So if you leave it at 1100mhz its fine and no crashes? Still makes sense to RMA though if not performing at advertised level. Hopefully i will get a replacement but if 6months into the future same things happens may then try underlocking then, but for the first incident think makes sense to send back. Im packing mine up tonight to take to post office tomorrow. Great timing with the postal strikes about to happen eh grrrrrrr