Hello everyone. I am experiencing a similar problem as nvisage. My graphics card is a Genuine Reference Model NVIDIA 6600GT (AGP 8X). I am posting this thread more to share my experience than to ask for assistance since this was the first hit I received back from a Google search regarding my issue.
Here are my full system specs:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ SP2
Display: Sony SDM-HS93 19" TFT/LCD
Sound System: Klipsch ProMedia 5.1
PSU: Ultra ULT31314 600-Watt
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (Socket 939 / Newcastle Core)
Motherboard: ABIT AV8
Hard Disk 1: WDC Caviar SE 80 GBs at 7,200 RPMs
Hard Disk 2: WDC Caviar SE 120 GBs at 7,200 RPMs
RAM: Geil UltraX PC3200, 1024 MBs, 2 DIMMs
Video Card: (Genuine Reference Model) NVIDIA 6600GT (AGP / 128 MBs)
Sound Card: Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS
Optical Drive 1: Sony DDU161 16X DVD-ROM
Optical Drive 2: LG GSA-4163B 16X DVD±RW
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Since my motherboard is almost identical to nvisage's and my error message very similar, I am expecting a possible connection. I've never seen a serious problem with an ABIT motherboard before, however, so I am reluctant to blame hardware before addressing software issues.
Here is the exact error message I receive:
"The computer has rebooted from a bugcheck. The bugcheck was: 0x1000000a (0x9d886240, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x8051ec1c). A dump was saved in: C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\Mini031605-01.dmp."
Only three games cause this crash for me:
Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Rome Total War
Tribes Vengeance
The amount of time between the game starting and the system rebooting can be anywhere from one or two minutes to a half hour. Strangely, HL2 does not cause the same crash on my system as it does on nvisage's.
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Here is what I have tried to resolve the problem:
1. Switching out my 6600GT for a 9800 Pro.
Outcome: Problem resolved. This helped me decide that it has something to do with my video card be it hardware or software related.
2. Trying beta NVIDIA drivers as well as Omega drivers.
Outcome: Problem still unresolved. Reboots still occurring.
3. Trying different versions of the VIA chipset drivers after fresh installs of Windows XP Professional:
Outcome: Problem still unresolved. Reboots still occurring.
4. Ran Memtest 86 overnight for ten hours.
Outcome: No errors or problems found. Problem still unresolved. Reboots still occurring.
5. Tried using a different power supply.
Outcome: Problem still unresolved. Reboots still occurring.
6. Replaced the CPU with a reference model 3200+ Winchester after a fresh install.
Outcome: Problem still unresolved. Reboots still occurring. Original 3500+ placed back into system.
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At this point I'm not sure what to try next. Part of me just wants to forget it and wish I hadn't spent close to $100 USD on these three games. I will continue to try different solutions and post back if I find anything out.