Frequent "Graphics drivers stopped working, have been reset" error

[hXc]

bluscreens that say the name of the driver are always the same when checked in such programs:

driver "xxxx" stopped working and caused a critical failure
doesn't say shit tbh

the ones for damaged cpu are better - at least they say "this and this hardware piece stopped working"
also you can check exactly what each error code means here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=VS.85%29.aspx
if you want to rule out any kind of driver (not hardware failure) use driver verifier with "for code developers" parameter
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

[Roam]

If you're getting bluescreens then use Bluescreenview to read the dump file created from a bsod. It should help narrow things down.

The BSview program says the culprit is: atikmpag.sys and dxgkrnl.sys. One related to the ATI drivers and the other to directx I would assume.

@arian: I'm almost certain this is a driver issue. For example, after the above attempt of cleaning and reinstalling drivers, CCC won't even load anymore. Not at windows startup, and when I try to open through start menu it tells me "cannot find CLI.exe". So something wonky is going on there.

Using Phryxion.net's Driver Sweeper. Any other ones I could be using to fully remove driver remnants?

@hxc: Used GPU-Z as you said, nothing out of the ordinary. All noted temperatures are roughly equal, and stay within acceptable levels.

[Cosmin]

The BSview program says the culprit is: atikmpag.sys and dxgkrnl.sys. One related to the ATI drivers and the other to directx I would assume.

Did you install anything lately (since the problems started)? It might interfere with the ATi driver, happened to me with a 7970 and all I could do was return the card and go NVIDIA, as I couldn't be bothered with debugging all the software I have installed.

@arian: I'm almost certain this is a driver issue. For example, after the above attempt of cleaning and reinstalling drivers, CCC won't even load anymore. Not at windows startup, and when I try to open through start menu it tells me "cannot find CLI.exe". So something wonky is going on there.

Try and reinstall the drivers without the ATi Control Center, worked with no BSODs on my 7970 but I needed that so I could output to 3 monitors. Maybe you can do without it; or at least get some directions if it's a software incompatibility or some hardware shenanigans going on.

Using Phryxion.net's Driver Sweeper. Any other ones I could be using to fully remove driver remnants?

CCleaner could take care of registry entries from the driver. Do it like this:
- download the latest ATi drivers;
- disable the Windows auto-install feature - guide;
- uninstall the drivers;
- reboot; spam F8;
- boot into safe mode;
- run Driver Sweeper;
- restart again in safe mode;
- run CCleaner;
- restart; install latest drivers without Catalyst Control Centre.

@hxc: Used GPU-Z as you said, nothing out of the ordinary. All noted temperatures are roughly equal, and stay within acceptable levels.

I think we need more information before discarding a hardware derp

[Cassiuss]

BSOD!!! Jesus.

Sorry Roam!!! No one else encountered that as a result of the fix.

Is there anyway you can change the settings back and see if the OS stabilizes?

[Roam]

BSOD!!! Jesus.

Sorry Roam!!! No one else encountered that as a result of the fix.

Is there anyway you can change the settings back and see if the OS stabilizes?

Trying that now, no BSOD yet. (knock on wood).

Cosmin: Thanks for the tip, I think I'll get the newest "driver only" version and see if that works. And then NEVER ever update again, because ATI drivers are ALWAYS retarded.

[Cosmin]

Erm wat fix oO

[Cassiuss]

Erm wat fix oO

See first page where I posted a solution that sounded very similar to what Roam was experiencing.

[hXc]

BSOD!!! Jesus.

Sorry Roam!!! No one else encountered that as a result of the fix.

Is there anyway you can change the settings back and see if the OS stabilizes?

Trying that now, no BSOD yet. (knock on wood).

Cosmin: Thanks for the tip, I think I'll get the newest "driver only" version and see if that works. And then NEVER ever update again, because ATI drivers are ALWAYS retarded.

for driver cleaning: check atiman too

[Roam]

I've heard really bad stuff about ATIman, but have decided to use a conjunction of manual uninstall -> CCleaner -> Driver sweeper in safe mode.

Installed a known stable version of the drivers WITHOUT CCC, so will see how that goes. No BSOD yet, *knock on wood*.

Thanks for the help all and may I reiterate that ATI drivers are idiotic.

Edit: Nope, doing the reset thing again, and now more frequent than ever. Maybe a card thing after all. For fucks sake, that means a week or two without computer, as I have no backup card.

Also, probably won't fall under warranty, since I bought the card just over a year ago, and have no money for a new one. fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

[Freddy Dare]

Sorry Roam but I have had the very same problem previously with my old ATI card. I too was skint and attempted everything under the sun but it just got worse and worse.
after a week or so of trying to fix it and putting up with it in denial it began to show with Gpuz that my temps were rocketing up to 100+ at random times during game (didn't even have to be gaming in the end) they never showed as high when the problems started but seemed to be a concequence of it later on.
Although I will never know for sure what happened I did find that my card had some exposed capacitors at the back edge of the card
these things would be too hot to touch (seriously I burned my fucking fingers) even after minutes of playing a game,yet card temps didn't always show it.
Either they dried out or it was just a really shitty cooler design. Fitting a small heatsink may have helped for a while but I lost my patience with it and binned the card in a rage.
Card was a sapphire variant and I wont be buying one again in a hurry.
keep watching your temps as they may begin to sky rocket as the problems worsen.
Hope you find an alternate fix or were all wrong but it sounds far to similar to my own problems

[Roam]

POSSIBLE FIX FOUND.

Did more google-fu, showed a guy posting about a driver conflict with a specific Intel graphics subset that come on certain motherboards.

Uninstalled the intel graphics manager using CCleaner, and been running for an hour now with no resets or BSOD.

Going to keep it running for a bit longer, then reinstall java/flash and see if it maintains stability. Keep your fingers crossed!

[Freddy Dare]

Good luck Banjo

[Cosmin]

This is weird stuff, they wouldn't have incompatibilities with Intel, they're not that dumb. Then again...

If (fingers crossed it won't) something happens, have a look at the capacitors for signs of swelling or leaking. Should be an easy enough operation to swap them. Can you post hires pics of your card back and front?

[arian snow]

I'm still thinking hardware failure, graphics drivers failing is the first sign the something is wrong hardware wise. I'm sorry, too bad you only have a single year of warranty, some brands offer more than that though definitely worth checking.

This is weird stuff, they wouldn't have incompatibilities with Intel, they're not that dumb. Then again...

If (fingers crossed it won't) something happens, have a look at the capacitors for signs of swelling or leaking. Should be an easy enough operation to swap them. Can you post hires pics of your card back and front?

The caps are capped most likely.

[Roam]

Well, been running for..almost 12 hours now again. Not a single driver restart or BSOD. Knock on wood, but I think we've found the issue. Will report again tomorrow.

Thank you all for your concern and help. o/

[SAI Peregrinus]

This is weird stuff, they wouldn't have incompatibilities with Intel, they're not that dumb. Then again...

It's ATI's driver dev team. Yes they are.

[Cosmin]

psyATi and psyNVIDIA emoticons necessary.

[Roam]

Spoke too soon, it's back! Time to RMA, I guess. Motherfucker.

No idea why it seemed fixed for 12 hours yesterday though.. What the hell.

[arian snow]

Spoke too soon, it's back! Time to RMA, I guess. Motherfucker.

No idea why it seemed fixed for 12 hours yesterday though.. What the hell.

Last ditch effort would be to try a different PSU if at all possible.

[Roam]

Remembered that it's been a while since I cleaned the computer, so removed all the parts today and dusted it all off. Was some dust on the card, and again: seems to be running smoothly now.

I'll RMA it when I've exhausted all other possibilities, because RMA will take 4 weeks, according to the helpdesk, and I don't have a replacement card. So that would be 4 weeks without computer.