BSOD/Safe Mode/nvlddmkm.sys

[Lancer]

All of them.

Hi everyone, first post for me here, and unfortunately, it's with a big rage.

I installed Hearts of Iron 3 last night and it more or less crashed my entire system, causing my first BSOD in almost 3 years of Vista X64 Ultimate usage.

DELL XPS M1710
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHZ
4GB DDR2 RAM (3.2GB allocated)
256MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GS


Errors present

- BSOD on boot after the Windows loading
- DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error present
- nvlddmkm.sys problem (which means it's the driver - changed by the HoI 3 installation)

BSOD gives me a STOP message - 0x0000001.

Safe Mode does not work, tried all 3 choices.

System Restore did not work, restored it from two days ago, didn't work.

I hit F12 and ran the basic hardware systems, everything passed, so no HDD or RAM problem.

Everything is unplugged from the USB, no antivirus errors, no RAM errors, BIOS runs well.

I can't boot from the CD - my DVD drive has had a hardware error almost from the start, I use an external drive.

Any suggestions for this? Thank you.

 

[Lancer]

Just wanted to mention that I can't provide a BSOD report since not even Safe Mode would start.

After the crcdisk.sys, it comes up on a black screen with just the mouse cursor and just stays there. Tried for half an hour, I can use the mouse but doesn't do anything else.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
I will help as much as I can without the reports. It seems to be your video card driver, update it, if possible.
Seems to be an Nvidia card.

 

[wither 3]

Rich- he said he can't get to Safe Mode.

If you can F8 to select Safe Mode, then you should be able to select the option to go back to the last known good configuration. Can you do that.

Rich- Perhaps the Ubuntu disc you always refer to will allow him to boot. Does that disc allow you to make changes to the system?

 

[richc46]

Yes, I agree that he said that he has problems getting into safe mode. I told him what the possible problem is and said if possible to update he should, if not he should post and then we will go to the next step. I would like him to try the easy way once more before going to the next step.

 

[wither 3]

I understand- I just couldn't figure out how he is going to fix the driver if he can't boot the machine. If he pulled the card, would the POST know that. Would Windows then boot using the onboard graphics?

We'll just have to stand by, as you said.

 

[richc46]

Here's the main problem. Those reports are very rarely definitive; one could give one cause and another a different cause. It is up to the analyst to put the facts together and then hope. With one report that I did not even see, I dont want to start pulling cards, etc. If he comes back and says that it cant boot, I would go with Ubuntu to first save his stuff and then move on to the next step.

 

[Lancer]

Rich- he said he can't get to Safe Mode.

If you can F8 to select Safe Mode, then you should be able to select the option to go back to the last known good configuration. Can you do that.

Rich- Perhaps the Ubuntu disc you always refer to will allow him to boot. Does that disc allow you to make changes to the system?

Wither,

I tried every possible thing in the F8 menu. Last known good configuration => BSOD screen.

System Restore - useless

nVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS - it is the problem of the driver, that is very clear.

What I'm trying to find out is how to boot my computer. :huh:

I'm thinking here of a USB boot key, will it work?

 

[richc46]

If you just want to boot, try this:

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

 

[Lancer]

Thank you Rich for the links and informations. Looking forward to try them out.

One thing - I'm trying to boot from my external DVD drive where my Vista installation disc is, plugged in through the USB. No help. Any way I can activate this?

 

[richc46]

The only thing that I can think of is to change the boot priority, if you can. It should work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

 

[Lancer]

The only thing that I can think of is to change the boot priority, if you can. It should work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

Still not working, dammit.

Changed the boot priority to CD/DVD Drive and still get a BSOD and no CD prompting.

Changing to USB, maybe this works...

 

[wither 3]

Is the external drive recognized in the BIOS where you set the boot device?

You guys are too fast for me. Your posts weren't there when I answered.

 

[Lancer]

Is the external drive recognized in the BIOS where you set the boot device?

You guys are too fast for me. Your posts weren't there when I answered.

I have no clue to be honest.

Any way I can recognize it in the BIOS? It just shows me CD/DVD drive.

 

[wither 3]

I guess you don't have an internal CD\DVD drive?

 

[richc46]

When you give up, if you do. Give us the make and model of your computer. We will use Ubuntu to save your stuff and then try for a factory restoration.
Wither has other ideas that you can try first, like removing the video card. If all that fails post back and I will get you going.

 

[Lancer]

I guess you don't have an internal CD\DVD drive?

It stopped working around 3 years ago because of random reasons, I used an external one since then.

When you give up, if you do. Give us the make and model of your computer. We will use Ubuntu to save your stuff and then try for a factory restoration.
Wither has other ideas that you can try first, like removing the video card. If all that fails post back and I will get you going.

DELL XPS M1710 notebook


I have one thing that might work - a bootable USB key. I want to use that, does anyone know how to make one and use it?

 

[richc46]

When ready use Ubuntu to save your stuff
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
and then try to use recovery partition
Dell XPS Laptop: How to boot the recovery partition | Mind Circus
If Ubuntu does not work the problem is hardware, which does include the card.

For Vista and Seven
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

 

[Lancer]

So I will install the Ubuntu on a USB key, I just hope it boots...

I have to do the priority thing in the BIOS again, no?

 

[richc46]

yes set the priority