Keeps getting BSOD file keeps saying nvkflt.sys something...HELP!

I have an Nvidia 580m Graphics card and within a few seconds of starting up a game, I will get a BSOD that says something like nvkflt.sys then a bunch of numbers and things.

I have already uninstalled my drivers and used driver sweeper. I have also reinstalled the latest drivers.

Help please and thank you!!!

 

I don't really know how to help you

But I would suggest booting in Safe Mode and driversweeping all the Nvidia drivers, then doing a fresh reinstall... That's definitely a driver problem but I don't know how you would've gotten it...

Do you have the 3D model or 60Hz model? Mixing and matching Dell drivers with Nvidia drivers have caused people problems before.

 

I have already done that...I still keep getting the error. I have the 60Hz Model. Thank you for replying.

 

What are the numbers you see in the STOP error (BSOD)? Those can be meaningful for troubleshooting.

WhoCrashed is a nifty (and free) piece of software that will provide more insightful information about the STOP error. http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed

Try using System Restore and choose an old restore point that has a date you know with 100% certainty was before the problem started.

 

Mr. Fox I really don't know how to get the numbers I get from the BSOD since it just shows up for about a second or two. There are no restore points that far back only one from yesterday and this has been happening to me for three days already.

 

I have had the same problem with my GTX580m. It started with a BSOD after gaming for a couple of hours, eventually it happened after 5-10 minutes of playing any game or even activating the card itself with monitoring programs like GPU-Z. I tried everything, reinstalling drivers, use all the different drivers from Dell and nVidia. I reinstalled Windows to factory settings and even that didn't help.
So in my case it was the hardware, I called Dell and they replaced the card, that fixed it for me.

 

I don't think that I can do that since I live in the Philippines and my laptop was bought in the US. I really hope that it won't be a hardware problem!!

Oh and also sometimes my computer just randomly freezes. LITERALLY FREEZES. Like I just can't move the mouse or anything. I have to unplug the computer to restart. Hope that helps

 

It's important to have the stop error code in order to determine how to fix the problem.

1. Restart your computer
2. At the alienware logo screen, press F8 repeatedly
3. At the advanced boot options menu, choose to "disable automatic restart on system failure"

Start Windows and play a game, this time it won't restart and you'll have plenty of time to write down the stop error code.

It could be 0x9f which is usually related to drivers, if that's not the one let us know which one you're getting.

Alienware M17x R3 - BSOD 0x0000009F Fix

 

So this is what I got using Who Crashed.

On Thu 1/17/2013 9:59:38 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\011713-35365-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: nvlddmkm.sys (0xFFFFF8800933E404)
Bugcheck code: 0x117 (0xFFFFFA8007A20010, 0xFFFFF8800933E404, 0x0, 0x0)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys
product: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
company: NVIDIA Corporation
description: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
Bug check description: This indicates that the display driver failed to respond in a timely fashion.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: nvlddmkm.sys (NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90 , NVIDIA Corporation).
Google query: NVIDIA Corporation VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED



On Wed 1/16/2013 9:35:10 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\011613-45942-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: nvlddmkm.sys (0xFFFFF8800F589A88)
Bugcheck code: 0x117 (0xFFFFFA8007CF5060, 0xFFFFF8800F589A88, 0x0, 0x0)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys
product: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
company: NVIDIA Corporation
description: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
Bug check description: This indicates that the display driver failed to respond in a timely fashion.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: nvlddmkm.sys (NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90 , NVIDIA Corporation).
Google query: NVIDIA Corporation VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED



On Wed 12/26/2012 4:31:39 PM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\122712-36894-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: nvkflt.sys (nvkflt+0x31704)
Bugcheck code: 0x116 (0xFFFFFA800ECC7010, 0xFFFFF8800764B704, 0xFFFFFFFFC000009A, 0x4)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\nvkflt.sys
product: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
company: NVIDIA Corporation
description: NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90
Bug check description: This indicates that an attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout failed.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: nvkflt.sys (NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 310.90 , NVIDIA Corporation).
Google query: NVIDIA Corporation VIDEO_TDR_ERROR

Thanks.

I keep pressing F8 at the alienware logo screen but nothing happens.

 

I'll try

The TDR error is quite common and happens with both NV and AMD cards, although I see it more on NV. There is a ton of supposed fixes out there but the problem is that it can be caused by a lot of things (IMO). I've found that a complete driver strip out and re-detecting the NV card fixes it sometimes.

What is happening is that windows is always checking things are running, and when it checks the video driver it does not answer in time. There are hacks that can increase this timeout but all they do is stop the BSOD and the game will often drop back to windows where you see a 'recovered' message'.

Your case with complete locks up is different. I t starts to sound like it could be hardware?

For the post asking you to F8, you need to tap it straight AFTER the alienhead finishes. Maybe he can advise you on running the hardware diagnostics to be sure nothing obvious is failing?

Other than that you might need a fresh start and that's always fun - NOT!

 

So how do you suggest I fix it?

How do I run hardware diagnostics on my computer?

Thanks!

 

I think it's on F12 when the alienhead is on screen. You should get a menu to select hardware diags. Select the 'deep' (not sure if that is what it is called?) long scan when it opens. Should take 15-30 mins if I remember correctly . If that is all OK I'll suggest some other options

 

My computer passed all the tests. So does that mean there are no hardware problems??

 

Not 'for sure' since the video card is only tested at as low level, it could still flake out when stressed .

This is what I'd try:

1. Download the recommended driver from dell Drivers & Downloads | Dell United Kingdom

2. Uninstall any nvidia components in add/remove. Leave the graphics adaptor though.

3. Delete the NV card in device manager and select the option to also delete driver software.

4. Restart and install the driver you downloaded.

5. Test

Now, if there is a hardware problem or some other weird stuff, you could end up reinstalling windows from scratch so make sure you have the AW CD's

If it now works, create a system restore point and try out the latest driver from NV

 

Same thing happened to my 580GTX, only solution was a new card.

 

Damn. I don't know if I can get it replaced since I'm here in the Philippines. Would you guys know if there are any service centers here?

 

I don't think that it worked. I still keep getting errors like the 0x0000016,0x0000009F error. Sometimes when the computer restarts it doesn't recognize the video card and the desktop is in a very low resolution.

Can't I just restore it to factory settings?

 

You need to restore using the pre-installed factory image. I did it once a long time ago but haven't a lot of memory of it . I do know I did it from the 'recover' startup option (F8), but you have to point it at the 'hidden partition' and I cant remember the process.

Sounding more like a HW rpob but to be sure the factory image should prove it.

As for dell support, if Dell do not sell the M17x there then you cannot transfer the warranty. If they do it's a simple web form . Dell's international warranty means you can call them (in the country registered) for support. Any parts needed might be shipped at your cost. More likely they just say 'ship it back to us' and you're into shipping costs. Since you will be calling the US, reps here can get involved (hopefully) and help if there are issues .

Good luck!

Edit: have you tried to reseat your video card? It could be just a poor connection and taking it out and putting it mack might work.

 

Damn I think the video card would cost A LOT without the warranty. I haven't tried reseating the video card since I don't know how to do it. Does my problem happen a lot or is it rare?

Thank you very much!

 

Yeah, you might be better searching out a used one from someone that has upgraded (To a 680m), but without waranty you might be throwing money at the wrong part. It really does sound like the NV card but an MB issue is not out of the question, and you need to 'factory default' it to be sure it's not a SW issue (unlikely at this point).

Check out a couple of teardown vids, I don't have any links (sorry). If you have some good screwdrivers (watchmaker/glasses sets are good for this) then it's only around 7 screws including the two to get into it, and the three to remove the fan . Take ESD precautions and handle the parts with care!

Can't say how common this is but I've seen a few others, and my 580/R3 started to lockup completely with the speaker buzzing when gaming. Very alarming . Dell replaced it with the R4 I have now but there was quite a bit of history of (580) problems before that happened.

 

Awww man. I really have no idea now how to get this fixed because of my location. But sometimes my computer can actually still run games without BSODing. I don't know what's with that?

 

It could be the video card flaking under some circumstances and not in others? That is why I suggest reseating it. A poor connection can give inconsistent results (just a change in ambient temps can be enough!), and a restore to factory should rule out OS/driver issues. Get those tasks out of the way before having a meltdown

 

i have the exact same problem, but in my case i have replaced every single part of my laptop without fixing the problem,
i leave in cyprus and i bougth laptop from usa(don t ask how very long story) , have you found nay solution to the problem? my temp are ok 70C max

 

Same problem here. My Alienware worked fine for over a year, then it started crashing and BSODing on me with the same TDR message, and I am also using a 580m. No temperature problems. I disassembled everything and repluged to make sure it wasnt a connection issue. I ran multiple stress tests on the video card, including CUDA tests, and nothing. Still, if I play any game (World of Warcraft, Mass Effect 3, Skyrim, Diablo 3) it will crash very quickly. It seems to crash exclusively on games, so I dont know is going on. Did anyone solve this problem restoring to factory settings?

 

Ok, so I restored to factory settings and its still crashing. Ran another dozens of tests on the graphic card and it still doesnt show any problem. This sucks!

 

guys, i think the problem is the r3 itself, i think we all have the same issue, after a year or so of use, the gpu dies.. i've been active in this thread for quite a while now,

Alienware m17x r3 graphic card not detected - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

we're almost exactly the same case kvnzhuang95, US-bought and here in the PH. SIGH, although mine's a 6990M though, now, i can't switch my discrete GPU, if i turn it on, the screen turns black, as if i have no video output but the whole systems is still running. base on that thread i gave, it does not choose whether NVidia or AMD chip, we all have the case of this after warranty deaths.

 

It is sounding like you're right. I'm seeing a rapid increase on these sort of issues. I just (10 mins ago) renewed my warranty, don't need any of this

 

guys, i think the problem is the r3 itself, i think we all have the same issue, after a year or so of use, the gpu dies.. i've been active in this thread for quite a while now,

Alienware m17x r3 graphic card not detected - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

we're almost exactly the same case kvnzhuang95, US-bought and here in the PH. SIGH, although mine's a 6990M though, now, i can't switch my discrete GPU, if i turn it on, the screen turns black, as if i have no video output but the whole systems is still running. base on that thread i gave, it does not choose whether NVidia or AMD chip, we all have the case of this after warranty deaths.

 

oops, double post sorry about that. micky, you have an r4 right? you're not having issues, right?

 

Right on both but my previous R3 was a nightmare

I did have a day last week when it would stop responding just browsing but it seem that the latest NV beta was the cause. I rolled it back and it hasn't happened since (and I saw one other with the same problem).