W3v X600/video driver problems after webcam

This W3V 1.86 GHZ 1 GB w/X600 is finally turning on me. I thought I had a dream machine that would work w/out a glitch forever.

I have recently gotten blue and blackout screens to cursor or kickout/reboot on several occasion a couple of days ago. I assume it is related to installing a generic webcam (XP driver). It would reboot when trying to connect to the internet, skype, or Trillian. I can't recall the exact sinereo but It was still doing it after installing a Logitec notebookPro cam, changing to a previous systom restore date, check Asus update for a new driver, etc. I briefly read the screen notes before it went black and it mentioned that the video drive had problems.

Errors sent to Microsoft mentioned that it was unknown cause but to check for a driver update from the manufacture or ATI.

Been fairly stable today but has anyone heard of a needed driver upgrade or similiar symptoms?

 

I have been having the same problem as well. Only started happening recently. I use Trillian as well maybe it could be Trillian that is causing a conflict?

I have tried using an updated Omega driver too but no dice. Still randomly blue screens. I suspect it probabaly is NOT an overheating issue since I can play Call of Duty 2 for a couple of games and no bluescreen.. but it'll bluescreen repeatedly when I am typing a document in MS word.

Currently I just installed drivers straight from ATI instead.. so we'll see if that solves the problem.

 

Top for attention

 

I also had trouble with my W3V - maybe for the last two months. The screen sometimes goes black and then returns with a lower resolution and without the possibility of switching back to the higher one. I will try to update my drivers and see what happens. Otherwise I might have to send it in. As I said, it only happens every now and then, but it is still annoying.

 

I've started getting this within the last 2 weeks as well. It's almost guaranteed to happen if I unplug the PC while it's on. The blue screen points to the ATI2MTAG.SYS file, which I'm assuming is part of the video driver. I'm running the stock ATI driver that came w/ the system, and keep WinXP up to date w/ the lastest updates.

I knew this was bound to happen after seeing all the updates to Catalyst over the last few months and not getting an 'Asus'-branded update.

 

I had this prob with my W3V too, but it has now gone away after removing all the video drivers and applications (and did a registry clean) and installing the latest ATI drivers

Since I installed the latest driver (with the DHModTool), it hasn't blue screened on me (touch wood)

 

Hmm, yah this seems driver related, i do suggest going to the ATI website and getting the latest ATI driver, don't use Omega or ASUS one and see what happens.

If that works or doesn't plz report and hopefully other can help solve this.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

How does one install the latest ATI drivers? When I d/l the mobile catalyst drivers from ATI and try to install them, I get a message about the notebook not being supported and to get the latest drivers direct from the manufacturer. Is that what I need this DHModTool for?

 

Well, actually my W3V is packed ready-to-go to Asus Spain (warranty) due to a *mortal ill* that started like some of your symptoms.
First of all (2-1 weeks ago... mmmm time coincidence of all?), screen gone to black while laptop was still running (I heared DINGS of warning msgs, or by plugin in an USB device...). There was no way to get back screen to life. Fn+F7 to swap lcd/tv or external monitor didn't help. This happened randomly, no-related to plug or unplug powerbrick. Sometimes I used laptop for hours and sometimes for minutes before black-screen syndrom.
The only solution to get it back was rebooting. And after that, in administrative tools -> event viewer found msg saying "Ati2mag entered in a infinite loop,... please update or reinstall drivers"... and that's what I did. Downloaded and installed last update from support.asus.com.
*BUT*
the problem was still there...
*AND* (more symptoms)
the black-screen syndrom was repeating, and become more frequent until the laptop decided to stop suffering and stop working (kinda ritual suicide), and sometimes allowed me to start, even getting into bios screen but **!)("!=!)("!!)!·)&=!&" plof!. No backup copy, no laptop, and now an amazing time wondering about how much time will need Asus to diagnose and cure (if possible) this evil syndrom, or even if Asus will say "this issue is not covered by..." and other magic words.

And thats all.
I recommend to you all to update you backup copy.
(to be continued...)

**UPDATE**
I've read posts talking about this issue related to a no-efficient energy management of asus power-save-software (sry, dont remember the name). Just add that I've been using CHC for months without problems...

 

Ughh.... don't say that. I'm off on a trip starting this weekend, and really don't want to worry about my laptop failing while on the road for a week. I'm not sure if it's me or what, but I do remember thinking that the laptop seemed to be running hotter the last few weeks, mostly right where the HD is. To top it all off, once I got back, I was thinking of selling it to my roommate and trading up to a W3j (hopefully they'll be available by then), but I don't want to sell him a bum unit.

 

You need the normal ATI Catalyst drivers rather than the Mobility set.

The DHModTool (once you expand your catalyst drivers and run DHModTool on them) should create all the appropriate inf files for you to install the normal drivers for your X600

 

Thanks for the tips, guys! The latest ATI Catalyst drivers (installed by using the ModTool app), seemed to clear up the blue-screen when going between A/C and battery power.

 

I've got DHmodtool3. How do I use this thing and should I first delete my old drivers?

 

This really sucks... better not be on the W3J...

 

When you run DHModTool, it will ask where you expanded the drivers to. Just point it to the correct folder and once it is done (couple of seconds), just run the ATI installer from that folder as per normal.

I did uninstall my old drivers and also did a registry clean and reboot.



Edit: The W3J should be able to use the ATI Mobility drivers, so it shouldn't be the same

 

So I installed the other driver as instructed. Now my system is acting up again. When I plug in when the machine is on, the screen kind of resets and then graphics in my browser become all screwy. Sometimes it just freezes up and I get a loud "dong" noise and then the desktop becomes grey and I have to manually turn off. Lately text has sometimes gotten a bit garbled in firefox.

I love the construction of this computer but the functioning of it has really been a head ache for most of the time I've had it.

 

any help would be greatly appreciated.