nvlddmkm.sys errors D:

So, since about a month ago, my computer started freezing up randomly. It would happen randomly, but mainly when gaming or watching videos on youtube. After getting a few BSOD's, I was able to see that it is the NVLDDMKM.SYS file that is causing problems. to my knowledge, this is related to the gpu driver. I installed a new driver and had the same issues, but it would even freeze on boot. After fresh installing windows, I am STILL having this same error.

-computer specs in sig
-windows 7 ult 32 bit
-it's not a heat issue, my temps were at 62c when I last crashed
-my copy of windows is not currently genuine, im not sure if this can effect it
-my ram is cheap and sort of crappy, im not sure if that is even relevant to my problem.

any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Oh, also, my computer NEVER crashes or gets artifacts when i have NO graphics driver installed. thanks.

 

Hate to say it, but that does sound a bit like a bad GPU.

Did you try re-seating the GPU?

Do you have warranty?

 

Have you tried to do a clean install and using the drivers provided with your laptop?, it could help us to know whether it is a driver issue or a bad GPU.

I had severe issues with the same .sys file you have pointed out in your post as well, it took me a long time to track the issue and finding a driver that worked with my machine.

The issue turned out to be a bad driver from NVIDIA that my machine was just not compatible with at all, I had to clean the drivers and the registry in-depth, both with the aid of applications and manually.

Could you also check your SYSTEM (system32 on the Windows folder) folder for any duplicates of the .sys file as well?

 

I can run certain games just fine, but steam games are especially susceptible to the crashing. I did reseat the gpu, and i think i have a warranty.

 

I have tried a fresh install, but had the same issues. If it were a bad gpu, wouldn't the computer fail to boot altogether? Like I said before, I run some games (like warcraft 3) perfectly fine.

 

Some older GPUs (8400m, 8600m, 8800m, 9800m) had BGA issues.
The solder would crack, common signs were a driver error.

Also when the driver was uninstalled, problems went away (since the GPU stops doing most of the work it would usually do, the CPU takes some of the work).

I think you should send it in under warranty.

If you put a completely dead GPU into the notebook, it may still boot. I have a dead 3870, I can boot into windows (but I dont see anything on the screen, just hear windows sounds).

 

Did you overclock your gpu at all? Such errors occur often when you overclock too high.

 

No, I didn't overclock my gpu or cpu.

 

Researched/troubleshot/applied varying remedies for days. The only way I finally solved this issue on my wife's HP lappie was to do a complete reformat and OS re-install. Same symptoms, same error. Has worked fine for months since then.

PITA I know, but I seriously recommend it before sending the unit in.