"Display driver stopped responding" problem

I have a:
HP Pavilion dv6000t customizable Notebook PC
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)! (Using Service Pack 1)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5300 (1.73 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

I've had it for about 11 months now and it's been running fine with no problems. However, a few hours ago while playing Lord of The Rings Online (MMPORG) the game lagged really bad and I minimize to see a ""Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" prompt on my system tray. So I restart my computer, load up the game again and again it's laggy and I minimize to see the same ""Display driver stopped responding and has recovered message" Also during the monitor tends to go all black for a couple seconds too, both times. So I restart my computer again and this time as I load up the game, the screen goes all black with horizontal white bars going up the screen. So I turn off my computer, wait a few minutes, turn it on a again and load up the game. It lags, I minimize and see the same ""Display driver stopped responding" prompt on my system tray. Now I have not touched ANY system settings or graphic card settings at all (no overclocking). I have not installed any new hardware at all since I got the notebook. I upgraded the graphics card driver a few months ago to 01/2008, that's the latest driver HP has available on their website. My computer is completely up to date with microsoft (I use automatic updates.) Is this a software or a hardware problem (which I really hope it isn't)? What should I do?

 

The problem you are experiencing is likely a software issue, namely with the NVIDIA graphics driver. This issue was initially widespread, and it may be a little less now since NVIDIA has tried to improve their Vista graphics driver. Based on the NVIDIA driver that you used (version 156.82), there is probably an HP/NVIDIA driver update out there to help you. I'll look it up and see what I can find.

 

All right, I have found updated and official NVIDIA graphics drivers being distributed by HP that are compatible with your graphics chip, the GeForce Go 7400.

The graphics driver you were currently using was not deemed by HP to contain formal support for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. However, this driver does.

SP38834
Release Date: 2008-03-25
Version: 7.15.11.7432 A (174.32)
Link - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...reitem=ob-59557-1&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2093

Please uninstall your existing graphics driver first before installing the updated driver. This can be done through Control Panel >> Programs and Features. You will have to restart the computer, both after uninstalling the old driver and after updating to the new driver.

Hope this helps!

 

Ok I did what you asked, I uninstalled the graphics driver, downloaded the new driver from the link you provided and installd it. I still have the problem when trying to play any game. I've been gaming fine on my laptop for about 11 months until now.

 

I found out a pretty easy way to fix this issue. I used a bunch of screenshots to make it easy for even non computer savvy gamers.

http://www.salsatech.com/?p=22