Critical driver error in Windows XP - Hardware or Software issue?

[ShadowZERO]

Error Message STOP 0x000000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER

I've gotten this error a couple times now when I'm in the middle of hours of gaming. It causes my system to hard-lock, I can't access the task manager with alt-ctrl-del and am forced to reboot the system. I have a feeling the video card is going bad.

I'm running an ASUS 8600GT silent, but I have excellent case airflow to supplement the passive cooling on the video card. The card never reaches above 80 degrees C during intense gameplay, according to the nvidia monitor.

I just built the system in the last 30 days. Basically running a P35 DDR3 ASUS mobo (P5K3 Deluxe), Core 2 Duo E6850, and 2x1GB Corsair DHX3 1600MHZ, and the ASUS EN8600GT Silent.

I've played around with different driver versions, old and new, WHQL and not, etc. No luck there.

I need to know ASAP whether or not I need to RMA the card, I still have a little bit of time left before my 30-day dealer warranty is up and then will have to go with the manufacturer warranty if its bad.

 

[JustaGeek]

Got this error while running the SpySweeper scan with RivaTuner active.

To eliminate the software issues, "End" all the User Processes in the Task Manager with the exception of explorer.exe and taskmgr.exe. DO NOT end any SYSTEM, LOCAL or NETWORK services. Then play your games and see if the error still occurs.

IMHO, a Video Card needs a cooling fan, no matter how elaborate the heatsink is in a "silent" version. It is, after all, located at the bottom of the case, and it might cause overheating of the Southbridge and other components in the vicinity.

But try to eliminate the software issues before you blame the Video Card/hardware...

Good luck!