{YIPPEE, WHOOHOO!!!} HELP: BSOD's, Driver IRQL not Less or Equal, etc...

[TheShniz]

Let me begin w/ saying that, I've Xperienced ZERO problem's w/ my PC until I upgraded from my old ATI 8500 to an eVGA 6800GT... somehow, the 6800 & my PC R NOT getting along :'(

I'll get a BSOD @ the desktop w/ no apps running, in Doom 3, browsing the internet, whatever. It's very intermittent cause sometimes I'll get it 3x in a row in an hour span, sometimes I won't C it 4 a good coup days. [playing a game (gpu intensive), @ the desktop w/ no apps running (just windows), or even installing WinXP itself (nothing running!)... I AM GETTING BSOD's.] I've had 2 do my fresh installs w/ the ATI 8500 & swapping in the 6800 after complete, or I'll get a BSOD and not even complete WinXP setup (w/ the 6800). I've even gotten BSOD's @ the desktop w/ no apps running just after a cold start.

The BSOD should B an obvious answer, but I'm getting 1x of 2x BSOD's. The most popular, it C'ms ringing in @ ~7 out of 10 BSOD's, is the infamous "Driver IRQL not Less or Equal." As I'm sure U're aware, the BSOD flashes pretty quickly B4 rebooting, but I have yet 2 C a driver associated or referenced in this BSOD. This in itself could point 2 just about anything in a PC, hardware & software.

The 2nd BSOD I'm shown is an entirely diff BSOD than I've ever C'n B4 in all my years of working on PC's. It's a VERY generalized error message that takes the entire screen & takes fast reading B4 the PC automatically reboots! It basically says that a general system problem has occurred & Windows has been stopped 2 prevent damage 2 the system... blah, usual stuff here. It goes on 2 say 2 check your system's configuration, settings, and look 4 general hardware changes. It specifically says @ the very end 2 try changing Video Cards which I found 2 B an interesting statement, the only suggestion of actually changing your hardware. I can't say I've ever C'n this kind of BSOD B4 as it really doesn't give the tech any direction or information on possible causes. I've pointlessly tried searching the Internet 4 a complete writeup of what it reads & an Xplanation.

4 the most part, BSOD's entail Windows saying that whatever.dll has caused an error... whatever device that library controls should B the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, I'm struggling w/ these very non-informative BSOD's.

It shouldn't B a cooling prob, even though eVGA's stock cooling does thoroughly suck... my case does make up 4 the difference. I've monitored the temps under both idle & load conditions 4 Xtended periods w/ no probs, w/ the 6800 rarely reaching the highest of 65'C under full load. Keep in mind I've tried 3x different 6800's (See config & failed attempts below). I have been running the entire time of troubleshooting w/ all covers off.

Here's my configuration:
AMD Athlon XP 3000+/2.167GHz (333MHz FSB)
Asus A7V333-RAID Rev 2.0 (BIOS 1018.001) w/ confirmed working 1/5 Divider (333MHz FSB)
1GB (2x512MB) OCZ PC2700/333MHz DDR
eVGA 6800GT (BIOS 5.40.02.15.01) running @ STOCK running AGP 4x (8x not provided by mobo)
Creative Labs SB Audigy 2 ZS (7.29.04)
Linksys Gigabit EG1032 NIC
160GB RAID 0 Striped (2x 80GB PATA133 Maxtor)
Pioneer DVR-108, Iomega Zip 250 (ATAPI), Floppy
Enermax EG651 550Watt (Peak 650Watt) Power Supply (Rated for 36a on 12v Rail)
APC 1000va 600 Watt UPS (Reporting ~280Watts usage w/ EVERYTHING including monitor, etc.)
WinXP Pro SP2 w/ DirectX 9c, Via 4-in-1 4.51 Hyperion, 61.77 nForceWare

Needless 2 say, all unneccessary cards & drives R removed & unplugged 4 testing purposes.

This is a tried & true, tested system I've been using 4 the last ~1.5 years. It is heavily mod'd & CPU runs a constant ~40'C w/ air cooling under full load. I've pointed out that I've UNDERCLOCKED my system 4 testing purposes. The 6800GT itself runs @ 50'C idle & 65'C under full load.

Failed attempts at fixing (no particular order):
eVGA 6800GT (NOT overclocked)
Disabled USB (had shared IRQ 16 w/ eVGA 6800GT)
Set Fail-Safe BIOS Settings as recommended by eVGA
Ran Memtest86, DocMemory, and Microsoft's Memory Diagnostic (all okay)
Removed one stick of memory and alternated other in 3x available slots
Front Side Bus (FSB) UNDERCLOCKED to 133MHzx2 = 266MHzFSB
Tried 2x different eVGA 6800GT's as well as a nVidia Reference/Eng-Sample 6800 Ultra
Tried a spare A7V333-Raid Rev 1.2 Motherboard
Uninstalled (or never installed) Norton AntiVirus 2004 Pro

I'm generally a passive browser of Internet forums in general, and only post whenever I get really emotional or have something I feel is unique or intuitive 2 contribute, and D*MN IT I'M EMOTIONAL RIGHT NOW (lol, j/k, ok... well, mayB not). But I could really use some help on this 1.

I think I've searched the entire Internet over a coup times in trying 2 get some leads in fixing this prob, but I just can't C'm 2 get it gone. I love AnandTech, I think the site is great & visit daily. I'd like 2 say I remember some1 here in the forums saying that they R really good @ understanding minidumps... if any1 has the slightest clue, I've zipped & uploaded my minidumps 2 here:

http://www.EdgeProductions.com/minidumps.zip

I would B 4ever grateful if some1 could help me out or point me in the right direction!!!!

P.S.
For those interested in my benchmarks of the 6800 GT & Ultra as AGP 4x (as opposed 2 AGP 8x) on an AthlonXP 3000+/2.167GHz, U can find mine here (interesting nonetheless)... http://www.mhclan.com/avatar/6...ormance_Comparison.htm

Oh yeah, 1x last thing... 2x things actually I'm in the process of doing. These R, unfortunately, 2x of the LAST things I can possibly think of.

The entire line of Asus' A7V motherboards have notoriously BURNING HOT System Clock Generators as I've researched across the Internet. Specifically, my Asus A7V333-Raid Rev 2.0 ICS 94228 System Clock Generator will burn your finger if U hold it there 4 too long. I never noticed this B4 but have confirmed that this C'ms 2 B by design (Asus B'ing greedy?). Anyways, I'm in the process of putting a small chipset heatsink & fan on it 2 hopefully add some stability.

A picture of some1else's passive cooling:
http://darkforce.dyndns.org/pics/clockhs.jpg

The forum I found this gem of advice:
[http://forums.pcper.com/showth...4&page=4&pp=15]http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=155944&page=4&pp=15[/L]

The 2nd and last thing I can think of is 2 get the nvSilencer 5 for the 6800 & hope somehow dropping the temperature another 10'C will somehow add more stability.

I would B PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL were some1 2 provide me a lead, revelation, or make sense of the MiniDumps!

I appologize 4 the novel, but wanted 2 avoid repetition... & Thanx Every1!
- J

 

[TheShniz]

I've since turned off the Automatic Restart after BSOD and am also reviewing the use of Microsoft Product Support Reporting Tool. I'm in desperate need of some help and will try just about anything :'(

Thanx as always!
- J

edited:
There R ZERO events in the Event Log, how strange. Any ideas?

 

[TheShniz]

Well... was able 2 actually read this last BSOD (no reboot now ), and whatcha know... it was the usual "Driver IRQL not Less or Equal" AND 3 lines from the very bottom it referenced nv4_mini.sys

SOoooooooooooo, I'm not quite so crazy. Well, mayB... but has nothing 2 do w/ these probs. Any1 got a clue about this?!? I've already started searching the Web and the most I've gotten is "some weird bug Btween nVidia & AMD" and "nVidia says it's not their fault" and "affects entire line of GeForces from 4 to 6"

I'm really hoping some1 knows something about any of this :'(

Here's 2 hoping, thanx!
- J

 

[keyboardcaper]

Originally posted by: TheShniz
Well... was able 2 actually read this last BSOD (no reboot now ), and whatcha know... it was the usual "Driver IRQL not Less or Equal" AND 3 lines from the very bottom it referenced nv4_mini.sys

SOoooooooooooo, I'm not quite so crazy. Well, mayB... but has nothing 2 do w/ these probs. Any1 got a clue about this?!? I've already started searching the Web and the most I've gotten is "some weird bug Btween nVidia & AMD" and "nVidia says it's not their fault" and "affects entire line of GeForces from 4 to 6"

I'm really hoping some1 knows something about any of this :'(

Here's 2 hoping, thanx!
- J

put back in your old card, and uninstall the drivers for it, same goes for the new card, install new card, set the card as "Standard PCI VGA" or something to that effect, go to nvidia and download their latest driver, may also want to try updating windowze

 

[mechBgon]

I have two remarks for you:

1) The Asus A7V333-RAID is the worst Asus motherboard I've ever owned, and probably the only one I developed a complete disgust for :| Its PCI performance is dismal, for starters. Get rid of that piece of scrap and get a nice affordable $53 Shuttle AN35N Ultra. I had one of these and it made my face look like this --> If you're totally in love with IDE RAID0 then you can heave in a cheapie ATA/133 PCI RAID card.

Besides good PCI performance, good overall performance and flexible overclocking options, the Shuttle also has an ATX12V fitting to help feed your 6800GT the proportion of 12V that it pulls off the mobo. By contrast, the A7V333-RAID has only one 12V wire feeding it (in the main ATX cable). Adequate in its day, I suppose.


2) Give your OCZ memory lots of voltage, like 2.7-2.8 volts. For the A7V333-RAID, you would do that using the undocumented VDIMM adjustment jumpers near the rear of the AGP slot. Infos on the jumpers


Hope that helps

 

[TheShniz]

Oh yeah, trust me... I'm def feeling your pain w/ this 1. I've liked Asus 4 a long, long time. I like all of the stupid lil features they put in there 2. I've just spent so much $$$ lately (prob close 2 $700 now), and I'm trying oh-so-hard 2 not spend anymore. Any replacement motherboard, whether the Asus A7N8X, Abit NF7-S or whatever will B another $70... and I'm trying so very hard not 2.

If I were 2 choose (which I'm not right now), I'd have 2 get the A7N8X actually, cause my Alpha PAL 8045 requires the mounting holes on the motherboard. Something that's not seen very often these days. Abit, Gigabyte, U name it... no mo mounting holes, a pitty.

The reason Y I choose the A7V333-Raid so very long ago, was Bcause until not 2 long ago... I had 2x striped hard drives, 1x backup hard drive, 1x CD-RW, 1x DVD, 1x Zip ATAPI. That's 6x (SIX) IDE Devices in a single PC @ a time when that was unheard of & required a good 2x controller onboard raid mobo. SATA didn't Xist back then as it's much more common now. I've since split my PC in2 2x and am currently building a custom HTPC 4 my living room (Yes, I know, w/ just about the fullest ATX mobo ever made). It's 17x17x1.5, the Xact same size as any other slimline component.

Anyways, I digress...

The Standard VGA whatever adapter didn't fly, didn't really Xpect it 2... especially as a fresh insall. But here's 2 hoping. I've also gone 2 Guru3D & tried some recently leaked aka beta ForceWare 66.29 & 66.51. No change. While I'm still waiting 4 my new cooling toys 2 come in, I may try the drivers on the CD. While I know they're pre 61.77 & don't support SM3 or DX9c, they may actually B WHQL certified. Will attempt 2morrow. Another day, another failed attempt :'(

I'll take any advice any1 might have, & I appreciate it... here's 2x things specifically I'm looking 4:
1.) Drive IRQL BSOD and nv4_mini.sys connection
2.) Analyze minidump

I'm hoping that somehow cooling the clock generator & the 6800 itself will somehow make things well, but I'm doubting that also in the back of my mind.

Any ideas?!?
- J

 

[mechBgon]

The Shuttle has the mounting holes and it :heart: your 8045 Also, it has the ATX12V connector that the Asus A7N8X lacks. I don't usually make a big hoopla about the ATX12V connector but with your situation, it seems like a desirable feature to have.

At any rate, good luck there

 

[TheShniz]

Yeah, I truly hope it doesn't come down 2 that tho. I've just checked out Gigabyte's 7N400Pro2 & DFI's Lan Party... neither of which have 'em. I've got a whole lotta bad Xperiences w/ Gigabyte's 7N400Pro (not Pro2) in a server @ work, ugh... the @#$&#*#$()@# thing hasn't gone out the window yet, but I think I've fixed it now (Data corruption on a file server, go figure). I never bought a Shuttle mobo B4 outside of their SFF's. A small pitty there's no SoundStorm or SATA. Don't really care about the SoundStorm w/ the Audigy2ZS, but SATA :| Anyways, like I said... hope it doesn't come down 2 it, not really an option tho atm

Has any1 got some revelations, epiphanies, or magic wands they might grace me w/..... pleaz?!?!?!? I'll B your best friend!!!

- J

edited:
U know, it C'ms U'd have 2 choose (not that I am atm ) either Btween the Mounting holes or the 12v connector, THIS SUX!

 

[mechBgon]

The Abit NF7-S (except the 1.0 revision) has the mounting holes, ATX12V pluggie, SATA RAID, Firewire, SoundStorm and a built-in coffeemaker controller! Ok, I might be getting a little carried away... but for a premier nForce2 overclocking board with all the goodies, it's probably #1. At a cost, of course.

For handy reference: Alpha PAL8045 fit list with free bonus link: where to order replacement hardware for the 80xx's! :Q

 

[TheShniz]

Well Rn't U handy 2 have around I must admit tho, U're B'ing somewhat of a bad influence 2 me @ this particular moment of weakness. Blieve it or not, I've actually managed 2 keep ALL the original parts 4 my 8045 including the Xtra/smaller set of plastic mobo offsets, a pretty good achievement me thinx. But some good info nonetheless. I've even got the box it came in .

IF, and Bcoming a smaller if each passing day, IF I do "happen" 2 "displace" my "beautifully crafted" Asus A7V333-Raid Rev 2.0 mobo... I'd prob winde up replacing it w/ the Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0. I find the FID Override feature quite appealling, and would prob forgoe the gigabit lan of the NF7-S2G as it doesn't C'm 2 have the aformentioned feature. I can't say I've used an Abit mobo since the days of the KT7 (not KT7A) Xcept mayB 1x of their Max boards 4 a thrifty friend.

As it so happens... I've just a week ago built & shipped a new PC 4 my mother-in-law. I was just informed earlier this evening that the mobo somehow got damaged in shipment as the PCI slots R no longer functioning (not reporting the cards plugged in) as I've troubleshot over the phone (fun I know). It is currently on its way back 2 me now. While I will still need 2 further investigate it once it arrives, I could potentially find myself in need of RMA'ing the mobo. As I'm so fond of the process 2 begin w/, I may find it "cheaper" 2 "donate" my Asus A7V333-Raid Rev 1.2 I'm currently building 4 my living room 2 her as a "tried & true" mobo (pleaz hold the lol 2 the end ). Figure $80 Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 (shipped) - ~$20 RMA mobo = ~$60 Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 @ most.

U may B suprised 2 know (prob not) that I've recently built 5 identical PC's like hers 4 various family members & friends built off of this barebone: http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...3514&Sku=S450-3200 . That @ the time of purchase was only $19.99 after rebates. Add 2800+, 256DDR, Shipping, & Taxes (Tiger Direct, sux)... & they came out 2 B about ~$160 each (after rebates). Not bad & am very pleaz'd w/ them so far. U might say that I'm even pleaz'd w/ this potentially bad mobo that I'm B'ing sent 2 me (if I get a new discounted 1 out of it). Especially figuring that RMA'ing the mobo alone will take LOTS of time (as usual) & cost just as much as I paid 4 the entire barebone!!!

An interesting dilema either way. 1x last thing (I think)...

In my search 4 the "perfect" chipset cooler 4 my "wonderful" Asus A7V333-Raid Rev 2.0 mobo, I wound up placing my order w/ Cooler Guys (great company 4 a long, long time). In my search there particularly, I was curiously tempted 2 buy this lil contraption: http://store.coolerguys.com/840556018582.html . While there is NO coffeemaker controller included, and I am actually a non-smoker (never have, never will)... it would look killer @ a Lan Party I do happen 2 drink quite a bit & I really liked the holder idea. UNFORTUNATELY, I love my highly modified Black Noblesse aka The Fridge bought from the recently deceased ColorCase.com aka ExoticPC.com & it just would defeat the purpose of my very kewl drive bay door. Just thought U might find it neat U'rself should U start thinking about creating a coffeemaker controller.

Anyways, does no1 have any advice they can offer me outside of replacing the mobo? My wallet would greatly appreciate any help U peeps might offer!!!!!!

Thanx again! Help?!?
- J

edited:
U know... having thought about it 4 a bit again, I really COULD use that cup holder if I wanted! I totally 4got about the lower garage door @ the bottom of my case: http://www.mikhailtech.com/ima...sese/noblessese-06.jpg . U C, I used 2 have my Live! Drive there attached 2 my SB Audigy. But since upgrading 2 the SB Audigy 2 ZS & B'ing disappointed 2 find that they changed the pinouts on the Audigy2 Drive, I'm no longer able 2 use the Live! Drive w/ it & had 2 remove it. HMmmmmmmmmm, interesting........... a potential future upgrade, we'll C

 

[TheShniz]

Perused your WebSite & C U enjoy your Alpha PAL8150 also, BUT... as 4 your technical brainstorming ideas Word doc, U may possibly find this 1x more helpful or @least a good addition 2 those who ask U Q's, u/l'd here: http://www.edgeproductions.com...al_assistance_form.doc . I've similarly u/l'd this http://www.edgeproductions.com/anandtech/mad_cow.doc 4 U as a reference 4 my own answers 2 the same peeps who question my sanity after the previously mentioned technical support form. While the jury is still out on my mental competency, I agree w/ U about Jesus

Still in need of help! Pleaz?!?
- J

 

[TheShniz]

Well, I?ve given up :?(?

Lessons Learned:
Asus A7V333 (Any Revision) & nVidia 6800 (Any Model) DO NOT MIX!

While I can chalk up the expense of another motherboard to my seemingly endlessly long list of upgrades 4 these next generation games (Doom 3 & Half Life 2), the agony isn?t without its silver linings. I?m both sad & happy 2 order an Abit NF7-S V2 from New Egg 4 $95 shipped. Hopefully I?ll have better luck w/ this 1x when it comes in :?( Subtract the $$$ I?d have spent on an RMA 4 my mother-in-law & I?m looking @ a net cost of ~$75 maximum and will receive it as fast as FedEx can deliver.

I?ve done some preliminary searching on the Abit NF7-S V2 and have so far learned a coup things:

1.) The Northbridge Heatsink & Fan utterly sux & is prone 2 failing, I?ve already gotta replacement waiting 4 it.
2.) Update Bios B4 doing anything w/ the system as there C?ms 2 B some important fixes, especially w/ SATA, standard procedure either way. Just means I can?t B lazy & update after installing WinXP.
3.) The VCore is limited 2 a maximum 1.85, this def sux as that?s what my 3000+/2.167GHz runs @ stock (if I remember right).

Anyways, thanx 4 the input ? oh well :?(

- J

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: TheShniz
installing WinXP itself (nothing running!)... I AM GETTING BSOD's.] I've had 2 do my fresh installs w/ the ATI 8500 & swapping in the 6800 after complete, or I'll get a BSOD and not even complete WinXP setup (w/ the 6800). I've even gotten BSOD's @ the desktop w/ no apps running just after a cold start.
- J

So you know it's a problem with hardware if it happens during XP setup.

But I looked at your last 2 dumps in the 524KB minidump.zip file, from 9/27, and they pointed to Norton AV.

Anyway, seems like you've got a hardware issue - if it only happens with the 6800 in there it sounds like the 6800 is bad....or you've got 2 different issues...

 

[TheShniz]

Hey, yeah... I'm not suprised U're saying that. Best I could understand, IRQL errors have nothing 2 do w/ IRQ's of devices @ all, but rather many/most times 2 many applications accessing a layer of Windows or something 2 that effect and the memory gets overwritten & corrupted. I must admit tho, I didn't quite get or read it all (as there C'ms 2 B so much, & not very much of it is very specific).

That's the reason Y I uninstalled Norton AntiVirus 2004 Pro, prob @ the same time I posted here. Having past (bad) Xperiences w/ Symantec & their consumer products (their Corporate R great)... I also made sure 2 manually delete its files & clear its registry as recommended by Symantec.

I really appreciate your post, that's quite a thread U have there on your signature. I've only skimmed it so far, but intend on d/l'ing the Debugging Tools pretty quickly.

I've u/l'd my minidumps since that last upload here: http://www.edgeproductions.com/moredumps.zip NAV should've been uninstalled by the point as I think that's when I finally took the automatic reboot off.

2x things happened 2day that I've not Xpected 2 ever happen again...

1.)

The last time Asus has updated the Bios 4 their A7V333 mobos was w/ Bios 1018.001 (Beta) back on 5/7/2003, the same Bios I have been running. AnandTech posted in their news 2day a link w/ the latest Motherboard Bios updates, something I found pretty useful in making sure all my systems I maintain R up 2 date. In it, I was suprised 2 find that Asus has updated their A7V333 mobos w/ Bios 1018.004 (Beta) only a coup weeks ago on 9/10/2004, this after nearly 1.5 years since the last Beta (even longer 4 their Bios 1017 Final).

Much 2 my suprise, I had hoped that this may B their attempt @ mayB fixing a coup of the prob's w/ this mobo, including my own. As is standard Asus policy, they release ZERO change logs w/ their Beta Bios's & we consumers adopt them blindly w/ hope. I figured I give their FTP server a crawl just in case. The link put it on Asus's German server, suprising as most updates was w/ Taiwan. The "Global," USA, Chinese, and Taiwanese servers all did NOT have it. Very suprising. The ALi site has become useless.

2.)

Anyways, what the frig & I updated the Bios 2 1018.004... now, my CPU is NOT B'ing recognized by the Bios & is set @ 1000MHz w/ a 100MHz FSB. Suprisingly I can still boot, BUT when I boot in2 Windows, all is well reporting 3000+/2.167GHz (Windows, Sandra, & MBM5). Also, I couldn't set the CPU manually. It only allowed me a multiplier Btween 5x & 12.5x. When I took the underclock set @ 12.5 & 166MHz, it refused 2 boot... then powered off, then boot up directly in2 Bios saying in Safe Mode. Also, no matter how it boots, now when the Bios 1st appears... it refreshes the keyboard (flashes as normal), locks up the entire PC (keyboard & all), then refreshes the keyboard a 2nd time then boots normally. Very strange, not just reading the CPUID I don't think.

Well, I was lazy when flashing the Bios & will pull the battery/jumper/whatever 2 clear the CMOS 2 give the bios a last fighting chance (only did a load defaults)... we'll C.

I agree w/ U tho that it's definatley a hardware prob. It's not that the 6800 is bad tho as I've tried 3x of them. But as U said, I may have more than 1x issue and isolating problems can B Xtremely difficult if U have more than 1x.

FYI: Here's a pic of my mobo I found way back when I 1st bought it, don't remember where... very useful tho & has always saved me time in not having 2 open the manual: http://www.EdgeProductions.com/pci-sharing.jpg In this picture, I've got my Creative Labs SB Audigy 2 ZS in the "Not Shared" slot & the Linksys Gigabit NIC in the "Shared w/ Audio" slot, remembering onboard Audio is disabled 4 the Audigy.

I've gotta lot of toys coming in this Thursday, no turning back now... but am still def interested as I tend 2 recycle equipment, this mobo may C the 6800 again in the future. Bsides, it's an aggrivating unsolved mystery... very aggrivating indeed.

P.S.
It C'ms I only know how 2 write novels, sorry :s

Thanx 4 the info!
- J

Edited:
I've since run WinDbg and opened the latest minidumps... most it really says is: Unable to load image ntoskrnl.exe, Win32 error 2. The reference 2 the kernel is equally unhelpful unless I'm really missing something here. I'll B reading up here on your thread (very helpful) as well as its references. What out of curiosity do the complete dumps get me that these don't if any?

 

[TheShniz]

An update...

The Bios 1018.004 (Beta) had no effect on the 6800 probs, only the negative effects mentioned above. I've also looked @ the most recent minidump w/ the new Bios. It had the same reference 2 the kernel as B4, but I did notice @ the bottom that it referenced hal.dll which is best I can figure apart of the ACPI. It also references mbmiodrvr.sys which has 2 do w/ Motherboard Monitor 5.3.7 that I have installed 2 monitor temps, the last MBM version 2 B released (very sad).

I've since fallen back 2 Bios 1017 (Final) and am uninstalling MBM 5.3.7 & will "fly blind" as far as temps R concerned. I've double checked a coup of the previous/recent dumps & have found them 2 B identical. I seriously doubt it's MBM, but wouldn't B suprised @ the ACPI support as MBM taps in2 that also.

The hunt continues,
- J

Edited:
Oh yeah, also using new nVidia 66.81 Beta ForceWares

Edited (again):
No change, the dump no longer references the 2 libraries... only the kernel & says: "Probably caused by : ntoskrnl.exe ( nt+948e1 ). "That's All Folks" :'(

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: TheShniz
An update...

The Bios 1018.004 (Beta) had no effect on the 6800 probs, only the negative effects mentioned above. I've also looked @ the most recent minidump w/ the new Bios. It had the same reference 2 the kernel as B4, but I did notice @ the bottom that it referenced hal.dll which is best I can figure apart of the ACPI. It also references mbmiodrvr.sys which has 2 do w/ Motherboard Monitor 5.3.7 that I have installed 2 monitor temps, the last MBM version 2 B released (very sad).

I've since fallen back 2 Bios 1017 (Final) and am uninstalling MBM 5.3.7 & will "fly blind" as far as temps R concerned. I've double checked a coup of the previous/recent dumps & have found them 2 B identical. I seriously doubt it's MBM, but wouldn't B suprised @ the ACPI support as MBM taps in2 that also.

The hunt continues,
- J

Edited:
Oh yeah, also using new nVidia 66.81 Beta ForceWares

Edited (again):
No change, the dump no longer references the 2 libraries... only the kernel & says: "Probably caused by : ntoskrnl.exe ( nt+948e1 ). "That's All Folks" :'(

You're getting all kinds of different errors, including when you install XP itself. That's hardware.

 

[TD77077]

This whole thing sounds suspiciously like the old problems people used to have when ATI drivers were not completely removed from the system before NVIDIA drivers were installed. Are you sure they were completely gone?? Just erasing the folder won't do it. You need to run an uninstall from the driver CD. I'm not even sure the Add/Remove programs works for these. And I think it has to be done after switching the display setting in Control Panel to a generic display driver.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: TD77077
This whole thing sounds suspiciously like the old problems people used to have when ATI drivers were not completely removed from the system before NVIDIA drivers were installed. Are you sure they were completely gone?? Just erasing the folder won't do it. You need to run an uninstall from the driver CD. I'm not even sure the Add/Remove programs works for these. And I think it has to be done after switching the display setting in Control Panel to a generic display driver.

He has the same errors when installing the OS from scratch, long before Radeon drivers are installed. That removes software from the equation, and points the issue at hardware.

 

[flawlssdistortn]

try disabling AGP fast write in your BIOS setting, if it is an option.

 

[TheShniz]

Well................... twas definately a (singular) hardware problems (plural). 2x things actually 1.) the motherboard, and 2.) HDD ribbon cable. Go figure, 1/2 of all hardware problems R cable related, ugh.

Anyways... here's what I did, switched mobos 2 the NF7-S like I had said. I could tell things really cleaned up quite a bit, but 4 some strange reason... I was infrequently getting corrupted files whenever I tried 2 reinstall things (again, install files decompressing), and then tried a second & it'd B fine. I did get a good coup BSOD's from it also, the very generic something wrong check out your sys changes BSOD I said I hadn't C'n B4. SOoooooooooooo, I swapped out a brand spanking new ribbon cable (ugly) that came w/ the new mobo w/ my older rounded (pretty) cable. Figured out which 1x it was & no mo probs.

BUT, did I waste mo $$$ by buying yet another mobo? Nope, cause when I ripped everything out & tried it on my old (A7V333-Raid Rev 2.0) mobo, I STILL got BSOD's intermittently. This w/ confirmed good working cables This time, I only got the IRQL errors (again unspecific, but not like the former).

SOoooooooooooooooooo, this just goes 2 show I'M NOT CRAZY D*MN IT!!! Well mayB, but has nothing 2 do w/ this @$@#&%#* here. It's probable that I clipped/kinked the cable when I got the 6800... although that'd mean it was a stroke of luck I hadn't gotten a BSOD while testing w/ the 8500 (which is possible, remembering that BSOD was only like 2 out of 10).

Either way, 1x bad hardware combination & 1x bad cable = Shniz going crazy.

Ironically, that cable was (I Blieve, lots of swapping) on 1x of my striped HDD's. The more drives U've got, the more cables 2 worry about... & I had 6x drives on 2x controllers (originally, splitting up PC's remember 4 my living room =S ).

Anywho, I'd like 2 thank every1 here 4 all of your great input, it helps... and 4 bearing w/ me while I vent a bit of frustration & work through it. I'm just glad it's working now Happy days, I just about fell over when I finally was able 2 install WinXP using the 6800 w/out a BSOD. Funny thing is, I've taken my PC 2 work w/ me 4 the last 2x days & troubleshot @ work. U should've C'n my coworkers reactions 2 C'ing me happy I made it through an install of WinXP (as it happened), LMAO. Talk about flying high :: sigh :: back 2 reality, nah... back 2 Doom 3, Far Cry, NFS:U2, AND (if hell freezes over) MAYBE even Half-Life 2 ROFL

Thanx again every1,
- J ( Happy once again )

 

[mechBgon]

Right on