Puter Reboots when Graphics are used

I feel stupid but this is driving me nuts . I have a Presario sr1230nx puter, running xp home /sp2 . All of a sudden the cooling fan runs all the time and when I use a program that has high graphics or load a web page like myspace with alot of graphics on it , the puter reboots ----then when it gets back up my IE loads a page from Microsoft that says all of the below.
Note :when I reboot to safe modewith networking , the cooling fan only runs when needed and the puter does not reboot when high graphics are used . I have tried reinstalling the origional drivers for the whole puter but when I load my profile the coolong fan still comeson and stays on and the same problem still exists!!!! Anyone got a clue -----I am kinda leaning toward a bad vid card , but the problem should still exist even with the puter in safe mode , and doesn't !!!!! Aaaaaaauuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!


Problem caused by Device Driver

You received this message because a device driver installed on your computer caused the Windows operating system to stop unexpectedly. This type of error is referred to as a "stop error." A stop error requires you to restart your computer.

More information

Problem report summary

Problem type


Windows stop error (a message appears on a blue screen with error code information)

Solution available?


No

What does this problem mean?


Windows has encountered a problem it cannot recover from and it needs to be restarted

Cause


Unknown

Computer symptoms


A message appears on a blue screen with error code information (for example: 0x0000001E, KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED)

Additional steps for you to take


Please continue to send problem reports so analysts at Microsoft can study and try to correct the problem as quickly as possible

 

I expect that the problem is not so much in the graphics drivers, as in the graphics software.

My method would be to boot into Safe Mode. Go to Add/Remove Programs and find the listing for the graphics program, uninstall it. Go to Device Manager and open the heading Display Adapter, highlight and uninstall any listing.

When you reboot, the Add New Hardware wizard may run, you can direct it to the drivers CD or click Cancel and run the graphics drivers installation when you get to the desktop. [It may go through to the desktop without the ANH wizard running, that should mean that it has installed the correct drivers, test it like that or run the drivers CD to install the graphics software if you like].

If you have any problems, uninstall again, but this time go the Start Menu (F8) and choose Enable VGA mode. That will allow you to run in normal mode using standard graphics drivers.

Matt

 

Hi Dussman.

This is also worth a try. Here's HP/Compaq's drivers for your model.

Compaq Presario SR1230NX Desktop PC -- Drivers' download
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=431082

 

Still pulling hair

Well guys , I am usually fairly good with the basics and keeping this thing up and running good , and with following directions , but apparently this time I can't find my A** to save it because I either have already tried these suggestions , or I'm doing something wrong . So ----here is a description of what I have done and tried to the best of my describing ability :

First : I tried the ( F8 )enable VGA mode by itself----After bootup the system fan still runs full speed ahead.
I also tried and did download and install the origional drivers from HP( both ways, 1. just download from HP then instal ( didn't work , sends me into a must install drivers from device manager loop from hell ) 2. Installinng straight from HP , which inevitably sends me back into a must install drivers from device manager loop from hell ).
I do not any longer have the origional install disk but found a replacement disk and it just simply says ( once I get in the right spot ) that it could not find a beter replacement for the one that is there.
The only luck I am currently having on getting the system fan to slow down and come on when needed is to boot up in safe mode?with or with out networking .
So my only conclusion at this point is : tho I am positive your advice thus far is sound ----I am missing something , or just plain screwing it up . I guess I shouldn't listen to the windows auto update because I really didn't have this problem before it told me to update all my drivers , but no that I have and I did----it seems that the Homer Simpson -----Doooohg ! would be appropriate !!!LOL

 

Safe Mode uses a generic one-size-fits-all driver that any video adapter can use - just so video drivers are not going to be an issue in Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads all basic drivers to help guarantee there won't be any driver issues using Safe Mode.

Use Safe Mode to uninstall the ATI or nVidia driver. Obviously the video adapter works fine - at least in low resolution mode.
Control Panel > System > Hardware tab > Device Manager button
Click the plus sign just to the left of Display adapters.
Right=click on the display adapter name and select Uninstall

Restart and F8 into Safe Mode. Now try to install the driver specific for your video adapter. Follow any special instructions that came with the driver.
________________________________________________

Have you verified that all your hardware components are working properly and that the file system is in good shape ?

Hardware Test Procedures

-) Run a hard drive file system check on the system drive:
In Explorer right-click on the system drive (usually C and select:
Properties > Tools tab > Error Checking: Check now button
and then check the box Automatically fix file system errors then the Start button. A message will display about having to restart to run the scan - agree to that and then restart the PC.

If you can't boot into your account or any of the Safe Mode account options from the F8 boot menu, BUT you have an XP Installation CD (not a Restore/Recovery CD) then you can boot off of the CD to start the installation program but then choose to run the Recovery Console repair utility instead of an install. From this command-line program you can issue the command:
> chkdsk C: /r
Which will repair any problems with the file system on C:

With either method only the file system will be checked and repaired if necessary. Any corrupted files will remain corrupted and unusable.

-) Bad memory: Download the Memtest86 CD ISO file and burn it to CD from:
http://www.memtest86.com/

Set your BIOS so that the computer tries to boot from the CD/DVD drive before trying to boot from the hard disk. Memtest86 will thoroughly test the RAM endlessly. Let it run for at least, say, 3 passes. No errors should be listed. If errors do show up and there is more than one RAM module, test each one individually until you can isolate the bad one.

-) Failing hard disk:
Run a HDD test utility from your drive’s manufacturer to make sure the drive is functionally OK. Use the diagnostic according to what brand drive you have:

Seagate/Maxtor/Quantum http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/
Western Digital http://support.wdc.com/download/
Hitachi/IBM http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
Samsung http://www.samsung.com/in/products/harddiskdrives/utilities/hutil.htm
Fujitsu http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/computing/storage/hdd/support/utilities.html

-) Bad or Failing power supply: Download and run Everest Home V2.20 from:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Look in Computer > Sensor. The +3.3V, +5V and +12V should be within +/-5% of their nominal values.
3V 3.135V to 3.465
5V 4.750V to 5.25V
12V 11.400V to 12.60V

-) Overheated CPU: In Everest Home 2.2 (free) look in Computer > Sensor. The CPU temp should never be over 50 degrees Celsius. Overheating can happen as the result of a failing CPU fan (aka "cooler" fan) or excessive dust buildup there. It can also be due to an improperly mounted cooler (heatsink+fan) assembly.

Everest Home 2.2 (free) http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

These tests will go a long way to confirm whether or not your hardware is in good shape.

 

Uninstalling the graphics controller program will be very important. The graphics are "Via/S3G UniChrome IGP" (unless a different card has been installed).

In Safe Mode, go to Start -> Run and enter msconfig, on the startup tab you can uncheck all the boxes. See if it becomes stable then (you can recheck them later, whenever you like). When you reboot, you will see a message about the change in startup, agree to it.

Matt

 

I'm still missing something

when I said the computer reboots when High graphics are used I didn't mean that I regularly run a program at startup with high graphics, so the above statement about going into msconfig is confusing me as there are no references in the startup tab on my puter having to do with my video card which is actualy not a card at all . Its an integrated chip , but still no references . And as far as hardware -----I have ran a hardware check on all installed hardware and everything checks out.
Now let me recap a few things :
1. When a normal bootup is alowed: the system fan runs full speed all the time instaed of slowing down to a lower rpm when not needed.
2. Only when a program like Google Earth is attempting to run , or a web page with alot of graphics is loaded like certain MySpace pages ( Not All )
will the computer reboot.
3. If I do nothing more that just check my mail or some light surfing , even if that consumes all day or the computer just sits and stays on all day ----it will and the system fan will run full speed ( ALL DAY ) with no reboots or shut downs .
4.If I boot into safe mode with networking , I can surf, use graphics and other high output programs or web pages all day long and the system fan will only speed up when needed, which is telling me that the problem is defenetly a driver and not a hardware issue.
The problem I'm having is that short of doing a complete reload , I'm not having any luck isolating the driver and getting the bad one off and a good one on .
I have tried the various methods listed in posts above , but something always manages not to go as smoothly as mentioned , which cause great stress and confusion on my part over a silly driver . I've just not had something so silly kick my a** like this before .

 

MSCONFIG does not list or control any installed device drivers since they are not application programs, much less apps that are automatically started on a boot.

I need to recap what you have tested and then figure out what is left to check:

- Chkdsk (a command line utility) or the XP version in the hard drive's Explorer Properties > Tools menu. This means that the file system is working properly. Corrupted files (programs and drivers) may still exist on the drive.

- The RAM has tested good with Memtest86.

- The hard drive mechanics and operation has been tested and has passed the manufacturer's diagnostic. Again, bad files may still exist.

- The power supply has its voltage outputs that are within their allowable ranges.

- The CPU temperature is always 50C or less no matter how intensely it is being used.

So, what's left that is involved with the functioning of the PC ?

- The video adapter (card or motherboard chip).

- OS files. This includes both OS applications and device drivers.

- Installed application program files.

- The BIOS program version (burned into its own EEPROM memory)

- The BIOS settings (written to the BIOS's CMOS memory and retained after power-down by the CMOS battery)
______________________

The CPU cooler's fan speed can theoretically be controlled by the BIOS by monitoring the CPU's core temperature. Other motherboards, such as some AMD 64 CPU systems can use both the BIOS and a special Windows driver to control both the CPU clock rate and its heatsink fan speed such as done when using AMD's "Cool'n'Quiet" driver.
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/DownloadableAssets/Cool_N_Quiet_Installation_Guide3.pdf

Your PC has an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor in it, so the motherboard BIOS would have to be the one to do any fan speed controlling, I suppose, so you should look in the BIOS settings to see if there are any options for that.

The other more likely possibility is that the cooling fan is failing and semi-randomly slows down or speeds up due to dirt and dust in the blades and/or the bearings.
Clean dust and dirt from the fan and heatsink with a can of compressed air and with a small brush. I like to use an "acid brush" designed to spread liquid corrosion remover for soldering metals.
http://www.solobrushes.com/WebCatg1.asp?Cat1ID=11
You may be able to find one or an equivalent on a hobby shop.

Heatsink fans are pretty much standard sizes and can be replaced, especially for store-bought Dell, HP, etc. desktop systems. Finding a replacement cooler (heatsink+fan) will be very difficult for older generation CPUs. Most AMD Athlon XP heatsink fans are either 60mm or 70mm square by 20mm or 25mm thick. You will have to measure the existing fan to get its measurements and then try to figure out its normal speed - typically somewhere between 1500 rpm and 3000 rpm. You may be able to read the sticker label from the central hub of the blade assembly, Google the manufacturer and model number and find the specifications for it including its normal speed. Perhaps the PC manufacturer will have this info. You will have to contact their Technical Support department to see if they have this available. Be sure to have the PC's serial number and model number listed on a sticker on the back of the box.

Generally, the fan can be removed from the heatsink without having to take the heatsink off the CPU - you don't want to do this unless your are forced to in order to replace the fan.

 

Maybe there is no reference to graphics related programs in your Startup list of msconfig, this computer I am using has three. If you are using the original Compaq installation of Windows, it will probably have graphics "control" software installed, look at the icons in the Notification Tray, are there any for graphics?

I totally agree. Working in Safe Mode means that set of standard drivers is loaded and startup/backgroud programs are not loaded. Disabling startup programs will be a test. If you don't want to try it, that's up to you. It is a "no risk" test, I don't see why there seems to be problems with it!

You can test hardware if you like, but for me, the results from working in Safe Mode would tell me that the hardware seems OK, BUT I WILL NOT SAY THAT IT COULD NOT BE A HARDWARE PROBLEM. [I don't mind if anyone makes a suggestion here (unless it is appears to me to be detrimental to the questioner's computer), that is why we are a community on the BBS(!)] Maybe I don't seem to know what I am talking about? The installation of manufacturer's graphics drivers usually carries "control panel" software, if you reset the drivers without resetting the control program software, you could end up with problems like the ones you are experiencing now.

Matt

 

Please read my first post

Seems like I'm getting off the original path as the error page that I'm getting provided by microsoft seems to point to a device driver , which does coencide with my updateing the driver files on my puter from Hp's driver update page.
I once again have tested all hardware.
The cooling fan runs ( Normaly ) all day long or for weeks at a time if in safe mode and the system will never reboot even when using alot of graphics.
I have on the other hand had to replace cooling fans before , but this one is not showing symtoms of needing replaced.
My system , when started in (normal startup mode) runs the fan on high like it is constanly using alot of graphics ,but no programs are running.
when started in (safe mode ), the system fan runs on high only untill it has completed booting up , then slows down to a lower rpm . It will not increase its rpm until I start to load any graphics . At that point , it will only run at the higher rpm until that graphic or picture is loaded , then it will return once again to a lower rpm . ( THIS SHOWS NORMAL OPERATION ) If the fan were going bad , or was just simply dirty , it would not operate correctly when in safe mode . This also backs up the Microsofts page stating that a device driver ( one that loads upon mormal startup ) is causing the problem.

I am needing some direction on how to dump any and all drivers that might be related to this problem and this problem only . Without getting into a loop from hell by having to use the device manager . Also when just simply deleted, but the time the system reboots, the bad driver has already been reloaded. And I am never sure if the old one or new one is installed.

I can only hope that I have made clear as to what exactly is going on with my system. I do appreciate any and all help , but my hardware has been ruled out at this point and I am not wanting to create more problems than I have.

 

Thanks Mattman

I'm nnot doubting anyone , its just that I usually amfairly good with my puter and did alot of testing before I ever wrote in . The hardware is ok . The system does hav some controll over the graphics use , but I cannot find anything in there that would cause this . I just no the once I updated the drivers on my system this problem started. So short of doing a complete reload of the OS---I am at a dead end . Once again thank you for your input

 

tried that

I tried that the very first time I noticed the problem . Is there a diagnostic ( like hijack This ) that I can run , then recreate the problem so that it can be sorted out whats going on while the crash occurs?

 

Your graphics drivers appear to be "jammed" (from my first post).

Here is the sticky from the Hardware forum:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=39100

I have never used a "driver cleaner" and I think I would prefer to reformat rather than use one.

Matt