[Tac42]

My Computer at work is crashing randomly and I was hoping someone can help me get this fixed. It always seems to crash when I have something important to complete or in the middle of and I loose my work.
I'm running XP Pro.
I've read other post and it seems the best thing I can start with is the error code and the minidump file.

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 99f62b9f, parameter2 00000008, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 806e642b

Error code 1000000a, parameter1 9664d1c7, parameter2 00000008, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 806e642b

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[Claymore]

You minidump files show 8 instances of the driver nv4_mini.sys failing. This is an nVidia graphics driver. First thing to do is to uninstall your video drivers in Device Manager, reboot and re-install them, preferably an updated version.

For Device Manger go to Start => Run and type in "devmgmt.msc" {without the quotes}.
Your video card is in Display Adapters. Right-click to Uninstall. BUT make sure you have the drivers on hand first.

[Tac42]

Thanks for your help. I did as you instructed and I had a few unexpected problems.
First I went to NVDIA web site and selected option 2 automatically find drivers for my NVIDIA products. After installing active X it told me I need to contact my original manufacture to get the driver. I did this and the latest version Systemax had on there web site was:

NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP version 44.67, 06/13/2003

This one is pretty old so I searched for the latest driver for
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT and found this one:

NVIDIA 1/14/2009 6.14.11.8122

I un-installed my current version and restarted my computer. When my computer restarted it took a long time at the windows screen (the blue bar eventually stopped) and then restarted on its own. It went to the windows boot menu, I selected start windows normally. The same thing happened. This time at the windows boot menu I selected start in safe mode. After a long load time it started in safe mode. It gave me a message windows has completed installing new hardware. So I restart and this time it starts normally.
The driver version at this point is:
NVIDIA 7/20/2005 7.7.7.7

I went ahead and installed the latest driver that I found ( Not from original manufacture)
NVIDIA 1/14/2009 6.14.11.8122
Everything went ok with this install and restart. It seems to be running ok.
I will find out later in the week when I get back from out of town.

I do have one question,
Should I have installed the driver from the original manufacture? Even if it's out of date.
NVIDIA says some drivers are customized for the system.

Some info on my system:
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Version 2002
Service Pack 3
AMD processor 4200+
2.21 GHz 2. 1 GB of Ram
Systemax Support Kit

(1) Mid-Tower ATX Chassis w/350W PS K8N Neo4-F Motherboard
(1) Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ Service Pack 2
(1) AMD Athlon 64 X2-4200+ Dual Core Processor
(1) 1GB DDR400 PC3200 Memory (1GB x 1)
(1) 250GB 7200RPM 3G SATA II Hard Drive
(1) GeForce 6600GT 128MB PCI-Express Graphics Card
(1) 16X DVD-/+/R/RW Dual Layer Drive
(1) 9-in-1 USB Card Reader
(1) 3-Port Firewire Card
(1) Microsoft Works Suite 2005


Once again thank you for the help. I will post updates on how it works out.

[Claymore]

Hope it stays up OK. We''ll see. It's not always the "latest" driver that works well. I often revert to an earlier driver (especially nVidia drivers that I always seem to have difficulty with). I don't worry about the dates. Drivers are sometimes "updated" for reasons that aren't particular to your system.

[Tac42]

Ok, back in the office now I had my administrative assistant start my computer while I was out just to see how long it would stay up. She said it crashed 1 time. I checked my event viewer and it had a couple of crashes last week. As I was looking it over, it crashed again. I get a different error code this time. Can you please help me determine what this problem is? I have attached the mindump file. Once again thank you for any help you can provide.



Error code 100000d1, parameter1 00000000, parameter2 00000008, parameter3 00000008, parameter4 00000000

[Claymore]

Pretty non-descript Driver error. Failing module was ntoskrnl.exe, a basic system file that failed while the system was in an Idle state.
If you get any more just post them. And Check the Event Viewer regularly (Start => Run and type in eventvwr.msc). Could still be the video driver, but it's not certain.
Sorry I can't be of more assistance at this time.

[Tac42]

I did it again at 10:49 and 3:05

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 00000001, parameter2 00000008, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 b8575101

Error code 100000d1, parameter1 00000004, parameter2 00000008, parameter3 00000001, parameter4 b83a94b4

Here are the files, Thanks

[Claymore]

Both are the same as the first ones you were getting: the driver nv4_mini.sys failed while the computer was idle, causing the ntoskrnl to error out and give the system failure.
Afraid it's your nVidia graphics still.
Can you try another video card - not nVidia?

[Tac42]

I don't have another card to pop in. However I don't have a problem replacing it with a new one. I will go buy one tomorrow.

I run two monitors with the current one. Quality and performance is more important than price.
Is there a video card you can recommend?
Thanks,

[Claymore]

I'm personally not a fan of anything nVidia. Maybe ask at the shop. Tell them what you use the computer for, otherwise they may try to sell you some whiz-bang gaming card that maybe you don't need. PCIExpress would be a good hardware type, if your computer has such a slot (most of the newer ones do). If you're not sure, take the make and model number with you.

[Tac42]

Thanks for your help I will try it and get back to you with the results.

[Tac42]

I went to the local computer store and purchased a new card. This being a small town and small store I basically had a choice between this and a high end gaming card. I purchased:

NVIDIA
EVGA e-GeForce 8400 GS
I uninstalled the drivers, installed the new card, and re-installed the drivers (installation CD). My Computer has run now for 3 days without a single crash!! Thank you for taking your time to read my mindmp files and pointing me in the right direction.
I’m new to this forum so do I hit the problem solved button?

[Claymore]

Thanks Tac42

Could be your original card was just misbehaving or finished. I'm sure that card will do fine (nVidia?).
If it all stays good, you can click Solved.
Thanks