Windows 7 BSOD caused by igdpmd64.sys in Win 7 Pro on m17X r3 laptop

[bkusnerik]

Hi Everyone, just joined the community. I recently purchased an Alienware m17x R3 laptop. It has worked just fine for about a month. Last night, after I went to bed, I got a BSOD. When I found it this morning, it said the problem was in igdpmd64.sys. I tried rebooting, but just after the Win 7 start screen, I got the another screen saying there was some kind of problem with the Windows startup and asking me to either start the Windows recovery/repair process or start Windows normally. What the heck happened? I cannot get into Windows to gather any dump files or anything. It sounds like I have no choice but to do the Windows repair, correct?

System specs: i7-2670QM processor, 8Gb ram, 750 Gb SATA drive, 2Gb Radeon 6990M graphics/switchable with the built in Intel graphics.

Has anyone else had problems with the igdpmd64.sys driver? I searched for it on the internet, but really didn't find as much as I had expected. Or is my problem just a bad Win 7 install?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Bill

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Bill, It sounds like you are facing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issue on your Alienware m17x R3 laptop with the error pointing to the igdpmd64.sys driver. This driver is related to Intel Graphics. The BSOD might have been triggered by a variety of factors such as driver conflicts, corrupt system files, or hardware issues. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue: 1. Start Windows Repair: - Since you are unable to access Windows normally, the Windows repair option seems like the next logical step. This can help in repairing any corrupted system files that might be causing the issue. 2. Try Safe Mode: - If you can access the Advanced Boot Options menu, try booting into Safe Mode. This mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and services, which can help in diagnosing the issue. 3. Update Graphics Drivers: - If possible, update both the Intel and Radeon graphics drivers to the latest versions. Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to system instability. 4. Check for Windows Updates: - Make sure your system is up-to-date with the latest Windows updates. Sometimes, updating Windows can resolve underlying issues. 5. Check Hardware: - It's also worth checking the hardware components for any issues. Ensure that the RAM and hard drive are functioning correctly. 6. Disable Switchable Graphics: - Sometimes issues arise with switchable graphics. You can try disabling switchable graphics in the BIOS to check if that resolves the problem. 7. Recovery and Backup: - If the repair process doesn't work, you might need to consider a system recovery or backup options to restore your system to a working state. As for the igdpmd64.sys driver, it's not a common driver to cause issues. It's possible that the problem stems from a specific configuration or interaction with other drivers on your system. If you can share any updates or further details about the troubleshooting steps you've taken or their outcomes, I can provide more tailored assistance. Feel free to reach out with any questions along the way!