Windows Vista Can't Instal Vista after System Recovery

[CJC]

My problem is that I now have a PC which is totally unusable because after doing a system recovery it stalls when trying to instal Windows and it ‘can’t instal Vista in Safe Mode..’. Consequently, I can’t use the PC at all, particularly to uninstall the suspected faulty driver [nvlddmkm].

I would be very grateful for any help, for example, how I could uninstall the display driver which is probably causing the crash and get windows installed and working sufficiently for me to upload a new driver, to get passed this problem (via DOS..?) ?

I apologise for the length of this posting but I hope I’m giving helpful information about the problem/s and what I’ve done already – but sorry if it’s irrelevant/too much info!!

PC DETAILS
HP Pavilion a6250.uk Desktop PC
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Service Pack 2
NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS video card
HP w2007v monitor

PRIOR TO PROBLEM
All Windows, HP and security updates updated automatically, firewall set up and secure etc. All updates for hardware, such as video card, updated automatically (via HP alerts). No new hardware added to the computer since new, no new software added to the PC for ~12 months. No hardware attached to the PC except for printer and router when problems occurred.

PROBLEM
I periodically received [the dreaded!] error message:

Problem Event: BlueScreen
Problem description: PC DETAILS:
OS Version: 6.0.6002.2.2.0.768.2
Locale ID: 2057
BC Code: 116
BCP1: 877EC008
BCP2: 8E6C5150
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: 00000002
OS Version: 6_0_6002
S.Pack: 2_0
Product: 768_1

Doing a system restore and/or using safe mode enabled PC to be continued to be used and shutdown properly, initially whilst I researched the problem - and discovered how common the fault was; I tried to find an update for the video card and whilst continuing to try to rectify the problem, including doing the in-built computer check (everything passed), I got the message:

“Display driver nvlddmkm failed and recovered…â€Â￾, before failing again and not recovering.

WHAT I’VE DONE
1. Disconnected the router and printer so only keyboard, mouse and monitor connected. Did System Recovery using program on hard drive to get back to factory settings. Although it said it was successful it was exactly as before and it went straight to BlueScreen.

2. Re-did System Recovery using the discs I created when PC was new. Worked sufficiently to get to the stage of being offered the start of installing Vista, but display flaky and flickering. Each time it started ‘checking the computer’s performance…’ it got a little way then crashed. Tried to start in safe mode. Told ‘Vista can’t instal in safe mode…’ and so couldn’t continue. Tried system restore a few times to get back prior to Vista instal. Same as before; had to switch off without shutdown.

3. (Using anti-static wristband etc.) removed and re-seated: hard drive, RAM, graphics card and CMOS battery. Got BlueScreen on start up.

4. Using recovery discs, performed manufacturer menu:
- Cleared partition table
- Erased master boot record
- Wiped all sectors
Finished recovery. BlueScreen on start up. Offered Startup Repair.

5. Completed a startup repair and told:
Problem Event: StartupRepair
Problem Signature 01: Autofailover
Problem Signature 02: 6.0.6000.16386.6.0
Problem Signature 03: 2
Problem Signature 04: 131074
Problem Signature 05: FailureDuringSetup
Problem Signature 06: FailureDuringSetup
Problem Signature 07: 0
Problem Signature 08: 0
Problem Signature 09: unknown
Problem Signature 10: 1168
OS Version: 6.0.60000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Session Details
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk 0
Windows Directory = c:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

[All tests performed successfully]

Root cause found:
Failure while setup in progress


So, back to square one..!
Any help VERY welcome

 

[SIW2]

I don't have an HP system , but if you bing the issue on Ixquick - you will see it is a notorious problem.

 

[CJC]

Faulty nvidia graphics cards

This is a long thread so i could be gathering info improperly but here goes:
It appears that this is an nVidia card that is having an issue on an HP system. Most if not all HP systems I've experienced have onboard graphics can we revert to this through Bios or perhaps by booting with a monitor plugged into the integrated VGA port in order to get into windows and roll back this offending driver.
Also I'm not seeing anywhere that the OP mentioned an Nvidia update so perhaps this isn't a driver issue but a failed piece of physical hardware?

I don't have an HP system , but if you bing the issue on Ixquick - you will see it is a notorious problem.

Thanks to both [Yes, I did have all the updates I knew of.!]. I thought I'd let you know the state of play, also in case it helps anyone else...

I researched the problem more after the last postings and discovered that it is indeed a huge problem and far more wide ranging than I first found: apparently, all NVIDIA GeForce 84 and 86 graphics cards are faulty (I have an 8400 GS). Several manufacturers have been caught out with these and have got into negotiations with NVIDIA, eg. HP, Dell, Sony. If you have an HP Slimline PC (I don't), you can have a FREE replacement if yours goes wrong within 12 months after the warranty expires, uptil December 31st 2009. You can get driver updates now BUT - and it's a big BUT - the driver is there to speed up the fan rate to stop the card overheating and so now those with this update have fans working virtually constantly and full speed - with all that precipitates - and which also keeps the cards going until they're out of warranty....!

To solve my problem, at least for now, I have removed the card all together and am currently just using the inbuilt VGA graphics adapter, and all is working fine - and for normal stuff and iPlayer type use, the quality of graphics is fine (I've not bothered to try a game). The 8400GS card is now a bottom of the range card costing ~£27 but now comes with a three year warranty(!) (it was £200 and the high end of the mid range cards when I bought it 18 mths ago, but, as we all know, technology moves on at a huge pace). SO, I'm codging on whether just to buy a new 8400 for less than £30 knowing that if it does fail I'll be covered for 3 years - by which time my PC will be nearly 5 years old - [but will the fan speed cause unwanted repercussions], or to buy a better one? I do play games but of the Riven/Tunguska/Broken Sword type, not the kill 'em blood and guts type games , so I don't need a mega performance one.

If anyone's got any recommendations on a new card for my setup, I'd be pleased to hear..

HP Pavilion a6250.uk Desktop PC
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Service Pack 2
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Intel Viiv; Intel G33 express chipset
Standard: 3 GB; Memory type: DDR2-SDRAM; Memory slots: 4 DIMM sockets
SATA 3G; 500 GB; 7200 rpm

Thanks.

 

[jhnsmith978]

If you are not getting any solution for your problem on your own then it doesn't mean your computer is unusable. you can consult to some Repair center. In present scenario there are many online computer service available that can diagnose and repair virtually any problem you are experiencing.

 

[kemical]

If anyone's got any recommendations on a new card for my setup, I'd be pleased to hear..

Now that would best started in a new thread really,... to save confusion...

As to the subject you mentioned CJC, I remember the articles at the time it was happening..
First Nvidia wouldn't admit there was a problem and then it became apparent that the 'bumps' on the bottom of the graphics chip were cracking.These are used to connect the chip to the substrate... This was happening in laptops far more because of their high heat cycle. A pc is only switched on or off a couple of times a day if that, where as a laptop is continually being switched on or off.. This constant heating and cooling played havoc with the batch of chips you mentioned (basically the 8400 series). One fix was a bios download which altered the fan speed but this just used up the battery more... Eventually, the truth was out and so was the compensation...

If your really after a new card, the 4850 would probably suit you? Plus it's cheap too..