Windows 7 Display randomly freezes/distorts

[headsh0tshurt]

Hello. i checked several of the graphic support threads and i see there are other members with similar issues. however, most pertain to when they're gaming, my issue unfortunately is isolated to just that.

Since I've upgraded my pc to Windows 7 ultimate several months ago i have had random occurences of display errors. Most times the screen would unexpectantly become distorted and then freeze, forcing me to reboot the computer. Other times it would distort/freeze/then reboot on its own. only a handful of times have I gotten a BSOD and on a rare ocassion the BSOD will produce a technical cause of the error, most times it is attributed to "NVLDDMKM.SYS".i googled that file name and saw that it was related to my nvidia graphics card. I've since updated it with the latest driver, along with drivers for my monitor/audio and chipset.
It used to happen mostly when i brought the PC out of sleep mode and lately it happens when im playing starcraft or even just on my desktop. i had to reboot my pc 3 times just to complete this message (which i had to save to a notepad file and keep adding to it in between reboots...as i write this i am in safe mode. I'll copy/paste this to the board as soon as i reboot into normal mode).
The PC crashed numerous times this morning all within a matter of minutes. i've included a link to a zip file i created which holds all of today's dump files. I'm not sure how to read the dump files but hopefully some one on here can decipher it and point me in the right direction to solving the problem.
View attachment minidump1.zip

My pc info:
HP Pavilion - m9040n
product#: GN553AAR#ABA
s/n: MX473702B1

Mainboard : Asus Berkeley
Chipset : Intel G31/G33/G35
Processor : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2400 MHz
Physical Memory : 3072 MB
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Hard Disk : Hitachi (320 GB)
Hard Disk : Hitachi (320 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GSA-H60L ATA Device
Monitor Type : LG Electronics W1952 - 19 inches
Network Card : 82801IB/IR/IH (ICH9 Family) Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Network Card : 82801IB/IR/IH (ICH9 Family) Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Operating System : Windows 7 Ultimate Professional 6.01.7600 (x64)
DirectX : Version 10.00
Windows Performance Index :

Video Card Info:
Manufacturer : Nvidia
Model : NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Bus Type : PCI-Express
Total Memory : 256 MB
Texture Memory : 1521 MB
Processor : GeForce 8400 GS
Converter : Integrated RAMDAC
Refresh Rate (min/max) : 56/75 Hz
Monitor: LG Flatron W1952TQ

 

[headsh0tshurt]

I have the Windows Updates to manually install but after a clean install I ran the Windows Updates

 

[CommonTater]

I have the Windows Updates to manually install but after a clean install I ran the Windows Updates

Ok... just be sure it didn't replace your drivers... It's going to constantly try to replace that older version Video driver.

 

[headsh0tshurt]

Its definitely a hardware issue. Now whether its the video card or the mother board is another task
Even after having the win7 version of the 196.21 nvidia driver installed it still produced the same error as before. I'm running the pc in safe mode right now and there are slight traces of color distortion on the screen. I've left the pc on overnight as I redownload the starcraft game client. I'm going to purchase a replacement pci express video card today. However, before installing I will reboot the pc in normal mode and retry the HP bios update (originally it is designed for vista 64bit) in compatibility mode

 

[TorrentG]

I'm running the pc in safe mode right now and there are slight traces of color distortion on the screen.

I think you'll do well with the new card. Good luck.

Btw, sincere apologies on editing your post. I was trying to reply to it instead and hit the wrong button. I restored your post to its original state.

 

[headsh0tshurt]

no worries. i uninstalled the nvidia card and removed it. i installed the new card (ATI Radeon HD 4650) and ran the latest driver updates from their websites. so far so good

 

[headsh0tshurt]

i think the issue is official resolved. i have not had a problem with the PC at all for the past 2 days. i've left it on for several hours (in idle mode as well as playing starcraft2) with no signs of visual distortion of any kind.

Thanks for all the help

 

[cybercore]

Thank you for updating the thread, we wish you hours of joy with the new card. Should you experience any problems or have questions, do not hesitate to post them - we'll do our best to help. : )

 

[TorrentG]

Yep...same sentiments here. Very glad for ya. Btw, good job running in safe mode to see the display errors. That narrowed down the problem in an excellent manner.

Enjoy!

 

[Lefterr123]

Hey guys ive got the exact same problem which is random screen freezes although it usually happens only when i m playing hon - heroes of newerth? anyone whomaybe knows what the cause is? Also, ive noticed it happens when i use the keyboard and when other players use the keyboard to chat aswell.

 

[Lefterr123]

haha what the **** ever

 

[GeneralHiningII]

From the look of the thread title, you sound angry. HOW DARE YOU BLAME NVIDIA! (joking)
Anyway, the problem IS from your driver folder/s.
SO, this is my proposed solution:
DOWNLOAD, BUT DONT INSTALL (Hopefully you know the difference) NVIDIA DRIVERS 306.23WHQL
then, go to safe mode.
Select your start icon, and type "Device Manager" (without the quotations).
Expand the Display Adapters tab, and right-click your graphics card (in this case, Geforce 8400GS). Uninstall it, and delete the driver software too.
Reboot your computer, and wait for ~5 minutes for your computer to recognize the card again.
Reboot your computer ONCE MORE, and INSTALL the new driver.

It should work (that process^^^ above is a safe install), post back later if you want...