Random Vista crashes
OK, I'm pissed now.
The following is a brief history of my experience with Windows Vista.
1. 6 months ago I set up a dual boot start up on my system between XP Home, and Vista Beta 2. I installed a 2nd. hard drive for Vista, since I didn't want to screw up my system. Beta 2 looked nice, but was very bloated, and a bit unstable. I would get the "Black screen on death" now and then saying I had a USB driver causing the problem.
2. 3 Months ago I installed Windows Vista RC1 over the Beta 2 version. It was more unstable. Actually, it was hardly useable due to the frequent random crashes. For this version, it was just a black screen - then shutdown. It would always happen when either playing a simple game like hearts, or opening a file in Media player.
3. Yesterday, like an idiot, I installed Vista Home Basic over RC1. It is far less bloated, does not take up a lot of space, and therefore, would appear to be more stable.
WRONG! Lucky for me I still kept the dual boot system, and have the good old XP to fall back on. Even the Home Basic version, for no apparent reason - Black Screen - Restart!
WHY THE HELL IS THIS! I did everything right. My Dell Dimension passed all the pre Vista tests.
Does anyone, or everyone, out there have the same issues with Vista? If so, what am I missing, other than the fact that I'm a stupid *** trying to get an overpriced operating system to work as good as a Mac!
I know this won't make you feel any better, but I just built a brand-new machine, loaded Windows Home Premium (OEM) and am experiencing the exact same random crashes that you describe. No video output, then shut-down. At least you're not alone. I'm getting ready to punt, and go back to XP.
Hello Kurt
Aftr doing a lot of research, I'm comming to 2 conclusions. The first one is that Microsoft is covering this one up. I'm sure a lot of people are having this same problem. The second is that during the install, or during Windows update, Direct X is somehow screwing up the registry. (I'm glad I have that dual boot system - XP is quite stable. I can't remember the last time it crashed)
My next attempt to fix this problem, is to search for a good, and free, (I'm not spending any more money on this problem), registry cleaner. If you know of one, please let me know. I did find this:
http://www.bestvistadownloads.com/software/k-registry-t-free-free-registry-cleaner-download-dmmykjom.html
I'm going to try it this weekend.
Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone.
I'm having the exact same problem. First I loaded the 64-bit version of Vista Ultimate. Randomly crashed over and over before and after installing all updates. Gave up and tried the 32-bit version thinking that since my XP Pro 32-bit install ran solid on this system for so long that might be the issue. Well the 32-bit version of Vista Ultimate is doing the exact same thing. Just doing basic web browsing and downloads the darn thing goes down just like you are experiencing. Booo! Booo!
d1rk at 2007-10-11 >
I found the solution to my problem. I changed the power settings from the default "Balanced" plan to the "High Performance" option which minimized the use of power management. I have not had 1 crash since.
d1rk at 2007-10-11 >
d1rk
I took your advice, and changed the power settings to "High Performance" To test for a crash, I opened the HEARTS card game and started playing. The computer crashed about 1/2 way through the game. At least on my machine, it did not solve the problem. Nothing seems to stop this damn crashing! Any more ideas. I also adjusted the performance settings, removing all the VISTA "bells and whistles", to ease up on the system resources. This still did not solve this damn crashing problem.
I have the Same problem, only difference.... it happend on XP too.. just started about 2 months ago.. maybe u can help me. heres my Report::
Product
Windows
Problem
Shut down unexpectedly
Date
3/6/2007 9:54 PM
Status
Report Sent
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Files that help describe the problem (some files may no longer be available)
Mini030607-01.dmp
sysdata.xml
Version.txt
Extra information about the problem
BCCode: a
BCP1: 0000001B
BCP2: 00000002
BCP3: 00000001
BCP4: 81FA4E79
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1
Server information: aae35466-d242-45c0-85ec-73094cbb0f68
After viewing the following site:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=293078
I realized it was the video card drivers at fault. (AMD RADEON 9800) I then uninstalled the drivers. At that point, the system never crashed again. I was able to load, and run, all my applications. Of course the video refresh rate went to hell without the drivers. But NO MORE CRASHES.
I do know now for a fact, that this problem is a video card / driver issue.
My next step this weekend, will be to install new drivers, that AMD claims will work with VISTA.
I know this doesn't help, but I am experiencing the same problem with Vista randomly rebooting. I have a custom built machine running Vista Ultimate 64bit. I too can have the machine just sitting idle, and then it decides to reboot, but this "feature" seems to occur more frequent when I perform anything graphically intensive.
I have a nVidia 7600GT (Galaxy I think) and I have installed the latest drivers from nVidia for it (100.65).
I tried to follow the up link's work-around, but could not as it was intended for XP? Would this solve the problem in Vista? Also, I do not receive an error message, the PC just randonly reboots!
si77 at 2007-10-11 >
si77
I finally solved the problem, and now Vista is very stable. My computer is a DELL DIMENSION 4300, (1200 MHz with 1 Gig of RAM). In preparation for VISTA, about 6 months ago I installed an ATI RADEON PRO 9800 video card, (128 Meg). It worked great with XP. VISTA would always crash when doing anything graphically intensive, and sometimes while doing nothing. A week ago, with the computer in the safe mode, I downloaded the latest VISTA drivers for the video card. I thought that was the answer to my problems.
WRONG AGAIN. No change to the problem.
In desperation, I removed the ATI card, and reinstalled the old original video card that came with the computer. PROBLEM SOLVED!
No more crashes, the system is entirely stable. To be sure, I ran multiple applications, video, graphics, downloading and installing large apps., I tried to make it crash, and it wouldn't.
My only issue now is, since the old video card is only 16 Meg, I have to reduce the size of the windows used for video, in order to have an image with good resolution. At least I have a usable, and very stable computer.
Why will a card that works great with XP, cause VISTA to crash? Is it a timing issue? Is a 1200 MHz machine too slow for the ATI card when running in VISTA and fine when running in XP?
I do want to install a better video card, but I don't know which one I should get. Any ideas? All I do know, is I don't want to go through that crashing *** again.
Well would you believe your luck!
As I was reading your post for a second time, my PC reliably rebooted 3 times in succession.
However, before this madness, I was advised to turn off the option of 'automatic rebooting', consequently giving the return of the dreaded BSOD, but at least it contained some information about the cause. In the modern day of technology, I took a quick snap with my phone, and have uploaded them for all to see:
www.SwellDesigns.co.uk/img/BSOD/13-03-07_1846.jpg
www.SwellDesigns.co.uk/img/BSOD/13-03-07_1850.jpg
www.SwellDesigns.co.uk/img/BSOD/13-03-07_1853.jpg
I've looked up the errors, and there seems to be a whole host of reasons, but I'm still of the opinion that is is graphic related. However I am stubborn and refuse to downgrade my new card just because Vista can't handle it, as XP ran with it no problem.
I'm sorry that I can't comment on the compatibility of your PC with your new card, nor can I recommend a card.
I will report back if I find an alternative solution.
si77 at 2007-10-11 >
I looked at your error messages. Although they don't exactly match the ones in this:
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=293078
I think that is because the above article refers to XP, and not Vista, but I'm not sure about that. The one thing I am sure of, is that it is a combination of motherboard and video card, that XP has no problem with, but VISTA can't reliably work with.
Prove it to yourself, and temporially put in a downgraded cheap card, (If you have one).
I too, will not live with the downgrade that I installed forever, but for now it's ok, until I find out what card I can use with the motherboard I have, that will be VISTA friendly. I NEVER GIVE UP!
I found something else that might be a clue to this damn problem, but I'm not quite sure how to do it.
The following was listed on another forum:
I had a similar problem when I was trying to install Vista using a Radeon X1600. The solution that I worked out with Microsoft was to go into BIOS and change the AGP Apature Size to the amount of memory on my video card, if your BIOS doesn't go up that high, change the setting to the highest available. Most BIOS defaults is at 64mb, which for some reason doesn't work or play well in Vista. I hope this helps.
Thanks, I'll try that.
I tried to install nVidia latest Beta drivers for the GSU (101.45), but my PC keeps crashing at exactly the same place every time!
I also tried to install nVidia's nForceware drivers (I have nVidia MB), but the BSOD appeared even when automatic reboot was switched on, so I rolled back, through a restore point.
si77 at 2007-10-11 >
