Nvidia Driver Conflicts

Question

I can't recall making an update or change to my rig or software, but suddenly it started crashing whenever I launched a game. I have reinstalled, first from the recovery option in settings, and then from install disk after seeing no change. After the disk install I proceeded to download the updates which I had a few hiccups with, but then ironed out. Then I moved on to my graphics card drivers.

I have an Nvidia RTX 2080, and whenever I start to download any driver for it it freezes towards the end. After I reboot it I can maybe log in and then it will BSOD and continuously reboot. I then have to hard power it off and restore.

Answer 1

Hi Malachi to diagnose the underlying issue, I need to analyse your Mini-dump file(s):

Open Windows File Explorer

Navigate to C:\Windows\Minidump

Zip up the contents of that folder

If you have problems zipping those files, copy them out onto your Desktop and zip them from there

Upload the zip file to the Cloud (OneDrive, DropBox . . . etc.)

Then post a link here to the zip file, so we can take a look for you . . .

NOTE, if you cannot get into Windows 10, boot into Safe Mode to get the minidump file(s), your graphics card driver is not loaded in Safe mode . . .

Answer 2

• If mini dumps are being generated by the BSOD upload a few to a file sharing service so people here can analyse them.

(more info if you need it - BSOD Finding and fixing them )

• How did you determine the Nvidia driver is causing a conflict ?

Have you tried running in Clean Boot to help isolate any Services or Startup program conflicts ?

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

• Did you install anything around the time the problem began ?
• Have you updated Win10 to v1903 yet ?
• Are you able to boot into Safe Mode without crashing, or boot into Windows normally with no Nvidia driver installed ?
• Is this a new machine or have you upgraded to the RTX2080 ?
• I'm not clear on what you are referring to by 'restore' when you reboot after having done a hard shut-down. System Restore ?

When you are forced to do a hard shut down it's advisable to restart via Windows as this allows Windows to sort some things

out, which can help stabilise things.

Which 'recovery' option did you use. The Reset option ?

So, what you have accomplished at this point. Have you done a Windows Reset, then downloaded and installed the most recent

motherboard drivers and BIOS  ? But when you install the Nvidia driver you get a BSOD just on completion, or rebooting into Windows  ?

Drivers supplied on disc by the mfg of a motherboard or gpu are always out of date, and Nvidia advise against using Device Manager

to deal with gpu drivers.

When a driver has been uninstalled\rolled back and reinstalled several times, or driver corruption is suspected uninstalling

using DDU  can help get better results with the next driver install attempt. DDU deletes some files that are left when uninstalling

with the standard method - via Programs and Features or App & Features leaves behind.

Display Driver Uninstaller Download version 14.1.0.0

After uninstalling the current driver remember to reboot before installing the new driver.

Did you download the driver you are currently trying to install directly from Nvidia ?

NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Advanced Search

• Once you are certain your motherboard and gpu drivers have installed properly there are other possibilities.

If you can boot into Windows without the Nvidia driver installed hardware problems are  more likely. Have you tried re-seating

your gpu and verified the power cables are fully seated. the extra 2 pin part on an 8 pin connection is a potential culprit.

Have you monitored the cpu and gpu temperatures under gaming load (prior to the problem) ?

.