PC Graphics

ant · ‎08-03-2018

Recently, I turned off my old full-tower PC off for a few hours last month (overnight) and earlier today due to the hot summer weather. My room temperature was like over 80F degrees.

After I powered on my PC, its updated 64-bit W7's boot up splash screen showed a partial white flash for a second and then corruptions. I think it got to its login screen and then with a corrupted blue screen which was unreadable with more white blocks. https://i.imgur.com/87PHHDL.jpg and https://i.imgur.com/V9kmhTo.jpg for my blurry iPhone 4S photographs of it. Also, it was able to make a memory dump as shown below when I was able to get back in after pressing the PC's reset button (not power off and on):

Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.12.0002.633 AMD64

Loading Dump File

Kernel Summary Dump File: Only kernel address space is available

Symbol search path is: srv*c:\symbols*https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols

Executable search path is:

Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (8 procs) Free x64

Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS Personal

Built by: 7601.24150.amd64fre.win7sp1_ldr_escrow.180528-1700

Machine Name:

Kernel base = 0xfffff800`03013000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0xfffff800`03252c90

Debug session time: Sat Jul 7 10:08:48.150 2018 (UTC - 7:00)

System Uptime: 0 days 0:00:44.040

Loading Kernel Symbols

...............................................................

................................................................

................

Loading User Symbols

Loading unloaded module list

....

*******************************************************************************

* *

* Bugcheck Analysis *

* *

*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 116, {fffffa8009143010, fffff88004837efc, 0, 2}

*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys

Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+8efc )

Followup: MachineOwner

---------

6: kd> !analyze -v

*******************************************************************************

* *

* Bugcheck Analysis *

* *

*******************************************************************************

VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)

Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.

Arguments:

Arg1: fffffa8009143010, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).

Arg2: fffff88004837efc, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).

Arg3: 0000000000000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.

Arg4: 0000000000000002, Optional internal context dependent data.

Debugging Details:

------------------

FAULTING_IP:

atikmpag+8efc

fffff880`04837efc 4055 push rbp

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID: GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT

BUGCHECK_STR: 0x116

PROCESS_NAME: System

CURRENT_IRQL: 0

STACK_TEXT:

fffff880`079fe9c8 fffff880`048eb388 : 00000000`00000116 fffffa80`09143010 fffff880`04837efc 00000000`00000000 : nt!KeBugCheckEx

fffff880`079fe9d0 fffff880`048eb092 : fffff880`04837efc fffffa80`09143010 fffffa80`07c76d50 fffffa80`07c76010 : dxgkrnl!TdrBugcheckOnTimeout+0xec

fffff880`079fea10 fffff880`0560ffcb : fffffa80`09143010 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`07c76d50 fffffa80`07c76010 : dxgkrnl!TdrIsRecoveryRequired+0x1a2

fffff880`079fea40 fffff880`05639d45 : 00000000`ffffffff 00000000`0000083b 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000002 : dxgmms1!VidSchiReportHwHang+0x40b

fffff880`079feb20 fffff880`0563848b : 00000000`00000102 00000000`00000000 00000000`0000083b 00000000`00000000 : dxgmms1!VidSchiCheckHwProgress+0x71

fffff880`079feb50 fffff880`0560b2f2 : ffffffff`ff676980 fffffa80`07c76010 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : dxgmms1!VidSchiWaitForSchedulerEvents+0x1fb

fffff880`079febf0 fffff880`0563804a : 00000000`00000000 00000000`0000000f 00000000`00000080 fffffa80`077fe748 : dxgmms1!VidSchiScheduleCommandToRun+0x1da

fffff880`079fed00 fffff800`0335bbe0 : 00000000`059c8b64 fffff800`031fd180 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`075d1060 : dxgmms1!VidSchiWorkerThread+0xba

fffff880`079fed40 fffff800`030bd8c6 : fffff800`031fd180 fffffa80`075d1060 fffff800`0320d1c0 00000000`00000000 : nt!PspSystemThreadStartup+0x194

fffff880`079fed80 00000000`00000000 : fffff880`079ff000 fffff880`079f9000 fffff880`044a2c20 00000000`00000000 : nt!KiStartSystemThread+0x16

STACK_COMMAND: .bugcheck ; kb

FOLLOWUP_IP:

atikmpag+8efc

fffff880`04837efc 4055 push rbp

SYMBOL_NAME: atikmpag+8efc

FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: atikmpag

IMAGE_NAME: atikmpag.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 517f30ef

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

BUCKET_ID: X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

Followup: MachineOwner

---------

6: kd> lmvm atikmpag

start end module name

fffff880`0482f000 fffff880`0488e000 atikmpag (no symbols)

Loaded symbol image file: atikmpag.sys

Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys

Image name: atikmpag.sys

Timestamp: Mon Apr 29 19:48:15 2013 (517F30EF)

CheckSum: 000613E7

ImageSize: 0005F000

File version: 8.14.1.6264

Product version: 8.14.1.6264

File flags: 8 (Mask 3F) Private

File OS: 40004 NT Win32

File type: 3.4 Driver

File date: 00000000.00000000

Translations: 0409.04b0

CompanyName: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

ProductName: AMD driver

InternalName: atikmpag.sys

OriginalFilename: atikmpag.sys

ProductVersion: 8.14.01.6264

FileVersion: 8.14.01.6264

FileDescription: AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver

6: kd> lmvm atikmpag

start end module name

fffff880`0482f000 fffff880`0488e000 atikmpag (no symbols)

Loaded symbol image file: atikmpag.sys

Image path: \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys

Image name: atikmpag.sys

Timestamp: Mon Apr 29 19:48:15 2013 (517F30EF)

CheckSum: 000613E7

ImageSize: 0005F000

File version: 8.14.1.6264

Product version: 8.14.1.6264

File flags: 8 (Mask 3F) Private

File OS: 40004 NT Win32

File type: 3.4 Driver

File date: 00000000.00000000

Translations: 0409.04b0

CompanyName: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

ProductName: AMD driver

InternalName: atikmpag.sys

OriginalFilename: atikmpag.sys

ProductVersion: 8.14.01.6264

FileVersion: 8.14.01.6264

FileDescription: AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver

It can't be its hardware's hot heat since I just turned it on after several (five and ten) hours power off. Maybe too hot in my room which was over 80F degees without AC. Maybe the video card is failing due to bad caps? Maybe it needs to be cleaned from its dusts? http://zimage.com/~ant/antfarm/about/MyComputerStuff.txt for the detailed specifications for primary computer.

I hope someone can answer soon. Thank you for reading my long post.

elstaci · ‎08-04-2018

I would clean out the GPU card's heatsink and fan to eliminate heating issues due to dust and dirt. Does the GPU Fan turn on when you power up? If it is over 10 years old, you might want to remove the outside Cowl with the heatsink and fan and reapply Thermal paste again if it is heat related issue.

Do you have any type of Hardware monitoring software that shows temperatures of the CPU and GPU? If so what are they showing?

Can you go into Safe mode? If so, try uninstalling the AMD Driver and see if Windows boots up normally. Windows will install the correct driver for your Legacy HD card. AMD has no drivers for this card anymore.

If you have an APU or your Motherboard comes with integrated Graphics you can switch over to integrated Graphics so that you will be able to boot into Windows by passing the GPU card if it is bad.

By your post, it seems like you were saying the Windows 7 got updated. If so, try doing a Restore before the update and see if your card starts working again.

Try to post the BSOD or any error messages with the Windows error code if possible.

PS: Your image links didn't work for me.

ant · ‎08-04-2018

elstaci wrote:
I would clean out the GPU card's heatsink and fan to eliminate heating issues due to dust and dirt. Does the GPU Fan turn on when you power up? If it is over 10 years old, you might want to remove the outside Cowl with the heatsink and fan and reapply Thermal paste again if it is heat related issue.
Do you have any type of Hardware monitoring software that shows temperatures of the CPU and GPU? If so what are they showing?
Can you go into Safe mode? If so, try uninstalling the AMD Driver and see if Windows boots up normally. Windows will install the correct driver for your Legacy HD card. AMD has no drivers for this card anymore.
If you have an APU or your Motherboard comes with integrated Graphics you can switch over to integrated Graphics so that you will be able to boot into Windows by passing the GPU card if it is bad.
By your post, it seems like you were saying the Windows 7 got updated. If so, try doing a Restore before the update and see if your card starts working again.
Try to post the BSOD or any error messages with the Windows error code if possible.
PS: Your image links didn't work for me.

I will need to check to see if the video card's fan spin right after turning on the PC after turning it off for several/few hours. It does spin when I am in Windows after pressing the reset button from the corrupted blue screen crash. Is there a way to monitor the video card before and during loading the OS since it is already corrupting during W7's animated boot splash screen? I have NO problems in Windows (assuming it booted up fine) though like right now as I type this. It can run for months without powering off and with normal reboots (e.g., Windows Updates requiring reboots). I always keep my Windows updates every first Tuesday of each month unless they are out of bound. I have no onboard video. I already copied and pasted the BSOD crash dump from WinDbg in my original post. My two imgur.com links worked for me. Is anyone else having the same problem? I can reupload to another image host if needed.

ant · ‎08-04-2018

Oh, I forgot to mention this too. I also had a few seconds power outage a couple days ago in the early morning that my PC went off and then on (no UPS' batter for it). It had no problems! The issue only happened when the PC was manually turned off for hours and then manually powered on.

black_zion · ‎08-04-2018

It is very possible it is giving up the goat if it's displaying corrupted graphics during boot up, though it could have been damaged in the power surge. Normally I would you need to upgrade to a modern card anyway, even the $100 RX 550 is twice as fast and draws a third of the power of the HD 4870, plus when Microsoft forces you to upgrade to Windows 10 the HD 4000 series isn't supported, but your whole machine being 11 years old is an issue, being an Intel Nehalem machine, it will not receive a Meltdown protection update, and if somehow it does, your speed is going to be slaughtered.

You might want to look at a Socket AM4 based APU system, like the Ryzen 2400G. Also, you -need- a UPS. Not only will it protect you from power surges, it will also protect your system if your PSU decides to kamikaze as it will shut off if it tries to draw more than the UPS rating. I suggest the http://a.co/5p8y8i4 CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD. The battery life isn't that strong, they use smaller batteries than APC, but give you the protection you need.

ant · ‎08-04-2018

black_zion wrote:
It is very possible it is giving up the goat if it's displaying corrupted graphics during boot up, though it could have been damaged in the power surge. Normally I would you need to upgrade to a modern card anyway, even the $100 RX 550 is twice as fast and draws a third of the power of the HD 4870, plus when Microsoft forces you to upgrade to Windows 10 the HD 4000 series isn't supported, but your whole machine being 11 years old is an issue, being an Intel Nehalem machine, it will not receive a Meltdown protection update, and if somehow it does, your speed is going to be slaughtered.
You might want to look at a Socket AM4 based APU system, like the Ryzen 2400G. Also, you -need- a UPS. Not only will it protect you from power surges, it will also protect your system if your PSU decides to kamikaze as it will shut off if it tries to draw more than the UPS rating. I suggest the http://a.co/5p8y8i4 CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD. The battery life isn't that strong, they use smaller batteries than APC, but give you the protection you need.

Hmm, power surges from the past. Maybe. I also noticed my APC Back-UPS XS 1500 (model: BX1500G; 865 watts UPS no longer can handle over 300 watts of power since last year even after I replaced its original battery from APC on Amazon! Maybe it got damaged too?

elstaci · ‎08-05-2018

I have the same UPS that @BlackZion mentioned in his post. The original set of two batteries have now lasted over five years after countless blackouts (some are flickers) and brownouts. I highly recommend this UPS. The UPS Output (Pure Sine Wave - same as wall outlet) is compatible with all the latest PSU.

I also keep my computer running 24/7 as long as possible. When power flickers or goes off, My monitor goes dark and the Computer goes into something similar to being in hibernation to save power. Once power comes back, the Monitor turns back on exactly the same spot it was when the power outage occurred.

black_zion · ‎08-05-2018

Could just be a duff battery too, but it would be worth it to demote it to your television and buy a new UPS for your computer system.

ant · ‎08-05-2018

black_zion wrote:
Could just be a duff battery too, but it would be worth it to demote it to your television and buy a new UPS for your computer system.

Duff? What do you mean? It is a new battery replacement. It did work for a month when I did a quick test to see if it could handle over 300 watts (actually 500 when using two PCs+1 22" HD monitor) .

black_zion · ‎08-05-2018

Duff = Bad, malfunctioning.

ant · ‎08-05-2018

black_zion wrote:
Duff = Bad, malfunctioning.

Ah, thanks. I didn't see that definition in my dictionaries. Heh, my video card is a duff too then with its boot up even though I only saw it twice since last month so far. Oh for kicks, I tried a Steam free weekend game (

https://store.steampowered.com/app/208140/Endless_Space__Collection/) for almost ten minutes in my mid 80F degrees room. No problems. The game was boring though, so I stopped and uninstalled it.

black_zion · ‎08-05-2018

Still need to think about upgrading your entire system.

ant · ‎08-05-2018

black_zion wrote:
Still need to think about upgrading your entire system.

Yeah, I know. I just don't have a lot of money since I have been unemployed for over 1 year, 7 months, 20 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes, and 37 seconds (thanks Wolfram|Alpha).

ant · ‎08-08-2018

FYI. Earlier, I turned off my PC for about 40 minutes earlier for kicks, and then turned it on. Also, video card's fan does seem to spin when powering on the PC too since I felt its cool air coming out in my low 80F degrees room. No problems there. I'll need to try again, but for hours. Maybe I'll retest tonight when I don't need to use this old PC.

ant · ‎08-09-2018

ant wrote:
FYI. Earlier, I turned off my PC for about 40 minutes earlier for kicks, and then turned it on. Also, video card's fan does seem to spin when powering on the PC too since I felt its cool air coming out in my low 80F degrees room. No problems there. I'll need to try again, but for hours. Maybe I'll retest tonight when I don't need to use this old PC.

No problems from this morning's five hours manual power off and on. This one will be hard to reproduce as I expected. Hmm...

PC Graphics

Is my almost decade old ATI Radeon 4870 video card finally failing?