Related to BSOD (Nvidia: nvlddmkm.sys/0x00000116 or ATI: ati3duag.dll/0x00000XXX)
I would like to share a success story in regards to this error message that hopefully will help others...
My specs are below for both PCs.
I received this error message with 3 different video cards and 2 manufactures Nvidia & ATI (the ATI BSOD
was a bit different but same results). I did all of the basic and advance steps in troubleshooting
including testing all of my hardware components on identical motherboards & power supplies; however, the
BSOD would only show up on one motherboard with the video card in the first PCIe 2.0 x16 slot but work
fine in the second slot.
The actual issue was related to the North Bridge and the first PCIe 2.0 x16 slot not running the correct
voltage for the video card. Needless to say, here are the steps that corrected my issue, from ASUS
Support, and reset the voltage for the video card:
1. Uninstall video card driver utilities from Programs
2. Uninstall video card driver from Device Manager/Display Adapters
3. Shut down computer
4. Unplug everything including power connector... wait 30 seconds
5. Remove the video card from the motherboard
6. Clear the motherboard CMOS for 20 seconds (my motherboard has a convenient CMOS button on the back but
you may have to use a jumper or remove the battery... follow your MB instructions)
7. Plug in the power and start PC... wait 15 seconds and shut back down
8. Unplug power and put the video card back on your motherboard
9. Plug back in power and start back up... DO NOT modify your BIOS settings yet
10. OPTIONAL: I use RAID drives so I had to turn back on my RAID management in the BIOS when starting up
11. Once Windows loads, install video drivers, restart and see if the issue is fixed
12. If the issue is fixed go back into BIOS update RAM Timings and any other component settings needed
My hope is that this may work for anyone else's issue as this step was not documented anywhere. Usually
most people RMA'd their motherboards on all of the forums I read through without knowing this step.
PC Spec #1
Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium
-BIOS: 1402
-Intel X58 Chipset: 9.1.1.1020
CPU: Intel Core i7 920
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4870
-Driver Version: 8.85
-Catalyst Version: 11.5
Memory: G.Skill F3-16000CL9-2GBTD (2GBx2)
-Timings: 9-9-9-27-2N 1.6V
OS Hard Drive: Intel SSD on SATA 6
PSU: Corsair TX650
Windows 7 Professional x64
PC Spec #2
Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium
-BIOS: 1402
-Intel X58 Chipset: 9.1.1.1020
CPU: Intel Core i7 960
Video Card: Nvidia EVGA GeForce GTX 570 HD
-Driver Version: 270.61
Memory: G.Skill F3-10666CL9T-12GBRL (4GBx3)
-Timings: 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5V
OS Hard Drive: Intel SSD on SATA 6
PSU: Corsair TX650
Windows 7 Home Premium x64