Thread stuck in device driver.

theforce

theforce

theforce

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Since l upgraded my monitor weird things are happening to my pc. Almost every time l cold boot my PC it bsods with "thread stuck in device driver". Sometimes the monitor simply looses signal and l have to restart the PC. Shutting down the monitor and starting it up again doesn't solve the issue.

I am using a Sapphire 380 connected to the screen via the DP cable that came with the Samsung monitor. I have updated the video drivers several times since then but the problem persists. I am using the latest BIOS available for my Z77 motherboard and l also uninstalled my Asus Xonar drivers just in case it was the device causing the issue but to no avail.

I have a new DP cable coming in tomorrow that hopefully will alleviate the problem but while it might solve the loss of signal l can't fathom a bad cable blue screening the system. Any ideas of what might be causing this?
 
What's the complete spec?

Odd symptom for a monitor upgrade - but the cable/gfx port could be an issue. Were you using the DP before the monitor upgrade or HDMI?

However, did you upgrade the BIOS at the same time/in preparation as the monitor upgrade or did you flash because you were getting problems? (i.e. did the problems coincide with the BIOS flash too?)

Have you checked your memory settings in the BIOS since the flash?

Also, try disabling any fast/turbo boot features in the BIOS.

Lastly - you could try a CMOS reset - and re-apply settings.

*Additional - have you tried an HDMI cable - do you get the same issues?
 
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AsRock Z77 Extreme 4
Intel i5 3570k @ stock (bows head in shame)
4x4GB Corsair Vengeance using the XMP profile.
Sapphire Radeon 380 4GB
Asus Xonar STX
Old Corsair Force SSD 128GB, 2HDD's & an optical drive.

I haven't updated the bios in ages since there aren't any new ones available. I was using DVI with my old Samsung monitor. I will try the other DP wire tomorrow and if it doesn't solve it, l will search if l have a spare HDMI cable to see if the issue persists. I will also disable the HDMI Audio driver. Wouldn't uninstalling it cause W10 to install it again on the next boot?

The weird thing is that it always happens during a cold boot. After l restart the machine after the BSOD or loss of signal the PC works fine. I have tested the RAM for hours with no errors showing up. Might just have to nuke everything and start with a fresh installation of Windows if all else fails.
 
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I would definitely try Martini1991's suggestion first - its a good shout.

theforce said:
Intel i5 3570k @ stock (bows head in shame)
Click to expand...

In this particular case at least we can rule out a dodgy clock - immediately.

If you don't get any joy with the above the HDMI cable is worth a shot - but i would also try clearing the CMOS and loading optimised defaults if you haven't done so already.

theforce said:
4x4GB Corsair Vengeance using the XMP profile.
Click to expand...

If none of the above works what cooler have you got strapped to your CPU?

If it's a large aftermarket cooler try refitting or slackening the fittings slightly (within reason).
 
Just an update. I have received the new DP cable but the issue persists. I've also enabled the optimised defaults for my motherboard but nothing changed. It's most probably a software error that a good old format will probably cure. Will format tomorrow on my day off and see if that helps with the "device stuck in thread" error.
 
I downloaded "whocrashed" which pointed to a "atikmdag.sys" error that caused the BSODs. Since then, l formatted the PC and installed the latest version of Windows 10, updated the motherboard's INF drivers with the ones found on AsRock's website. I was then greeted by the same BSOD using the drivers that came with Windows. I then installed the latest Catalyst drivers and l haven't had the issue since(that is some hours ago). Seems like a hardware error then?
 
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What version of windows are you using?

I, personally, install all drivers myself - Windows can sometimes trip up with its selection (ethernet drivers in particular for me). I only allow critical updates since Windows 7 insisted on trying to cripple one of my old systems. I use Windows 10 now - and have disabled all updates completely - as this is even more of a PITA but for different reasons...

theforce said:
I downloaded "whocrashed" which pointed to a "atikmdag.sys" error that caused the BSODs.
Click to expand...

Related to AMD/ATI - as you know.

theforce said:
II then installed the latest Catalyst drivers and l haven't had the issue since(that is some hours ago). Seems like a hardware error then?
Click to expand...

The error could equally be software - I would keep fingers crossed that the latest Catalyts drivers may have resolved it, given the "atikmdag.sys" error', along with the fresh Windows install.

Here's hoping anyway.
 
Plec, l am using Windows 10 Pro x64 v1703. I didn't had a BSOD yet after installing the latest version of Catalyst drivers. The monitor still looses signal though. I finally managed to find an HDMI to HDMI cable and l hope this will resolve it. Unfortunately though, l am limited to 8bit colour instead of 10bit that the monitor supports via DP :(
Seems like a GPU or monitor error. If l lose signal with HDMI as well l will try the onboard intel gpu and see if that loses signal as well. If so, monitor RMA time.

Weird thing is that the monitor's driver disappears when you switch from DP to HDMI to DVI and you have to install the driver again for each different connection type.
 
theforce said:
The monitor still looses signal though. I finally managed to find an HDMI to HDMI cable and l hope this will resolve it. Unfortunately though, l am limited to 8bit colour instead of 10bit that the monitor supports via DP :(
Click to expand...
What monitor do you have?

I'm not a cable expert but HDMI 1.4/2.0 should have the BW for 10/12 bit(?) - but perhaps not at the refresh rate your after? Unless it's the GFX card HDMI output that's the issue but i can't find any info on the HDMI port of the Sapphire Radeon 380 4GB - even on the Sapphire site. Or the monitor HDMI input is limited?

I would suggest upgrading the GFX card BIOS - but there doesn't seem to be one available. Again, a very quick look - you may want to do a more detailed search.

theforce said:
Seems like a GPU or monitor error. If l lose signal with HDMI as well l will try the onboard intel gpu and see if that loses signal as well. If so, monitor RMA time.
Click to expand...

As the issues did coincide with the introduction of a new monitor it would seem logical - but still feels driver orientated.

Have you tried installing the dedicated drivers for monitor if they have any?
 
Plec said:
What monitor do you have?
Click to expand...

It's a Samsung S27D850T. It's a 60Hz screen. Yes, l have installed the drivers for the monitor but as it seems if you connect the monitor with a different connection the monitor driver is back to generic display and you have to reinstall the driver again for the new type of connection you are using.
 
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