System unbootable after nvidia driver install

[jrichemont]

Hi. Apologies for the lack of dump as per instructions but I can't!
I install 8.1 (clean) on gigabyte sniper mb. It boots fine. Then (without connecting the network) I install the drivers that came with my nvidia 780 card. This also works and my second screen comes to life. I can use this as long as I like, but when I reboot, just before the logon it dies citing nvlddmkm.sys as the issue.
The system will now not boot again nor restore (hence lack of diagnostics). When I want to use the pc again I must go through the whole installation process again.
I'm getting a bit desperate! Any advice very gratefully received.

 

[Slartybart]

Try going through the process without install the driver from Nvidia.

Windows 8 is more driver aware than Windows 7 - users should never have to install drivers unless a technical issue needs to be addressed (other than a user installing a driver manually).

Let Windows Update do the heavy lifting - if there is an issue after that, members can help.
Search Windows help on your machine Drivers

Automatically get the latest drivers and software

Windows Update checks for updated drivers and software for your devices and install them automatically. Keeping Windows Update on a good way to make sure your devices continues to work properly and you get the best experience with them.

Note: PCs running Windows RT 8.1 always automatically download and install drivers, apps, and info for your devices.

To check that automatic updating is on

1.Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2.Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Windows Update.

3.Tap or click Choose how updates get installed.

4.Under Important updates, choose Install updates automatically (recommended).

 

[jrichemont]

Hi Slartybart. I will give that a go. I kind of assumed that the card manufacturer (evga) would or might provide customised drivers; that's why I disabled the network to stop windows getting in first. I'll try that when I can and let you know. Thanks!

 

[jrichemont]

Hi. I tried that this morning; clean install of windows 8.1, downloaded updates and rebooted. It boots until just before the login screen then I get the pale blue screen of problems (pbsop) saying SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION with nvlddmkm.sys. That's window's own nvidia driver as you suggested though I do get exactly the same issue when I install the manufacturer's. Now it tells me I must restore it which presumably means to just before it installed the updates. It'll install them again of course and I will be back in the loop.
Right now I am considering buying windows 7 again because I use that machine for work and it really does need to be stable.

Cheers;

Jeremy

 

[Slartybart]

See if this tutorial helps:
NVIDIA Drivers - Avoid Problems - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[jrichemont]

Thank you but I don't know how you can get a much cleaner install than my method:

boot off windows cd
drop partition; create partition; format it
install windows
reboot after updates (including graphics) have downloaded and installed
watch the endless "You pc has a problem..." reboot loop.

Right now I am thinking that maybe I have a hardware problem - I will try with another graphics card - or that something about the Gigabyte Sniper mb, win 8.1 and nvidia cards combo that is just not compatible. I will try the same with windows 7 and see. I ran with that o/s for a while so if I get the same issue with 7 I will know it's a hardware problem. If not, I may just stay with 7. *sob*.

 

[jrichemont]

OK. I have rolled back to windows 7 and everything is working correctly once more. 8.1 simply doesn't like that motherboard I think. I should get a new motherboard really but since I'd also have to replace my CPU which is an i7 990x, costing about the same as its serial so I am not in a big hurry to do that!
Thanks for your help anyway...

 

[Slartybart]

If I understand your System Specs: the only other thing you might want to try until NVidia releases an update is pulling one or two of the sli cards

 

[jrichemont]

Hi Slartybart. Sadly for me I did think of that one; two of my three cards are sat sadly on my desk. I am running a conventional, unoverclocked, single graphics card setup while I resolve the issue. I think 8.1 simply doesn't like the rather elderly Gigabyte mobo and I am stuck with 7 until I change the whole system.
I even had to use Microsoft's online chat system to get windows 7 going; the activation failed on home premium which stopped me from upgrading to ultimate. Kudos to them though; that was resolved, gratis, and I have a functioning system again.
On the plus side, I don't have to keep hitting the 'desktop' square thingy to get a sane system and skype no longer opens borderless full screen.
I think I'll just chalk up 8.1 as a 'life experience' and wait until v9 or 10 or whatever comes out. Which will hopefully work without crashing and not try to give me a ridiculous 5680x1090 tablet to use.

Cheers!

 

[jrichemont]

Oh, and many thanks for your help with this! Even if I have been a wimp and given up

Jeremy

 

[Slartybart]

You're welcome Jeremy, sorry I couldn't have been helpful finding a solution with you.

Win10: there's been a technical preview release available for a month. I don't think it would help the issue on your machine though - it's basically Win8.1 update 2 ... but there have been a few additional updates that make it more like a true alpha release. It's fun if you don't mind things that work, then don't work, then work differently, then are stripped from the release until MS figures out how to incorporate it into Win10 (no longer Win8.1 update 2 )

Bill
.

 

[jrichemont]

I would have a play, normally, but I've been somewhat traumatised having to spend the whole weekend contacting Microsoft. I have a win7 premium hard copy plus an upgrade key to ultimate. Both need to be installed in order and both needed intervention to validate the license.
Then I've discovered backup only works on small partitions! I really don't understand this. Drives are cheap. I bought myself 4x4tb drives to run in a raid and found out windows will not install on partitions greater than 4tb. Having created a little 4tb space and going through the pain of licensing I then find system recovery won't work with partitions greater than 2tb. Really. So I had to shrink it. Very annoying as on the shelf next to it I have a 25tb linix nas server that manages to work just dandy.
Ok so I may overspec storage but I like having the space. We run a 4tb NetApp appliance at work which is permanently short on space. Shared drive for 200 people and newspaper production! Mad! So I appreciate the space at home.
Sorry for rambling on, there...

Jeremy