Windows XP: "Video driver failed to initialize" BSOD
"Video driver failed to initialize" BSOD
by MRoswell - 9/30/08 4:41 PMSystem info:
P4 3ghz
1g Ram
Nvidia Geforce FX 5200
Windows XP SP2
ASUS P4S800 mboard
I was on the computer the other day when it froze unexpectedly. Its been doing this for some time, ever since I had a little malware problem. I turned the computer off and on and could not get to the desktop. It freezes at different screens. Now I get a BSOD thet says:
A problem has been detcted and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
The Video driver failed to initialize.
If this is the first time you have seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again follow these steps:
Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.
If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced startup options, and then select Safe mode.
Technical Information: ***STOP: 0x000000B4 (0x861CBDF8, 0x86211000, 0x8623A000, 0x00050000)
I havent installed any new hardawre recently, and I cannot even get Safe mode to work. I guess I need to know if my video card is going out or what.
I fixed one like that last month.
by R. Proffitt
- 9/30/08 4:52 PM
In reply to: "Video driver failed to initialize" BSOD by MRoswell
The machine had no spyware so be sure before you start there is none. Use the tools I note at my updated post at http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=238606&messageID=2868221&tag=forums06;posts#2868221
Once it's clean, start Safe Mode and uninstall the video driver. Now use 78.01_winxp2k_english_whql.exe from http://www.fileshack.com/file.x/7598/NVidia+ForceWare+Driver+v78.01+WinXP/2K or nvidia.com. DO NOT LET WINDOWS INSTALL ANY DRIVER BUT PUNCH YOUR WAY THROUGH TO THIS VERSION and hope it works as well as it did for me.
Bob
Cant get Safe mode to work...
by MRoswell - 9/30/08 6:17 PM In reply to: I fixed one like that last month. by R. Proffitt
I cant get Safe mode to work. I get a mostly blank screen that says Safe mode and an hour glass and thats it. I cannot get to my Desktop at all.
0x000000B4
by rickamcbride - 10/1/08 5:08 AM In reply to: Cant get Safe mode to work... by MRoswellHi,
I'm getting the same problem. I can't access windows at all, in any mode including safe mode. I get as far as the screen which says windows is starting up but it seems to freeze or get stuck and never actually reaches the log on page.
I've been looking at a few forums and i'm wondering if I am going to have to replace the video card. I'm a bit worried as i have a few files on there that are not backed up that I put on the other day and don't want to loose them.
I'd appreciate any help.
Rick
See below.
by R. Proffitt - 10/1/08 5:19 AM
In reply to: 0x000000B4 by rickamcbride
Since Safe Mode fails the OS is damaged.
Safe Mode failures mean a damaged OS or...
by R. Proffitt - 10/1/08 5:19 AM
In reply to: Cant get Safe mode to work... by MRoswell
A corrupted profile. Do any other accounts work in Safe Mode?
If not, it's time to save your files to your backups (yes, that's plural) and then reload the OS.
Bob
BSOD: Video Driver Failed to Initialize
by Steve9078 - 10/3/08 9:33 AM In reply to: Safe Mode failures mean a damaged OS or... by R. Proffitt
I'm having the same issue. 2 Questions:
1. How can I backup all my files?
2. What do I need to do in order to fix my OS?
I can't get into Safe Mode, can't Boot from CD, can't enable VGA mode, etc. This is very frustrating and I'm scared I've lost all my files.
1. How can I backup all my files?
by R. Proffitt - 10/3/08 10:13 AM
In reply to: BSOD: Video Driver Failed to Initialize by Steve9078
My best method is to install a NEW DRIVE. We set aside the old drive until we have a working machine or some USB case to put it into later. This is the safest method I know of.
2. What do I need to do in order to fix my OS?
As it stands this is not possible. Your details appear to show you don't have a Microsoft Retail version of the OS CD so repairing the OS is not an option.
3.I can't get into Safe Mode, can't Boot from CD, can't enable VGA mode, etc. This is very frustrating and I'm scared I've lost all my files.
After we put in the new hard disk, we check the BIOS setting to see if it's set to boot from CD and correct that if needed. If we need a new CD/DVDRW drive we install that. This is CHEAP to do yourself but can cost more than a new machine if you take it to a shop.
Bob
BSOD
by Steve9078 - 10/3/08 10:36 AM In reply to: 1. How can I backup all my files? by R. Proffitt
Thanks for the quick reply. I do have a Windows XP DVD, but it came from Dell, not Microsoft. I'm a basic computer user - how do I remove my drive? In other words, what does it look like when I open my computer? I'm familiar with PCI slots and my video cards and such.
Also - Dell sent me a DRIVERS CD-Rom and I can boot from that, only it runs diagnostics and asks me if I want DOS. I think the problem here lies in my Windows XP DVD. It's 2.6 GB, so I can't get it to a CD-ROM and yet, I can't boot from it. Any suggestions?
It's a Dell
by R. Proffitt - 10/3/08 10:45 AM
In reply to: BSOD by Steve9078
Remember I never duplicate web content. Over at Dell.com are manuals on their machines and there is a manual on how to open the machine, remove the drive and more. Use that information.
A CD-ROM can't boot from any DVD media. As DVDRW drives are now under 30 bucks, why not get one? You have to decide if you are going to fix this yourself.
Bob
Thank You
by Steve9078 - 10/3/08 10:53 AM In reply to: It's a Dell by R. Proffitt
I will go to Dell.com and see what I can find. I have an internal DVD-ROM and CD-ROM, but the DVD-ROM does not come up as a possible boot device, so the DVD Dell sent me is worthless at this point. Only the CD-ROM is being recognized as a possible Boot Device.
I'll keep working on this myself! Thanks.
Can you swap the DVD and CDROM?
by R. Proffitt - 10/3/08 11:01 AM
In reply to: Thank You by Steve9078
The details why you didn't seem to be missing.
Video Driver Failed to Initialize Again
by Steve9078 - 10/3/08 11:47 AM In reply to: Can you swap the DVD and CDROM? by R. Proffitt
Your idea worked - I swapped the cables and Windows XP booted off the DVD-ROM. The bad news however, is even after re-installing Windows XP and trying to repair the hard drive, the computer still defaults to the BSOD - "the video driver failed to initialize"
I can't believe this. I guess replacing the drive is really my only option.
One step forward, one step back.
by R. Proffitt - 10/3/08 11:53 AM
In reply to: Video Driver Failed to Initialize Again by Steve9078
Repairing Windows is sadly not something Microsoft thought much about. Yes they gave us a few tools but nothing that works well.
Bob
praying
by Steve9078 - 10/3/08 12:13 PM In reply to: One step forward, one step back. by R. Proffitt
i'm trying one more attempt and am praying my files will be saved:
I'm installing a brand news Windows XP OS on my C: Drive in a new folder and leaving the old WIndows folder alone. I know it's not recommended to install two OS on the same drive, but I don't have any drives or partitions large enough. Have you ever done this before?
Am I wiping out "My Documents" as we speak?
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