problem on Dell 1520 with 965g & x3100

[jgarra]

I installed the 965 express chipset for my graphics and I cannot login normally without immediately getting a BSOD. This is a brand new vanilla install too so there's only the following on the machine:

Windows Vista ultimate 32 bit

Firefox

Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset driver version 15.11.4.1591 (7.15.10.1591)

I can only login in safe mode to access the machine successfully with this configuration. I see that other people have had similar problems with this driver set on the 1525. I saved the dump & associated files which I've provided a link to here:

http://www.deadeyeinside.com/intel/bsod.zip

Has anyone else experienced this and solved it?? Intel, have you encountered this before? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as I have a software requirement of Vista because of some SDKs I have to use...

Thanks

Jeff

[7oby]

I ran your minidump through a debugger and yes it looks like a fault of your gfx driver. The debug is attached.

There's a problem with the older VideoBIOS contained in your system BIOS and any driver >= 7.14.10.1277 (v15.4.2) dated 05/24/2007. Could you verify that you have at least BIOS A09 installed, which contains a VideoBIOS update 1466 -> 1588? It's displayed during booting once.

The A09 BIOS for your notebook is linked in the thread that contains the problem description:

http://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/showthread.php?t=57863

[jgarra]

Thanks,

I do have BIOS A09 installed on this machine, any other suggestions?

Thanks!

[7oby]

In your first posting you were comparing your problems with "similar problems" on the Dell Insprion 1525. There's a report on discoloration here. If you were refering to this particular one, could you verify whether it's really related?

. with the Inspiron 1525 were no crashes, just discoloration like this.
. first driver known to fail: v15.11.1.1545
. last driver known to work: v15.11.0.1537

Interesting would be the first version which fails. Another note: The Dell XPS M1330 that I use feature Video BIOS 1588 just like yours. And I don't have that problem. On the other hand the Dell Insprion 1525 uses a different Video BIOS - I think 1566.

Sorry, I don't have another suggestion or solution. I'm just trying to gather information of misbehaving drivers in a systematic way.

[sargeras9]

As 7oby has mentioned, we have a thread going on this issue, and it would not surprise me if the 1520 is acting up like the 1525 is with the new drivers. In the thread 7oby linked to, I have attached the last working driver version to a post on the second page, so install that (in safe mode, since you can't get on normally) and see if you're still getting the issue.

As a side note to 7oby, do you have any further suggestions on what I could try? If you'll take a look at my thread again, I've made a few interesting discoveries in my last few posts, but no one has made any replies or suggestions on the topic. I hate to single you out, but to put it bluntly it looks like you're the only person who is consistently helping out on these boards (and I am eternally grateful for it!).

[jgarra]

I should clarify, the 1520 IS acting up with the 965 chipset however the malfunction is not the same as on the 1525.

The problem I am encountering on the 1520 running MS Vista Ultimate is as follows:

with bios A07: BSOD immediately on login

with bios A09: I get to the mini-splash screen and then the machine hangs

The machine works fine 100% with XP (any version) and the XP drivers for the same graphics card. This (and the above post) are what lead me to believe that this is a driver issue specific to the Vista drivers only.

If I get any resolution from support I'll post it here.

[7oby]

Did you happen to find out which driver revision the latest working is?

7.15.10.1591 (v15.11.4) doesn't work for you

7.14.10.1409 (v15.7.3) will work, since that's the version Dell ships and validated

Did you try intermediate versions? Here are two Vista 32-Bit intermediate versions:

7.15.10.1576 (v15.11.3)

7.14.10.1504 (v15.8.3)

[jgarra]

Yes, I've tried all those versions unsuccessfully... :( Thanks for all your help, 7oby. will continue on & hopefuyl find a resolution soon. The key differences is that with:

7.14.xx --> I am able to get to a login screen in Vista but I get a BSOD immediately upon login.

7.15.xx --> I cannot get to a login screen, the machne freezes while loading Windows.

7.xx with XP --> any version works fine

I'm even able to install the available Linux driver and run stable with Debian Etch and Ubuntu Hardy Heron.

This Vista incompatibility really blows. If it were the machine & not the driver as Intel likes to tell me then wouldn't I run in to some other instabilities on these other drivers and OSes???

I've contacted Dell as well, they say it's Intel's fault- meanwhile Intel says it's Dell's fault and that the driver is working fine. This is some terrible customer service when I've provided a minidump even, you would think both companies would come to some sort of concensus when there is detailed error information available.

I hate to say it but if this keeps up I will have to consider a different company's graphics chipset next time I purchase a laptop. As a software developer if I kept passing the buck like this I would get fired or at least not get a contract renewal.

[7oby]

If v15.8.3 didn't work, then at least the version Dell ships has to work. Did you try that? Here's the Dell downloadlink 7.14.10.1409 (v15.7.3).

These are the WDDM vista drivers. If all XP drivers work, you can certainly install XPDM drivers in vista. Though you'll loose some features such as aero.