"Display Driver igfx has stopped responding."

[Richakin]

"Display Driver igfx has stopped responding, than corrected itself" (something along those lines) is what i get EVERYTIME i play WoW...

If im playing..and look straighthead with the camera(a lot of graphics to load/distance etc) the screen blacks out for 3 seconds than comes back. I get the above error popup everytime. Its happened every 5 seconds or so before. However in an instance, or looking DOWN at the ground i dont get it.

WoW worked fine on previous comp (Core2 1.86ghz each with 2gb Ram with Windows XP) now this new comp, COre 2 2ghz each with 2gb Ram with Windows Vista..and i cant even play the game. I tried updating my display driver and it did update...but didnt fix the problem, i used Vista to send it to Microsoft Tech Support, not sure if they do anything.

Any suggestions? has it happened to anyone else?

[Kalos]

Probably useful to tell us what your graphics solution is? Onboard? Discreet card? ATI, Nvidia? Product name? All would be very helpful. Just like you can't fix a car if you don't know what the make even is, you can't solve a graphics problem without an identification of what provides the graphics in the computer.

[Richakin]

sorry : / its an on-board grfx card

last comp it was seperate from the moboard(until you plug it in obviously).

i got an old geforce card but the fan on its broken so it overheats really fast :(

[Kalos]

As it's onboard, I need to know the motherboard. There are alot of onboard setups, but they are usually specific to a motherboard.

Actually, to cut things short, this is a laptop isn't it? Can you just give us the model name and number so we can look it's technical specifications up in full detail? An example model ID would by my own, the one I'm currently writing this post on: Samsung R40. All R40's use the same motherboard and graphics chip, from there it can be worked out.

If it's a desktop you should really buy a new graphics card. There's no point having an expensive Core 2 Duo processor as your CPU and then a $20 peice of fish for graphics rendering. A system has to be balanced to perform properly.

[Richakin]

no it isn't a laptop.

Gateway GM5442, Intel(R) Core2 CPU 4400@ 2ghz 2ghz

[Kalos]

Good news is I got an ID on it, it has a PCI-Express slot. Pick up the standard 7600 GT/8600 GT and switch drivers, it'll be as right as rain. Bargin bin graphics belong in the office, not 3D gaming, and not just because of performance issues. The drivers simply aren't always built for it, as in this case.

[MrPadz]

Hi,
I had the same problem on a Dell Inspiron 6400 with Intel 945GM Mobile Chipset. The driver update from the Intel site would download then tell me I had to get the driver from Dell, which wasn't upto date. SO, THE WAY ROUND THIS IS, don't open the .exe file, but instead download the .zip file. Extract it and then read the read me files. These will explain everything you need to do, and I've not had a problem running Warcraft since. :afro:

[midgetmafia]

I have a gateway MA7 and I get that same response, any suggestions?

[HeartOfAnAngel]

"Display Driver igfx has stopped responding, than corrected itself" (something along those lines) is what i get EVERYTIME i play WoW...

If im playing..and look straighthead with the camera(a lot of graphics to load/distance etc) the screen blacks out for 3 seconds than comes back. I get the above error popup everytime. Its happened every 5 seconds or so before. However in an instance, or looking DOWN at the ground i dont get it.

WoW worked fine on previous comp (Core2 1.86ghz each with 2gb Ram with Windows XP) now this new comp, COre 2 2ghz each with 2gb Ram with Windows Vista..and i cant even play the game. I tried updating my display driver and it did update...but didnt fix the problem, i used Vista to send it to Microsoft Tech Support, not sure if they do anything.

Any suggestions? has it happened to anyone else?

(Very Important that you have the microsoft update before attepting this...)

Solution: 1. Click start
2. Right Click on Computer
3. Choose Manage
4. Click on Device Manager
5. Click on Display Adapters
6. After you've expanded that click on your display adapter underneath. ie mine is Intel (R) 82945G
7. Right Click on that and choose to update driver.
8. Choose the option "browse my computer for driver software"
9. Choose "let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"
10. Hightlight "Intel (R) 82945G Express Chipset Controller 0 (Microsoft Corporation-WDDM)
11. Choose Apply and reboot... Happy Gaming!

(This works for the graphical error "Display Driver Igfx has stopped responding but has since recovered" Error messages and black outs with this chipset for W.O.W users. )

Woot it worked for me I hope it does for you as well! (Very Important that you have the microsoft update before attepting this...)

[Leord]

HeartOfAnAngel, thanks for helping, but try to avoid making double posts. :smiley:

[Ammon]

I have the same problem on my Laptop also.
Gateway MT6839b Notebook
Intel core2 duo T5300
2Gb ram
(Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950) yep its an onboard.

I know Notebooks aren't really meant for WoW
But occasionally when I have people round here all wanting to play , and build our own group
Its nice to have an additional machine.

My two desktop machines are of course fine but they have SLi'd Asus en7800gtx's (I know theyre old but they work)

[wowmat]

I tried to start playing wow again after a 2 month break and now im having this issue. As soon as i lauch wow it turns all black. I can't even see the login page. I get Display driver nv4_disp has stopped responding. I have to reset my computer at this point. HeartofAngel , will your trick work for me? I'm begging for help..please.

[wowmat]

ok i clicked on device manager but i can't find any display adapters after this...

[Kalos]

We'd need your systems specifications to tell you what the solution is. Much like a doctor needs to know the symptoms before he can treat the disease, we need to know about your setup before we can help you at all.

[wowmat]

ok, i have a pentium4 2.4 ghz
Memory:512mo
Graphic card: Nvidia GeForce 6600
windows xp

I have installed the lastest driver..and came back to several older one and it changed nothing to my problem.
tell me if you want to see my dxdiag.

[Tunga]

Full system spec would have been better.

[Kalos]

Drivers for what exactly? There are drivers for loads of things, which hardware drivers were you messing around with?

[wowmat]

I was messing with graphics driver that i found on www.nvidia.com

[Kalos]

There are loads of drivers on Nvidia.com Thousands and thousands. That doesn't even give me a reasonable chance of knowing which one you picked up, stuffed into your computer, or which one you are now running. I don't even know what the driver is for. There is: Graphics drivers for every class of Geforce, professional graphics drivers, chipset drivers, Nforce drivers, niche market drivers, networking drivers... What drivers did you download? I want a version such as "162.22", a date of the driver's release, and exactly what product it was for. I don't mean "a graphics driver" I want exactly this following format:

"The driver I downloaded was version 162.22, which was released on July 26 2007, and the driver was certified for the Geforce 8 series GPUs"

Now you try. Also, what product were you trying to patch would be nice.

I am also confused. If you had a Nvidia graphics card, you should have worked out that a method used to troubleshoot and solve problems with a completely different company's product, Intel's Intergrated Graphics, would have absolutely no bearing or relivance. Two completely seperate companies, their methodology isn't going to be identical by a long shot. Thus HeartOfAnAngel's method didn't have a hope at helping your graphical problem, because your graphics systems are at different and opposite ends of the market.

[wowmat]

Ok i went here because my error was very similar as this. I've got the same black sreen with the same message error except mine was niv4_disp instead of igfx.
Im sorry im real bad with computer...thats why im asking for help. I 've dowload :ForceWare Release 162
Version: 162.18 WHQL
Release Date: July 26, 2007
Operating System: Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition
certified for geforce 6 series

before that i was running forceware version :84.21

It changed nothing to my problem.

[Kalos]

First, get those 162.18 drivers back on. There's no point using drivers that are donkey's years out of date if they don't work any better. For all we know, it could be a compound issue.

Now, to find the problem. Download RivaTuner from Guru3d.com and use it to monitor your graphics card's core temperature. For these reading, wait five minutes before taking them. E.G. For the Desktop reading, start up the computer, log in and wait at the desktop, doing nothing, until the five minutes is passed, look at the figure after this time has passed and note it down so it can be written back to me as E.G. "At Desktop = 80 Celsius"

Then start the game, and window it. Watch Rivatuner, and tell me the highest temperature it rises to, keept your eye on the number until either five minutes have passed and it has stopped rising; or the machine crashes. Whichever comes first.

If it's a high temperature for the card, we'll know when you deliver it to us. Hopefully we'll be of more help than the Blizzard guys were. Your perticular computer generates an aweful lot of heat (Pentium 4 supercooker) and it has been known to affect or damage computers before. Honestly the computer should be scrapped and traded in for something that doesn't spit out so much heat (practically anything that's not a Pentium 4 is cooler; before, during, and after it's reign, absolutely abysmal design)

[wowmat]

update
I've download riva tuner. The core temperature idle after 5 min was 39,00C
I tried to monitor it with wow but once it started, it doesn't want to window anymore and im not receiving my error message anymore but my computer simply crash and restart.

I've tried to run ohter games like halo and it runs fine. Why it would only overheat with wow.

[Kalos]

Because WoW has a different engine, and therefore has a fundamental difference in basis, and subsiquently relies on different processes and parts of the GPU in it's operation; it isn't comparing like to like. For instance, WoW is much more memory intensive that stereotypical averages. WoW doesn't tend to follow usual trends is design or basis, especially as it is a completely different genre to things like Halo or Quake, it's being asked to perform different tasks with differing priorities.

You say it won't open in Windowed mode off the bat? Try creating a desktop shortcut, right clicking to access it's properties and select the option for it to open in Windowed mode. That should keep the task bar accessable and allow you to get the readings still, right up to the point where it crashes.

[wowmat]

It raised up at 40 C, but it didn't restart this time. I got my error message.

[Kalos]

Try running WoW in openGL mode. Create a shortcut on the Desktop. Right click this new WoW desktop shortcut icon, and select properties. In the "Target" box, go to the end of the text already there and click to place the cursor at the rear of the tect, hit the spacebar and type -opengl An example:
"C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Launcher*****" -opengl

Then open WoW using this shortcut, and see if it has any effect on it.

EDIT: The forum blocker has edited the link, but it's enough to give you an idea of what it should look like.

[wowmat]

OK i didn't get my black screen. After a couples of minutes I saw Wow login screen. I couldn't do nothing in it but it was there. I didn't receive any error message and my computer didn't crash.

[Kalos]

After a few minutes? What was it doing inbetween then? Did it just face at a blank screen until then?

Also what do you mean by "Couldn't do nothing" That's a double negative "Could not do nothing" when resolved says "Could do something". Did you mean to say that you "Couldn't do anything"?

At this point I'm just going to suggest reinstalling Windows. Something has duffed up beyond the drivers. Do you have your Windows Install disk handy?

[wowmat]

It took a minute or two. Before I was facing my desktop then wow page appear...but i wasn't able to move my cursor or anything. Can I only reinstall my graphic card?

**sorry for my "couldn't do nothing"...english is my second language.

[Kalos]

Unfortunantly we've already tried that with the drivers. That is the graphics card's programming on the computer. Either the Windows install is corrupt, and needs to be reinstalled; or the graphics card has gone bad, as I see the most likely causes. Seeing as it's quite costly to replace the graphics card, but a hassel at most to reinstall Windows, that's the option I'm siding for right now. If Windows is reinstalled, all the programming and software on the computer will be completely wiped and reset. Right now, it appears piddling around with the drivers isn't making a dent. If it's a software issue, this'll basically nuke it to oblivion. Make sure to back up any files that you want to keep to another hard drive, USB memory stick, CD, or external hard drive. Nothing survives a Windows install.

[Miro]

i have the same problem as the topic title. i read and tried the solutions posted already but hasn't fixed it so far. here are my specs (i took them from the direct x diagnostic)

------------------
System Information
------------------
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: MT6831
BIOS: Rev 1.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T5300 @ 1.73GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 907MB used, 3400MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) GMA 950
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27A2&SUBSYS_0366107B&REV_03
Display Memory: 224 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 224 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1147 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/11/2006 21:50:10, 2105344 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-64E2-11CF-B077-6C23A2C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x27A2
SubSys ID: 0x0366107B
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

[Wildhart]

Probably useful to tell us what your graphics solution is? Onboard? Discreet card? ATI, Nvidia? Product name? All would be very helpful. Just like you can't fix a car if you don't know what the make even is, you can't solve a graphics problem without an identification of what provides the graphics in the computer.

i also am having this problem, i have a laptop sony model pcg-7y2l
any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kalos]

i also am having this problem, i have a laptop sony model pcg-7y2l
any help would be greatly appreciated.
As per the sticky, system specifications please.

[Wildhart]

As per the sticky, system specifications please.

not sure what exactly you needed but i hope this is it. if you need more please tell me.

intel core duo 1600 mhz
1014 mb ram
mobile intel(r) 945 gm express chipset family
windows vista home premium

[firemancyr]

Ok, I didn't see this brought up anywhere, though admittedly I only scanned through a couple pages of the posts.

The mechanic causing the majority of these flickers and driver problems is referred to by Microsoft as TDR (Timeout Detection and Recovery), a feature that was introduced with Vista. The "Display Driver has Stopped Responding and Restarted" error message is a direct result of this OS Mechanic. Information can be found on it here: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/wddm_timeout.mspx

In that article, Microsoft explains what happens and why. Basically, it says that any time the GPU is overtaxxed and hangs, Vista shuts it down, wipes it, and restarts it. This is intended to prevent lockups when playing games that require a manual computer restart.

So, the fix to this problem? There are several possible answers, depending on your system, which explains the varied degrees of success. Anything that reduces stress on or improves operation of your GPU will help. Updating your drivers is a good start, as is disabling Aero in Vista (at least while you're playing). There's also a method of disabling TDR in the above article, which may help, though there's also the potential to lock up your GPU, causing the game to freeze, rather than correct the problem. Also, adjusting the TdrDelay: REG_DWORD registry value to 5 may help.

Until the GPU manufacturers and Microsoft get on the same page (and I've seen quotes from M$ that the GPU manufacturers need to get on THEIR page, cause they're not changing things), there's really nothing but these workarounds to try. A permanent, all encompasing fix doesn't seem to be likely.

BTW: This post applies to the original topic. Wowmat's problem is not the same, as it seems he's running xp and not Vista. But for the "Display Driver has Stopped and Restarted" error message in Vista, this applies

[jschild]

No, what happens, at least in my case with the horrible ATI Radeon 2600's, is that you just get a complete lockup in XP. Notice that it happens when the GPU is "overtaxed". Some people say switching to XP fixed things, for me it only delayed the problem by about 10 minutes.

Switching to a good series of videocards fixed everything for me.

[ashbot]

As it's onboard, I need to know the motherboard. There are alot of onboard setups, but they are usually specific to a motherboard.

Actually, to cut things short, this is a laptop isn't it? Can you just give us the model name and number so we can look it's technical specifications up in full detail? An example model ID would by my own, the one I'm currently writing this post on: Samsung R40. All R40's use the same motherboard and graphics chip, from there it can be worked out.

If it's a desktop you should really buy a new graphics card. There's no point having an expensive Core 2 Duo processor as your CPU and then a $20 peice of fish for graphics rendering. A system has to be balanced to perform properly.

hi i just signed up 2 the free trial and i 2 get the messege about the display driver igfx and i wont be able to play and pay for WOW till it fixed. i have a Gateway laptop model no MA7. any advice?

[Kalos]

hi i just signed up 2 the free trial and i 2 get the messege about the display driver igfx and i wont be able to play and pay for WOW till it fixed. i have a Gateway laptop model no MA7. any advice?
Okay. There are over a dozen different models beginning with MA7, the full model number should look something like "Gateway MA7 MT6705" "Gateway MA7-MT6707" ect, the MA7 part isn't referring to any specific laptop so far, you're going to need to give me the full whack basically.

If you can't work out the full model number, you should get CPUZ and GPUZ to work out all the relivant components to build up a system specification, such as what CPU you have, Ram amounts ect. With those details we can help pinpoint if the laptop is in a playable state for this game or not.

[qutb]

I am running a compaq with 2 gigs of ram a 2.0 processor it also may be under hewlet packard. The model # is a presario cq50. Is there anything i can do to help the IGFX error?

[Kalos]

Read the posy by firemancyr above. Updating the drivers is the best port of call. But a cheap graphics solution isn't cheap without a reason, and the reason why this GPU is cheap is that it is at the bottom of the market. You pay for what you get and all.