upgrading video driver in XP

[John]

Popping up from what program? That is a very strange and unusual
message--one that I've never seen before.

Such messages are real, I had something very similar happen to me when my
video card was failing. The system crashed, then rebooted with a message
saying something like "Windows has recovered from a serious error ..." and
the message identified the video driver as the source of the error, or at
least, the place where the error occurred. I don't think it told me that I
had to upgrade the driver, but it probably said something like "check to see
if there's a newer driver available."

So the message is probably legit, but I would suspect a failing video card
rather than a bad driver. Drivers don't break, but cards do.

-- John

 

[John]

OK, I got her to print the popup message when it came up. It looks legit,
Here is what it said:
................................
Error Message: STOP 0x000000EA
Thread_stuck_in_device_driver
(Q293078)

You received this message because the video driver installed on your
computer caused Windows to stop unexpectedly. This type of error is referred
to as a "stop error". A stop error requires you to restart your computer.

Solution:
There are 2 options you can use to fix the problem. If the first option
does not work try the second.
Option 1: Install the most current device driver for your video card
Option 2: Manually decrease Hardware Acceleration for your video card.
................................

I elected to (at least temporarily) reduce her video Hardware Acceleration.
It was set at maximum and I reduced it one notch.

I now have A_Squared Free running a deep malware scan on her PC but suspect
I will find nothing other than cookies. She has Avast running as her AV.

Any other suggestions?

Jeff

Assuming that the computer has been running okay for some time, indicating
that it has the proper driver, and that your friend has not done anything to
modify the driver or change the settings, it might be that the video card is
failing. If you can't find a newer driver (I assume she doesn't have a
driver disk that came with the system?) you might consider replacing the
card, or adding an external card if she's using a built-in graphics adapter
on the mobo. As long as she doesn't need anything high-powered, a new card
can be had for well under $50.

John

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Such messages are real...

Well, such message can be real. What matters is the source of such
messages.

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I had not considered a failing
video card but of course that is a consideration.

The friend I am helping is a 72 year old lady who uses this desktop PC
essentially just for email. So, I will see if she continues to get these
error messages now that I reduced the hardware acceleration. If she does
I'll get her a new video card and install it for her.

Jeff

 

[John]

Well, such message can be real. What matters is the source of such
messages.

Okay, poorly phrased. Several posters seemed to suggest that the message
sounded like an indication of malware, and I was attempting to point out that
it sounded like a valid message from XP.

John