Technical Information
Knowledge base article for XP

Address a problem with your video device driver

You received this message because a hardware device in your computer caused Windows to shut down unexpectedly and restart. This is a serious problem, commonly referred to as a "stop error" or "blue screen."

There are two things you can try to solve the problem. If the first option doesn't work, then try the second.

Install the most current device driver for your video card

Use Windows Update to check for and install updates.

  1. Click to go online to the Windows Update websiteClick to go online to the Windows Update website

    Note
    If Microsoft Update is installed, you'll be taken to the Microsoft Update website.

  2. Click Custom to check for available updates.

  3. In the left pane, under Select by Type, click Hardware, Optional. Select the updates for your video device driver, click Review and install updates, and then click Install Updates.

Notes

  • If there are no updated drivers listed on Windows Update, we recommend you contact the manufacturer of the video card for additional support. Let them know that you received an error for your video device driver and ask if product updates are available.

  • If there are no updated drivers on Windows Update and you don't know the name of the video card manufacturer, we recommend you contact your computer manufacturer for additional information and support.

    How do I find my computer manufacturer?

    Click Start, click Run, type msinfo32, and then click OK. Your computer manufacturer is listed as the System Manufacturer in the right pane of the System Information window.

    Go to www.microsoft.com and search for "computer manufacturers"Click to go online to see contact information for most computer manufacturers

What is a driver?

A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or devices. Without drivers, the hardware you connect to your computer (for example, a video card or a webcam) will not work properly.

Manually decrease Hardware Acceleration for your video adapter

This procedure prevents the display device driver from programming the hardware incorrectly, but you might lose some display functionality and performance.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.

  2. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.

  3. Click the Troubleshoot tab, move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None, and then clear the Enable Write Combing check box.

  4. Click OK, and then click OK.

What is a driver?

A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or devices. Without drivers, the hardware you connect to your computer (for example, a video card or a webcam) will not work properly.