Blue Screens of Death!

[NoireSmiles]

PC Specifications
-Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp.050928-1517)
-Processor Type: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU, T5600 @ 1.83GHz (2 CPUs)
-Amount of Ram: 1024MB
-Video Card Manufacturer and Model: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300
-Audio Card: Realtek HD
-Which Sku (Retail Box, Steam, Direct2Drive, etc.): Steam


I have been able to play the game through without problems until reaching the lower area of the Medical Pavilion (it's very specific; the floor that I enter the level in runs ok, but as soon as I go down the Medical Pavilion stairs the problems occur), but, at a seemingly random point within a few minutes of entering that region, I suffer a blue screen and a computer reboot. I am certain that the machine is not overheating.

In addition, whenever I attempt to load any saves (which are all outside the area in which I experience the shutdowns), I also suffer a blue screen, after it has changed the screenshot art a couple of times.

Unfortunately, my laptop's graphics card appears to have been forsaken by Nvidia as far as new drivers are concerned, so I am unable to try that solution.

Sincere thanks in advance. What I've seen of the game so far is extremely impressive.

[neildittmar]

Lack of driver support for your mobile graphics chipset by nVidia is common, as they usually leave that the laptop manufacturers. Unfortunately, most of those companies are rather lax in putting out updated drivers as well. That said, the first thing I'd recommend would be to look on the support website for your laptop manufacturer and see if newer graphics drivers have been released for your 7300. That would be the most ideal way to upgrade and may fix the problem.

You may also want to give the suggestions in my common questions, problems, and solutions guide a try. Of interest will be the section entitled My PC meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for BioShock, but the game is performing very slowly, hitches, skips, or crashes to Windows during startup or play. What can I do to resolve this?

http://rapture.planets.gamespy.com/forum/index.php?topic=39.0

Failing that, you could try www.laptopvideo2go.com for modified desktop video drivers that could work with your mobile 7300 chipset. I believe they have the new 163.44 BioShock optimized drivers available there. Do note though that you use and install these drivers at your own risk, as they were never originally designed for mobile chipsets. That said though, it may be your only way to play the game without crashes or other anomalies.

[Tech Richard]

The problem is very likely to be caused by the drivers for the video card. A BSOD is windows way of dealing with a serious problem on the system, why it only happens at one part of the game is very unusual.

You could try resetting the games configuration file. Please go to the following folder :

C:\Documents and Settings\UR_NAME\Application Data\Bioshock\

Delete the files in here.

Then start the game again. Did this help?

[trek554]

The problem is very likely to be caused by the drivers for the video card. A BSOD is windows way of dealing with a serious problem on the system, why it only happens at one part of the game is very unusual.

You could try resetting the games configuration file. Please go to the following folder :

C:\Documents and Settings\UR_NAME\Application Data\Bioshock\

Delete the files in here.

Then start the game again. Did this help?he should go here to get the 163.44 drivers for laptops http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/. I wish you would put up a sticky about nvidia laptop drivers.

[NoireSmiles]

Many thanks for the replies so far. Really appreciated.

I'm not running vista, so I assume the 163.44 drivers wouldn't work for me. I see the 101.29 drivers support my card, but apparently the INF hasn't been released yet. Guess I'll wait until it has been?

[trek554]

Many thanks for the replies so far. Really appreciated.

I'm not running vista, so I assume the 163.44 drivers wouldn't work for me. I see the 101.29 drivers support my card, but apparently the INF hasn't been released yet. Guess I'll wait until it has been?well you obviously didnt go to the page. there are 163.44 drivers for XP too

[NoireSmiles]

Sorry, so there are :x

Downloading now. Will let you know. Thanks.

[trek554]

Sorry, so there are :x

Downloading now. Will let you know. Thanks.just so you know your card will barely play the game so be prepared to play at 1024x768 or below and low settings. you might even have to drop it down to 800x600 to get over 20-25fps.

[NoireSmiles]

Two quick questions. Apologies if I'm being dense.

1) Does it matter whether I take the 32 or 64 xp version? And if so, how do I tell which I want?
2) My graphics card is not listed in the 'original INF supports' section on either. Is this important?

[trek554]

Two quick questions. Apologies if I'm being dense.

1) Does it matter whether I take the 32 or 64 xp version? And if so, how do I tell which I want?
2) My graphics card is not listed in the 'original INF supports' section on either. Is this important? yes it does matter if its 32bit or 64bit. you more than likely(99% chance) have 32bit. just click on your Start menu then right click on "my computer" and select "properties". that will tell you what your exact operating system is.

[NoireSmiles]

H'okay, danke. And in regards to my second query? The 163.44 driver doesn't feature my graphics card in its 'original INF supports' list. Will it still work?

And in reply to your early comment, yeah, I had to reduce the game's settings to low, and run at 1024x768 in order to get a decent FPS.

[trek554]

H'okay, danke. And in regards to my second query? The 163.44 driver doesn't feature my graphics card in its 'original INF supports' list. Will it still work?

And in reply to your early comment, yeah, I had to reduce the game's settings to low, and run at 1024x768 in order to get a decent FPS.If your card is not listed then I am not sure but at least give it a try.

[NoireSmiles]

Success! Maybe.

Just as it finished installing the driver, I instantly got a blue screen. Upon the PC rebooting, the system's resolutions appear to have been unlocked all the way up to 3840x2400 o.O I'll assume that's normal.

All that being said, I can now load my saved games without a blue screen! I'll continue playing through the game to ensure that the other crashes have gone and post here if I continue to have any trouble.

But for now..thank you! You've all been a great help.