BSOD: VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (0x116)

It seems the BSODs are back. Here is the new crash dump, same error as the old crash dumps. Again in Skyrim, only in Skyrim.

Code:
Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.12.0002.633 AMD64
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Loading Dump File [C:\Windows\Minidump\040313-38891-01.dmp]
Mini Kernel Dump File: Only registers and stack trace are available

WARNING: Whitespace at end of path element
Symbol search path is: SRV*c:\symbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols 
Executable search path is: 
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (2 procs) Free x64
Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS
Built by: 7601.18044.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130104-1431
Machine Name:
Kernel base = 0xfffff800`0305b000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0xfffff800`0329f670
Debug session time: Wed Apr  3 02:28:02.526 2013 (UTC - 4:00)
System Uptime: 0 days 0:38:36.258
Loading Kernel Symbols
...............................................................
................................................................
..........................................
Loading User Symbols
Loading unloaded module list
......
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 116, {fffffa8005aaf4e0, fffff88004cdd410, 0, 2}

Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys, Win32 error 0n2
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by : atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+9410 )

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

0: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*                        Bugcheck Analysis                                    *
*                                                                             *
*******************************************************************************

VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)
Attempt to reset the display driver and recover from timeout failed.
Arguments:
Arg1: fffffa8005aaf4e0, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff88004cdd410, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 0000000000000002, Optional internal context dependent data.

Debugging Details:
------------------


FAULTING_IP: 
atikmpag+9410
fffff880`04cdd410 4055            push    rbp

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT:  1

BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116

PROCESS_NAME:  System

CURRENT_IRQL:  0

STACK_TEXT:  
fffff880`0233ba18 fffff880`050ec000 : 00000000`00000116 fffffa80`05aaf4e0 fffff880`04cdd410 00000000`00000000 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`0233ba20 fffff880`050ebd0a : fffff880`04cdd410 fffffa80`05aaf4e0 fffffa80`0566bd50 fffffa80`061f1410 : dxgkrnl!TdrBugcheckOnTimeout+0xec
fffff880`0233ba60 fffff880`05192f07 : fffffa80`05aaf4e0 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`0566bd50 fffffa80`061f1410 : dxgkrnl!TdrIsRecoveryRequired+0x1a2
fffff880`0233ba90 fffff880`051c0d5a : 00000000`ffffffff 00000000`000240c7 fffff880`0233bbf0 00000000`00000002 : dxgmms1!VidSchiReportHwHang+0x40b
fffff880`0233bb70 fffff880`0518e29e : fffffa80`061f1410 ffffffff`feced300 fffffa80`06caf910 00000000`00000000 : dxgmms1!VidSchWaitForCompletionEvent+0x196
fffff880`0233bbb0 fffff880`051bae7a : 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`061d3c20 00000000`00000080 fffffa80`061f1410 : dxgmms1!VidSchiScheduleCommandToRun+0x1b2
fffff880`0233bcc0 fffff800`0337134a : 00000000`fffffc32 fffffa80`06e9bb50 fffffa80`03cec890 fffffa80`06e9bb50 : dxgmms1!VidSchiWorkerThread+0xba
fffff880`0233bd00 fffff800`030c1946 : fffff880`009e6180 fffffa80`06e9bb50 fffffa80`06ccbb50 fffffa80`061f9050 : nt!PspSystemThreadStartup+0x5a
fffff880`0233bd40 00000000`00000000 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KxStartSystemThread+0x16


STACK_COMMAND:  .bugcheck ; kb

FOLLOWUP_IP: 
atikmpag+9410
fffff880`04cdd410 4055            push    rbp

SYMBOL_NAME:  atikmpag+9410

FOLLOWUP_NAME:  MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: atikmpag

IMAGE_NAME:  atikmpag.sys

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP:  50d21667

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

BUCKET_ID:  X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

It seems that everything stabilizes for a while after a driver reinstallation, but then things start to go downhill from there.
 
Please provide this information so we can provide a complete analysis: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...d-posting-instructions-windows-8-7-vista.html

We have seen issues with SkyRim since it launched. I suggest that you ensure that you have all patches for the game.
Also ensure that you have all Windows Updates.

Have a look at this article on Video TDR: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...rmation/35-video-tdr-timeout-0x116-0x117.html

Also, you may want to look at increasing the timeout. Most articles state that this is just for testing, so give it a try to see if it helps you out.
TDR registry keys: TDR Registry Keys (Windows Drivers)
TDR recovery through WDDM: Timeout Detection and Recovery of GPUs through WDDM
Vista registry keys (says that it should apply for Windows 7 also): Help me configure registry correctly to solve TDR issue - Windows 7 Help Forums
Further discussion: Nvidia TDR problem **possible fix!** - Overclockers UK Forums
 
Here are the latest logs.

View attachment 3765

My Skyrim is patched to 1.9.32. I am even using the 'unofficial patches.' :)

I want to describe some 'patterns' to the BSODs I've experienced, just in case it indicates some sort of recognizable 'symptom' (or maybe it won't...).

In the log you'll noticed I didn't experience any BSOD for 3 days, then I experienced 2 yesterday/this morning. The first BSOD I experienced yesterday/this morning was actually not during Skyrim, but after I quit Skyrim and immediately launched FireFox. Now, this is exactly how I 'triggered' the very first BSOD I experienced 2 months ago when I first installed the GPU (that was later RMAed) and Catalyst 13.1 'stable build.' When I launched FireFox after quitting Skyrim, the system froze, and then the BSOD. It's what kickstarted the whole BSOD woes and trying out different versions of the Catalyst driver, memory and GPU stress testing, etc.

I suspect it's not FireFox per se, but merely that it's one of the application I use most often (so perhaps other applications would 'trigger' this). I feel like this indicates a 'software' issue (especially since the exact same symptom has been triggered on two different cards now), but then...what do I know :)

But basically, it went downhill after this, and BSODs started appearing during Skyrim. So, the second BSOD I experienced yesterday/this morning was during Skyrim. When I started trying different versions of the Catalyst driver 2 months ago after I experienced the first BSOD, I didn't have issues launching FireFox after Skyrim. It seems that this 'symptom' was restricted only to Catalyst 13.1 (another reason why I still think it's AMD's poopy driver....).

I've now installed 13.3 beta (just the display driver). I will test more and see how long before the next BSOD...
 
Your BIOS dates from 2009. Please check at the manufacturer's website to see if there are any BIOS updates available for your system. Also check the readme file to see if they apply to the problems that you are having. Please be advised that flashing the BIOS is a very unforgiving process - and one mistake can physically damage your motherboard.

MSI Afterburner (along with Riva Tuner and EVGA Precision) are known to cause BSOD's in some Windows systems. Please un-install it immediately!

If you're overclocking, please stop the overclock while we're troubleshooting. Feel free to resume the overclock once the system has been stabilized.

Daemon Tools (and Alcohol % software) are known to cause BSOD's on some Windows systems (mostly due to the sptd.sys driver, although I have seen dtsoftbus01.sys blamed on several occasions).
Please un-install the program, then use the following free tool to ensure that the troublesome sptd.sys driver is removed from your system (pick the 32 or 64 bit system depending on your system's configuration): DuplexSecure - FAQ Link broken as of 21 Jul 2012
New link (15 Aug 2012): DuplexSecure - Downloads (pick the appropriate version for your system and select "Un-install" when you run it).
Alternate link: Disc-Tools.com
Manual procedure here: Registry and SPTD problems | DAEMON Pro Help

The wireless XBox controller driver is known to cause BSOD's on Windows systems. Unfortunately there aren't any udpates available for it. Please uninstall the software and physically remove the device from your system in order to test it.

I seem to recall that this driver isn't compatible with Win7 - but can't put my finger on the link for it. Please uninstall it.
nvoclk64.sys Tue Sep 15 17:59:25 2009 (4AB00E3D)
nVidia System Utility Driver
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvoclk64.sys

Please update these older drivers. Links are included to assist in looking up the source of the drivers. If unable to find an update, please remove (un-install) the program responsible for that driver. DO NOT manually delete/rename the driver as it may make the system unbootable! :

lirsgt.sys Sun May 17 09:06:57 2009 (4A100BF1)
part of a Copy Protection platform developed by Tages SA
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=lirsgt.sys

atksgt.sys Sun May 17 09:36:34 2009 (4A1012E2)
part of a Copy Protection platform developed by Tages SA
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atksgt.sys

If the BSOD's continue, please have a look at these troubleshooting steps: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...-video-tdr-timeout-0x116-0x117.html#post29532


Analysis:
The following is for informational purposes only.
Code:
[font=lucida console]**************************Wed Apr  3 02:28:02.526 2013 (UTC - 4:00)**************************
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\Owner\SysnativeBSODApps\040313-38891-01.dmp]
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (2 procs) Free x64
Built by: [B]7601[/B].18044.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130104-1431
System Uptime:[B]0 days 0:38:36.258[/B]
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by :[B]atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+9410 )[/B]
BugCheck [B]116, {fffffa8005aaf4e0, fffff88004cdd410, 0, 2}[/B]
BugCheck Info: [url=http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html#Example]VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)[/url]
Arguments: 
Arg1: fffffa8005aaf4e0, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff88004cdd410, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 0000000000000002, Optional internal context dependent data.
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: [B]X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys[/B]
CPUID:        "Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8400  @ 3.00GHz"
MaxSpeed:     3000
CurrentSpeed: [B]3000[/B]
  BIOS Version                  6.00 PG
  BIOS Release Date             11/24/2009
  Manufacturer                   EVGA 
  Product Name                  nForce 750i SLI
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
**************************Wed Apr  3 01:48:37.902 2013 (UTC - 4:00)**************************
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\Owner\SysnativeBSODApps\040313-33758-01.dmp]
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (2 procs) Free x64
Built by: [B]7601[/B].18044.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130104-1431
System Uptime:[B]0 days 4:43:18.635[/B]
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by :[B]atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+9410 )[/B]
BugCheck [B]116, {fffffa800523b4e0, fffff88004094410, 0, 2}[/B]
BugCheck Info: [url=http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html#Example]VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)[/url]
Arguments: 
Arg1: fffffa800523b4e0, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff88004094410, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 0000000000000002, Optional internal context dependent data.
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: [B]X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys[/B]
CPUID:        "Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8400  @ 3.00GHz"
MaxSpeed:     3000
CurrentSpeed: [B]3000[/B]
  BIOS Version                  6.00 PG
  BIOS Release Date             11/24/2009
  Manufacturer                   EVGA 
  Product Name                  nForce 750i SLI
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
**************************Sat Mar 30 13:16:31.851 2013 (UTC - 4:00)**************************
Loading Dump File [C:\Users\Owner\SysnativeBSODApps\033013-33321-01.dmp]
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (2 procs) Free x64
Built by: [B]7601[/B].18044.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.130104-1431
System Uptime:[B]0 days 2:43:27.584[/B]
*** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for atikmpag.sys
*** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for atikmpag.sys
Probably caused by :[B]atikmpag.sys ( atikmpag+98a4 )[/B]
BugCheck [B]116, {fffffa80055ae010, fffff88006e1a8a4, 0, 2}[/B]
BugCheck Info: [url=http://www.carrona.org/bsodindx.html#Example]VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (116)[/url]
Arguments: 
Arg1: fffffa80055ae010, Optional pointer to internal TDR recovery context (TDR_RECOVERY_CONTEXT).
Arg2: fffff88006e1a8a4, The pointer into responsible device driver module (e.g. owner tag).
Arg3: 0000000000000000, Optional error code (NTSTATUS) of the last failed operation.
Arg4: 0000000000000002, Optional internal context dependent data.
BUGCHECK_STR:  0x116
DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID:  GRAPHICS_DRIVER_TDR_FAULT
PROCESS_NAME:  System
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: [B]X64_0x116_IMAGE_atikmpag.sys[/B]
CPUID:        "Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8400  @ 3.00GHz"
MaxSpeed:     3000
CurrentSpeed: [B]3000[/B]
  BIOS Version                  6.00 PG
  BIOS Release Date             11/24/2009
  Manufacturer                   EVGA 
  Product Name                  nForce 750i SLI
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
[/font]

3rd Party Drivers:
The following is for information purposes only.
Any drivers in red should be updated or removed from your system. And should have been discussed in the body of my post.
Code:
[font=lucida console]**************************Wed Apr  3 02:28:02.526 2013 (UTC - 4:00)**************************
[COLOR=RED][B]lirsgt.sys                  Sun May 17 09:06:57 2009 (4A100BF1)[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=RED][B]atksgt.sys                  Sun May 17 09:36:34 2009 (4A1012E2)[/B][/COLOR]
intelppm.sys                Mon Jul 13 19:19:25 2009 (4A5BC0FD)
[COLOR=RED][B]xusb21.sys                  Thu Aug 13 18:10:17 2009 (4A848F49)[/B][/COLOR]
nvoclk64.sys                Tue Sep 15 17:59:25 2009 (4AB00E3D)
nvmf6264.sys                Thu Mar  4 20:04:39 2010 (4B9058A7)
amdxata.sys                 Fri Mar 19 12:18:18 2010 (4BA3A3CA)
nvstor.sys                  Fri Mar 19 16:45:11 2010 (4BA3E257)
nvstor64.sys                Fri Apr  9 05:22:41 2010 (4BBEF1E1)
WmXlCore.sys                Tue Apr 27 16:09:26 2010 (4BD74476)
WmBEnum.sys                 Tue Apr 27 16:10:19 2010 (4BD744AB)
speedfan.sys                Fri Mar 18 12:08:46 2011 (4D83838E)
LHidFilt.Sys                Fri Sep  2 02:23:09 2011 (4E60764D)
LMouFilt.Sys                Fri Sep  2 02:23:15 2011 (4E607653)
[COLOR=RED][B]RTCore64.sys                Tue Sep  6 08:24:50 2011 (4E661112)[/B][/COLOR]
SRTSPX64.SYS                Tue Nov 15 17:30:55 2011 (4EC2E81F)
RTKVHD64.sys                Tue Jun 19 04:50:56 2012 (4FE03D70)
Teefer.sys                  Tue Jul 17 08:58:52 2012 (5005618C)
SYMNETS.SYS                 Fri Jul 20 22:07:07 2012 (500A0ECB)
SYMDS64.SYS                 Mon Jul 23 18:58:38 2012 (500DD71E)
Ironx64.SYS                 Mon Jul 23 20:34:50 2012 (500DEDAA)
EraserUtilRebootDrv.sys     Tue Jul 31 19:36:50 2012 (50186C12)
eeCtrl64.sys                Tue Jul 31 19:36:51 2012 (50186C13)
ccSetx64.sys                Thu Aug 16 17:18:11 2012 (502D6393)
SYMEVENT64x86.SYS           Wed Aug 22 01:33:18 2012 (50346F1E)
IDSvia64.sys                Tue Aug 28 22:48:40 2012 (503D8308)
SYMEFA64.SYS                Wed Oct  3 15:00:06 2012 (506C8B36)
SRTSP64.SYS                 Thu Nov  1 16:16:15 2012 (5092D88F)
SysPlant.sys                Sat Nov  3 09:53:53 2012 (509521F1)
atikmpag.sys                Wed Dec 19 14:32:55 2012 (50D21667)
atikmdag.sys                Wed Dec 19 15:38:55 2012 (50D225DF)
EX64.SYS                    Thu Dec 20 04:22:39 2012 (50D2D8DF)
ENG64.SYS                   Thu Dec 20 04:24:21 2012 (50D2D945)
HWiNFO64A.SYS               Sat Jan 26 07:28:11 2013 (5103CBDB)
BHDrvx64.sys                Sat Mar 16 01:18:38 2013 (514400AE)
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨``
**************************Sat Mar 30 13:16:31.851 2013 (UTC - 4:00)**************************
apww3fym.SYS                Tue Dec 27 17:30:45 2011 (4EFA4715)
[COLOR=RED][B]dtsoftbus01.sys             Fri Jan 13 08:45:46 2012 (4F10358A)[/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=RED][B]sptd.sys                    Sat Aug 18 17:05:38 2012 (503003A2)[/B][/COLOR]
BHDrvx64.sys                Fri Jan 11 13:50:17 2013 (50F05EE9)
AtihdW76.sys                Tue Jan 15 15:41:25 2013 (50F5BEF5)
atikmpag.sys                Mon Mar 18 21:29:26 2013 (5147BF76)
atikmdag.sys                Mon Mar 18 22:47:22 2013 (5147D1BA)
[/font]
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=lirsgt.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atksgt.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=intelppm.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=xusb21.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvoclk64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvmf6264.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=amdxata.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvstor.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvstor64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=WmXlCore.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=WmBEnum.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=speedfan.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=LHidFilt.Sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=LMouFilt.Sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=RTCore64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SRTSPX64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=RTKVHD64.sys
Teefer.sys - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMNETS.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMDS64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=Ironx64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=EraserUtilRebootDrv.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=eeCtrl64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=ccSetx64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMEVENT64x86.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=IDSvia64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SYMEFA64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SRTSP64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SysPlant.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atikmpag.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atikmdag.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=EX64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=ENG64.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HWiNFO64A.SYS
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=BHDrvx64.sys
apww3fym.SYS - this driver hasn't been added to the DRT as of this run. Please search Google/Bing for the driver if additional information is needed.
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=dtsoftbus01.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=sptd.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=BHDrvx64.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=AtihdW76.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atikmpag.sys
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=atikmdag.sys
 
I finally found time to run VMT. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. 10 passes and no errors. Given that this is a replacement GPU from the manufacturer and the previous stress tests I've done using Furmark and Kombuster, I think we can safely rule out the possibility of a faulty card.

Are there utilities for testing the motherboard? I think that is the only component I've not been able to 'test' in some way (other than measuring the correct temperature using nTune).
 
Unfortunately there aren't any complete motherboard testers. A mobo test just isn't worth making.
Eurosoft in the UK makes a test that tests a few components - but IMO it's not real reliable (we get a lot of false failure reports at work).
Also, it costs $300 to $360 (US)

Let's first finish ruling out 3rd party drivers.
Then (if the BSOD's continue) we can run hardware diagnostics and do hardware stripdown to rule out most components
We can also rule out Windows (by reinstalling "clean") before buying a new mobo.
 
I just wanted to report that I've been playing Assassin's Creed III for the last week (which stresses my GPU more than Skyrim does), and have not seen a single BSOD. I am getting the feeling the BSOD might be specific to Skyrim, which I don't understand at all. I was under the impression that TDR BSOD errors are always caused by driver or hardware problems, not specific 3D applications (catalyst, perhaps, but cause?)...but what do I know...any 'theories'? The only thing I can think of is that I manage my mod load order using a utility called the 'Mod Organizer', that does not install mod resources directly into Skyrim's game data directory, but creates a 'virtual data folder' when you launch the game in 'sandboxie' like fashion. It makes it easy to reinstall Skyrim/verify game files via Steam since the user does not need to reinstall mods (in case someone was going to suggest reinstalling Skyrim, which I've already tried)...probably won't mean much to any who doesn't use it....the other thing is the Skyrim is running on an aging engine, still a 32 bit program and using DX9 (if I am not mistaken). Anyone have any 'theories' why the TDR error BSOD would be Skyrim specific? I'd love to hear it.

About the drivers, good point, but I think I covered most of that in my original post. I installed MSI Afterburner after I started experiencing the consistent BSOD with the TDR error, so I could use it to monitor the GPU and CPU temperature in Skyrim to eliminate the possibility this is caused by overheating. The BIOS is also the latest one I can find (I think we talk about this, right? Old motherboard, possible incompatibility between the old BIOS and the new GPU/Catalyst driver). The drivers I didn't mention: The X360 controller driver was also installed after, way after, in fact, when I received the replacement GPU after I RMA the previous unit. The nTune drivers were also installed after the BSOD started happening, because I needed a utility that would display the real temperature of my motherboard (since both SpeedFan and HWInfo were not displaying them correctly, as shown by the screenshots in my original post). I did download a utility to remove the Tages SA files, but I still experienced the same BSOD in Skyrim after I removed them.
 
Most of the gaming stuff is way above my head, so I can only speculate here.

First, as I understand it, the TDR error is a timeout - so anything causing the driver to wait for a long time will cause this. IMO this can be caused by either a corruption of the program causing it, a problem with the video drivers, a poorly designed program, or even hardware issues

As for the specifics of SkyRim - what if the Mod Organizer is causing the problems here? I'd suggest trying SkyRim without the Mod Organizer - and see if that helps.

Dunno if this is the one that you used: Mod Organizer at Skyrim Nexus - Skyrim mods and community
But it's changelog points to crashes that it caused. I'd start by suspecting the Mod Organizer first
 
Yup, that is the utility I am using to manage my Skyrim mods and load order. When I first suspected it was Skyrim specific (and possibly caused by the Mod Organizer), I searched through the support thread for it to see if anyone reported BSOD issues, and didn't find anything (but it's very likely if there were users who experienced this as a result of using MO, they would not suspect it and would attribute the cause of the BSOD to other things). The only reason I even suspect this is because of all the testing I've done in the last 2 months to eliminate everything else I can think of and what many have suggested that might be causes of BSOD with TDR errors.

I even contemplated PMing or emailing the author to ask if MO might cause or be a 'catalyst' in my BSOD, but I didn't know how to phrase my inquiry without it sounding like an 'accusation' (after all, this is purely speculation and I have not a clue about how a utility like MO is able to work the way it works).

Aside from installing ACIII, the only other thing I've changed on my system is the Windows 7 power saving plan settings. Previously I had it set to 'performance', and a week ago or so I changed it to 'gaming.' The only difference in the 2 settings, as far as I can tell, is that 'performance' turns the HDD 'off' after 20 minutes of 'idling' while the 'gaming' plan does not (PCI-E link state power management is set to off in both plans, and is only turned on in the other power saving plans like 'balanced' and 'power saver', which I've never used). At this point, I've just been trying all sorts of different stuff because there isn't anything else I can do.

I haven't touched Skyrim in a week and I guess should go back to it. If the BSOD does start again then at least we can confirm this is specific to Skyrim, a utility I am using in conjunction with Skyrim, DX9, or just something to do with Skyrim.
 
No need to ask the author about the BSOD thing just yet. The change log quotes "crashes" - which can be either user-level crashes or kernel-level crashes (the kernel-level one's are the BSOD"s/STOP errors).

Run SkyRim with the Mod Organizer still installed to see if it BSOD's
Then, if it does, remove Mod Organizer and see if the game still BSOD's without it.
That will tell you if it's the Mod Organizer or not.
 
Ok, so I reinstalled my mods via NMM and stopped using MO, played for a week or so. I still get the BSODs, albeit less frequently. I've also tried the newer catalyst drivers (13.4, 13.5 beta 2), and they didn't prevent the BSODs. I seem to get the BSODs in 'groups.' I can go days of Skyrim without seeing any, then get one, but keep getting a BSOD every 40+ minutes of Skyrim for a few days, then no BSODs for a few days.....I keep thinking these 'patterns' indicates something but have no idea what. I may have to try reinstalling Windows as a last resort, or just stop playing Skyrim, since this seems to be restricted only to Skyrim. :/
 
Zip up the new dumps & attach to next post.

You'll need to copy them out of \windows\minidumps to \documents or other folder to zip them.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2
 

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