New topic on old problem - MacBook Pro Late'08 + Vista x64 Freeze

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New topic on old problem - MacBook Pro Late'08 + Vista x64 Freeze

Hi All,

I read many topics on freezes and have not found the solution. People are re-installing WiFi drivers and are solving problem with lags for audio.
I've Vista x64 SP1 installed + Bootcamp + multitouch drivers from Apple.

When I use Standard VGA drivers - system works well (not 1-2 hours, but as much as I need - up to 2 days uptime). But when I use ANY nVidia driver (modded or no) I could get freeze after 30 minutes or after 3 hours.
But I'm missing Aero + stand-by features.

So - had anybody found nVidia driver that is not crashing system?

As I understand WiFi driver is working well, because with standard video driver there are no crashes/freezes at all.

MacBook Pro Late'08/2.8Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Dual Boot Vista x64

Posted on Feb 3, 2009 4:51 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

T1mur

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55 points

Feb 3, 2009 5:47 AM in response to alexeysim

Download the latest official driver from NVidia and use an application called RIVATUNER to force a fixed performance level of "low-power 3D".

That keeps the NVidia driver from switching clock-rates and voltages dynamically and thus prevents three problems:

1. Constantly changing voltages and thus power-draw from the battery/PSU and mainboard components. This should help stability.

2. Audio dropouts (and likely other drivers and processes dropouts as well) due to extreme DPC spikes whenever clock-rates are switched.

3. Possible audio dropouts (and likely other drivers and processes dropouts as well) due to too low GPU memory clock-rates in 2D mode.

Just to clarify that, even when you are only working in 2D the NVidia drivers keeps switching performance-levels/clock-rates up and down according to what it thinks is necessary. Sometimes just opening a web-page with video content can lead to the GPU switching to performance-3D (maximum voltage and heat) just to have it clock down over several steps again (each time producing a huge DPC Latency spike).

The Microsoft Standard VGA Driver runs at constant clock-rates, thus it's less susceptible to stability and performance problems.

I am using a Latebook 2.8 Ghz with Vista 64 myself here. Can you give any hints on how to reproduce a freeze (like any specific load/software)?

Message was edited by: T1mur

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Answer 2

alexeysim Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 4, 2009 2:17 PM in response to T1mur

T1mur, just before small report about freezes - could you tell me what driver are using you?

GeForce Release 179 for Notebooks BETA
Version: 179.28
Release Date: December 18, 2008
Operating System: Windows Vista 64-bit
Language: U.S. English
File Size: 140 MB

Would it be good for test-drive 🙂 ?

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Answer 3

T1mur

Level 1

55 points

Feb 4, 2009 3:39 PM in response to alexeysim

Yep, 179.28 is the current official one from NVidia and that's what I'm using. There is a "limite-time" feedback page on NVidia's site where you can report to them about problems.

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Answer 4

alexeysim Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 5, 2009 6:47 AM in response to T1mur

Thanks again.

Just small question - I've installed RivaTuner today, figured out how to solve problem with unsigned drivers, and can't figure out stupid thing:
I'm running RivaTuner as admin, but after checking option you told above and clicking OK it doesn't save this option. What have I checked:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/548/capturezy0.jpg

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Answer 5

T1mur

Level 1

55 points

Feb 11, 2009 3:34 PM in response to alexeysim

You need to set its value to 1 at the right side. The checkmarks are for marking the option only and have no influence. 😉

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Answer 6

T1mur

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55 points

Feb 13, 2009 1:31 AM in response to T1mur

Stupid me, I just saw you used the wrong option. You need to set the "EnablePerfLevelForcing" option.

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Answer 7

T1mur

Level 1

55 points

Feb 13, 2009 1:47 AM in response to T1mur

Open RIVATUNER and switch to the "Power User" tab.
Expand the "RivaTuner\NVIDIA\Overclocking" Tree.
Set "EnablePerfLevelForcing" to 1.
Switch to the "Main" tab.
Under "Driver settings" click on the small arrow left to "Customize..." and chose the first icon "System settings".
Set "Force constant performance level" to either "low power 3d" (suffient for 2d audio work) or "performance 3d" (used for 3d gaming).
Click OK and let the computer restart.

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Answer 8

Inur

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Feb 17, 2009 2:14 AM in response to alexeysim

Hi Alexeysim

How did you solve the problem with unsigned drivers? Im having this same problem installing RivaTurner.

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Answer 9

trout4u

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Feb 21, 2009 12:40 PM in response to T1mur

T1mur:

Hay, been trying to fix this freezing in vista problem for weeks now. This driver is the one that works for me. The newer one, released in Feb *****!!!

I should have tried this driver first after roling back the driver from Apple. God, do I feel releived. The driver you have (and me too now) works like a charm!!

I was about to contact my Lawyer. I have the new, unibody MBP and Vista does not now what to do with it and the drivers from Apple were bad to begin with.

--Seattle

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Answer 10

alexeysim Author

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9 points

Feb 22, 2009 5:31 PM in response to Inur

Inur, yes, finally I've solved the problem!

Timur - thank you very much!

I will post guide tomorrow with screenshots.

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Answer 11

T1mur

Level 1

55 points

Feb 24, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Inur

In order to solve the problem of "unsigned driver" with RIVATUNER you need to load the "Updates" that are offered at installation (ignore any warning that these are for older versions).

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Answer 12

Holon777

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Apr 28, 2009 11:50 AM in response to alexeysim

Great fix, no more freezes for me (Still BSOD on trackpad, so I just don't use it)

All I did was the RivaTuner part, I did not update my NVida drivers and my problem went away.

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Answer 13

T1mur

Level 1

55 points

Apr 29, 2009 12:19 AM in response to Holon777

Look at this thread for a full set of Bootcamp fixes:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1876027&tstart=15

Scroll down to find screenshots with red markings that show you how to set Rivatuner.

Just to mention it again, I do not get any freezing or BSOD when using the Trackpad, not even in Firefox (3.5 beta)!

Message was edited by: T1mur

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Answer 14

Jun 18, 2009 11:29 AM in response to T1mur

Cheers for the info, I have been running my MBP without the display drivers for the last 7 months :/

I still seem unable to get into the 'system settings' via RIVA... Everything is greyed out under the 'driver settings' area in the main tab : http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s253/trak81/riva.jpg

Any idea of why this is? I installed all the bootcamp drivers from the mac cd and i seemed to have access to those settings, however when i update the drivers it becomes greyed out!?!?!

Any help appreciated,

Cheers

Message was edited by: gnaughton

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Answer 15

Jul 24, 2009 12:14 AM in response to gnaughton

I'm experiencing the same issue as gnaughton. RivaTuner won't detect my Nvidia driver under Vista64, and I can't get the OC customize button from "driver settings" area as well. I set the two registry keys to "1" already as described in earlier replies in this thread and applied the changes.

I want to turn down the clock speed on this metal cooking surface so it won't burn my eggs.

I have:
Micro$oft Windows Vista64 SP2
RivaTuner 2.24, updated with digital signature (latest version)
GeForce Release 186 (186.03) driver for Vista64 (latest version)
Boot Camped

What are we missing here? Is this a bug in RivaTuner? Any help appreciated

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