Desktop Window Manager error.

[JohnTC02]

A couple of days ago I updated my NVidia 9800 GTX+ video drivers to version 196.21 whql ever since then the desktop window manager occasionally crashes. The screen goes black for 1 or 2 seconds then I get the error below.

AFAIK this controls the aero glass feature for Vista, after this happens the open windows on the desktop no longer have the transparent look.

It seems to happen the most when I'm using the GRAW2 editor in windowed mode, I don't get this when it's run in full screen.

I uninstalled the old drivers from the control panel an run driver cleaner before installing the new ones.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

Specs:

Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2

AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 6000+ 3.00 GHz

8 GB Ram

NVidia 9800 GTX+ video card

Thanks for any help.

Desktop Window Manager has stopped working

Problem signature:

Problem Event Name: APPCRASH

Application Name: Dwm.exe

Application Version: 6.0.6002.18005

Application Timestamp: 49e02696

Fault Module Name: nvd3dumx.dll

Fault Module Version: 8.17.11.9621

Fault Module Timestamp: 4b4c09b1

Exception Code: c0000005

Exception Offset: 000000000040607b

OS Version: 6.0.6002.2.2.0.256.1

Locale ID: 2057

Additional Information 1: 120c

Additional Information 2: ed723712a2ee32c4b950ffb135d72b70

Additional Information 3: 03ab

Additional Information 4: 21c06290fb3d13d4154793718a33a417

[CR6]

Perhaps reinstall the last working drivers to see if the issue continues. If it solves the problem, then you know the prob is the new drivers and you may have to wait for another release down the road.

I'm still using GF 186.xx drivers since if games etc. are working well, I usually don't update drivers unless absolutely necessary ...

[JohnTC02]

Thanks for the reply CR6.

It's been ages since I updated the drivers, I think the old ones were 182.06 but I only did it due to my PC throwing a wobbly, I have a dual monitor setup and for some reason the PC crashed and on restarting it the desktops had switched over, what was on monitor one was now on monitor two even the monitor numbers had switched.

I tried everything I could think of to get them back so as a last resort I updated the drivers and all seemed fine for a while then this new problem came up.

I'll reinstall the old drivers and see if that fixes it, I will let you know what happens.

Thanks.

[CR6]

Yeah, I find the dual monitor setup can be a bit flakey. I actually prefer to just use the Windows Display Properties instead of the nVidia control panel to set it up dual screens (in my case, it's usually for laptop + LCD projector setup).

And unfortunately in the event of a PC crash, you may have to just go back and adjust which monitor is #1 and #2 again.

[JohnTC02]

To control my dual monitor system I use a piece of software called UltraMon, from this you have complete control over both monitors including display properties, desktop icons, change the primary monitor and set a different wallpaper for each monitor plus other options.

The most useful aspect is the "Smart Taskbar" feature, using this you are able to have a second taskbar on monitor two which is independent of the primary and shows all the open windows in the second monitor, I find this feature a godsend.

You have probably heard of this but I thought it worth a mention here for others.