Blue Screen of Death: nv4_dsp.dll

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When I play Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, I always get a crash. When I changed my Admin settings to show a blue screen, I get a message that the problem is to do with nv4_dsp.dll.

Any ideas what I should do next??

 

The file seems to belong to an nVidia graphics card driver.
If you have a nVidia card, have you tried updating its drivers?

 

I just tried that, but alas, 20 minutes into my game, it crashed again. Well actually, not so much crashed, as the computer just restarted itself.

 

Some possibilities:

1. A virus.
2. Overheating due to poor ventilation. Try blowing dust from the fan intake (do this from the inside so that you're not blowing dust into the case).
3. An over-taxed power supply.

 

How about full uninstall (e.g. DriverCleaner), then reinstall? Low probability of making any difference, but still...

 

I have done the big vaccuum clean job a few weeks ago. This certainly improved things; previously it would shut down much more often and really struggle to start back up again. Plus the fan was making a horrible noise.

Now the fan sounds fine, and the PC doesn't shut down as much, but it now always shuts down within 20 minutes of starting Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword. It doesn't seem to do this when playing any of the older versions of Civilization IV.

Any other advice really appreciated.

 

My father had a computer once that just stopped and restarted.(or not) It was the powersupply. I am not saying that it is, but as Splunge said, it can. His unit came whit the pc and started to give problems after a year or so. Ofcourse you downloaded all the patches for the game. To know what you have try the tools cpu-z, or everest. That way we can check the internet for problems regarding the hardware. I also assume you run XP.

It is the time interval of exactly 20 minutes that hints hardware failure. I am no expert, just an enthusiast.

about the dll file:http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t10593.html

 

The PC will go all day if I don't play Beyond the Sword, but I can't play that game for more than half an hour at a time before it shuts down. Infuriating!!

 

Try reseating your video card. If that doesn't help try going to an older version of your driver. Sometimes just unplugging the computer from the wall for a couple minutes will fix similar problems. OTOH it does sound like it might be an overheating or PSU problem. Do a google search for a program that monitors your temps and see if any are really high. If your video card takes an extra plug in from the power supply make sure that it is plugged in. If all of that fails I would try a different video card and see if thats the problem...although I guess you probably don't have those laying around like me =/

 

I now have a thing called Speedfan installed. It says that I have the following temperatures (with my PC not doing anything other than surfing the 'net):

System: 41C
CPU: 53C
Aux: 50C
HD: 41C
Temp1 ACPI: 41C
Core 0: 56C
Core 1: 57C
Core NVidia Card: 60C

How do they sound?

 

Hmmm...140º F on your videocard while only surfing the net? That's pretty hot for not running any games.

I would like to know what your videocard's temp is as you're playing Beyond the Sword. Minimize the game right around the time that it usually crashes and get a temperature reading.

You know, now that I've converted your Celsius temps into something I can understand, your system temp seems a little high too. The system temps for most of the computers I build are in the 80º-90º degree range when the ambient temp is ~72º.

 

Harbs, that's either cooling or few other things. Can you read the temps while you're in the middle of playing a game, especially if it starts slowing down? Or you could set the temp alarm in BIOS to 70 or 75ºC and then you will know it's overheating.

And your temps are certainly high for a dual core system. They normally don't heat so much, at least the Intel ones, so far as I know. My brother's friend can play games and still have under 40ºC, while my own single-core Pentium 4 (and I mean the Northwood edition, not the superheating Prescott) can go up to 75ºC in CPU-heavy Warcraft 3 maps (a 2003 game), so those dual cores seem to have a clear advantage.

Can you perhaps open your case and shoot a photo or three? I know that's a bit extreme, but I'm being serious. I'd like to take a look at your fans and cables and other such.

What's in the game also matters. For example my own or my brother's favourite Warcraft 3 maps can be quite intense on the resources even if the game itself is from 2003. Lots of data to calculate at all times can quickly make CPU temps go up quite high.

 

OK, I played 50 turns of Civ IV: Beyond the Sword. The two cores went up to about 65C and the GPU went up to 75C.

Sounds like you are saying that is too high?

 

GPUs run quite hot these days and can handle high temperatures with ease. Mine has an idle temperature of 56 degrees Celsius. Overall the temperatures are slightly on the higher side, but nothing to worry too much about IMHO.

 

So why do you think my PC shuts down when playing Beyond the Sword?

 

Well, your comp's temps ARE high nontheless...

Processor-wise, I think it might be time to apply some new thermal paste. I do so every four months on my own comp, and I have yet to see my CPU go over 55 degrees. I go for silver thermal paste (it's better), and I have an Artic Cooling fan. I have never owned (never wanted to either) a C2D, so I really have no clue how much heat they vent.

HD temp is normal, my 500GB WD usually runs at 40 degrees.

GPU temp gets me a little worried. When vacuuming the case, did you thought of removing the video card and cleaning it's heatsink?

I own a Radeon HD 3870, and this big red monster regularly needs some cleaning up -- same thing with my old X1650 Pro.

 

I think I might take it to the shop then. I don't think I want to be mucking around with thermal paste or heat sinks. I'm bound to do something wrong.

 

It's actually quite easy.

Step 1: remove heatsink.
Step 2: clean old thermal goo off with a clean, lint-free cloth using 99% IPA (rubbing alcohol).
Step 3: apply a little thermal paste to the contact surface of the chip...about the size of a grain of rice. I use a razor blade to spread it evenly across the entire chip.
Step 4: replace the heatsink.

That's it.

 

First problem: I don't even know what a heatsink looks like.

Note that it took me 45 minutes to work out how to get the side panel of my case when I was trying to vacuum the inside of it. Mental note: it SLIDES out rather than popping straight out.

 

Since your CPU is a CD2, you have a LGA775.

The heatsink is that huge metal cylinder with a fan on top. I assume yours is an Intel box cooler, so there should be an Intel sticker on it.

At each corner of the headsink, you will black pins with a flat head slot and a directional arrow on each of them. This is what holds the heatsink in place on your mobo. Take a flathead screwdriver and 'unlock' the four pins, and the heatsink will come off. It's then a simple matter of cleaning the old paste with rubbing alcohol, as Kit said, and a clean cloth. Then apply the new paste, once again as Kit said, about the size of a grain of rice.

Spreading it with a razor blade is optional. I personally do not do it since the thermal paste will spread when putting the heatsink back on.

Once this is done, put the heatsink back. You'll have to snap the black pins in the motherboard before locking the pins in place. Once again, use the flathead screwdriver to press until you hear a click. It's CRUCIAL to make sure ALL FOUR are TIGHTLY locked in place, because if it's not, you might find your CPU heating VERY fast (thanks to uneven heat distribution), but your comp will let you know if the heatsink isn't properly on.

One of the reasons why I hate the LGA775 socket is the heatsinks are a pain in the A to put on and remove.