Vista x64, ATI graphics, dock + external LCD = bluescreens?

[ZPrime]

I'm posting this in a separate thread because I'm hoping to get some attention for the issue outside of the massive "Switchable graphics" thread that has been dealing primarily with the mis-identification issue.

I have been running my W500 on a dock since I got it along with a Lenovo L220x WS display.  First thing I did after I got the machine was double the RAM to 4GB and install Vista Business x64.

I regularly get crashes when using the ATI video system.  The screens (internal LCD and external display) both go blank for a second and then return, that's how I know something is wrong.  Most of the time Vista will give the, "display driver has failed but has been recovered" bubble and I can continue working, but sometimes it will do this blank/return/"recovered" bubble process 3-4 times in a row.  After the 4th time (typically), the machine will BSOD/bluescreen, and the module that is flagged is atikmpag.sys according to WinDbg.

I've seen reports of this problem from a few other people; the common factors seem to be Vista x64 and multi-display.  I have no problems when I'm using Intel display and off the dock, but I *have* had the crash when NOT on the dock (and using single display) with ATI.

So, the ATI 64-bit drivers are a pile of crap, is my guess.  I have yet to see anybody on a 32-bit machine complain about this.

Is there any chance this will be fixed, or should I just get used to my "workstation-class" machine crashing regularly?  

[joelvarty]

Same issue is happening to a ton of people with Vista 32 on the W500 as well. (me included).

That doesn't make me feel better, but at least you're not alone. 

[Izmi]

There has been a long thread about this issue here: http://forum.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?board.id=T_Series_Thinkpads&thread.id=20582

[rmccallen]

I am having the same issue, I have a W500 running Vista 32 bit with 4gb ram in a mini dock, I also use a Samsung 2343bw display. I get the ATI video (atikmpag.sys) crash every 2nd day or so. It doesn't matter what program I am running, it just bilinks a few times and then blue screen. I have the latest video driver and the latest Bios update and the problem is still happening on a failry regular basis.

[jordan_moss]

Hey Guys,

I am running W500 4058 CTO on Vista Ult x64 when I first got the machine it was shocking BSOD's and graphics hanging.

Since doing a clean install and using the latest BIOS (15/12/08) with latest graphics driver (16/12/08) I no longer have any graphics issues.

I use in both modes ATI when docked and Intel when undocked/on battery.

I have used mulitple external monitors on VGA and no issues.

Ensure you are using these drivers, if it solves the issue, which I suspect it will please close this thread.

Cheers,

Jordan

[danpak]

I'm running W500 4058 CTO and Vista Business x64 and have the lates BIOS update and latest video driver and I'm still getting blue screens. I can't find a solution to fix this problem....

Thanks,

Dan

[Izmi · Accepted solution]

Since the forum has been reorganized, the thread about display driver related crashes has moved. It is now here:

http://forum.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?board.id=T400_series_ThinkPads&thread.id=3704