“Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” error.

Based on some research I've done on this topic, I learned that with certain video cards, Windows 7's power saving settings reduce the voltage to the video card too much when it's idle.

Many 3D cards require a minimum voltage to be stable, but when "idle", they are basically asleep so everything should be ok.

However, now that so many apps are "hardware or video accelerated" (like Flash, Quicktime, Java, Firefox 4, IE9), the video card is being used when it's in "idle mode" and under-voltage.

The only way to fix this is to tweak advanced settings using 3rd party tools (and possibly fry the video card), or wait for MS to patch this, if ever.

Hi,

Are You sure then You've got latest drivers?

You can get them from Ati site here. Just click there on Motherboard Integrated Video - Full Catalyst Software (or invidual there You may change english language for other) and choose Win7 32 bit.

There is now 9.9 version driver.

Before installations of new driver remember to uninstall old one first.

This error usually means then Your motherbaord is overheated. Normally there will be BSOD but Ati software react on that problem by reseting graphic card.

Check Your temps with Lavalys Everest or HwMonitor .

If temps will be to high use compressed air such as this and clean out all the vents with it. Laptop must be switched off and without battery.

Minimum once per year I always recommend manual clean of heat sink and fan. You may try to do it also if compressed air won't help.

How to do it check Your service documentation if it's avaible on Lenovo site. Do it only on Your own if You can do it and You if don't have warranty on it.

If You still have warranty don't clean it manually on Your own because You will loose it.

If You want to say thanks to anyone just click on Vote As Helpful (which is under every user avatar). If Your problem is solved please mark then Your thread is with solution.

Yes, I got the very latest driver here http://bit.ly/MhqWK

My motherboard is NOT overheated. This is a brand new, just out of the box Lenovo W500. The issue has nothing to do with temp.

Thanks, but this is not the answer.

Crabby Office Lady

Hi there.

I'm getting the same error, and I also have the exact same hardware.  I'm running Windows 7 64 bit however, but I've got to say this is not tempurature related, I've got a brand new machine and it's not running hot. 

My symptoms are that the screen will freeze, sometimes for as much as five seconds, then I will see the "Display driver has stopped responding and has recovered" error.  Here are some more details I've noticed:

• The error only occurs when I am vertically scrolling a window using the Lenovo trackpad middle button.
• The error never occurs when the laptop is in the docking station.
• This laptop has "switchable graphics" enabling an ATI chip or an integrated chip running MS drivers.  The error only occurs then the ATI chip is engaged and running the latest new and probably buggy Windows 7 drivers from ATI.  I'd run this machine for many weeks with the Window 7 7100 version using ATI Vista 64 bit drivers, and although they were painful to install, the error never occured.

I'll let you know if I find a fix.

Regards,

Jamie Laing