Stupid Windows Tricks: NV4_disp.dll Blue Screen Error Fix

Yesterday, I was happily working when all of a sudden, up popped the dreaded Windows blue screen of death. I read the incomprehensible message (as you know by now, the message never makes any sense to anyone but a handful of programmers at Microsoft and they're not telling anyone, or at least not me).

Without choice, I shut down by turning off the machine, restarted, then initiated a clean shut down to flush the system of whatever caused the issue. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, the blue screen appeared again.

I read the message again. I like to think I'm somewhat computer savvy, but the only information I could really get from the many lines of text was that the issue was caused by nv4_disp.dll. It wasn't much, but at least I had a clue.

I started with a Google search, which lead me to understand, at least on some level that this involved my NVidia graphics card. Most of what I found suggested it was a problem with a recently installed graphics card, but since my graphics card has remain unchanged since I bought my computer last year, I knew that wasn't the problem. Brilliant, eh?

My next stop was the Dell Support Web site where I searched for NV4_disp.dll and came up with a couple of results, one of which suggested that I needed to update my video driver. They conveniently had a link to the latest driver (5/5/2005) and I installed it. This seems to have solved the problem.

One thing you should be aware of is that when the new driver is installed, it sets the resolution at a default of 800x600, so you will need to adjust that after you restart.

It took some perseverance on my part to find the solution, and I'm sure, someone with less understanding than me could never have solved this on their own. Incomprehensible error messages remain a big issue in Windows. I hope the next version, Vista, uses more understandable error messages with clear instructions on how to resolve the issue, or at least a clear road map on how to find the answer.

10/25 Note: This has been one of my most popular posts ever, leading me to believe that I am not alone in stumbling across this problem. Please leave a comment if you find it helpful or if you have found additional ways to resolve this problem. Thanks. RM

5/22 Note: Six months after writing this post, I am still amazed by how often it gets hit. While you're here looking a this entry, take a look around my blog. If you like what you see, please subscribe. Thanks. RM

Comments

[norio]

After blue screen, I thought I'd google nv4_disp before taking computer for repair. Dell driver solved my problem. Thanks for saving me time and money.

[Rajendra]

Windows XP : a problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to protect your computerHello,

I am using Windows XP Professional.
Recently I'm facing problem with booting my computer.
It shows error message like below:
a problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to protect your computer
.....................................
some messages
.....................................

Technical information:
STOP: 0*00000007B (...........some coded numbers..............)

1. I'm not able to boot the computer into safe mode

2. Yes, Unfortunately I get the same error message while trying to do a fresh installation

3. I have recently installed a game software and Webex application & antimalwarebytes software
on my machine prior to the issue

As I'm not able to boot windows in safe mode, can not uninstall new installed applications.

Also I have tried for system recovery while new installation using F2 key it is asking for some

windows boot disk (floppy disk) & my configuration does not have FDD

I have tried following things to fix the issue but no success :(

Tried to start in safe mode
Tried for last known good configuration
Tried to boot with Windows XP CD for fresh installation
Checked BIOS settings (boot order)

what should now be done to care of this ?
What had caused this and importantly what is the fix to get out of this ?
Please Help, Thanks in advance.....

[Ron Miller]

I recommend calling your computer manufacturer's technical support or taking it to a trained professional repair.

[E Tiffany]

THIS TIME I studied the error report MAN, I remember the old days when things were simpler and the BSD was just blue, no text, nothing, and so I noted the .DDL culprit. So after getting back online came here with Google. I will get the upgrade. I never much enjoyed seeing that bright blue screen.

[omega vrt]

Hi there, the whole thing is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that's actually good, keep up writing.