Hardware\Driver problem crashes OS on video software

[Leorio]

Where to post?
I've been having this problem for about a month now, I've posted in several places (anandtech, VLC forum, subtitlecreator forum) without much success.

Basically, I installed subtitlecreator, and when I tried to start it the os froze. mouse froze, if I pressed the keyboard I got one pc speaker beep, that's it, nothing to do but reset.
I read in their forums there were some problems with .net 3.0 , so I uninstalled it, reinstalled 2.0 , didn't work. tried several versions, didn't work.

while I was waiting for an answer, I installed VLC player... same exact result... and when I installed a game that needed quicktime, after I installed quicktime and tried to run the game... same exact result.

Someone suggested it's a driver\hardware problem, probably video related. I just need to know how to find it. some software to locate driver\hardware problems? because besides that, everything else works great...

even prepared a Hijackthis log after the first crashes...
using avira, pc tools firewall plus, superantispyware, adaware enterprise... I thought one of them was blocking and jamming everything, but now I'm thinking about video.

So, where should I post this message, and what do I do now?
thanks.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:37:06 PM, on 9/14/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16876)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Wcescomm.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\rapimgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\CDBurnerXP\NMSAccessU.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: IEPlugin Class - {CF7C3CF0-4B15-11D1-ABED-709549C10000} - C:\Program Files\Advanced System Optimizer\IEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ad-Watch] C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00PCTFW] "C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe" -s
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Wcescomm.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: &יצא ל- Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: ??÷? - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {BB21F850-63F4-4EC9-BF9D-565BD30C9AE9} (a-squared Scanner) - http://ax.emsisoft.com/asquared.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{9B4DC53F-0891-41E0-B93A-B5954E9624B4}: NameServer = 194.90.1.5,212.143.212.143
O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.DLL
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Scheduler (AntiVirSchedulerService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: NMSAccessU - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CDBurnerXP\NMSAccessU.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Firewall Plus (PCToolsFirewallPlus) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe

--
End of file - 6470 bytes

[Nelson37]

Boot in Safe mode and verify the same problem. Determine your video card model and download and install the latest drivers.

Describe any and all updates or changes to the PC which ocurred before the problem began.

Verify whether the listed programs fail immediately upon launch or only after attempting to open a file.

Update and run a thorough scan with antivirus and antispy programs. Run a Defrag and chkdsk to eliminate hard drive errors.

You have an unusual sequence of events here. The open file question is very important, because if the problem happens merely with program launch no video is yet involved, at least for VLC and subtitlecreator.

[Leorio]

First... Thanks for replying and offering your help... I've listed this problem in maybe 4 different forums, and I got no replies, so thanks.

The programs cause the windows fail right when they start, in VLC I didn't even see the main screen, the computer just froze. in SubtitleCreator it started loading and always froze at the exact time, when half the main screen is already on.

Started...
Evga 7600gt, updated the driver first (always good to have an updated driver). restarted... and started VLC – froze
.
Restarted in safe mode, opened vlc and got the main screen. Tried to load a file and it froze.
Restarted in regular mode, and tried again... VLC main screen coming up, trying to load a file (tried it once with a regular avi, once with an mkv, same result), froze.

Ran Avira, superantispyware and adaware, came up with nothing.

Didn't install anything new for the last couple of months… that problem was there, I just didn't trigger it by using one of the programs that cause it.

At least the problem now moved to a different stage, and just freezes when I try to open a file… means we're getting somewhere, and maybe these kind of problems are easier…

Starting defragmentation (even though it said I don't really need to… maybe the problematic part is just there, but small)…than I'll do checkdisk , and after that…
I'll update if it happens to solve the problem. I'll also start looking in forums about problems with VLC when opening a file.

Thanks!

[Nelson37]

Interesting.

I was thinking some kind of codec corruption but VLC uses all internal codecs. Verify video playback with older, previously installed programs.

I'm thinking registry corruption, one failed prog install and everything after that has failed. Not reaching main screen in VLC, then OK in Safe mode, then behavior chnaged in regular mode is interesting.

I'm seeing several different antivirus programs, might want to reduce some of these. Try CCcleaner for registry repair, and/or go back to a previous System Restore point.

[Leorio]

Gotcha. thanks again for the reply. Almost finishing defragmentation (three 160gb HDDs).

Thing is, I only started using VLC and Subtitle creator recently, and until than I used other\standard video players... winamp, windows media player 11, bs player... they all worked&still work. I was trying to come up with something VLC does that they don't ... and something linked to video adapters, since the main screen on subtitlecreator also froze... maybe like you said... trying to load\verify existing video\audio codecs. also ran a drivers check... all others are up to date.

I'll finish the defrag & check the disks, than CCleaner and if that doesn't work (after uninstalling and reinstalling VLC... maybe installation now would do better with something that was missing in the last installation)... I'll restore it as far back as I can.

thanks again. will post results.

I'm using "Wise registry cleaner" and doing a scan&repair every other month, it didn't work. I'll try again with CCleaner.

[redwudz]

What Nelson37 said. I might have missed it, but have you done a RAM check? Memtest 86 should work for that. http://www.memtest86.com/ Boot from the CD disk. RAM can cause all sorts of odd problems. If you have substitute RAM, even easier.

And this is more of a computer question. Moving you to the Computer Forum.

And welcome to our forums.

[Leorio]

OK! back to square 1.

Glad to be in this forums...(and in the right place this time) hope I'll get the chance to give back a favor one day and help someone else...

Defragmentation completed. disks checked. CCleaner ran. uninstalled VLC, restarted, reinstalled VLC... froze before reaching main screen. Switched to safe mode. VLC main screen works, I load a file, I see the first frame... but it doesn't play. the OS is still responding, I can close VLC, or even try to open a different file, it just doesn't play it. Returned to normal mode... freezes before reaching main screen.

Memtest. just ran out of cd's (and the only flash drive bootable version is with linux) , so I'm going out to get some and try memtest. Meanwhile I'll try swapping the DDR sticks... I have two, I'll try one at a time, than switch places, if any of these configurations affect VLC, it'll get us closer to the problem.

Going to restore the system to late june...

TGIF all, have a great weekend.

Update:
just finished switching the ddr sticks... nothing. same exact result with just one stick, checked each on both dimms.
restoring.

[Leorio]

Just when I thought I was having fun.
Restored to late june. took me a while to set things right, my desktop and folders were a mess.
installed VLC. started it. main screen appeared. loaded a standard divx file. played it, and after 4~5 seconds froze. the image froze, the os froze, the sound kept playing for another 3 seconds... than started playing over the same second over and over again.

Well... restarted, tried again... this time it works...
seriously, I have NO idea what's going on here...
but I'll keep trying to find out.

[Nelson37]

Information and symptoms are building up.

VLC, when it locked in Safe mode, did NOT completely freeze the OS, but in normal mode, it did. Registry restore and re-install, locked once, reboot, it plays.

I notice this is a somewhat older PC from the PC specs in your profile. Overheating could be an issue, have you checked temps in BIOS or other monitoring prog, cleaned the dust out of the heatsink, and checked temps with a digital probe (finger)? Any change in behavior after the Pc has been running for a few hours or more, or turned off for a similar time period.

If your not familiar with temp testing, nothing you can put your finger on should be too hot to hold it there for several seconds. Uncomfortable, yes, but blistering hot, no. If it's a close call, there is a more refined test that is purely hypothetical. Not sure if you want to hold your finger on it for 5-10 seconds, might be too hot but not sure, I call the more advanced test the "pecker test". Hypothetical only. Consider the same time periods.

Go thru add/remove programs in control panel and uninstall all unneeded software. Make sure only one antivirus prog is resident in Memory. I highly recommend the free version of Malwarebytes, it is not resident and removes things nothing else will touch.

Also empty out ALL the temp directories, Windows/temp and Documents and settings/username/local settings/temp.

VLC is self-enclosed with codecs, usually codec problems affect other players but not it. Also continue to check the other two progs you had issues with, do not narrow the focus to one progeam. What results with Subtitle creator and the QT videogame? Any changes, try them in Safe mode.

You say the other registry cleaner did not work, did it give an error msg or fail in some way? Or do you mean that it simply failed to solve or prevent this particular problem?

The different behavior in Safe Mode is one important clue. There is less software running in Safe mode, if the problem changes in Safe mode then the finger is pointed at something running in Normal mode that is not present in safe mode. Re-run those tests multiple times, some problems simply occur randomly and may therefore point to a particular cause in a false or misleading way.

The other important clue is the failure of three seperate progs all installed after the first one. Could indicate a registry corruption or corrupted file, or simply that a totally unrelated issue just happened to develop at that particular time.

Run some other, unrelated progs that are system-intensive, such as a video game, re-encoding session, and heavy system diagnostic. I'm pretty sure VLC wil run under Linux, try a linux LiveCD and see if VLC behavior changes under that. You could do the same thing with a Windows LiveCD, the latest Ultimate Boot CD is a great tool. Sounds like you have tested more than one video, also try different types, MPG, DIvx, ETC. Could just have one or two corrupted video files.

A repair install of XP won't change any existing settings, and may very well refresh a damaged file. That's the SECOND repair option, not the first.

Also, give careful thought to this, ANY changes to the PC recently, ANYTHING AT ALL. Any other unusual behavior, PC moved, new hardware, new software, Internet accessed by a teenager, new cables, ANYTHING.

[Leorio]

The Computer is a little older, but I'm sure it's not temperature. I have a massive thermalright heatsink with a 92mm fan, both working. When I played with the ddr sticks, I also cleaned the heatsink a little, wasn’t that dirty. Also I have core temp by ALCPU… I stay around 40. you say that using VLC could cause a temp spike? Is it that "heavy" of software that can cause it?

Got malwarebytes anti malware… I just took it off the startup list (like you said, too many programs). I did a full sweep now, and still nothing.

I think CCleaner wiped the temp folders clean. Roughly every other month I do something like that with "advanced system optimizer".

The other registry cleaner was ok, but I still used CCleaner to make sure.

Subtitle creator is something else…
Downloaded the latest version, tried to run it and got an error with an option to send the error message (not the ususal xp error message). Sent it, got no option to view the solution. Tried to run it again, same exact error.
Uninstalled it, downloaded an older version, and got a different error message by subtitle creator. "subtitlecreator has encountered a problem and need to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
"if you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost".
Weird.

Going to find that game (uninstalled and deleted it) and try again, or maybe just quicktime (if I can't find it). Meanwhile I'm… afraid to change anything… I know the status now is not good, but… it's close.

I'm playing call of duty 5, and it runs great, and with AVI recomp I edit some divx movies… also smoothly.

VLC is working, maybe subtitlecreator has a different problem, now I'll try reding material in subtitlecreator forum about these problems…

I think I'll run a windows repair anyway…

Thanks again!

[Leorio]

Dang. just when I was about to relax and enjoy my holiday (two day holiday in Israel starting sunday... which makes it a long weekend), it got worse. Now Winamp holds a video for a small number of seconds before freezing the os... (taking another couple of seconds until the sounds starts jumping back and forth which forces me to reset fast or turn off the sound), freezing the mouse and not responding to anything. releasing just the one pc speaker beep after a couple of mouse clicks or keyboard presses.
Dang again! just when I had everything besides VLC and SubtitleCreator...
and I can't find my XP CD ...
updates soon.

[Leorio]

OK! remembered I had an install of xp on one of the other HDDS... tried to run it, but when I tried updating the drivers it crashed and won't boot again.
I'm done... I'll backup the important stuff, format, and start again, hopefully this time without this problem.
Of course I'll start with VLC the minute XP is stable, just to make sure it works , and to verify that it's not a hardware problem...

[Nelson37]

Disconnect all but ONE hard drive and try that. Try each seperately. XP can have issues when system files are present on more than one drive. The driver install crash on the second drive should not have happened. Then again, none of this stuff is supposed to happen.

The temp questions were not specifically related to VLC, but overheating can cause these types of lockup issues.

Sounding more and more like subtitle creator is the cause of the original issue. Probable corrupted file, and/or registry entry, neither of which is removed by the uninstall. One thing you can do is search the Windows/system32 directory for DLL files dated around the time of the original Subtitle creator install and remove or replace them. Make sure and run the CCcleaner again afrer uninstalling.

Sounds like you're getting close, if you have a spare, extra hard drive disconnect the other one and install with only one drive in the system. Test it that way for a while. One of the hard drives failing could cause these issues, did you chkdsk and defrag both of them? The defrag is more of an additional test than the actual benefit of the defrag itself.

[Leorio]

When I tried movie files, I tried one from each drive...
right now I'm removing the xp installation on the second drive, and moving all the movie files there. then I'll install a player (not sure which one yet) on that drive and see what happens..

i can't remember the exact dates when I tried SubtitleCreator.. and just deleting dlls sounds scary.

I'll clean the second and third drives, install fresh xp on one of them and try just vlc, should work, otherwise... it's a hardware problem. then just to be 100% sure, I'll do it on the main HDD, after complete format.
Hardware-wise... I think it'll be either a HDD, or the ram. the video card is okay, and performed with winamp, BSplayer and windows media player smoothly, while extending the desktop to my tv...

I did defrag and chkdsk'd all the drives, one by one... didn't get any problems..
maybe it's just the time to start again...

[Leorio]

Final update. I've been away quite some time...
mostly because of all the problems with the desktop...
after having one XP installation that freezes after booting (on which I installed some basic software)
I was left with one XP installation that works, on which I haven't installed anything...
thought something in the installation that freezes must be setting off the video card. decided to try a different
video card, took mine out , EVGA 7600gt... 4 out of 10 capacitors on the board are fried.bloated.bad.
I think we got our bug, and the symptoms were just getting worse and worse 'cause more capacitors stopped working, and the card couldn't handle more and more display work...
Now waiting for a new one...

[redwudz]

That sounds like you may have located the problem. You might check the capacitors on your motherboard also, mainly the ones around the CPU. But hopefully a new video card will fix it all. If your BIOS or a one of your software programs can read power supply voltages, you might check them also to to see if they are in spec. Those checks would somewhat assure you that the PS and the MB aren't damaged and should only take a couple of minutes to perform

Let us know when you get your new video card installed.

[Leorio]

I'm back ! (dang ! ! ! ! )

Well...
ordered a new video card, evga 9500gt... installed it, reinstalled everything... xp from scratch. all my programs, all my stuff, then I had two tests...
SubtitleCreator & VLC.
Subtitle creator... double click... wait... main screen starting to load... back to square one. Freeze, cursor won't move, keyboard won't respond and after several presses I hear one pc speaker beep and nothing more. have to reset.
tried a video file through VLC, same result. Tried music file through VLC. same result.
I'm going crazy...
uninstalled both of them. back to winamp, video file plays ... no problem..
Is it the cpu? Psu? mobo? one of them can't handle some component on vlc and Subtitlecreator?
mobo: ecs pt-890A, CPU: intel e6400 , PSU: antec earthwatts 430W.
seriously, I don't have the time nor money to replace all of them (not sure I have enough for 1...) , and if I do replace something and it turns out it's not it, I'm going crazy... help?

[Bjs]

My system had similar issues with dvdshrink and staying online for more than 8 hours where bios was allowed to auto detect memory speed and this has been manually set to correct frequency.

I noticed in the manual for your particular motherboard it also uses auto detect and that maybe you should investigate memory setup in bios and try lower speeds and see if the issue correct themselves.

[Nelson37]

OK, you just cleaned a drive and re-installed XP. Let's take advantage of that.

With a clean HD, software issues are eliminated. The more of the old setup you copy over, the less this applies.

Remove ALL but ONE hard drive. Format, re-install XP, SP2, drivers, NOTHING ELSE. Put 10-20 videos on a memory stick. Install a fresh download of VLC. If you have just recently DL'd this program, get a different version from a different source. Test, also run some thorough diagnostics on a clean machine. Thorough efforts here can eliminate software as a possible cause of the problem. Also eliminate other drives in system, IF repeat IF they are completely disconnected from before XP install. Leave them off. They are not needed to test this problem.

Do you have on-board sound, or a seperate sound card? Remove all unnecessary cards. Test with all sound devices removed AND disabled, re-installing a clean XP with the hardware in this state can eliminate sound card as a possible cause of the problem.

Nvidia drivers can sometimes be problematic. Try a different version than what was used previously.

ISOLATE and IDENTIFY. Step-byStep elimination process WILL yield a correct answer.