A new one for me: display driver caught in infinite loop

[DavidNZ]

Just clicked on a video for teaching when my external LDC went blank. Tried to get it back to laptop only, but wouldn't work. The system (X40) froze.

Checked error log for the incident:

"The driver ialmrnt5 for the display device \Device\Video0 got stuck in an infinite loop. This usually indicates a problem with the device itself or with the device driver programming the hardware incorrectly. Please check with your hardware device vendor for any driver updates."

Watchdog event log file looks like this:

//
// Watchdog Event Log File
//

LogType: Watchdog
Created: 2006-01-24 08:43:52
TimeZone: -720 - New Zealand Standard Time
WindowsVersion: XP
EventType: 0xEA - Thread Stuck in Device Driver

//
// The driver for the display device got stuck in an infinite loop. This
// usually indicates a problem with the device itself or with the device
// driver programming the hardware incorrectly. Please check with your
// display device vendor for any driver updates.
//

EaRecovery: 1
ShutdownCount: 413
Shutdown: 0
EventFlag: 1
EventCount: 3
BreakCount: 3
BugcheckTriggered: 1
DebuggerNotPresent: 1
DriverName: ialmrnt5
DeviceClass: Display
DeviceDescription: Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller
HardwareID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3582&SUBSYS_05571014&REV_02
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
DriverFixedFileInfo: FEEF04BD 00010000 0006000E 000A0F67 0006000E 000A0F67 0000003F 00000000 00040004 00000003 00000004 00000000 00000000
DriverCompanyName: Intel Corporation
DriverFileDescription: Controller Hub for Intel Graphics Driver
DriverFileVersion: 6.14.10.3943
DriverInternalName: imdispdrv.dll
DriverLegalCopyright: Copyright (c) 1998-2002 Intel Corporation.
DriverOriginalFilename: imdispdrv.dll
DriverProductName: Intel Graphics Accelerator Drivers for Windows NT(R)
DriverProductVersion: 6.14.10.3943

Wow. Did some checking around the Interweb. Seems like the 'classic' infinite loop problem that some people still have. Whatever it is, something happened that it didn't like.

For a few weeks now, I have noticed that my external LCD would quickly turn off and on (within a split second). I'm running the latest video drivers as well. Wonder if my motherboard is about to crap out, or whether this is just 'one of those things' that happens now and again. Anyone ever experience this?

[Kyocera]

I had that with my very first T42 purchased brand new from IBM about a year and a half ago, tried all the fixes all over the internet and also did everything advised by IBM tech support, wound up sending it in and getting a new machine as it was still in the 30 day window.

I know there are many, many theories on how to fix this some are quite painstaking, I hope one of them works for you, none did for me.

[petroleum]

Hello,

Try to connect an external monitor to verify if you get the same problem on external as well as on the LCD.
If you have the same problem on external monitor as on the LCD try to boot in to safe mode and see what happens.
If that works fine boot up to win Xp as normal and lift your machine slightly with one hand under the machine and let it rest on your hand with slightly bent fingers. Any difference?

If any of these steps makes the lcd flicker or shuts down your graphic chip migt have seen better days. Send the machine to service.

[pphilipko]

Though I don't have the infinite loop problem (yet!?!), my external display flickers for a split second occasionally, similar to what you described.

I'm pretty sure that flickering is normal though, as it's been occuring since I bought my laptop.

Now you've really got ME worried...

Good luck. Hopefully, you'll get this problem resolved through IBM. Let us know how this turns out!

[DavidNZ]

Just an update: got back from a business trip to BNE (Brisbane) and used the LCD on the notebook itself for several days. No flickering. Seems it's related to external displays. Will watch carefully and post any updates.