my 6600gt loop error/random shut down fix

[Azrael]

Well all of you with the 6600gt (I can't remember if it's limited to the AGP version or not) and the always exciting BSoD/Reboots/Infinite loop error/blank display problem, I believe I may have a solution to your problems.

Now before you even use these fixes do make sure that if you have random shutdowns or BSoDs that it is infact your video card that is the root of the problem and not a CPU overclock, faulty memory, bad HD or anything else that may cause those errors, cause this won't help you.

First thing first, make sure it's not an over aggressive overclock, dusty system and fan causing your GPU to overheat and the accompanying nasty consequences. Once this is done, the next reason for the happening is not enough power to the card. This can be caused by two things: an overtaxed power supply (this is just generally bad overall, and will cause other problems later on, so it's a good thing to have a good power supply). The second is only applicable to AGP users, Make sure that the molex connector (the 4 pin connector) is securely inserted into the slot on the card and that it is a direct connection from the power supply, it may seem ridiculous but it does help. If you can't have the card by it's self try to limit the connector to only one split.

Now, if done correctly the only thing that will now happen in games and 3D intensive application will be the random BSoD's followed by a reboot to windows, where an error message will read something about the infinite loop error. This is a good thing, well not really but it means that the error is now limited to this very annoying error that is caused by a jump of data in a cue that causes the data to loop continuously back into the cue.

So to fix this, this is a simple step, and has worked like a charm for me (I think a few others as well). Right-click the desktop and select Properties from the menu. The display properties window will pop up. Select the settings tab and click on advanced (under color quality pull down and next to the "troubleshoot..." button). A new window entitled "(your monitor) and NVIDIA GEFORCE 6600GT" or something alone those lines. Now in the window select the troubleshoot tab. At the bottom you will see a little check mark next to the option "Enable write Combining", un-check it. Now restart your computer and play a few games, you should be error free.

I hope this helps, as it has worked for me, I did not have to change any other option other then the write combining. If this Error persists please post your problem and any other things you've done.

Hope it helps,
Azrael

[Tefra]

The write combining is a feature like fast writes, it can boost the performance when it's enabled but it's causing problems in many users.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Azrael]

It's my pleasure, I spent one whole year trying everything I could to fix this problem, at first I thought of fast writes, but when I thought of it, that's not what causes the problem, it closer related to write combining, as that could cause a loop of data to repeat it's self 'indefinitely'.