Troubleshooting a Freezing Windows PC: Steps to Diagnose VIDEO TDR FAILURE

If you’re experiencing frustrating freezes, blue screens, and unexpected restarts with your Windows desktop shortly after startup, you’re not alone. Many users encounter similar issues, and figuring out where to begin troubleshooting can be overwhelming.

Understanding the Problem

It sounds like your computer is grappling with a “VIDEO TDR FAILURE” error caused by the “nvlddmkm.sys” file. This often indicates a problem with the graphics driver or the graphics card itself. If you’re seeing this error, it’s crucial to take a step back and consider your system’s overall health, especially since you’ve mentioned that your custom-built PC has been around since 2017. While age can be a factor, it’s important to address the issue methodically.

Initial Steps to Diagnose the Issue

Boot in Safe Mode: Start your PC in Safe Mode. This can help you determine if the problem is related to third-party Software or your graphics driver. You can access Safe Mode by holding down the F8 key as your PC boots up.
Update Graphics Driver: An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can lead to instability. Go to the manufacturer’s website for your graphics card (NVIDIA, AMD, etc.) and download the latest version available. If you can’t access Windows normally, you may need to use Safe Mode with Networking to do this.
Check Hardware Connections: Since you have modified your system by adding a new hard drive and increasing RAM, ensure that all connections are secure. Loose cables can unpredictably cause issues.
Test Your RAM: Faulty RAM can lead to system crashes. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to perform a thorough test. You can search for it from the start menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
Inspect the Graphics Card: If you are comfortable with hardware, check the physical condition of your GPU. Dust accumulation can lead to overheating, which may cause the errors you’re encountering.
Run System Diagnostics: Utilize built-in tools like the Event Viewer to check for any critical errors logged on your system around the times of the crashes. This will give you a clearer picture of what might be failing.
Consider Hardware Aging: While a five-year-old PC can still perform well, components such as the GPU or power supply may have diminished in reliability. If the above