Ok, I have had massive hassles all of a sudden with Vue and I think I know why.
Vue 7.4 and 7.5, latest builds, suddenly went nuts.

I started 7,4 up after a few days away from it, to import a Poser guy and giuve him SKinVue texture...and all hell broke lose, Vue ended up crashing with Windows reporting a serious error with driver "NVLDDMKM"

Same thing happened in 7.5, in both cases I think the OPEN GL display was going FUBAR, because in 7.5 I saw the Poser character "spike" out like he had displacement textures set very high.

Trying to roll back latest Vue update, then download recent build again (in case of stealth update), 7.4 Vue's .exe file got deleted...completely gone...grrr.
So that's 7,.4 had it unless I re-install.

After a lot of hassles and testing, I found turning off "AERO" in Vista, seemed to help a bit. Just running as Vista classic made Vue work again...for a while then the problem came back, but it was a noticably more stable.

I have Vista 64 bit ultimate on this art rig. Nvidia 8600GT video card.

What I suspect happened was prior to all this crap happening, I had installed CUDA for NVIDIA, for 3DCoat CUDA version, and reinstalled Nvidia drivers after a thorough clean up as part of that process.

I think that Driver version, maybe CUDA?? screwed up.
Nvidia drivers 185.85 I suspect were the problem, I also re-worked the nvlddmkm.sys file in case that was at fault
see this page:
http://www.technologyquestions.com/technology/windows-vista/57075-display-driver-nvlddmkm-stopped-responding-fix.html

So, what I'd suggest if you are having serious issues with Vue and have an Nvidia card, is the following stuff
And please note, this is at your OWN risk! It's pretty techie.
This worked for me after a lot of hassles, and a screw up doing this is very very bad!! (I deleted wrong file while experimenting and had to use my Vista disk to reinstall a vital driver).
I'm not Microsoft, so proceed with caution.

A) downloading the latest drivers for Nvidia.
For 64 Bit Vista and an 8600GT card it's version 186.18 as of this day I post this thread. They change every few weeks
get right ones for YOUR system and card.

B) download "Driver Sweeper"
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Driver-Sweeper-(Setup)_d1655.html
This is used to clean up drivers left behind, as after many months/years, drivers can get left behind in your system, causing problems.

C) Back up anything you need to, just in case. As this is a serious endeavour I hope you back stuff up.

D) This next bit is an optional, but maybe an issue for you.- Check the version/date of nvlddmkm.sys which you'll find in Windows/System32/ folder, and write it down. Mouse hovering over it, should give you details in VIsta, maybe right click in XP? 

•  Because after doing installs (see below) it SHOULD update to the version you have installed, in this case verison 186.18 for Vista 64 bit as of this date of posting. 
•  If it doesn't update, that page I linked above has info on how to change it. basically, you rename the file, go to your Nvidia folder, copy the nvlddmkm.sy_ file to that windows/system32/drivers folder, and use CMD command line prompt, which is a DOS window, in Administrator mode (you MUST have UAC off for this to work), and copy and paste this command in: EXPAND.EXE nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys
• it will sort of unzip the correct file. CMD can be run by typing CMD into the START , SEARCH box in Vista.
• For those not familar with DOS commands, the command: CD..  will take you back up a directory, you want to get all the way to the top of C: drive by the way, so hit CD.. a few times if need, and a command like: CD C:windowsSystem32drivers will take you from the root of C: drive to the one you need
• Issue here is for a FEW people, that specific file is not being updated correctly when you install new drivers, leaving an old version behind.
   

E) Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features (or Add/Remove programs in XP)
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers

F) Reboot your PC, and before Vista/XP starts up, go into SAFE MODE, that's usually by hitting the F8 key on your PC. Some versions it's F5 or the Shift key, please check.

g) When in Safe Mode, use Driver Sweeper to clean out the Nvidia DISPLAY drivers, note that ONLY the Display drivers. It gives you clear neat choices to make.
If you wrongly wipe out your Nvidia disk controller drivers yer in deep poop! 

H) Reboot your PC :tt2:

I) Start Windows normally. Install the previously dowloaded, most recent Nvidia drivers.
Reboot again.

Now, Hopefully, Vue may work ok for you. This rigmarole' worked for me. But as said, it is tricky and very very bad if you screw up! :p

Thanks, I have a Nvidia 8800 GTX Video card with 8618 drivers running on win7 64 bit (RC), haven't noticed a problem. 

Thanks for those hints Silverblade.

I also installed the Nvidia CUDA drivers in order to use them with 3DCoat and it did not suit Vue. I uninstalled all the CUDA stuff and rolled back to 182.50 drivers. It works, but display is unusually slow.

I will try your method to completely wipe out these drivers and try to install 186.18

Wel think that suggests it may well be the CUDA drivers then! :)
Teach me to install the fancy CUDA version of 3Dcoat instead of standard 64 bit version, lol!!
(3Dcoat = Very cool app by the way!)

Hope it goes well for ya Offrench, as it's a real pain to get all those drivers out, hence Driver Sweeper :/
For my XP rig I have Registry Mechanic, which is usually a great way to keep the registry clean, but it's not for 64 bit PCs, only 32 bit , plus you still need to remove drivers wtih Driver Sweeper or such like.

Wonder if the problem was causing some glitch with Open GL which Vue uses?

I don't have CUDA, but I'm having so many issues now with Vue that I didn't have last week. I downloaded 186.18 and installed, but it didn't help. Rolled back to 175.xx but problems are still here. Will try your method, since I am left with no other options than a fresh Windows reinstall, updates/program re- installs and updates, and all backed up files to reinstall too. Very tedious.
Steven, if that's not too much trouble, can you repost without the dayglow green? I can't read anything you highlighted, lol!

Bruno,
sorry bud!  :/ I couldn't go back and change the text colour, sigh.

Reposting the important bits for ya :)

A) downloading the latest drivers for Nvidia.
For 64 Bit Vista and an 8600GT card it's version 186.18 as of this day I post this thread. They change every few weeks
get right ones for YOUR system and card.

B) download "Driver Sweeper"
http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D---Driver-Sweeper-(Setup)_d1655.html
This is used to clean up drivers left behind, as after many months/years, drivers can get left behind in your system, causing problems.

C) Back up anything you need to, just in case. As this is a serious endeavour I hope you back stuff up.

D) This next bit is an optional, but maybe an issue for you.- Check the version/date of nvlddmkm.sys which you'll find in Windows/System32/ folder, and write it down. Mouse hovering over it, should give you details in VIsta, maybe right click in XP? 

•  Because after doing installs (see below) it SHOULD update to the version you have installed, in this case verison 186.18 for Vista 64 bit as of this date of posting. 
•  If it doesn't update, that page I linked above has info on how to change it. basically, you rename the file, go to your Nvidia folder, copy the   nvlddmkm.sy_   file to that windows/system32/drivers folder, and use CMD command line prompt, which is a DOS window, in Administrator mode (you MUST have UAC off for this to work), and copy and paste this command in: EXPAND.EXE nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys
• it will sort of unzip the correct file. CMD can be run by typing CMD into the START , SEARCH box in Vista.
• For those not familar with DOS commands, the command: <strong><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">CD..</span></strong>  will take you back up a directory, you want to get all the way to the top of C: drive by the way, so hit CD.. a few times if need, and a command like: CD C:windowsSystem32drivers will take you from the root of C: drive to the one you need
• Issue here is for a FEW people, that specific file is not being updated correctly when you install new drivers, leaving an old version behind.
   

E) Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features (or Add/Remove programs in XP)
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers

F) Reboot your PC, and before Vista/XP starts up, go into SAFE MODE, that's usually by hitting the F8 key on your PC. Some versions it's F5 or the Shift key, please check.

g) When in Safe Mode, use Driver Sweeper to clean out the Nvidia DISPLAY drivers, note that ONLY the Display drivers. It gives you clear neat choices to make.
If you wrongly wipe out your Nvidia disk controller drivers yer in deep poop! 

H) Reboot your PC

I) Start Windows normally. Install the previously dowloaded, most recent Nvidia drivers.
Reboot again.

I won't be installing version 7.4.

Updates that break functionality used to be a disaster, but now with the paid support plan, it has become a profitable enterprise.

Paloth, my problem has nothing to do with Vue, it's either a graphic card drivers  issue or a Windows issue.
Steven, thanks a lot!

Bruno,
my pleasure! :)

Plaoth,

I think this issue is a complex issue based off Nvidia drivers, namely the CUDA ones and a weird bug where they aren't getting rid of an old but veyr important driver system file.
And Vue's Open GL system, which since it displays such a bloody enormous amount of polys/textures, has no room for error, so it crashes.

Can't you just go into the nvidia driver settings and disable the CUDA feature so that you are squared with other apps?

my problem has nothing to do with Vue, it's either a graphic card drivers issue or a Windows issue.

My apologies to the Vue programmers. 

Paloth,
no worries :)
Not everything is Vue's fault ;)

Shawn
tends ot leave lot of drivers and odd crap all over though :/

In the old days, I'd boot up in safe mode and delete all the video driver files and then boot normally and let windows chose the boring SVGA driver for the card.  Then I could re-install the actual driver without trouble.

Yeah, it couldn't be vue...

Afterall, you had to roll back the update vue, so how could it be...?

Seriously, does the word Denial mean anything to you at all?

I'm curious to know who it is who's holding you at gunpoint and forcing you to use vue cobraeye.

Cobraeye, Bruno said that he rolled back the drivers, not Vue. Don't you even recognize Vue build numbers? Geez, you're way off, man! LOL You know nothing about Vue, that's been proven time and time again and yet you come here and talk about it.  Can't you see how ridiculous that is? LOL

Cobraeye,
the facts:
I bought 3D Coat, I decided to try the advanced 64 bit CUDA version so downloaded the CUDA drivers form Nvidia.
I only tetsed 3D coat very simply, seemed to work nicely. Didn't think anyhting of it, computer was working fine.

Was mostly working on building models in Rhino, not Vue or any other app. Saw one oddity but thought it was just a rare glitch as Rhino's extremely stable (I don't think it was as I saw similar issue days later on, meshes were being "doubled" in display window).

Only loaded Vue a couple of times to test simple stuff, no complex imports etc.

Finished my modelling work. So decided to build a very complex scene using the item I had made in Rhino (a prop for a Poser character). For this I will need to make/import many Poser items to Vue.

Importing a Poser character ot Vue 7.4, I found it kind of sluggish in display, then when I applied Skin Vue, the program crahsed or did so soon after doing ANYTHING in Vue 7.4.
Vista showed an error message about video driver NVLDDMKM on all occassions of crash.

I tried rolling back to the previous build of Vue 7.4. Issue persisted

E-on has sometimes, and very wrongly for several reasons, updated it's build without also showing a revision number change of the build, ie they find a flaw and update a build but do not show the revision number change.
That is a bad thing to do, but doesn't happen all the time but wish the E-On folk didn't do it. 
Knowing this, I re-downloaded the latest build of Vue, which I thought maybe the cause of the oorubles initially, and so hopefully a fresher version would fix it.

Now, at this point I didn't suspect a system wide fault.
I installed the latest build again...and during this it showed an error message and failed to update. Somehow, the 7.4 Vue exe file had been bloody deleted by the update, gah!!

So there you go CobraEye, two issues with E-On:
-improper note keeping with update builds has occured, I hope they have stopped doing that.
-The update deleted the vital .exe file 
However compared to politicians and expense abuses, Global Warming, high seas piracy etc, our issues with a bloody software app are pretty damned trivial issues, you know. There is a world out there with much bigger issues really worth your time to complain and be active about.

I tried with Vue 7.5 to see if it would work but it had same problem, I've just been sticking mostly to 7.4 by the way as I like familiarity.
I gave up and worked on building some models until this issue with Vue could be fixed, as I assumed it was a build problem.

I foudn some issues in other apps, pondered if it had been installing CUDA drivers as the cause, I had no reason to suspect them up to that point.

Doing research on the NVLDDMKM driver crash, I found the information I posted before.
Fixing this fixed Vue, Vue 7.5 works fine.

Now, I hate stress, stress actually causes me pain and distress. So I don't like bug fixing stuff much now.
Tutorials, art, ideas to improve or fix Vue , sure, but nitty gritty bug fixing, no.
I'd much rather let others fix problems after I report 'em, that's what you can actually do with Vue you know, online bug reporting.
I gave in fixing PCs a long time ago.

But I'll still get off my arse and DO things...well,moslty I do stuff with my computer  'cause walking my dog once a day is about all I'm physically up to nowadays (damn I need to get another pooch, love their company, least they don't lick their own nuts in the way Humans do :tt2:)

I like Vue so I'll try and help, so why the hell do you bother posting here at all?

remember: you must do that in Windows Safe Mode, after having uninstalled Nvidia Drivers stuff in normal fashion from your Control Panel.

that help?:)

Checking things now, but it looks like it did work.
Back to you in  a few minutes.

Well, I'm afraid it didn't fix my problems. I still can't open Vue normally, I need to open it and close it a fews times before I have a working workspace. The sys file has the right 186.18 property, so my system is definitely borked....

sigh sorry bud! :/
wish you could do a quick format/clean install everything fast at one go, with WIndows.
I hate having to waste a day manually installing and putting in serial numbers etc etc shudders

I'm trying one more thing before going thi route. I uninstalled my anti virus (bit defender2009, bought a few days ago, issues already), and installed a Norton demo. Will see after reboot....

Norton?! Like they say, I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole! :-) That's way too agressive for the system, IMO. I always use AVG. Free, light and fast. So far, never had any virus problem.

Anti-virus programs no longer work once a virus gets installed.  Their job is to stop a virus from running/installing, not to remove viruses that got installed.  Virus programs take over anti-virus programs so they are not removed during scans.  If you're lucking and know what the virus name is, you might be able to find a removal tool for it.  Otherwise, it's time to clear the master boot record, format the drive and re-install the OS.

Well, I'm not lucky with anti virus, I used Norton all the times, can't complain but for the price, I tried G Data, great but a resource hog, and it found viruses where there was none. Installed Bit Defender, which works on/off, it sometimes disconnects by itself, don't ask me why. So I'm back with a Norton 15 day trial, and will see if the machine behaves better.
I wouldn't mind using AVG Free, but then I also need a firewall.
Shawn, this is exactly what I'm trying to avoid: reinstall the OS and all the programs I have on this machine.

Everyone (and that means everyone) needs a hardware firewall between their computer and their Internet connection.  Software firewalls just won't do.  This prevents infected computers on the Internet from infecting yours just by having your computer turned on.  Anti-virus programs try their best to prevent you from accidently downloading or executing a virus on your computer.  Some anti-virus programs can halt a virus, but not remove or quarrantine it.  And some anti-virus programs can remove bits of virus code left on your hard drive that another anti-virus program managed to halt.

I've seen people run two anti-virus and two firewall programs on their computer (slowy of course) without them knowing their system is that way.  And it's infected.  Those are the kinds of computers that are connected to the Internet trying to infect anything that it can ping that's not behind a real firewall.

Of course, a firewall acts as a simple switch if the computer behind it is infected.  It will try to infect other computers on your LAN and anything on the other side of the firewall (on the Internet).

Well, whatever, Shawn, I'm not a security maniac, I just need a simple rpogram to do simple protection. And it looks like my machine is now back to normal with Norton, my 32bit apps now work (they didn't yesteday), I can open the task manager in seconds ( tooks minutes yesterday), I can even use IE8, something I could never do since I downloaded it ( though I really don't care about IE8, it was a good test), not to mention Vue opens fine now.
So Bit Defender on Vista64: forget it!

So it was yer AnitVirus? odd but very plausible! Perhaps Vue's security check system was having a fit with it?

I hate Norton, I used ot use it years ago, but got more and more of a damn malware itself, so I stick with AVG.

As Shawn notes running 2 antiviruses or the like, is BAD< because they often "Hit off" each other, seeing each other's work as a virus!

from eveyrhting folk have said I think that last Vue patch was a bit of a torublemaker :p

Steven, I think your fix helped anyway, because there was a lot of junk to clean off. I hate how Vista keeps installing drivers when you want to uninstall. Graphic drivers need to be properly cleaned before installing new ones, and Vista makes this impossible, but you're stronger than MS, lol!
And the problem wasn't only with Vue, and it definitely wasn't because of latest patches, just to make things crystal clear in case the trolls read this... One week ago, all was fine. Then I played with a Camtasia studio demo, and everything broke. I only changed anti virus then becasue I thought that the one I had wasn't good enough, and installing Bit Defender made everything worse. I'm back to normal, with Norton, and to be honest, even if I'm not a Norton fanboy, I'll stick with it, even if it is a lot more expensive than others.

Bruno
and in the end, having it all working is what matters! :)
LOL if I was stronger than MS, Bill Gates would work for me! evil grin

With my XP Pro system  I use Registry Cleaner, which is awesome for cleaning the gunk out of your system!! :)

that PC ran smooth as silk until some months ago when I installed a game and a Miscrosoft update to Windows search just slowed it right up when browsing, I'm just very loathe to re-install windows on it
I may get WIndows 7, 64 bit and more RAM for it and...dreams of using it as 2nd render machine again :p

Exactly, it's all that matters. Oh, and I called Bill, says he's interested, can hardly makes ends meet with his small pension....

Bruno
lol, well Bill can live on my chip butties then!! ;)

I want purchase 3D-Coat, I read this thread and now I am total unsure. Is it safe, or will I run in trouble with my Vue? At the moment 3D-Coat has an special offer that run out in a few days. :huh:

Mazak

Oh it's not 3DCoat's fault!!! :) Fantastic app, I like it and is far superior to Zbrush for pleasurable use. Zbrush interface = absolutely dreadful, IMHO. 
I'll use Zbrush for Zsphere modelling and 3DCoat for then suclpting and texturing! ;)

When you buy 3DCoat, stick to the 64 or 32 bit versions, don't use the CUDA versions, as CUDA seems ot cause bother for some folk, like my system (CUDA being a special driver for Nvidia cards you have to seperately install)

That is exactly I want to hear. I have run Vista64, and now I go to purchase 3D-Coat. Thank you silverblade for clarifying this.

Mazak

My pleasure! :)
sorry for any confusion

RE: Anti-Virus software on the PC

The new Norton Internet Security Suite 2010 is now in open Beta until Windows 7 is released. Maximum PC has done a review and found 2009 and now 10 to be VERY much improved over all prior Norton software. They note the fact it takes a LOT less processing for system resources away and is a very secure and good package above the rest. It use to not be the case, but this time Norton is winning people back.

In terms of someone saying once infected it attacks the virus program and not much use this is simply not true. This is a broad and very general statement, but I suggest if you don't know much about security or anti-virus software you refer to sites like Steve Gibson that does "Security Now" and is considered a leading expert in the field. I won't waste time on this as I think it is best to read for yourself the various magazines and experts on this subject for yourself and see just how the software works.

I would not touch a Windows OS without a VERY good anti-virus package and even make sure I have a "clean" install if I do when starting out. But then again, I don't really worry because I am a Mac guy. :)

How did you get a copy that last until Windows 7 is released? 

The only Norton Internet Security 2010 beta I found was a 14 day trial? Or did you just mean its in beta until Windows 7 is released?

Cheers
Jon

Quote - How did you get a copy that last until Windows 7 is released? 

The only Norton Internet Security 2010 beta I found was a 14 day trial? Or did you just mean its in beta until Windows 7 is released?

Cheers
Jon

I am on their press list since I am a Tech writer and my key may be different than the public key because it was supplied from their press department. It should go "gold" shortly before Windows 7 ships. At which time new keys or a new download will be required. So far, works great on Windows 7 RC and it does seem to consume fewer resources from times past.

Thanks for the info, I have just installed it, hence how I found it had a 14 day key, it seems ok,  I stopped using Norton years ago when it use to kill the system, but recent versions well 2009 seem much improved, only thing missing which I can't find is an adblocker, and not just for the web, like the one in Kaspersky which removes ads from Messenger etc.

Jon

If yr testing AniVirus - I've been running the freebie version of Avast on my boxes.  Love it.  Low overhead and very easy to configure.  Invisible to VUE & other running apps.

"For my XP rig I have Registry Mechanic, which is usually a great way to keep the registry clean, but it's not for 64 bit PCs, only 32 bit."

Silverblade, that's news to me as I have Registry Mechanic version 8 on XP 64 and it works fine for me.   :-)

Vege-Mite
hm, well their blurb said only for 32 bits well that was a while ago and I'm on Vista :)

BTW Silverblade, thanks for the info about  Driver cleaner. I wont bore you with the details but it got me out of a spot of bother.    :-)

Kewlness! :)

yeah the way PCs can kludge up with stuff is why I used ot routinely re-install everything once every 6 months or so!! grrr!!
but with Xp Pro and Vista not had to do so, though now my XP rig IS chugging badly
I suspect due to DRM crap with some games, and Windows "search" going weird.
lol, ironic, you pay for legit games and they bloat your system up with crap that pirate copies won't.... :p

I used to regularly reinstall every thing too, not because of crap, but usually because I'd stuff something up so badly, it was the only way I could fix it. Now I've not done that for almost two years and do a backup image of my C drive, so when I screw something up, I can go back to a previous image backup. The only problem I have now is I can't access the windows update site properly, even Microsoft couldn't fix the problem. They tried and stuffed things up even more so I told them to forget about it. Automatic updates still works. I got a great little prog called AntiMalware and it cleaned out one Gig of crap.   LOL

Anyway thanks again.   :-)