New NVIDIA drivers cause crashes on older computers without POPCNT support, resulting in critical errors in Windows 10 and 11.
Driver problems
Incompatibility with older processors
In early 2024, it was discovered that some legacy computers were unable to run the latest versions of Windows 11 due to a lack of support for POPCNT instructions. Now this problem has also affected Windows 10 users, and the culprit turned out to be graphics drivers from NVIDIA.
NVIDIA statement and consequences
About a month ago, NVIDIA announced about ending support for computers without the POPCNT instruction set in their new drivers. This is not just a formal notice: installing driver version 555 or later on a system with a compatible NVIDIA graphics card, but an unsupported processor, will cause a serious failure of the entire system, including a “blue screen of death” (BSOD) with the error code SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED.
Impact on Windows users
Although Microsoft has officially stopped supporting these processors in Windows 10 and Windows 11, they were still functioning. However, attempting to install display drivers version 555 or later is guaranteed to result in a BSOD. Owners of such computers are advised to change their Windows Update settings to prevent the automatic download and installation of new versions of NVIDIA drivers.
Affected devices
The problem mainly affects Core 2 Duo series processors, of which there are not many left, especially in combination with modern NVIDIA video cards. Although such cases are not very common, they are still possible. If a non-SSE4.2 system equipped with a GTX 750 Ti or GTX 950 graphics card does not boot after updating the graphics driver, the cause of the issue is now known.
Glossary
- NVIDIA is an American technology company, manufacturer of graphics processors and chipsets.
- POPCNT - processor instruction for counting the number of set bits.
- BSOD - Blue Screen of Death, blue screen of death, critical Windows error.
- Core 2 Duo is a line of dual-core Intel processors released in 2006.
- SSE4.2 is a set of SIMD instructions for the x86 architecture developed by Intel.
Links
Questions answered
What problem are users experiencing with older computers running Windows 10 and 11?
What happens when you install new NVIDIA drivers on unsupported systems?
Which processors are mostly affected by this issue?
How can users prevent this issue from occurring?
Why a GTX 750 Ti or GTX 950 system may not boot after an update drivers?
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Discussion of the topic – Dangerous update: NVIDIA drivers cause crashes on Windows 10 with outdated processors
It was recently discovered that NVIDIA drivers may cause critical errors on Windows 10 computers with older processors due to lack of support for the POPCNT instruction. This issue is similar to previously reported incompatibility with Windows 11 on some older PCs.
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Isabella
Wow, this is news! 😮 I had no idea that older computers could have such problems with Windows 11. I wonder how many people this will affect?
Hans
Yes, Isabella, this is a really serious problem. I've heard that many companies are still using old systems. This can be a real headache for IT departments. 💻🤕
Amélie
I think this is a great opportunity to upgrade your equipment! New technologies are developing so quickly that it is sometimes difficult to keep up. Maybe this will push people to upgrade? 🚀
Javier
Amélie, you're right, but not everyone can afford new equipment. Small businesses especially may suffer. I hope Microsoft and NVIDIA find some solution for older systems.
Grzegorz
Bah, these newfangled things again! In my time, computers worked for years without any updates. And now every day there is a new problem. These Windows 11 and POPCNT are of no use!
Sophia
Grzegorz, I understand your dissatisfaction, but progress cannot be stopped. 😊 Maybe we should look at this as an opportunity to learn something new? I recently mastered Linux and am very pleased!
Oleksandr
I wonder how this will affect the gaming industry? 🎮 I have a GTX 950 and I'm worried that I won't be able to play new games. Does anyone know if there are workarounds?
Isabella
Oleksandr, maybe you should try rolling back to an older version of the driver? Or look for alternative drivers from enthusiasts. Anyway, good luck with your GTX 950! 🍀