Error message in Windows XP: "Stop error code 0x000000EA (THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER)"

You receive one of the following Stop error messages in Windows XP:

This issue occurs if the graphics adapter is caught in an infinite loop while it waits for the video hardware to become idle. This can indicate that there is a problem with the video hardware, or that the graphics adapter cannot program the hardware correctly.

The Stop error message may also occur in video adapter drivers that do not represent a physical device. For example, this Stop error message may occur in the virtual video adapter driver that is used by Symantec PCAnywhere. If PCAnywhere is installed on a computer where this error message occurs, visit the Symantec Web site to determine whether there are any available fixes for your version of PCAnywhere.

To correct this issue, follow the methods that are described in this section in the order in which they are presented until the issue is resolved.

The first four methods described in this article are for beginning to intermediate users. The final two methods deal with advanced troubleshooting and are designed for advanced users.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Method 1: Use the Windows Error Reporting tool

Use the Windows Error Reporting Tool to send the error to Microsoft and determine of a fix or workaround is available. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Send Error Report when you are prompted to send the error report to Microsoft.
2. If a fix or a workaround is available, click More Information. This helps you obtain the fix or information about how to work around the issue.

If this method worked, you are finished. If you continue to receive the stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Install the latest driver for your video adapter

To detect and to install the latest driver for your video adapter in Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web site: If this method worked, you are finished. If you continue to receive the stop error message, go to method 3.

Method 3: Contact the video card manufacturer to obtain and install the latest driver

The driver is software that enables videos to be viewed on your computer. See the documentation that was included with your computer to determine the manufacturer for your video card. Then, use the links in the following list to find the contact information for your video card manufacturer in order to obtain and install the latest driver. For more information about hardware and software vendor contact information, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

If this method worked, you are finished. If you continue to receive the stop error message, go to method 4.

Method 4: Replace your video card

For information about how to replace your video card, please see the documentation that was included with your computer.

If this method worked, you are finished. If you continue to receive the stop error message, and you are comfortable trying advanced troubleshooting steps, go to the "Advanced troubleshooting" section.

If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to go to the “Next Steps” section for additional resources that may be able to help.

Advanced troubleshooting

These methods are intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact Support. For information about how to contact Support, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Method 1: Disable or update device drivers

1. View the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) to determine whether the PCI devices in the computer are compatible with Windows XP. For information about the hardware compatibility list, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx
2. Update the video adapter drivers to the latest versions.
3. If a driver is listed by name in the Stop error message, disable or remove that driver.
4. Disable or remove any drivers or services that you recently added.

Note If the error occurs during the startup sequence, and the system partition is using the NTFS file system, you may be able to use safe mode to rename or to delete the faulty driver. If the driver is used as part of the system startup process in safe mode, you must start the computer by using the Recovery Console to use the file. For more information about video adapter drivers in safe mode, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Note If the problem is associated with the Win32k.sys file, the problem may be caused by a third-party remote control program. To remove the service, use the Recovery Console to start the computer, and then delete the specified system service file.

If this method worked, you are finished. If you continue to receive the stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Adjust the Hardware Acceleration

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
2. On the Settings tab, click Advanced, and then click the Troubleshoot tab.
3. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None, and then click to clear the Enable write combining check box.
4. Click OK, and then click OK.

Note This procedure prevents the graphics adapter from programming the hardware incorrectly, but you may lose some display functionality and performance. Although you can increase the hardware acceleration settings higher than None to regain functionality and performance, these settings increase the possibility that the issue will occur again. For maximum stability, leave hardware acceleration off.

If these methods did not help you, you might want to use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site provides include the following:

• Searchable Knowledge Base: Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Solution Centers: View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Other Support Options: Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

If you continue to have questions after you use these Microsoft Web sites or if you cannot find a solution on the Microsoft Support Services Web site, click the following link to contact Support:

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.