[Win7] Hotfix for Stop 0x0000007E SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

[arrrgh]

Just saw this hotfix mentioned on the Rage3D forums, I have ran into the BSOD couple times while playing Alpha Protocol. Apparently the hotfix fixes a race condition in a graphics related Microsoft kernel component (DXGKRNL). Figured someone else here might have ran into this BSOD too. As usual, you should only install this hotfix if you have experienced the specific issue. Details below.

SYMPTOMS

You have a high-end computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. When the graphics processing unit (GPU) on the computer operates under heavy load conditions, you may receive the following Stop error message:

Stop 0x0000007E (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4)

SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

Notes

* The parameters in this error message vary, depending on the configuration of the computer.

* Not all the "Stop 0x0000007E" Stop errors are caused by this problem.

This problem only occurs when the GPU utilization is high.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because of a time-out issue within the GPU. This causes a reset that leaves the GPU in an inconsistent state.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983615/en-us