Help : Graphics card prob - fixed kinda

oldgit

oldgit

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Anyone jog my memory / help out please?

My 128Meg ATI 9800 Pro has lost the plot, or at least half of it. What it chucks out to the display is corrupt (looks like a badly tuned TV).

Ho-hum thought I. So of I toddled down to the local computer retailer and bought a nice new shiny 512Meg ATI X1550 (for not much more than I could have got of the net).

Problem is that it runs OK in 2D mode, but when it tries to do any 3D (anti aliasing or similar) it hangs the whole PC. Sometimes smart gart catches it, but usually it's reboot time.

It's not this version of the Card either... took the card back and swapped it for another, thinking I'd got a Lemon, but no same problem.

So now I'm wondering if the Motherboard or similar can't handle a 512Meg card (ASUS P4S533)?

Anyone got any bright ideas please?
 
I assume you've got the latest drivers and scoured the web for any info on the problem Paul?
 
Yes. Tried those, and several earlier ones. Even the ones that came with the card on the CD.

Even re-installed the whole PC (needed it anyway, was taking nearly 10mins to boot now does it in <2)
 
So is it doing this following a fresh isntall of windows? If so then I'm wondering if your PC is able to supply enough power to the new card and if this is the case you would certainly see the problem when you switch to 3D work/gaming.

Just a thought.
 
Hmm theres a thought.. :takes side of PC ... again:

.... 400W power supply with extra connector to card.

That "should" be enough (it says 300W recommended on the box)
 
Hmm might be related.

I'm thinking that its some sort of compatibility prob with this card...???
 
It does sound like it could be.
 
Have you a friend with a PC who can try it and the old one in their PC for you? It may be the AGP slot on your MOBO has gone down - dry joint etc on the PCB... Try a different make of card if possible - Nvidia rather than ATi as the Ti s/w is not that reliable. Good luck :)
 
oldgit said:
Hmm theres a thought.. :takes side of PC ... again:

.... 400W power supply with extra connector to card.

That "should" be enough (it says 300W recommended on the box)
Click to expand...

You should be fine with that, the recommendations always have a margin which the component will work fine in anyway, although not all PSU's kick out what they are supposed to in terms of power. So maybe a poor connection on your board or an incompatibility as others have pointed out. I dont think you will get any further forward though until you can start eliminating components, which unless you have friends with spares can get tricky.
 
What make is the power supply and what current can it deliver on the 12v rail?

I ask because many '400w' PSUs are actually only capable of delivering half that.

I'd certainly be eyeing up the PSU anyway.

Have you tried going into the display options, settings, advanced and turning off/down Hardware acceleration? Also in the BIOS, disable 'Fast Write' if you have that option.

Cheers,
James
 
Cheers guys. I've slept on the idea and agree you might be onto something.

Tonight I'll unplug and remove all of the bits that arn't actuall needed (ie leave just the MB, HD(C:) KBM and GFX card) and see what that does.... :thinking:...
 
Worth a shot, the PSU is the most over looked component in PC's, yet is critical for its smooth running :shrug:
 
How old is your mobo? If you are getting smart gart errors and crashes when running 3d apps, try going into your cards advanced setting, knock your hardware acceleration down 1 notch and switch it from 8x agp to 4x agp.

See if that cures your problem.
 
Thanks for the tips guys.

Turns out the GFX card dont like my system much... too old I guess.
I have to turn it down to 2Xagp and it still crashes now and then... Buhhh!

Looks like I'm gonna have to search for a new card.
 
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