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View Full Version : Why does my Graphics Card Hate Me?


mr starface
09-08-2004, 07:38
I've been having problems with my PC for weeks now where it freezes for no reason with a BSOD, wont boot up properly or crashes within a few minutes of playing a game. Windoze said it was a device driver problem but wouldnt say which one it was but I think I now know its my GC.

I borrowed my mates GC and my PC then worked flawlessly with no crashing at all. Aha! I thought not good for my wallet but at least I know what it is. Thing is my GC worked perfectly in his machine so its obviously not a harwdware issue.

My GC is a Radeon 9700 Pro (my mates one was an Nvidia 9500 Ultra) and I'm running it on a NForce2 mobo, 1 gig ram, 3xHDD, 2xDVD/RW.

I've now tried uninstalling all my ATI related drivers and re-istalling them and cleaning out any bogus ATI files with a utility called driver cleaner but no luck the card still wont work in my machine. I've also tried a full virus scan and run ad-aware through.

What else can I do - any ideas? I really dont want to reinstall Windows XP as it would make me suicidal :(

cjb110
09-08-2004, 07:48
tried: disabling/enabling fast writes and/or side band adressing (in the bios)
uping the agp voltage
decreasing the agp rate

Also you've got a packed system, check the voltages on all the rails...and monitor them during a load test.

mr starface
09-08-2004, 12:24
What isn acceptable agp voltage range - no danger of frying the card is there.

I realise I've got a lot packed into my case and was wondering about the voltages - but I dont know what the voltages should be or how to monitor them?

Still seems strange an nvidia card would work ok though unless they use less power?

Sorry not got much experience on this side of things!

cjb110
09-08-2004, 12:55
your motherboard bios will only have +.1V, maybe +.2V for the adjustment and this is safe. (well it SHOULD be safe, I would try this on mine if I had this kinda problem.)

As for checking the voltages, there should be an app included with the motherboard (or downloadable from nvidia)...not got an nforce board...but someone might know the proper name.

Motherboard Monitor is another program, but its harder to explain:)