Geforce4 Ti4200 HELP!!!

[Therapist928]

Hey all,

I just got my new Gainward Geforce4 Ti4200 from Newegg. It's the one with support for just one CRT, no VIVO or TV out. Anyway, I installed the card and got the latest drivers from Nvidia (v28.32). Windows and surfing is fine but on every 3D intensive game i run (max payne, medal of honor, tony hawk 3) the game runs for about 2 seconds and then locks up, making a high pitched, constant beeping sound. All these games worked fine with my old tnt2 ultra. Tried reseating the card, removing and reinstalling drivers, using gainward's drivers. The card is running at stock levels and is not overclocked.

I'm running Win2k Professional with 1800+ AMD@1533 Mhz, Epox 8k7a, 256 pc2100 crucial ram, 60 GB, 7200 RPM barracuda HD, and 32x Lite On burner, with a generic 400w PSU with 19" Samsung 955Df in a skyhawk aluminum case. Motherboard temperature under 50 C.

However, I thought heating might be an issue for the video card. It gets pretty hot right away. I put a huge 22" fan right next to the computer with the case off. Now, instead of locking up during 3d games, the computer simply restarts.

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Just don't really want to RMA this thing, i've been waiting for it forever.

Thanks in advance

 

[human2k]

that must suck, heh, just RMA it even tho u dont want too, it sounds like a dud.

 

[BigMoe]

I do not have that setup but my evga gf4 mx was doing the samething i got around the issue by taking out my sound card It might be a driver thing. my thought

 

[Shooters]

When I upgraded to the v28.32 drivers, Max Payne refused to run at all, and UT was buggy. I went back to the v23.11 and everything was fine.

 

[dowxp]

weird, prolly some weird bug then

 

[BD231]

This has happend to me before. I had a bad ram slot on my EPox 8kha+ that was causing the problem and progressively got worse to the point where I couldnt start the computer. I would try the older drivers before you look into any other options. Try an RMA, and if that dose not work, your ram/ram slot or PSU are most likely the problem.

 

[Therapist928]

First off, thanks to everyone who offered advice.

Here's an update.
Tried it in a friend's cpu, no problems. Tried taking out all cards except geforce4, same problem, but card lasted a bit longer before system locked up. Tried reformatting hard drive and fresh installing windows 2kpro. Still doesn't work, same beeping problem. The problem is definitely stress related as when games are run at low res with low settings, they are playable for much longer than on high settings.

However, I have run into a thread on anandtech whereby someone else had a very similar problem. He eventually got it fixed and cited it as a PSU problem. He was using a 375w generic PSU, i believe, and I am using a 400w generic PSU. Could this be the problem? Both PSUs seem to be way higher than what would be required but perhaps the quality of the PSU comes into play...

If it is the problem, is there any way to bump up the output of the PSU without going out and buying a new one?

Also, a friend suggested changing the OS to WinXP and doing another clean install there. Would this help?

Thanks again.

 

[Pabster]

Of course it could be the problem!

GeForce 4 needs juice, and lots of it. I'd recommend a minimum of a quality 400W supply (Antec, Enermax, Sparkle, et al.).

 

[MasterHoss]

Hmm, have you updated your 4-in-1 drivers? Also, have you taken Shooters' advice? Try some of the older dets to see if that helps. And lastly, check to see if there is a BIOS update for your mobo that addresses that issue.

 

[Therapist928]

Hey all,

First off, thanks for all the help on this problem. This was my first time posting on anandtech but i've been lurking for quite some time.

I'd like to announce that the problem has been tentatively fixed. I tried using a different power supply, a 300w PSU from Antec, and the card never locked up once. Tried it with every 3d game i had. Couldn't play more than 2 seconds of medal of honor before and I just beat the first level =)

So I guess I just have to go pick up a quality power supply now. Hard to believe that there's that much of a difference in power from a 300w Antec and a 400w generic PSU, but at least i learned a(n expensive) lesson

So thanks again

 

[microAmp]

That's good to know the Antec 300 watt and make it work, been wondering if my Antec would be able to do that and not have to buy a new PSU.

 

[CubicZirconia]

Tried it in a friend's cpu

PC, not cpu.

I sure hope my future power psu can handle a geforce 4.

 

[torreyk]

Motoamd, If its any consolation im using a 300W Antec and running a 1.7P4, 512MB RDRAM, CD/RW,DVD, 2 Seagate Barracuda IV's, 1 Seagate Cheetah X-15, Geforce 4 Ti4600, and Adaptec 19160 and have yet to have a hiccup with it, nor has the PSU gotten hot enough to even spin the fan full speed.

 

[Photon]

I'm having problems too. I've got the VIVO Gainward Gf4 4200. Athlon 1900+, Win2K Pro, Asus A7V333-R. During some games, ie RTCW and CS, the computer just shuts off and reboots.
what worries is the mobo monitoring software. i'm not quite sure what this means.. but the +12V is flashing and beeping at me (something's wrong) and running at 13 - 13.5V. what does it mean?

 

[torreyk]

What kinf of PSU do you have in there?

 

[Legendary]

I got a dud from newegg, same card, same company, shipping it back on monday.

 

[Bozo Galora]

The GF4 RMA's are off the charts.

 

[Pabster]

Mainly Gainward's.

Perhaps the "Golden Samples" aren't so golden?

 

[Coolone]

I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM!

It worked when i replaced my mobo (ASUS K7V (VIA KX-133)) with the ECS SiS 735 chipset motherboard, its been working like a charm since.

I also ended up replacing my PS, an expensive lesson for me to learn as well

 

[fileid]

Have an epox 8kha with XP 1800+. Ran fine with a GF3 ti200 with 350 watt antec ps. Then I upgraded to a PNY 4400. Would randomly reset after awhile. Upgraded the PS to a enermax 430watt PS. Works fine now. GF4s definately need alot of power.

 

[AnAndAustin]

PSU Info:

From what I've heard (and I hear a lot):

Enermax: Good, perhaps slightly over-rated but solid, stable performers. Perhaps a bit pricey.
Antec: Excellent value for money and at least as good as Enermax.
ToPower: Esp 420, 470 & 520W; as good as Enermax but a fair bit cheaper.
SuperFlower: Esp 470 & 550W; very good too (despite the name), may find them rebranded Atlas.

All the above are high quality PSUs and as such some with 2 quiet (and often smart) fans and therefore vent the CPU area, plus HS inside so fans don't have to be so fast/loud. Very quiet, very reliable and very future proof (as much as PC hw get).

A good friend of mine strongly rec Antec Plus430, 2xPSU fans are quiet & smart ctrl (adjust speed according to heat) and has conn for case fans to be smart ctrl by PSU too.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Anyway, here's the links for more info:

ANTEC

ENERMAX

TOPOWER

SUPER FLOWER

PS. Be sure to go for a 350-400W PSU, you don't want to have to upgrade simply because you tried to save $10!

The unbranded PSUs simply aren't worth it, many people find that their 'XXX 400W PSU is worse than a branded 300W PSU' ... beware!