Update: I spoke too soon... :-(

[Robor]

Home from work and guess what...? System frozen again. Looks like turning off Fast Writes didn't help. :disgust:

Latest Edit: Well yesterday I came home from work and found my system had rebooted on it's own. Nothing in Event Viewer indicated a reason or memory dump and the only reason I knew was because my system was at the login screen. I thought, okay maybe a fluke but keep an eye on it. Well this morning my system was locked again. I've gone into the ATI control panel and turned off Fast Writes. Hopefully that fixes it...

EDIT: Sucked it up and did a total reinstall using WinXP Pro. Have XP installed/patched and all hardware drivers installed - so far so good. Haven't tried any games or anything. Still in the process of pulling proggies/data over from my storage drive. Hopefully things will continue to go smooth and I'll actually be able to see this thing perform in games!

Old: Gainward GeForce4 TI-4200 128MB Golden Sample

New: Sapphire Radeon 9800 (non-pro) OEM from NewEgg (default settings - not o/c'ed)

-Uninstalled Gainward drivers - reboot - cancel new hardware wizard - run DriverCleaner to eliminate stray Nvidia drivers - shut down

-Install Radeon card - boot - cancel hardware wizard - install latest Catalyst drivers (from ATI site) - reboot - system boots to Win GUI then black screen (in power saving)

-Hmmm... power off and restart - boots into Win2K this time - install monitor driver - set resolution/refresh - adjust monitor - things okay, right?

-Not! Shortly after I get a hard freeze while only web browsing - no BSOD - no error - screen just freezes - yank plug

-Update MB (Asus P4PE) BIOS to latest - double check BIOS settings - all default with exception of FSB overclock - AGP/PCI are 33/66

-Reboot - wait 10 minutes while RAID array does chkdsk - get into Win - uninstall ATI drivers - reboot - cancel new hardware wizard - run DriverCleaner - reboot

-Cancel new hardware wizard - Install just the drivers (no ATI control panel) from install CD - reboot - readjust display/monitor - things okay for about an hour then another hard freeze

-Power down - reseat card - make sure fan is spinning and power connector is powered - restart - shortly after another hard freeze


Right about then I asked myself why I tried ATI again? This is my 2nd ATI card (had Radeon 64) and it's the 2nd time I've had stability problems as a result of video drivers. Keep in mind I'm using quality parts and this system was 100% rock stable before introducing an ATI card to it. I've been working with computers for over 10 years and the only time I've had video driver problems is with ATI products. Unless I find a solution real quick I'm RMA'ing this thing and going back to Nvidia. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.

 

[NYHoustonman]

Oh, don't tell me this, I just decided on going with the 9800 pro over the Gainward 5900 non-ultra ...I still think I'm gonna give the ATI a whirl, though, as all I've ever known is NVidia, Trident, and 3DFX, and my heart hasn't been broken yet.

 

[FearoftheNight]

lol wait for the fanboys to arrive soon

 

[Robor]

I'm at a loss here. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong and I don't know what else to try (reloading from scratch is NOT an option). I'm about to put my GF4 back in and eat the return shipping to NewEgg. I'd like to get a Gainward 5900 but it's like $100 more than this 9800 cost ($250-ish).

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
lol wait for the fanboys to arrive soon

I couldn't care less about the fanboys. All I know is this system was stable before I put an ATI card in it... :disgust:

 

[INemtsev]

Make sure u uninstalled old video card drivers and use a registry cleaner....by the way what brand of card are u using I have 9800 non-pro Saphire it works like a char,...

 

[sellmen]

I would just RMA the card, get another. If that doesn't work, then consider getting a 5900.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hmm, I just went through a change from nvidia to ati and I had no problems whatsoever but then again I'm using WinXP Pro. I simply uninstalled the nvidia drivers, rebooted and installed the ati drivers from the disk that came with the card. Everything runs perfectly. Same card as you BTW-ATI Radeon 9800 NP from newegg.com.

 

[Robor]

I did uninstall the Nvidia drivers and run DriverCleaner before putting in the Radeon. I'm going to repeat the process but use a registry cleaner as well this time. I really don't want to go thru an RMA process.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Robor
Old: Gainward GeForce4 TI-4200 128MB Golden Sample

New: Sapphire Radeon 9800 (non-pro) OEM from NewEgg (default settings - not o/c'ed)

-Uninstalled Gainward drivers - reboot - cancel new hardware wizard - run DriverCleaner to eliminate stray Nvidia drivers - shut down

-Install Radeon card - boot - cancel hardware wizard - install latest Catalyst drivers (from ATI site) - reboot - system boots to Win GUI then black screen (in power saving)

-Hmmm... power off and restart - boots into Win2K this time - install monitor driver - set resolution/refresh - adjust monitor - things okay, right?

-Not! Shortly after I get a hard freeze while only web browsing - no BSOD - no error - screen just freezes - yank plug

-Update MB (Asus P4PE) BIOS to latest - double check BIOS settings - all default with exception of FSB overclock - AGP/PCI are 33/66

-Reboot - wait 10 minutes while RAID array does chkdsk - get into Win - uninstall ATI drivers - reboot - cancel new hardware wizard - run DriverCleaner - reboot

-Cancel new hardware wizard - Install just the drivers (no ATI control panel) from install CD - reboot - readjust display/monitor - things okay for about an hour then another hard freeze

-Power down - reseat card - make sure fan is spinning and power connector is powered - restart - shortly after another hard freeze


Right about then I asked myself why I tried ATI again? This is my 2nd ATI card (had Radeon 64) and it's the 2nd time I've had stability problems as a result of video drivers. Keep in mind I'm using quality parts and this system was 100% rock stable before introducing an ATI card to it. I've been working with computers for over 10 years and the only time I've had video driver problems is with ATI products. Unless I find a solution real quick I'm RMA'ing this thing and going back to Nvidia. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.

If it's really that frustrating to get working, return it and get a 5900. Here's a good deal on them:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1055388016068&skuId=5642904&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01151

 

[oldfart]

Try with no overclock. If that is OK, overclock again and try something like 67/34 or 68/34 on the AGP/PCI (whatever the mobo has for a setting in that range).

 

[kylebisme]

ohh ya they hate high agp bus speeds, my 9700pro craps out at 70mhz agp.

 

[oldfart]

Some 845/865/875 boards have a weird thing with the 66/33 lock. My 9700P would not run with a 66/33 lock on my Albatron 845 board, but was fine @ 68/34. On my Abit IC7 875 board, 66/33 if fine.

 

[Slapstick]

By chance do you have fast writes enabled? The only times I have stability problems with ATI cards is when fast writes are enabled.

 

[Pete]

Do you have an adequate power supply? Is SmartGART working correctly? Did you try AGP 4x, FastWrites off? Is your AGP Aperture set to 128MB? Did you try a different set of drivers (earlier Cat's, like 3.2 or 3.5)?

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Hmm, I just went through a change from nvidia to ati and I had no problems whatsoever but then again I'm using WinXP Pro. I simply uninstalled the nvidia drivers, rebooted and installed the ati drivers from the disk that came with the card. Everything runs perfectly. Same card as you BTW-ATI Radeon 9800 NP from newegg.com.

Same thing here - went from GF4 to an ATI Radeon 9800 NP. Uninstalled the old GF4 drivers from windows, pulled the old card and put the new one in, then put in the Catalyst 3.6's I had previously downloaded. System works fine, and the card is fast as hell!

Fast Writes and AGP 8X are enabled, and AGP aperture is set to 128MB. This is on an ASUS0 A7N8X-X.

Edit: wrote A7V8X-X when I meant A7N8X-X. Oops!

 

[ethebubbeth]

yeah i had similar problems.... all i can say is stick with it... i first got a 9500np, didn't work, returned and got a refurbished 9700 pro, it was defective, then returned it and got a 9800np... i had to reformat to get it to work, but i'm very glad it did. They might take some fuss to get working but IMHO are worth it.

 

[BFG10K]

Do you have the latest chipset drivers for your system?

all default with exception of FSB overclock

I assume you've tried running your FSB at stock speed?

 

[Mem]

I did uninstall the Nvidia drivers and run DriverCleaner before putting in the Radeon. I'm going to repeat the process but use a registry cleaner as well this time. I really don't want to go thru an RMA process.

I had no problems going from Nvidia to ATi as well,however I did use Driver Cleaner then a registry cleaner to be 100% sure and it did find 3 Nvidia registry files.

I would recommend you test the card in another PC if possible,rule out it being faulty then reformat and clean install of OS to be safe.

Fastwrites should be off in both BIOS and ATi SmartGart for maximum stability,last but not least an adequate quality PSU for the job.

 

[Robor]

This is not a new build and it's quality stuff. Enermax 430W PS, Asus P4PE MB (Intel/Intel), Geil 3500 RAM. I've had it together with a GF4-4200 (overclocked) for about 9 months and it is rock stable. When I say rock stable I mean running SETI 24/7, Email, web, games, etc all at once and I never get a program lockup let alone a BSOD or freeze. Since putting the ATI card in I can't even browse the web for 30 minutes without a total system freeze.

All drivers are updated and my BIOS is at the latest version. I have tried the DriverCleaner and registry cleaner route on both the reference drivers from ATI's site and the drivers from the Sapphire CDROM - Same result.

I appreciate all the help and suggestions but I really don't have the time or desire to play around with this card. When I spend $250+ on a video card I expect it to work as advertised. My past 2 cards video cards are a Gainward GF3 and GF4. Both cost < $200 and did just that. The install was a 10 minute process with absolutely zero problems or hassles and both cards overclock well. I'm done troubleshooting this card. Anyone who wants it can look for it in the NewEgg refurb section very soon. Back to Nvidia for me - this time for good.

 

[Mem]

Robor it could just be a faulty 9800 card,if you had a bad card from Nvidia what would you do? Say you don`t have time etc???

My past 2 cards video cards are a Gainward GF3 and GF4. Both cost < $200 and did just that. The install was a 10 minute process with absolutely zero problems or hassles and both cards overclock well.

Took me about 10 minutes to swap out my GF2 Ti for my new Sapphire 9700NP with no problems,anyway it`s your card your choice so good luck with your next card whatever it may be.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Mem
Robor it could just be a faulty 9800 card,if you had a bad card from Nvidia what would you do? Say you don`t have time etc???

My past 2 cards video cards are a Gainward GF3 and GF4. Both cost < $200 and did just that. The install was a 10 minute process with absolutely zero problems or hassles and both cards overclock well.

Took me about 10 minutes to swap out my GF2 Ti for my new Sapphire 9700NP with no problems,anyway it`s your card your choice so good luck with your next card whatever it may be.

Looks like I may be sticking with ATI after all. Just looked on NewEgg's site for my card and found this... "**This item is NOT REFUNDABLE, exchange for same exact item only!!**" :disgust: :|

 

[oldfart]

Try the AGP/PCI thing I posted earlier.

 

[Mem]

Robor did you try FSB at default speed like BFG10K said?

 

[nRollo]

I would just RMA the card, get another. If that doesn't work, then consider getting a 5900.

You must have more time than me. I'd never go through that whole process to save $50 and have a 9800NP vs. a nVidia 5900NU.

I saw a open box BFG 5900NU at Best Buy yesterday for $263, had to keep telling myself,"Walk past. Have 9800P. Walk past".
It was very tempting.

Looks like I may be sticking with ATI after all. Just looked on NewEgg's site for my card and found this... "**This item is NOT REFUNDABLE, exchange for same exact item only!!**"

I've never gotten a defective video card, and I've bought a lot of video cards. I don't think I ever even saw one in the 5 months I worked at a box shop.
So I'd try not OCing your fsb as wise BFG noted, then suck it up and fdisk before I'd waste time RMAing a card that probably has nothing wrong with it.

 

[Shagga]

Does the ATI card need an additional power source? If so is it connected? Sorry if I'm being a bit obvious it's just I have not owned an ATI card for sometime (may do soon though) and I'm sure I read somewhere about the aditional power connector. Is the card sat correctly in the AGP slot. I noticed on my Gainward GF4 4600 GS that the card sat slightly higher in the AGP port where the card was fastened to the case. I had to bend the 90 Deg. strip to get it to fit right.

I get the feeling it certainly sounds like a voltage issue to me.