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

Originally posted by: 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.

DUMB,DUMB,DUMB,DUMB...

 

[Robor]

I *REALLY* don't want to go thru a RMA or OS reload but troubleshooting this thing is a royal PITA. Keep in mind each time it freezes I sit through 10-15 minutes of reboot time because my RAID array (150GB used of 240GB) gets corrupted and needs a chkdsk. I think I've had 6-7 hard freezes now.

As far as the BIOS stuff, my options are AGP 1X and 4X - it's at 4X now. Not sure about FastWrites - I'll turn them off. AGP Aperture was set to 64MB (default) with my 128MB GF4 but I'll try changing it to 128MB. I will change the AGP/PCI settings in the BIOS. Assumping the AGP/PCI lock is working properly the FSB setting shouldn't affect system stability. I've been running with that FSB setting for months and had no stability problems with the GF4. If nothing else works I'll lower the FSB setting and see if that's causing it but if the Radeon can't run stable at the same speed the GF4 did then it's not the card for me.

Once I get it reinstalled I'll turn off FastWrites with SmartGART but how can I tell if "SmartGART" is working correctly?

Thanks again for all the help guys!

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: 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.

Power shouldn't be a problem - I've got an Enermax Whisper 430W power supply and the additional power source is connected. Also verified that it's actually getting power by sticking a fan on it. The card itself seats fine and I've reseated it just in case.

 

[Megatomic]

Robor, I've got one more thing you can try before you dump your Radeon. I got this from an nForce forum but it might work for you, too.

1. Uninstall all the ATI software. All of it. Don't reboot.
2. Run Driver Cleaner. Don't reboot.
3. Run Cab Cleaner. Reboot.
4. On boot, cancel hardware detection. Install the ATI drivers. Don't reboot.
5. Go into Services (Administrative Tools), provided you are using Win2K or WinXP, and set ATI SMART and ATI Hotkey
Poller to Disabled. Reboot.
6. Install ATI Control Panel. Don't reboot.
7. Go back into Services and set ATI SMART and ATI Hotkey Poller to Automatic. Reboot.

On the last reboot, the screen may flicker a bit while the ATI SMART service tries to determine the best configuration for your card. This is normal. At this point, every ATI card I have installed in my computer in the past 6 months has worked. As others have said, you might have to turn off Fast Writes. It's a hit and miss thing. It works for some and not others. But you will hardly miss it if you have to turn it off.

I hope this helps, your card ought be a great gamer for you. Good luck.

 

[ForbiddenDonut]

I've heard rumors of high FSB issues with some ATI cards. Nothing consistent, but you might want to try default FSB just to see if that solves the problem. Further, as a personal note, I don't trust driver cleaners. I would just do a format/reinstall of the OS.

I just installed a 9800 pro last night and it works like a charm.

 

[Robor]

Megatomic: Thanks very much for the advice. I will follow that install process tonight after I get home from work. Really hope this takes care of it.

Thanks to everyone else as well for the support, advice, and patiently putting up with my insane ranting!

 

[1ManArmY]

Good Luck!

 

[Killrose]

30 min. to BSD/lock-up, could be a heat prob. Try running with the case covers off maybe and see if you get some more mileage out of it before it locks up. If it seems to work better, than maybe an RMA will fix the problem.

 

[nRollo]

I *REALLY* don't want to go thru a RMA or OS reload but troubleshooting this thing is a royal PITA. Keep in mind each time it freezes I sit through 10-15 minutes of reboot time because my RAID array (150GB used of 240GB) gets corrupted and needs a chkdsk. I think I've had 6-7 hard freezes now.

You could throw it in another machine, see if it works there, then sell it here for $20 less than you paid, buy your 5900NU, throw it in, watch it work flawlessly, and consider it a cheap lesson.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: 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).

I have a P4PE/L and there is a AGP/PCI lock bug that puts it out of spec unless you change the settings slightly as suggested by oldfart. I searched out the fix because I was using the onboard sound and would lose it at 150FSB and above, found the thread at Asusboards about the PCI/AGP bug and it's been flawless ever since. Except, My 5800ultra would not run in it, period! Wouldn't even boot up despite a true430 PSU, put it in my 75MRN-L with true330 and it runs perfect even overclocked. Nothing I tried had any effect, put in my Abit ti4200 8X and it runs perfectly, go figure....

 

[Robor]

Killrose: I don't think heat is an issue. I had the side wide open while testing. I could even hold my hand on the heatsink and ram chips while running. I guess I should mention that I haven't even stressed the card with any 3D apps yet. Nothing but web browsing and still get freezes.

DAPUNISHER: Thanks for the info on the P4PE lock bug. Hehe... I've got so many changes to make that if it does work I'm not going to have a clue which one(s) solved the problem! :Q

Rollo: I might wind up doing that but I'd really rather get this 9800 working. As others have stated I've heard they are great cards when working right. Plus, I hate losing to a computer and right now it's winning!

 

[oldfart]

A GF4 card is very tolerant of an out of spec AGP freq. A 9700/9800 is not. Several 845 boards have a bug where the 66/33 lock is not really 66/33. That is why tweaking it to 68/34 will often get around the problem.

 

[Doomer]

Check the fan really really close. The one on my Radeon 8500 died a sloooow death. It started out as random lockups then went to artifacting and gradually got worst and worst. Every time I checked the fan it seemed to be ok. I finally caught it not turning and replace the entire HSF assembly and it's been rock solid stable ever since.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

you want a sure fire way to know if your card works. REFORMAT CLEAN. I can't stress that enough. Start from scratch. Backup all your crap and reformat, as a last option. It will be a surefire way to know if your card is messed up or not.

 

[r44h]

I had the exact same problems you're describing with my Sapphire. After 3 days working on it (formats, reinstalls, etc. etc.), I was ready to give up until I finally went to the Ati control panel and then to the Smartgart tab and reduced the AGP setting to 2X. Then all my problems went away. I couldn't believe that a simple change like that would work, but it did. Give it a try, if you haven't already.

 

[Robor]

bump for update

 

[sodcha0s]

The better question may be, "Why oh why did I go Sapphire?"

I know a bunch of people are going to say that Sapphire manufactures some of the 'built by ATI' cards, but to me that doesn't mean squat. A LOT of people seem to have problems with these Sapphire cards, myself included. I bought a Sapphire 9000 pro card and it was the biggest piece of junk I have ever put in my computer, it never worked the way it was supposed to. It even had a burning smell comming from it, you could actually smell it as soon as you walked in the house. It would only do 2x, and games were choppy. I had (and still use in my HES box) a built by ATI AIW8500DV before that and never had a single problem with it. So I RMA'd the Sapphire and got an FIC 9500 pro instead. I've seen people dis the FIC card (after I bought it naturally) but it runs perfectly, never a problem. I put a Zalman fanless HS on it because the stock fan was way loud, now my computer is nearly silent. If you continue to have problems I'd RMA the card and up the extra $ for a different (i.e. better) brand and see how it goes.

 

[Pete]

Good news. Hopefully your next post will consist of your satisfaction with the card's speed and IQ (turn on AA+AF!), and ramblings on how earning it the hard way built character.

 

[Mem]

The better question may be, "Why oh why did I go Sapphire?"

I know a bunch of people are going to say that Sapphire manufactures some of the 'built by ATI' cards, but to me that doesn't mean squat. A LOT of people seem to have problems with these Sapphire cards, myself included. I bought a Sapphire 9000 pro card and it was the biggest piece of junk I have ever put in my computer, it never worked the way it was supposed to. It even had a burning smell comming from it, you could actually smell it as soon as you walked in the house. It would only do 2x, and games were choppy. I had (and still use in my HES box) a built by ATI AIW8500DV before that and never had a single problem with it.

Just reading your post it would seem that the Sapphire card was faulty,remember all partners of ATi must stick to ATi`s quality/build control standard etc to be a partner,as for Sapphire they are popular because their pricing/IQ is very good , as well as supplying cards to ATi .

Remember any card from any brand/chipset can be or become faulty.

I`m also using a Sapphire card now so I guess I better send it back since I`ve never had a problem .

Robor,glad it`s working ok now .

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Stilll....

Having to reformat the HD every time you install a videocard is a stupid PITA.

Regardless of what rabid fans will say on both sides, any company that requires you to go through all this hassle is not worth buying from.

 

[sinthon]

ATI is completely overrated, Geforce FX 5900 Ultra. =) hehe

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Stilll....

Having to reformat the HD every time you install a videocard is a stupid PITA.

Yeah it is. Good thing I have never had to do it. I've had several ATi and nVidia cards. Whenever I change one, it's add/remove programs, uninstall the drivers, install the new card and put the new drivers in,. Never once had to do an OS install. Heck, I've changed mobos 3 times with the same install of XP. Changing out a video card is not that hard to do, ATi, nVidia, or whatever else.

 

[Mem]

ATI is completely overrated, Geforce FX 5900 Ultra. =) hehe

ATi are very good value for money/ performance at the moment ,that`s why you`ll find ex-NVIDIA OWNERS like myself going over,it`s not loyalty but common sense .

Stilll....

Having to reformat the HD every time you install a videocard is a stupid PITA.

That depends on the users hardware etc,you`ll find most people can get away with using Driver Cleaner 1.9 instead of having to reformat,it saved my PC from the reformat option.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: oldfart

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Stilll....

Having to reformat the HD every time you install a videocard is a stupid PITA.

Yeah it is. Good thing I have never had to do it. I've had several ATi and nVidia cards. Whenever I change one, it's add/remove programs, uninstall the drivers, install the new card and put the new drivers in,. Never once had to do an OS install. Heck, I've changed mobos 3 times with the same install of XP. Changing out a video card is not that hard to do, ATi, nVidia, or whatever else.

I have to disagree with you here oldfart... Considering I followed the "established" process of changing video cards/drivers and it didn't work it's not always 100% perfect. I could be wrong but so far there's nothing wrong with my card and I haven't touched a thing with the exception of changing my AGP Aperture from 64 to 128 (and that didnt' fix it because I still had lockups before the reload). I'm still overclocked on the FSB, my case is buttoned up, my fast writes are on, and my AGP is 4X. I know I'm jinxing (fingers crossed) it but I think this issue was nothing more than drivers. A reload was a last resort but (so far) it was the fix.

 

[oldfart]

I guess things can always go wrong. Its just that I've owned more video cards and systems than I can count since I started playing with this stuff in 1994. A video card change has never required an OS install in ~ 9 years for me or any system I've worked on for others. The last video card change I made in my main rig was a Ti4600 -> 9700P. Went as smooth as can be.