Video issues...

[djscribz]

I just got a new computer,

AMD 64 3000+
Corsair 512mb XMS ddr
eVGA Geforce 6800gt <~~~Trouble maker.

So I installed drivers for the video card and then tried to play counter-strike source, fyi i used the eVGA included drivers over the newer nVidia drivers. Suddenly my screen freaks out and displays a bunch of random pixelation. From there the computer either locks up or continues to crash. I dont know what to do as most times my comp won't boot.

 

[compso]

boot into safe mode and uninstall the eVGA drivers and download 66.93 version of nVidias Forceware drivers here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_66.93

 

[djscribz]

ok exactly how do i boot up into safe mode? and ive discovered that the problems occurs right after rebooting after installing an update or driver, for example windows update

 

[reddog418]

Right after BIOS, hold F8. Windows will let you select to boot into Safe Mode.

 

[djscribz]

everything initially worked fine until i started up counter-strike source. as soon as it was about to load the screen went crazy and problems have persisted since then. This is after multiply formats and uninstalling/reinstalling drivers. is my card DOA? works fine until i reboot.

 

[daveybrat]

What other components are in your computer? Hard drives, cdroms?

What brand/wattage is your power supply?

thanks

 

[djscribz]

i got the entire system from cyberpowersystem.com i got the mega special I deal. nothing was upgaded except the vid card. i also have a d-link dwl-520 wireless aircard.

 

[daveybrat]

Ugh....I just looked at the system you bought on their site. If you didn't do any upgrades when you bought it, then you got the Garbage Turbolink power supply that came with that case. That's barely enough to run the system as configured, but certainly not enough to run your 6800 video card. I've built those cases before and always taken the power supply out and replaced them.

Even if your EVGA card is bad, and you get a new one, you'll still need a quality power supply to run that new card or you'll still encounter crashing.

Good luck!

 

[compso]

good call, i agree. I like and use Antec True330 and True430 PSU's. PC Power and Cooling and Enermax are my second choices.

 

[djscribz]

so apparently the card i have is DOA, so im sending the entire system back for a full refund, and decided to take some of your suggestions. take a look at the new computer im planning to get which only costs 150 bucks more.

CAS: X-BLADE Mid-Tower 450W W/ WINDOW &amp; LCD Temperature Display + FAN CONTROL [+10] (BLACK COLOR [+0]
CPU: (939-pin) AMD? ATHLON?64 3000+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology [+40]
CDRW: (Special Price) Samsung TS-H522B 16X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER [+37] (BLACK COLOR [+0])
MOTHERBOARD: (939-pin Socket) GigaByte GA-K8NS ULTRA-939 nForce3 Chipset AGP8X w/LAN,USB2,IEEE,&amp;Audio [+7]
MEMORY: 1024 MB (512MBx2) PC3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR MEMORY [+119] (Corsair XMS High Performance Memory w/ Heat Spreader [+58])
POWERSUPPLY: THERMALTAKE 480WATT POWER SUPPLY [+69] (SILVER COLOR)
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB AGP8X w/TVO&amp;DVI [+375]

 

[compso]

Looks like a good system. What is the manufacturer of the nVidia GeForce 6800 GT? You might want to think about a PCIe mobo for the future.

 

[djscribz]

last card i recieved was a e-VGA 6800gt, but it was apparently DOA. I'm still very confused. I'm thinking the problem might just be a simple issue that can be resolved. I'll explain step by step.

1. I booted up the PC for the first time and installed all appropriate drivers, mobo first and then the VGA drivers.

2. Downloaded windows updates and installed

3. Downloaded steam and loaded up Counter-Strike Source.

4. Click to join a server, once server finished loaded, screen immediately turned into a garbled mess of colors and hung.

5. Upon reboot, after windows loaded, screen immediately turned into garble.

6. Reformatted drive, things load up fine as well as windows.

7. Downloaded drivers for the VGA and screen immediately turns into garble after reboot.

8. Repeat steps 6-7 over and over again with the same results over and over regardless of which drivers where used.

9. Flashed to the Gainward Bios and installed gainward drivers even though i own a e-VGA.

10. Things work out for 5minutes and then screen turns to garble.

I'm wondering if this type of problem is common with a corrupted memory chip or a weak PSU. Anyone who has any idea what could be wrong let me know.
I did download all the lastest mobo drivers and i flashed it to the latest BIOS. Same issues. I'm particularilly curious about why the screen garbled right before the gfx for CS source loaded. And if the VGA is really corrupt, why is it displaying windows GFX normally before drivers are installed?

 

[Gentle]

If you have the AGP version of the 6800GT, it needs to be plugged into a power lead (or maybe two) to work.

Have you plugged a power lead (or two) into the video card?

Gentle

 

[djscribz]

Well im not 100% sure. I'm pretty confident that the power from that cord isn't going any where else.

 

[compso]

Not much time to read thoroughly but did you load CSS 1st and adjust the video settings and teke it off software video rendering and choose openGL? Check the refresh rate. If you have XP SP2 then the refresh rate you pick in your video settings should stay the same once you enter your game but if you have SP1 or before I think the refresh rate reverts back to 60Hz. It's common for the video to seem screwy when loading because it switches video API and makes the screen go loopy. Usually it should come out of this effect fine but for me atleast sometimes it doesn't and it depends on the machine but starting over with a fresh install of Windows XP can tell you alot. I'll check this post later to be more complete.

 

[djscribz]

well that's not what happened, the screen turn into a scrambled mess of colors and then the PC froze. From then on the screen scrambles whenever windows loads. Uninstalling the drivers results in a pretty stable environment. But after 30mins the screen randomly scrambles. It's definately a video problem from what i can see.