(2)x1950 pro Won't run crossfire Help

OSGFilms · Dec 11, 2006, 06:32 PM

Hi, so Im tryin to run a crossfire set up but it just won't show up in windows.
Im using a Core2duo 6600, 2gigs of ram, p5w Dh Deluxe motherboard.
and the ocz gaming power supply.

Both cards are hooked up to the power. aswell as conneceted to each other via the two internal links.

I boot up the pc everything runs great sep im only running on one card and there is no option to enable crossfire in catalyst
In device manager i only see two things,im told there whould be 4, 2 displays per card. Im trying to run 2 x1950 pro card -radeon by Sapphire 256mb.

any ideas ? or is there a bug i am not aware of ? im runnin on windows pro sp2

Thank you!

Chaos · Dec 11, 2006, 06:44 PM

make sure the BIOS is set for 2 cards not just one

OSGFilms · Dec 11, 2006, 06:49 PM

Hey and thank you! um i believe im running bios 1305 i have taken a look not sure where i would enable the second card

Tipstaff · Dec 11, 2006, 07:05 PM

Hmm.. I don't remember there being a Crossfire option in the bios... at least not for the X1950 Pros, and that board. Same with the board I'm using now (I previously had the DH Deluxe before switching to this one).

Here's something to look at: go into Windows Device Manager under the Display listing. How many "Radeon X1950 Pro", and "Radeon X1950 Pro Secondary" do you see? There should be 2 of each. If there isn't then it's possible that the second card isn't seated in it's socket.

Couple other things:

1) It shouldn't matter, but make sure that both interlink cables a facing the same direction. For me I have both cables with the "ATI" logos top facing the back of the case like THIS.

2) Be sure to plug your monitor into the top video card closest to the CPU, and into the connector closest to the back of the case. Also, do not plug in a second monitor. Then reboot your machine, and see if the option comes up for Crossfire.

3) If you are using the drivers that came with the card (if I remember correctly they are Cat 6.9s) then you might want to change to the latest official drivers. I noticed something wierd where the 2nd card would show up in the Catalyst Control Panel, and Crossfire wasn't an option. Funny thing was the second card should not show up unless you have your desktop extended. Switching to official Catalyst 6.11 fixed this.

4) On the same note, double check your display properties, and make sure that you don't have your desktop extended to another monitor.

Tipstaff · Dec 11, 2006, 07:10 PM

BTW, a little off topic, but is that a new DH Deluxe board? If so you should know that there is a thin plastic film that is covering each of the 3 copper topped chips (the ones that say Digital Home, Asus, and Asus EZ-Backup). Asus puts this plastic to keep the copper from getting smugged during handling. However, if you leave the plastic on the chips it can act as an insulator, and you can have heat issues. So, do yourself a favour, and remove that thin plastic film from each chip.

OSGFilms · Dec 11, 2006, 07:27 PM

Hey thanks and yes the plastics are off, im about to try to reboot and remove the second monitor but i want to clear on somthing im not sure about...

previous research led me to belive that only drivers what were ment for these cards were the ones that came with them. and not the previous latest ones on the site. 6.10, i didnt know 6.11 is out ill try that soon.

also, is it possible to run two cards on the pc fur the sake of running 4 displays ? also would that be possible with the links on or do i have to remove them for that? as it is im still unable to see the second card in device manager but im about to try everything you just said. ill update soon.

so my questions are basically,
1. To run say 4 monitors. Does it matter if the cards are linked or not ? do i have to remove the links etc .
2. 6.11 supports these cards officially ?
3. Most importantly Crossfire Can not run if there is more that one monitor on the cards? or is it simply not to have the desktop extended at the time of crossfiring.

attempting previous advice now. thanks!

Tipstaff · Dec 11, 2006, 08:12 PM

[quote=OSGFilms;998852]so my questions are basically,
1. To run say 4 monitors. Does it matter if the cards are linked or not ? do i have to remove the links etc .
2. 6.11 supports these cards officially ?
3. Most importantly Crossfire Can not run if there is more that one monitor on the cards? or is it simply not to have the desktop extended at the time of crossfiring.
/quote]

1. The interlink cables are only needed, or rather only used when you enable Crossfire. Otherwise they are inactive. You can even run the system without them if you don't intend to use Crossfire. However, you really don't need to remove them.

2. Right now I'm running the offical 6.11 drivers, and the X1950 Pros are officially supported in them. No issues so far. Even Folding @ Home seems to work just fine too unlike with the previous drivers.

Edit: Whatever you do though, do not run the 6.12 betas. They don't work properly for some reason.

3. If you enable Crossfire, and have a series of monitors hooked up, the CCC will automatically disable all monitors on the second card, as well as the second output from the primary card. When you disable Crossfire you may need to redo any display settings you had for the other monitors. However, if you reboot your machine while Crossfire is enabled, and then disable it, you will definatly need to redo your settings for those displays (at least that's what I've seen with my setup).

OSGFilms · Dec 11, 2006, 08:16 PM

No luck.

I read Software Crossfire is not supported by the x1950 pro line. not sure what that means other than the official site says the latest drivers are not intended to include x1950 pro cards.

Device manager - still only the first card is showing up. I checked that its in the socket nicely and all. and it is. hooked up to power as well. should be no problems hardware wise.

So i have the two cards in. Properly in socket. Windows still doesnt recognize the second card.

Any more ideas guys ? im fustarted. i save up for this great setup and can't use the second card =/ the other thing that sucks is that its past the 30 days so i cant return it either...sigh. but i rather aim to correct the issue than return the second card. i mean thats not even an option now.

Further Assitance required please. I tried all previous advice given.

OSGFilms · Dec 11, 2006, 08:24 PM

Hey Tipstaff Thanks alot for your help!! i typed in last mesage and did not see your latest or we did them at similar timing heh. anycase yea no luck still. second card doesnt show up in windows yet

Tipstaff · Dec 11, 2006, 08:42 PM

Software Crossfire is something ATI has come up with as a way to get Crossfire working without the need for the oft-times hard to get Master "Crossfire Edition" card. Since the X1950 Pros don't work on a Master/Slave principle (as does the X1300XT, and 1600XT), Software Crossfire isn't supported.

Question: does the second card actually work? You might want to try running the system with just the second card installed into the main PCIE slot to be sure that the card is infact working. If it does, then try leaving it in that slot, and put the other card into the second PCIE slot.

Also, you mentioned you are running bios version 1305. Since this is a new card you may want to update to bios 1602 just incase it has something to do with the bios needing to detect, or at least having support for that particular card. I know Asus has a tendancy to mess with the PEG Link mode to adapt itself to whatever card is installed.

Edit: I remember updating the bios right away to version 1504 (?)(don't remember the exact number) before I installed everything, so it could be the reason I didn't have the same issue you are having. However, that is just a guess right now.

As well, here's something to try install wise:

1) Uninstall the ATI display drivers.

2) Remove the second card, and reboot the machine.

3) Reinstall the display drivers, reboot into windows, and see that everything is working fine.

4) Shutdown, install the second card, and boot into Windows. If Windows sees the second card then install the drivers as normal.

Edit: BTW, here's a couple things to consider: that 1) the second PCIE slot is not working, or 2) the second PCIE power lead isn't working. As a test to see if that slot is working try leaving a card in that slot only, and try swapping the PCIE power leads back and fourth just to make sure they are both working.