HELP! Just bought new 9800XT was running fine.. Problems out of NOWHERE!

syko · Feb 23, 2004, 04:24 PM

Ok I recently purchased a brand new radeon 9800XT. I've only had it for about a week now, I installed all the most recent drivers for it, catalyst, motherboard, everything. It was working great for a few days..

But then yesterday my internet wasn't working so I decided to restart my computer(my net does this sometimes). So I restarted it, and when it came back on, it went by the windows loading screen, and the second it was suppost to go into XP and show the login box, my computer pretty much freezes and it displays everything all pixelated at looking all weird(somewhat like what nintendo used to look like if the cartridge wasn't all the way in)

I have tried everything since then but I can't get it to work, it works fine in bios and dos area at begginning, as well as fine in Safe mode. I reformatted my ENTIRE computer and tried reinstalling windows. It was running fine... then I installed the latest catalysts, the second I did that and it rebooted, it did the EXACT SAME THING!!!

I am in desperate need of help, I have ran out of ideas and I dont' know what could possible be causing this, it baffles me that it would be working before the drivers but not after and the day it happend I didn't even install any new drivers or anything, it just did it out of NOWHERE!

Please help me out, I really want to get this card going again, I'm forced to load up my old computer to seek out help.

My system specifications are as follows:
Pentium 4 2.6GHz 800FSB
512MB DDR400
D865PERL Intel Motherboard
80GB 7200RPM Western Digital Hard Drive
and of course, Radeon 9800 XT

Thank you in advance for any help,
- syko

bocybo · Feb 23, 2004, 04:31 PM

First, make sure you have the latest motherboard drivers installed. If this doesnt help, since is only this CAT set that is giving you problems, just go back to a previous set that works for you.

syko · Feb 23, 2004, 04:33 PM

I installed the newest mobo drivers AND I tried reverting to an old catalyst, all the catalysts are doing it to me..

Zebra · Feb 23, 2004, 05:37 PM

Some possibilities:

1. Your power supply is acting up.

2. Try attaching a different power connector to your video card, instead of the Y-cable version you got with your card.

3. Getting too hot in your PC case.

4. Your card is going bad.

Did you try removing the card and reseating it in the AGP connector?

~~Crash Override~~ · Feb 23, 2004, 07:36 PM

what brand of 9800XT?

Whats the specifications on your power supply?

syko · Feb 23, 2004, 10:10 PM

I decided it might be the power supply so I just went and bought a new one, installed it, and no change...

My 9800XT is the version by ATI.

The new powersupply I just got is 400watt, my old one was 300w..

EVERYTHING on my computer works as long as I don't install catalysts, the second I install them nothing works and it freezes up as explained after logon screen.

Just now I tried reinstallign windows AGAIN, and still same effect, cept this time I installed catalyst and restarted and it came back up and for about 5 secs everything appeared to be working, then it all froze up again..

I don't know what the hell is wrong but it really is aggrivating having a brand new card and not being able to use it, especially when I had a TON of school work to be doing today..

Zebra · Feb 24, 2004, 02:21 AM

Make sure the fan on the video card cooler is running. Also, is the heatsink even getting warm on the card? This is starting to sound like a heat issue.

syko · Feb 25, 2004, 01:56 AM

the heatsink didn't seem warm when I took it out... I decided to RMA it, hopefully ATI doesn't take too long to reply to my request, and on top of that it's suppost to take another 10 business days after I get it to them to get it fixed, etc. Which really bites..

Oh well, such is life.

Thanks for all the help,
- syko

~~Crash Override~~ · Feb 25, 2004, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by syko
I decided it might be the power supply so I just went and bought a new one, installed it, and no change...

My 9800XT is the version by ATI.

The new powersupply I just got is 400watt, my old one was 300w..

EVERYTHING on my computer works as long as I don't install catalysts, the second I install them nothing works and it freezes up as explained after logon screen.

Just now I tried reinstallign windows AGAIN, and still same effect, cept this time I installed catalyst and restarted and it came back up and for about 5 secs everything appeared to be working, then it all froze up again..

I don't know what the hell is wrong but it really is aggrivating having a brand new card and not being able to use it, especially when I had a TON of school work to be doing today..

What brand of power supply and what are the voltage railings and amperages per line?

Trust me its not the W thats as important. Its how much power is being delivered on each line.