"Loss of signal" messages during playing 3d games :( Help, please!

snike0437 · Jun 6, 2005, 09:50 AM

Firstly, I'am would like to sorry for some mistakes in language - I'am mainly talk on Russian/Ukrainian and don't know English well

My system:
CPU: AMD Athlon64 2800+
MotherBoard: Soltek SL-K8AN2-GR (nForce3 chipset)
RAM: 768Mb DDR400 (PC3200)
Video: HIS Excalibur Radeon 9000Pro 128Mb (AGP)
Monitors: Prestigio P151 (main, TFT), also tryed Gateway VX700 (CRT) and Samsung Syncmaster 755DF (CRT).
HDD: WD1200BB (7200rpm)
PSU: HighPower ATX-350-202
Running under Win2000Pro SP4, DirectX 9.0c
VideoDriver: Tryed all of the catalyst and their modifications begining from Catalyst 3.6 up to 5.5. Currently using Catalyst 4.12

The problem, about wich I would like to ask for help, is: in "heavy" applications (games mainly), in random moment (I unable to indicate exact time period in which the problem will appear, because it occurs accidentally, and I can't discover any regularity

), screen is going to black and LED indicator on the monitor is sygnalizing that signall from videocard was lost or the message is appearing about a signal loss (depends from the monitor, that I've connected). The other parts of system (sound, HDD, etc.) will continue to function some time, but system can be back from that state only by pressing reset button

In some cases the problem looks some otherwise: image on screen is stoping and remains in this state about 20-30sec, then the system message appears "VPU recovery has restored graphical settings because video adapter not responding on driver commands", and for 3-5minutes the normal operation is restores, but after that system will work a not very long and finally halt with the symptoms, described in previous paragraph. Resurrection only by pressing reset button.

To test my system, I have lended a GF4Ti200 videocard from my friend and it works without any crashes during week (7days).

I have a suspiction about overheat of system because of the hot air in case, so I removed one of the side of my case and installed the TTC-CUV2AB cooling complect for videocard, but it's not helped, situation is the same

Please, help me to find the cause of the problem

I've readed a lot of info about similar (and even a few messages about identical problems), but all of the advices are not helped me

As far, as I know, the only advice, wich has helped to one man with similar - is to change his PSU from cheap Codegen to more quality (Highpower, or Iwinn) so I had done the same, because had codegen too at that moment; but it not helped too

Can anyone know, how to solve this problem? (except a changing a video card to nVidia analog)

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 6, 2005, 11:21 AM

Maybe the card has dried out thermal paste. Ive seen alot of that. Is the 9000 pro still under warranty/is it modded?

snike0437 · Jun 7, 2005, 03:59 AM

No, I'am sure, it's not the thermal paste, because when I installed a cooling complect, there was a potion with silver thermal paste (in complect), wich I have draw on to the videochip (previously removed all of the remains of old thermal paste).

There is one moment, about wich I forgot to tell: this videocard was working fine more than year in my previous system, based on Athlon-850Mhz on Soltek sl-75KAV motherboard with JNC MPS-8804 PSU (230W). In this time card was cooled by the standart cooling installed by manufacturer, and have no problem :-\ So, I don't think, that it's overheat of GPU core...

Please, any more ideas?..

Yousaif · Jun 7, 2005, 04:30 AM

So you tried another Video card in the same setup that you have and it worked fine, but yours doesn't work in your rig? If that is the case then I would try your vid card in a different PC to make sure that it isn't the source of your troubles.

Sorry if you have already tried it and I didn't see it in your post. Its 4:30 AM here.

-Saif

Bruuce · Jun 7, 2005, 05:47 AM

Sounds like it's time to buy a new video card. You said you tested a Geforce Ti4200 in your system. Did it work or not work out? If it worked for you, then that's where I would start.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 7, 2005, 11:25 AM

Maybe its the PSU, 230 W is pretty weak (unless its a shuttle)

redsolar · Jun 7, 2005, 11:28 AM

How recent are the motherboard/chipset drivers you have installed? Everything up to date?

What voltages do you get from the BIOS/Motherboard Monitor readings on +5V, +12V and +3.3V? Are they within +/- 5% of what they are supposed to be? If not - this may be your issue, since your Power Supply does not sound too quality.

PS if you ever need to talk in your native language - feel free to message me, I speak both Russian and Ukrainian.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 7, 2005, 11:31 AM

VOltage rails would do that for alot of other things though, this is a video specific problem so it could be that the AGP slot doesnt get enough voltage or power

redsolar · Jun 7, 2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

VOltage rails would do that for alot of other things though, this is a video specific problem so it could be that the AGP slot doesnt get enough voltage or power

Eh? I am not sure I follow

. Seems like second part of your statement is contradicting the first part

.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 7, 2005, 05:21 PM

Ok...I'll re word.

If the rails were unstable, the machine itself would have alot of crashing not just when playing games. If the AGP slot voltage is set to 1.5 (which is spec), on the low side of the voltage stroke, it might dip to 1.4 and cause problems, which is why I set mine at 1.6 so at minimum it might waver .05 volts or less. If there isn't enough power (or wattage) that can also be a problem. My older machine doesn't supply enough power to its AGP slot to run an 8500

Jun 6, 2005, 09:50 AM	#1
snike0437 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kiev, Urkraine Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	"Loss of signal" messages during playing 3d games :( Help, please! Firstly, I'am would like to sorry for some mistakes in language - I'am mainly talk on Russian/Ukrainian and don't know English well My system: CPU: AMD Athlon64 2800+ MotherBoard: Soltek SL-K8AN2-GR (nForce3 chipset) RAM: 768Mb DDR400 (PC3200) Video: HIS Excalibur Radeon 9000Pro 128Mb (AGP) Monitors: Prestigio P151 (main, TFT), also tryed Gateway VX700 (CRT) and Samsung Syncmaster 755DF (CRT). HDD: WD1200BB (7200rpm) PSU: HighPower ATX-350-202 Running under Win2000Pro SP4, DirectX 9.0c VideoDriver: Tryed all of the catalyst and their modifications begining from Catalyst 3.6 up to 5.5. Currently using Catalyst 4.12 The problem, about wich I would like to ask for help, is: in "heavy" applications (games mainly), in random moment (I unable to indicate exact time period in which the problem will appear, because it occurs accidentally, and I can't discover any regularity ), screen is going to black and LED indicator on the monitor is sygnalizing that signall from videocard was lost or the message is appearing about a signal loss (depends from the monitor, that I've connected). The other parts of system (sound, HDD, etc.) will continue to function some time, but system can be back from that state only by pressing reset button In some cases the problem looks some otherwise: image on screen is stoping and remains in this state about 20-30sec, then the system message appears "VPU recovery has restored graphical settings because video adapter not responding on driver commands", and for 3-5minutes the normal operation is restores, but after that system will work a not very long and finally halt with the symptoms, described in previous paragraph. Resurrection only by pressing reset button. To test my system, I have lended a GF4Ti200 videocard from my friend and it works without any crashes during week (7days). I have a suspiction about overheat of system because of the hot air in case, so I removed one of the side of my case and installed the TTC-CUV2AB cooling complect for videocard, but it's not helped, situation is the same Please, help me to find the cause of the problem I've readed a lot of info about similar (and even a few messages about identical problems), but all of the advices are not helped me As far, as I know, the only advice, wich has helped to one man with similar - is to change his PSU from cheap Codegen to more quality (Highpower, or Iwinn) so I had done the same, because had codegen too at that moment; but it not helped too Can anyone know, how to solve this problem? (except a changing a video card to nVidia analog) Last edited by snike0437; Jun 6, 2005 at 10:34 AM.

Jun 7, 2005, 05:47 AM	#5
Bruuce DriverHeaven Winner Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 293 Rep Power: 0	Sounds like it's time to buy a new video card. You said you tested a Geforce Ti4200 in your system. Did it work or not work out? If it worked for you, then that's where I would start. __________________

Jun 7, 2005, 11:28 AM	#7
redsolar Off duty Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 1,252 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	How recent are the motherboard/chipset drivers you have installed? Everything up to date? What voltages do you get from the BIOS/Motherboard Monitor readings on +5V, +12V and +3.3V? Are they within +/- 5% of what they are supposed to be? If not - this may be your issue, since your Power Supply does not sound too quality. PS if you ever need to talk in your native language - feel free to message me, I speak both Russian and Ukrainian. __________________ Real_Men_Do_Not_Use_Space_Bar Main rig: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 3.6 GHz (Zerotherm Nirvana NV120) \| 2x2GB Mushkin + 2x2GB Corsair DDR2-800 5-5-5-18 \| Abit IP35 Pro \| XFX 8800GTS 512 800/1100 \| 2x160GB Seagate 7200.9 RAID1 + Hitachi 1TB 32MB \| NEC SATA DVD+RW + Xbox 360 USB HD DVD Drive \| Antec TruePower Quattro 850W PSU \| Antec Nine Hundred Case \| 3x 24" LCD (Dell 2407WFP + 2x StarLogic) \| Logitech Z-5500 \| Vista Business x64 Laptop: Dell Vostro 1500 \| Core 2 Duo T7500 \| 2.5 GB RAM \| nVidia GeForce 8600M GT \| 200GB 7200 RPM \| DVDRW \| 15.4" 1680x1050 LCD \| XP Pro

Jun 6, 2005, 11:21 AM	#2
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	Maybe the card has dried out thermal paste. Ive seen alot of that. Is the 9000 pro still under warranty/is it modded?

Jun 7, 2005, 03:59 AM	#3
snike0437 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kiev, Urkraine Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	No, I'am sure, it's not the thermal paste, because when I installed a cooling complect, there was a potion with silver thermal paste (in complect), wich I have draw on to the videochip (previously removed all of the remains of old thermal paste). There is one moment, about wich I forgot to tell: this videocard was working fine more than year in my previous system, based on Athlon-850Mhz on Soltek sl-75KAV motherboard with JNC MPS-8804 PSU (230W). In this time card was cooled by the standart cooling installed by manufacturer, and have no problem :-\ So, I don't think, that it's overheat of GPU core... Please, any more ideas?..

Jun 7, 2005, 04:30 AM	#4
Yousaif Allergic to WiFi Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wyoming, MI, USA Posts: 852 Rep Power: 0	So you tried another Video card in the same setup that you have and it worked fine, but yours doesn't work in your rig? If that is the case then I would try your vid card in a different PC to make sure that it isn't the source of your troubles. Sorry if you have already tried it and I didn't see it in your post. Its 4:30 AM here. -Saif

Jun 7, 2005, 11:25 AM	#6
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	Maybe its the PSU, 230 W is pretty weak (unless its a shuttle)

Jun 7, 2005, 11:31 AM	#8
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	VOltage rails would do that for alot of other things though, this is a video specific problem so it could be that the AGP slot doesnt get enough voltage or power

Jun 7, 2005, 05:21 PM	#10
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	Ok...I'll re word. If the rails were unstable, the machine itself would have alot of crashing not just when playing games. If the AGP slot voltage is set to 1.5 (which is spec), on the low side of the voltage stroke, it might dip to 1.4 and cause problems, which is why I set mine at 1.6 so at minimum it might waver .05 volts or less. If there isn't enough power (or wattage) that can also be a problem. My older machine doesn't supply enough power to its AGP slot to run an 8500