SLI and Crossfire Hotfix for Windows Vista

Vikingod · Jul 22, 2007, 10:12 AM

Source: Microsoft
Download: Guru3d
_____________
Hotfix KB936710 Microsoft SLI and CrossFire Windows Vista 32/64-bit

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card.
• This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

In this scenario, the computer's graphics performance seems to indicate that only a single GPU is being used.

Nvidia & ATi were not the only guilty parties in the Multi-GPU issues, but Windows Vista was implicated, too. Microsoft just posted an update for both 32- and 64-bit versions, fixing issues where operating system would not pass instructions for the 2nd GPU to the driver, meaning SLI/CrossFire would effectively work as a single chip cards.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

longo213 · Jul 22, 2007, 10:43 AM

This was actually posted one day sooner over The Inquirer.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=41121

***Veridian3*** · Jul 22, 2007, 05:46 PM

I do wonder if people are misreading this info from MS... this reads to me like its a fix for the 7950GX2 and assorted other cards which use 2 GPU's rather than 2 discrete cards e.g. CF/SLI... the page says:

• You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card.
• This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

Note the use of Card rather than Card"S".

Anyone else think the same?

Lelisevis · Jul 22, 2007, 06:09 PM

I'd agree with you veridian. I thought the same thing as soon as I read it though I must admit the whole thing is worded very poorly.

***Veridian3*** · Jul 22, 2007, 07:12 PM

Excellent, glad its not just me

Just Learnin' · Jul 22, 2007, 07:21 PM

But the title on the Microsoft page reads "..multiple graphics cards" then (GPU's) in brackets...?? As you say very poorly worded.

Judas · Jul 23, 2007, 02:39 AM

I think i would have noticed some pretty hefty slowdowns in all the 3d apps i've been running if crossfire wasn't working...

This HAS to be specific to multiple GPUs on the same card.

Perhaps this may be related to "down the road" mutliple cards (more then 2)...

cadaveca · Jul 23, 2007, 01:14 PM

Veridan is correct in his reading...this fix is for dual-gpu cards only. If you apply this patch to a regular "crossfire" or "SLi" system, you may be greated with apps crashing whne windows tries to send info for both cards to one card.

Jul 22, 2007, 10:12 AM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,149 Rep Power: 85 System Specs	SLI and Crossfire Hotfix for Windows Vista Source: Microsoft Download: Guru3d _____________ Hotfix KB936710 Microsoft SLI and CrossFire Windows Vista 32/64-bit Consider the following scenario: • You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card. • This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs). In this scenario, the computer's graphics performance seems to indicate that only a single GPU is being used. Nvidia & ATi were not the only guilty parties in the Multi-GPU issues, but Windows Vista was implicated, too. Microsoft just posted an update for both 32- and 64-bit versions, fixing issues where operating system would not pass instructions for the 2nd GPU to the driver, meaning SLI/CrossFire would effectively work as a single chip cards. A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Jul 22, 2007, 10:43 AM	#2
longo213 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Zilina, Slovakia Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Guru3D This was actually posted one day sooner over The Inquirer. http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=41121

Jul 22, 2007, 06:09 PM	#4
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunderland, UK Posts: 1,655 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	I'd agree with you veridian. I thought the same thing as soon as I read it though I must admit the whole thing is worded very poorly. __________________ Im not dead

Jul 22, 2007, 05:46 PM	#3
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 2,999 Rep Power: 72	I do wonder if people are misreading this info from MS... this reads to me like its a fix for the 7950GX2 and assorted other cards which use 2 GPU's rather than 2 discrete cards e.g. CF/SLI... the page says: • You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card. • This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs). Note the use of Card rather than Card"S". Anyone else think the same?

Jul 22, 2007, 07:12 PM	#5
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 2,999 Rep Power: 72	Excellent, glad its not just me

Jul 22, 2007, 07:21 PM	#6
Just Learnin' DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 1,394 Rep Power: 35 System Specs	But the title on the Microsoft page reads "..multiple graphics cards" then (GPU's) in brackets...?? As you say very poorly worded.

Jul 23, 2007, 01:14 PM	#8
cadaveca DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 75 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Veridan is correct in his reading...this fix is for dual-gpu cards only. If you apply this patch to a regular "crossfire" or "SLi" system, you may be greated with apps crashing whne windows tries to send info for both cards to one card.