I see lines... (9500PRO+LATEST OMEGA DRIVERS)

D0cHolliday · Dec 29, 2003, 11:01 PM

Alright, I'm going to try and explain this as simple as possible.

I have a Sapphire 9500 PRO 128MB.

I'm using the latest Omega Drivers.

I replaced the stock heatsink with a Tt Crystal Orb on my video card.

I had to scrape off the thermal pad with a small flat head screw driver off the chipset.

That's the only way I could get that junk off.

I hope I didn't scratch the chipset.

Okay, here's the deal. I've started noticing lines that go down my monitor, sometimes they get stronger and are very noticable and other times they are very hard to notice. Now, I'm not sure if these lines were here before I modded the card, but I just now started noticing them. I'm not sure if by modding the card or upgrading to the latest drivers(omega) that is causing the lines, OR ... maybe my monitor is going bad or something is interfering with the monitor, also... I've have notice it come and go on my TV.

I also want to say that, I do not notice these lines or any other defect while playing games, only see them in desktop. They might accure in gaming, but I just don't notice them.

I thought I would post this to see anybody can relate.

mkk · Dec 29, 2003, 11:30 PM

Those "wandering" lines are not too uncommon and does not mean that something is damaged. They can appear because of outside electromagnetic interference, but often it's a more internal problem. It also seems to occur mostly with 9500/9700 cards and rarely if ever with the later models. The most successful workaround in general is to use the DVI adapter and hook the display to the secondary output. Another thing is to underclock the core to about half the normal value when just doing "windows stuff" and use some profiler tool to get the clock back up when playing games. But those lines can be irritating in some types of games as well.

When removing paste from a chip, try using something plastic like a creditcard to get the most off. Then rubbing alcohol on a piece of lint free cloth. Hard eged tools can damage todays sensitive chips fairly easily, although I guess you were lucky this time.

D0cHolliday · Dec 29, 2003, 11:49 PM

so you don't believe the monitor could be going bad...

also, do you think an 9600XT would have these lines?

toddsmack2k · Dec 31, 2003, 04:54 AM

Another solution would be to try another video card in your system. If another card does not give you those lines then your card may be damaged.

D0cHolliday · Dec 31, 2003, 05:07 AM

I went ahead and ordered another 9500 PRO to see if I still get the lines with the new card, and if I don't... then I guess something did happen to the card while I was putting on the heatsink. The card works great tho, i mean, I play games fine. It's just these damn lines. I could probably still sale it... i hope.

toddsmack2k · Dec 31, 2003, 05:49 AM

Are you using a CRT or an LCD?

simonsays · Dec 31, 2003, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by D0cHolliday
I went ahead and ordered another 9500 PRO to see if I still get the lines with the new card, and if I don't... then I guess something did happen to the card while I was putting on the heatsink. The card works great tho, i mean, I play games fine. It's just these damn lines. I could probably still sale it... i hope.

Sell a damaged card???

Not a very nice thing to do buddy.

Pretty simple: if you didnt have the lines before your attempt to change HS/fan
then my guess is you either broke something off...like a capacitor or something that would allow the card to still keep running(for now).
I bet it has to do with your ram (usually lines/stripes etc.) are signs of bad ram or bad bios controling the ram.

You didnt flash your vidcard did you??

TRy out a benchmark (3dmark2003)and tell us what you see .

And try to explain/describe exactly what you mean by "lines"
Are they vertical and sort of wide but evenly spaced?(look like corrupted colours)
Or is it a line that passes the screen ??(this maybe a refresh rate problem)

One more thing is that i detect a "shielding " problem that is allowing disturbance between tv and monitor.
Try moving the PC away from the tv if its too close and set it up there just to test it out.

Also make sure you dont have a tv antenna/cable too close to your rig.

One more thing is to MAKE SURE you dont have any thing still on the vidcard that maybe causing a shortcircut on its pcb (did you use any conductive paste on the heatsink??) if so remove the vidcard and clean it (wash it down with some alchohol and let it dry GOODand to be sure ..remove the heatsink to see that you havent left any around the core)

But honestly speeking:...if you sold me that broken card ...i would hunt you down and shoot you...

simonsays · Dec 31, 2003, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toddsmack2k
Are you using a CRT or an LCD?

If he is using a TFT i bet he has the vsync disabled.

Even so a TFT screen sucks for gaming...

D0cHolliday · Dec 31, 2003, 06:05 AM

I have a ViewSonic A70 17", which I believe is an CRT.

No, I did not flash the BIOS. Though, I did think about it.

I use both 3dMark03 and 01.

01 = 37XX (when I overclock, I can easily get over 4000)
03 = 13XXX (when I overclock, I can easily get over 14000)

Description of the lines:

Well, they are hard to explain. The only thing I can say is, they are lines that come and go, I don't always see them, they sometimes get stronger and then their real hard to see at times. They also change directions, coming from up or down. Whoa, I should lay off this acid. lol!

Now, about selling the card. I would make sure the buyer is fully aware of the issues, I wouldn't dare sell anything that had problems and didn't tell them about `em. Though, you can still come and shoot me... *sigh*

simonsays · Dec 31, 2003, 06:20 PM

Well im sure you have a inteference problem by the sound of it and another card wont fix the issue if its external like the monitor or the monitor signal cable.

Did you try to move it somewhere else to see if the lines go away??

Unless its a vidcard ground issue or even a filter that broke...

Its hit and miss from here on...so do some of the stuff i told you just to rule out certain things.

D0cHolliday · Dec 31, 2003, 09:02 PM

I guess I can try moving it into another room to see if the lines go away.

If it's an interference, I can't possible figure out what's causing it, there really isn't anything in my room that would cause it.

D0cHolliday · Jan 1, 2004, 04:25 AM

I got the other 9500 PRO I ordered, but it turned out they sent the wrong card, it's only an 9500 (it's not red). but anyways, I tried to see if it the lines were still there, so I popped in the card, but couldn't get the card to boot. go figure. I RMA the card. I'm gonna try different drivers to see if it could be the drivers making these lines... doubt it tho.

D0cHolliday · Jan 1, 2004, 05:06 AM

This is odd, I uninstalled the omega drivers (latest) and now I'm trying these DNA drivers. I don't notice the lines anymore, from what I can tell so far. If they come back, I will let ya know.

simonsays · Jan 1, 2004, 09:30 PM

Do you mean with the old card? ?

If the old card is working now after removing it and reinserting then the problem may have been that the card wasnt seated correctly and a flux in its power or signal could have the caused the lines.

Btw on the other card you got was its ram in a straight line or was it in a L shape (2 above and 2 on the side) if they were straight then it was a pro with just a different pcb.

Look here and see if you see that card.

D0cHolliday · Jan 2, 2004, 07:38 AM

Yes, with the original card.

I don't believe that's the case, because I've taken it out multiple times before this, and still gave me the lines.

Though, by changing the drivers, I got my best results so far... as I can best notice.

Also, the card that I ordered which was suppose to be an 9500PRO, was an 9500NP BLACK PCB I shaped memory from the looks of it.

simonsays · Jan 2, 2004, 01:56 PM

Yeah but the I shaped can be softmodded to a pro easy..

And the L to a 9700 (thats if you are lucky.....not all can)

Well as long as you are enjoying now...who cares why it worked and how.....we can deal with it ..if it happens again later..

D0cHolliday · Jan 2, 2004, 03:20 PM

I truly believe it was the drivers causing the lines... but that's odd that the drivers would do that.

mkk · Jan 2, 2004, 04:58 PM

I hope the lines stay away for you but they will likely reappear since it basically is a hardware thing. Adjusting monitor settings in the drivers has helped some to make the lines less apparent, so maybe the drivers differ a bit at that. But anything more than that would be a big discovery on the matter. Unless something changed hardware-wise (like outside interference) they are likely to come back...