2 differently branded 6800GT 256mb cards in SLI Under Vista 32 bit - Impossible?

[gabemcg]

So...

I've been trying to get my two nVidia GeForce 6800 GT (256mb) cards to work in SLI under Vista Ultimate 32bit for some time now.

Same ultimate problem no matter what I've tried, done plenty of searching for answers, with little luck:

I only get one card recognized in device manager under display adapters, thus no option to enable SLI in nVidia controll panel.

First on a MSI K8n Neo4 Ultra (nForce 4 SLI)

Ran into so many issues that I assumed something funky was wrong with the motherboard's PCIx subsystem.

Things Tried:

-Each Card individually (both worked fine)

-SLI daughtercard in each position w/both cards inserted (stayed in 8x, wouldn't switch to x16, even with only 1 card)

-Wiping drivers (no luck)

-Tried with and without SLI bridge

-Udated to latest mobo bios (no luck)

-re-seated all connections

-enabled/disabled any pertinant bios settings (SLI Spread spectrum? and others I can't remember)

After giving up the MSI mobo, I decided to pick up a DFI LanParty UT NF4 SLI-DR, one of the best nForce4 SLI boards out there.

Did a clean install of windows vista ultimate 32 bit

udated mobo bios to latest

installed latest nvidia chipset and forceware drivers

===Same symptom, no option to enable SLI!

What am I doing wrong here, or is this a fool's errand?

 

[gabemcg]

I'm considering downgrading to XP pro, and seeing if it's a vista issue... Unless anyone has a better Idea

Thanks In Advance

 

[Syntax Error]

I don't think there are SLI drivers for Vista yet, correct me if I'm wrong, though.

 

[jonks]

I thought you had to have 2 identical branded cards to SLI? i.e. both EVGA or both BFG

ED: my bad, seems they fixed that via drivers.

 

[stapuft]

Create a dual boot setup with XP:

http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

then get it tested in XP to rule out hardware.

 

[gabemcg]

Originally posted by: stapuft
Create a dual boot setup with XP:

http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

then get it tested in XP to rule out hardware.

I just tried to install xp, but when it gets to the "to set up xp, press enter" screen, I lose my keyboard, and can't press enter... wtf

grr... Maybe I'll just get an 8800gt and be done with it.

 

[KainXS]

yeah that would be for the best, good luck man

 

[secretanchitman]

i really thought there was sli in vista......different brands definitely dont matter anymore.

weird...i think you're right though OP - 8800GT and/or go to xp.

 

[aka1nas]

I've read on the Nvidia forums that Geforce 6 series cards were not coming up as SLI-capable with the last several Vista driver revisions.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: Syntax Error
I don't think there are SLI drivers for Vista yet, correct me if I'm wrong, though.

this