Artifacting up the yang CSS with new 9700

[Apotherix]

I just got my new 9700, stuck it in, installed the omega 5.1 drivers, and started playing Counter-Strike Source. To say the least, I got some interesting video fragments. Like porcupine hands and dot to dot all over the walls. Are there special drivers I need to install?

 

[Apotherix]

No ideas eh?

 

[thelanx]

Hmm, what drivers are you using? And you made sure to install all your mobo drivers right? Is the 9700 overclocked or anything?

 

[Apotherix]

I'm using the Catalyst 5.1 drivers right now. But I've tried about three different driver sets - none of which work. Is it a hardware problem? Oh yeah - I forgot to mention that I bought the card on ebay...and it was used a little. Would flashing the BIOS help anything? And how would I do that?

 

[boyRacer]

Might be your power supply.

If its not your power supply then you probably got scammed. I hate buying video cards through ebay... especially since a lot of ATI cards look the same.

 

[winr]

Do you get any artifacts any other time besides playing CS?

Like when you boot the PC or on the desktop?

 

[Tyrant222]

seems like someone sold you their junk.

either contact the seller or try to get an RMA.

 

[Noid]

The shim might be your problem.

This is an old problem.

Read-up / search on 'shim' and 9700pro on google.
Basically, the shim keeps the HSF unit from full contact on the GPU.

I removed mine as soon as I got it. (new)

Or... do an RMA.

ATi is aware of these problems.

The 'dots' are from an over heated GPU.

Texture tearing is from memory 'overclocked' to far.
(this may or may not go away after removing the shim)

Opps, just read you got it on Ebay.

I bet you the guy modded the BIOS.

You should check the clock speeds on the GPU and Mem.
(Ati Tool)

You should 're-flash' the BIOS with stock BIOS.

Then go from there.

 

[Killrose]

Sounds like core overheat problems, get rid of it right away. It's not your problem to fix it.

 

[Apotherix]

Would it even be possible to RMA it? I'm not the original buyer. If it is, I'd be happy to do that. At first I thought it might be a 9500 modded to be a 9700 (by soldering some of the transistors on the core), but I took off the heatsink and it looks like its an original 9700. Is there any way to tell? I don't get artifacting any other time, except for my boot screen has a few glitches in it. Other than that and CSS so far, nothing.

 

[ronnn]

Have you validated your css files? link

Also I had to change the cooler on my 9700pro, as they overheat easy.

 

[Apotherix]

Thanks, but that's not the problem.

 

[hans030390]

sounds like it's overclocked too high...make sure you have the normal BIOS for your card, and that it is at STOCK speeds settings.
other then that, it might be defective...i would sell it and buy a 6600gt...that should solve your problems lol

 

[Noid]

Did you check your clock speeds yet ...?

We can't help you if you can't help yourself.

 

[Apotherix]

The clock speeds were actually set under what they should have been for a 9700 (by 10 mHz). How do I flash the bios back to stock?

 

[Noid]

I would double check you card model.
(to select the right BIOS)

*If you screw this up you could ruin your card.*


1. You need to 1st create a DOS bootable disk
('Dr DOS' or whatever ...)

2. put ATiflash on DOS floppy.
3. put your .BIN file on the floppy (BIOS file)
4. Make a .BAT file with correct parameters
(read instructions)

5. Reboot PC with floppy
6. run .BAT file
7. Reboot (take floppy out first)

Done

AtiFlash

BIOS list ... and flash tools.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Apotherix
I'm using the Catalyst 5.1 drivers right now. But I've tried about three different driver sets - none of which work. Is it a hardware problem? Oh yeah - I forgot to mention that I bought the card on ebay...and it was used a little. Would flashing the BIOS help anything? And how would I do that?

So it's not new, it's new to you. I have a feeling someone just sold you a busted card.

 

[winr]

Heres some more shim info.




http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=31&threadid=1516536&enterthread=y

 

[Apotherix]

Yeah - its new to me. I flashed my card with about six different bioses, to no avail. Looks like permanant damage. I contacted the seller though - he seems to be pretty cooperative. He sending me a replacement card and he also offered me a refund, even though he sold the card 'as is' and it was labled pretty clearly as used.

 

[Apotherix]

Yeah, its pretty much toast. What's the best way to get the shim off?