ATI Radeon 9800PRO => XT Flashing Dots

[shortkid422]

I flashed my bios on my 9800PRO to an XT about 2 weeks ago. Before I ran it, installed an Iceberg 4 to be sure not to over heat teh card. Well, now I get this: this. It is only happening sometimes on videos with dark/black sections. would unflashing it help, or did I screw my card up?

System Specs:
Processor: AMD 64-bit 3200+ @ 2.25 GHz
Graphics Card: RADEON 9800 XT*
Total Physical Memory: 1 GB
Free Physical Memory: 490.29 MB
Motherboard Model: KV8 Pro (VIA K8T800P)

*I do have the 256MB version of the 9800PRO

 

[BW86]

did u check to see if ur core was an r360? whats the temp of ur card

 

[shortkid422]

the core is a n r360, how do i find the temp of the card?

 

[BW86]

atitool

 

[shortkid422]

what section is it under?

 

[Nebor]

Sounds like you've shot your card. Guess you chould try flashing it back?

 

[shortkid422]

do u know what section the temp reader is under?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: shortkid422
the core is a n r360, how do i find the temp of the card?

if you flashed your Radeon 9800Pro 256/256MB correctly to an XT, you automatically enabled Overdrive. . .

. . . Check it in your ati Control Panel. It automatically enabled your temp diode and you can read the temps directly there - ~80 C is acceptable under LOAD but too hot for the long run.

Are you using the stock HS/Fan? It is CRAP for an XT and may artifact.

IF you DO have Overdrive, do NOT enable it UNTIL you get a better HS!

You may also flash your card BACK to what it was by using the "saved" OLDBIOS on your floppy . . .
You DID save your old BIOS?

?

 

[apoppin]

i am heading out to a party and won't be back till tomorrow.

i have the same card as you and flashed it to an XT . . . Doom III would bring out the "dots" - artifacting - when my card got too hot . . . no permanent damage . . . just use bette cooling - recommend an Arctic-Cooling Silencer Rev 3 that also exhausts hot air OUT of your case.

Also, in case you don't have it - this guide is incredible . . . study it if you haven't:

The Radeon 9800 Pro To Radeon ...XT Mod Guide Rev. 5.0!

good luck!

 

[shortkid422]

yeah, i replaced stock heatsink/fan with an iceberg 4. yeah i studied it. the one i ordered off the newegg was the one that could be made into the true XT, but i dont see overdrive, so i might have been sent the wrong card or something. I dont see overdrive though. all i see is http://img84.exs.cx/my.php?loc...p;image=9800_panel.gif .

EDIT: yes, i saved my bios. im not tooo stupid. i might try flashing it back later. it works fine, but only on some vids it does it, not on games (thankfully). i would just prefer a perfect all round card, not one that screws up on vids.

 

[BW86]

what card do u have? some cards dont have overdrive liek the msi

 

[shortkid422]

hang on, i just rolled back to the old bios to see if itll fix it. ill update up to 4.8 catalyst (more stable). ill let you guys know how it goes from there

 

[shortkid422]

ok, it is reflashed to the PRO version bios. the red and blue dots are there, but ALOT and i do mean alot less than before. Therefore, i predict 2 situations: card is semi-shot (hope not), or the more likly imo, that i need a stronger cooler (runs hotter on XT bios, so more dots, cooler on PRO, so less dots). please feel free to post what you think, thanks.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: shortkid422
ok, it is reflashed to the PRO version bios. the red and blue dots are there, but ALOT and i do mean alot less than before. Therefore, i predict 2 situations: card is semi-shot (hope not), or the more likly imo, that i need a stronger cooler (runs hotter on XT bios, so more dots, cooler on PRO, so less dots). please feel free to post what you think, thanks.

perhaps your HS is not making PERFECT contact. Try r&r'ing it, removing all the old paste, inspect the core and the hs for imperfections (lap if necesary), add a THIN layer of arctic Silver or other good thermal paste, and reinstall the HS making absolutely SURE the tension is identical on the screws/clips and there is no gap whatsoever.

Your card is OVERheating . . . that's why it is producing dots (artifacts). If you OVERheated and DAMAGED your core, you'll neet ATI tool to UNDERclock it further.

Perhaps your card is not the right one or you used the wrong BIOS. Whenever you flash a r360 9800p 256/256MB w/2.5ns Hynix memory to an XT, you AUTOMATIALLY enable Overdrive in the CP.

Your not getting OD lead me to think something is really wrong. Read and study the link i gave you and investigate further . ..

then report back
(please)
:roll:

 

[shortkid422]

ok, ill be removing and reinstalling the card. ill do that soon, but ive got some work i have to attend to first. ill let you know how everything goes. thanks for helping.

 

[shortkid422]

btw, if there is an imperfection on the heatsink, or old paste on there, how do i take it off, alcohol like on the GPU?

 

[shortkid422]

Ok, the report is in:

Took of thermal paste of both HS and GPU using 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Used thin layer of that thermal paste that came with it (dont have any arctic silver, sniffles).
Put it back on
Booted
Played a vid that commonly appeared on.
Shows even to even minimal on it.

Conclusion:
A stonger cooler on the GPU could help elimate it when combined with Arctic Silver.

What do you think?

EDIT: While cleaning off thermal paste of the GPU, i checked and it IS a r360 core.

 

[apoppin]

Well it appears to be better but you are still having artifacting?

That is not good . . . especially since you (should) have the same card that you started with - with ZERO artifacts.

Have you tried remounting the original HS? Even though ati's is not 'heavy duty' it is sufficient . . . perhaps your aftermarket HS is not making perfect contact.

Anyway, IF you have returned everything to "original" and you STILL have artifacts, you may have damaged your core . . . in THAT case, an option is to use ATI tool to slightly underclock it. :0

IF you find the original HS produces no artifacting, then your Iceberg 4 is bad and you should get the universally popular ArcticCooling Silencer (rev3).


edit . . . another party tonight . . . i'll check in tomorrow

g'luck!

 

[shortkid422]

i was thinking the Silencer 3 already because i know a few people who might wanna buy it. I was also thinking of making my own little mounting so that i have the original fan (not HS) on the bottom of the card and the iceberg4 on top (although its reversed). this way it could possibly be cooled from the top and bottom. Im sure that it wouldnt work too great, but its worth a shot. as to the old HS, when i took it off and replaced it, i got a little experimental and well, kinda had fun with the bottom by feeling it and seeing what its made outta, so i dont think that it would be best to use again. Ill let you know on what i decide.

EDIT: how much is recommended for thermal grease? It is 50% possible that i put too much on creating a thick barrier and hence, hot card.

 

[shortkid422]

bump, anyone got any ideas?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: shortkid422
i was thinking the Silencer 3 already because i know a few people who might wanna buy it. I was also thinking of making my own little mounting so that i have the original fan (not HS) on the bottom of the card and the iceberg4 on top (although its reversed). this way it could possibly be cooled from the top and bottom. Im sure that it wouldnt work too great, but its worth a shot. as to the old HS, when i took it off and replaced it, i got a little experimental and well, kinda had fun with the bottom by feeling it and seeing what its made outta, so i dont think that it would be best to use again. Ill let you know on what i decide.

EDIT: how much is recommended for thermal grease? It is 50% possible that i put too much on creating a thick barrier and hence, hot card.

any ideas?

Sure . . . put the old HS back on. (you think you damaged it? if the fan still works and it is not warped . . . TRY it) . . . If you still have artifacting, your core is (likely) damaged.
DID YOU TRY to UNDERclock it to see if the problems lessns?

BTW, your artifacting is different from what i get when mine overheats . . . mine are much smaller "sparklie" dots . . . can you post a better screen shot?

EDIT: thermal grease? a dab - just sufficient to barely cover the core . . . less is better than more.

 

[shortkid422]

less better than more: hmm i think that could be problem there.

Artifacts: Mine are red and blue

Underclocking: I tried it, it works (hence why i think it could be a cooling issue with the thermal grease)

EDIT: I am gonna buy the Silencer 3 probably for an economy highschool project on consumer reports (test them and give them a review in my project)

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: shortkid422
less better than more: hmm i think that could be problem there.

Artifacts: Mine are red and blue

Underclocking: I tried it, it works (hence why i think it could be a cooling issue with the thermal grease)

EDIT: I am gonna buy the Silencer 3 probably for an economy highschool project on consumer reports (test them and give them a review in my project)

It's certainly a cheap possible solution . . . i got mine for ~$14 shipped.

If underclocking works, you may have a "solution" with the AC silencer3
(perhaps your Iceberg4 has wilted) . . .


and . . . just use less grease


good luck!

 

[shortkid422]

i should have it shipped and installed by monday, ill prolly pm you so you dont have to worry about checking everyday.

thanks for all the help, its taught me alot.