Epox 8K7A = lockup in 3D apps?

Mungla

Senior member
Dec 23, 2000
843
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I recently built a system based on the 8K7A. Anytime I go to run a 3D app such as 3dmark 2000 or 2001, the system will lockup within a few seconds. In 2D applications, the system runs great - so I don't think this is a heat issue. Since I'm new to the AMD front, I installed the files off of the Epox CD + Via 4in1 + AMD AGP patch. Have I done something wrong here? I'm also using the Det3 10.80's as well. I believe that I have the BIOS settings correct, I have tried an AGP apature size of 64MB and 128MB with the same results. I also have the memory settings set at default, along with pretty much everything else. The processor shows to be around 43C in the BIOS.

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The specs of this system:
Epox 8K7A
1.33GHz/266 T-Bird
512MB Crucial PC2100
300W PSU - don't know brand? It supplies 20A on the 5.5V and 2A on the 5Vsb.
Leadtek Winfast Geforce2 Ultra
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Everything in this system is running at spec, no overclocking so far.
 

TheTeacher

Senior member
Nov 29, 1999
928
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0
Try disabling AGP Fast write, or agp 4x, or all those video and system bios caching options and what not. Play with those ones. And use drivers 12.40 from Nvidia.
Mike
 

Mungla

Senior member
Dec 23, 2000
843
0
71
Ok, I disabled AGP 4x and I was able to complete 3dmark 2000 and 2001. I received 4199 3dmark's under 2001. Are there any tweaks that I can run in order to get my system stable at AGP 4x?
 

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
5,280
0
71
Did you install the newer Detonator 12's?

Maybe try going back to the ones off of the nVidia site.

Leave the AGP Aperature size at default, which I believe is 64.

Good luck!
 

Bingo13

Golden Member
Jan 30, 2000
1,269
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The 10.80 driver set is one of the worst out for the Geforce series. They have a very bad habit of crashing! Use the 12.00 WHQL and Nvmax for tweaking. Also ensure you are using DirectX 8.0a since you are using drivers above the 7.x series.
 

Mungla

Senior member
Dec 23, 2000
843
0
71
Thanks guys. Bingo, I will update to the latest 12x Det3 drivers. Thanks for the links guys, I will try them out this morning.
 

Mungla

Senior member
Dec 23, 2000
843
0
71
Ok guys, thanks for your help. I believe I have figured out the problem. I was having IRQ conflicts. I have installed Win2k with the Standard PC HAL, but I still had ACPI enabled in the BIOS. I disabled ACPI there, and assigned each PCI slot to suitable IRQs. My Geforce is now running on its own IRQ and at 4x AGP with Side Band Addressing on. I've ran 3dmark 2001 several times without a lockup, getting about 4200 3dmark's each time. Does this sound right for my system? I've installed the 1240 Det3 drivers as well.

Another question, in the BIOS, I had to disable AGP Always Compensate and AGP ISA Aliasing for it to be stable in 3dmark. Should these be disabled? What are they for? Also, what should I set the AGP Secondary Lat Timer to? I've got it set at the default of 20h. I also have all of the cacheable options, such as System BIOS Cacheable and Video RAM Cacheable, turned off. The manual states that turning off the Video RAM Cacheable options will reduce video performance, is this true?

Thanks guys.
 

blackhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 1, 2000
2,690
1
81
Just set up my Epox 8K7A today and had similar 3d lockups in 3dmark2001 and running UT and Sisoft burnin and disabled 4x on my Asus 6800 and its now stable. As well I have my duron 800 at 6.5 x 157 with micron crucial 2100. Very impressed so far.