GTX 295 + GTX 480 bsod...help?

[ClouDStalker]

Hi all, I'm having some problems with my video cards/system.

I keep getting blue screens randomly and graphical problems (glitchy graphics frequently, scrolling causing system to lock-up, misplaced colours/textures etc). All happens randomly, sometimes during a game, sometimes when browsing the net, or even just generally using non-graphics-intensive Windows functions and so-forth. Happens with both my older 295 and my new 480.

I thought the 295 might have been a faulty card, but complications with contacting who I bought it led me to just buying a new card. I have absolutely no idea, I've tried driver cleaner with installing many different versions of drivers, freshly installing the operating system, and I've spent hours and hours reading around the net over the last few months trying to figure out what it might be and trying different things.

Wonder if you guys might be able to help me, my system specifications are below. Any suggestions at all would be helpful!

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
Motherboard/System: Gigabyte EX58-UD3R x86-based
BIOS Version/Date: Award Software Internationl, Inc. FB, 5/4/2009
SMBIOS version: 2.4
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8CPUs)
Memory: 3326MB RAM
Total Physical Memory: 6,144.00 MB
Available Physical Memory: 2.48 GB
Total Virtual Memory: 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory: 1.96 GB
Page File Space: 5.09 GB
DirectX 9.0c

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480
Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Approx. Total Memory: 1536.0 MB
Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.9703
WHQL Digitally Signed: No
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Direct Draw and Direct3D tests were all successful.
Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus 650W (RS-650-PCAR-E3)

 

[OCGuy]

Have you been able to put either card into another system to narrow it down to software or mobo? Your PSU looks like it should handle it no problem.

 

[ClouDStalker]

I have no other decent desktops available to put it into. D:

I was hoping it would look obvious that I've overlooked something critical.
If it's the motherboard, I'll probably just give up, sell what I can and live with my gaming laptops, since I didn't receive a warranty on anything. .____.

 

[happy medium]

"WHQL Digitally Signed: No"
Could be the problem?


Try using these drivers.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-258.96-whql-driver.html

If not, install them.

 

[ClouDStalker]

Installed, still got the same problems.
Also installed newest chipset driver.

Sidenote: Scrolling through any windows seems to be a big problem, windows explorer windows, application windows etc.
Just scrolling up and down, any way you do it. Too fast or too much and system locks up.

Continuing to get frequent bsod randomly, with whatever I'm doing, sometimes even idling.

 

[happy medium]

Try taking out one stick of memory and testing it. If not ,try the other stick.
Mabe you have a bad stick of memory.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I would peg the problem on the power supply. The extreme power plus lineup is just totaly crap, and also old.

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=5924

Only 18A each on 12V1 and 12V2? And I'm willing to bet it can't deliver a combined 36A. It probably gets unstable at a load much lower than its rated output of 650W. And considering you have some power hungry components, I wouldn't be surprised if an unstable power supply is causing your problems.

You can run some tests, though. Run something that will stress the CPU and/or GPU. Prime95 or Furmark. See what happens. Although just go to a local hardware store and pick up a (GOOD) power supply to either keep or test in your system.


My only other suggestion is for you to freaking upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[ClouDStalker]

I think...I'm going to be spending some money. .___.

PSU + Windows 7 + RAM (I'm now getting errors all over the place running memtest) D:

God damn. Let's hope that all that will fix it. What PSU would you recommend?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Well you have a 295 and a 480. I assume you have some money to spare. I'd sell your 295. The 480 makes it irrelevant.

If your memory is getting errors, then that would cause all of your problems. Although maybe the power supply is causing the memory to act wonky, or maybe it damaged your memory. I would just recommend upgrading the PSU anyway, or at least upgrade it first. I wouldn't trust that Extreme Power Plus with a high-end card like a 480.

PSU: Corsair, Antec, Seasonic, Silverstone.

The 650W or 750W Corsair would be good.

 

[Sylvanas]

I think...I'm going to be spending some money. .___.

PSU + Windows 7 + RAM (I'm now getting errors all over the place running memtest) D:

God damn. Let's hope that all that will fix it. What PSU would you recommend?

Errors in Memtest = memory. Try with 1 stick, see if it's good then swap it for the other until you find the faulty stick. Bad memory would cause the issues you describe and is often hard to diagnose without something like Memtest.

 

[Golgatha]

Errors in Memtest = memory. Try with 1 stick, see if it's good then swap it for the other until you find the faulty stick. Bad memory would cause the issues you describe and is often hard to diagnose without something like Memtest.

Yes, test your system with only 1 stick of RAM in at a time with Memtest to make sure that you don't have a bad stick of RAM. If you can isolate and remove a bad stick, then and only then can you do any other troubleshooting.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Keep the 295 till the 480's drivers are improved, because right now the 295 is better.

 

[Wag]

Keep the 295 till the 480's drivers are improved, because right now the 295 is better.

What? In what way?