I am completely stumped

[BusyDoingNothing]

I think my problem lies with my BFG6800GTOC, but I am not 100% sure. I have already replaced the card under warranty due to a malfunction. While using the system for any task (from web browsing to gaming), the system would seem to crash. I would lose the video connection and the system would just freeze. If I hit the reboot button, the BIOS will give 8 beeps (unable to write to video RAM according to the Intel site). I have to power it down, then power it back up. When back in Windows, it will give a "The system has recovered from a fatal error" message.

As I've stated, we have already replaced the card under warranty and the problem still persists. Is it possible to get 2 bad video cards? We have since replaced the motherboard, RAM, CPU, and heatsink/fan. I reinstalled Windows and ran an Intel Desktop Control stress test on everything but video (2D/3D) before I installed the NVIDIA drivers. It ran fine. Once I installed the NVIDIA drivers and ran the stress test, the system crashed. I doubted that it could be 2 bad video cards, but at this point I am completely out of ideas. Everything is running at stock speeds and there is no overclocking. This is not a heat problem either, as the CPU is mantaining a max temp of 55C while processing. Any help would be appreciated.

System Config:

Intel Pentium 4 550
Intel D915PBL Motherboard (latest BIOS)
Crucial 1GB DDR2 RAM
BFG 6800GTOC PCIx Graphics (latest NVIDIA drivers [81.98?])
Antec Neopower PSU
WD Raptor 74GB HDD
Windows XP SP2 (latest updates)

 

[sieistganzfett]

hi, sorry but it is very possible to get 2 bad video cards, i had to send my precious memory to corsair twice to get working ram, i had to do this with asus mobos once in a while too, so its possible your video card is still causing the problem... anyways, is this power supply enough to power your pc? 400 watts or more preferably? i think the Antec Neopower is 480 but you should try another power supply to rule that out and another video card such as an older pci one if you can before you send the 6800gtoc back again.

 

[mechBgon]

Also, just checking...

1) are both of these power receptacles hooked up?

2) is the card's PCIe power cable hooked up?

 

[BusyDoingNothing]

BOTH of those power connectors need to be connected? Please tell me they don't have to be...I am going to run my head through a wall if I did something THIS stupid. I could swear the book says only connect one... *runs and grabs the manual*

 

[BusyDoingNothing]

OK, I just checked the manual. It says if the PSU connector is a 2x10, you will need both the 1x4 and 2x2 connector. If it is an ATX12V PSU with the 2x12 connector (like the Neopower), then you only need the 2x12 and 2x2. For the sake of my dignity, I'm glad that is the case...but part of me wishes it were the easy route. Oh, and yes, the PCIe power cable is hooked up.

 

[mechBgon]

I would still connect both cables if it were me. More power delivery won't hurt anything here. Just to check something else, did you install the Intel motherboard driver package before installing the video drivers, when you set up Windows? You can get the Intel mobo drivers here (Chipset Software Installation Utility): http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/driver.htm

That should be installed first, before the video drivers. I don't know if it would cause your crash issue, but hey. Otherwise, next thing I'd do is test with a different 24-pin ATX2.0 power supply if practical. I know we all have two or three spares lying around...

 

[BusyDoingNothing]

I didn't install the Intel chipset drivers this time as I had suspected them to be the problem. I did, at one point, have them installed at the same time as the latest NVIDIA drivers, so I've attempted that scenario already. I just got done testing the power supply and all the 12V checked out at exactly 12V, and the 5V checked out short...closer to 4V or maybe 4.5V. It is an analog multimeter, so that's where the needle ends up. Is this common or could that be a problem? And are you sure it's safe to connect both power cables?

 

[mechBgon]

Regarding the power, if the 5V is not within 5% or at least within 10%, then that sounds like Trouble :Q If you can afford a new PSU as a fact-finding step, then that might be your next logical move.

On the driver topic, note that it is supposedly important to install the Intel chipset drivers first, not just at the same time. Or that's what Intel stresses, anyway. Their suggested driver-installation order does need an update, since they list DirectX last (some video drivers will not install without DirectX at a certain level).