Infinite Loop error and AGP Driving Value relationship

[AL77]

The below was originally posted in General Hardware, but I received no replies. I'm looking for any insight
into this matter. TIA

For anyone who is experiencing the "infinite loop video device driver" freeze and error with the Epox 8KHA+,
did you have any success in setting a manual agp driving value. On my friend's system (Epox 8KHA+,
512 MB Crucial 2100, Radeon 8500 Retail, Athlon XP 1700+, AOpen 300 watt psu, WinXP Pro) the agp driving
control is set at 'Auto'. Using WPCredit, the value shown for the agp Driving Value (offset B0 and 01) is
99 hexadecimal. This seems low compared to what some people and website faqs are recommending which
is a value closer to DA. But I've heard that it not only, of course, varies by video card, but also motherboard
to motherboard!

Can someone advise what exactly this does? Also, could you check what value is listed in WPCredit if you
have the agp Control set to Auto in the BIOS. I'm trying to eliminate this rare but long-standing infinite loop
problem. I have just emailed ATi and Epox (maybe futile; also couldn't find Via's support form/address) about the agp
Driving Value because after 4 months I've tried everything and I've simply had enough. I'll post if I get a relevant reply
from them.

Regards
Al

 

[AL77]

Suggestions? Opinions? Remarks?

 

[AL77]

Hmmm, two different forums (GH and Motherboards) and not one reply. Can I assume that either I'm the only one
experiencing the infinite loop issue, or like me, there isn't anyone out there that actually has solid documentation
on the AGP Driving Value (I'm looking for solid info). It's interesting how MB mfctrs have settings in the BIOS that
have no explanation in the manual. BTW, no response for a week on this issue from ATi and EPoX. I was expecting
it from ATi, but everyone has been raving about EPoX tech support quality, but I have not seen it yet.

Al

 

[dexvx]

Is infinite loop error the one where it slows your system so much that even the task bar takes like 5 min to load right?

 

[Regalk]

THis topic has been beaten to death in the amdmb forum (www.amdmb.com-->epox forums). I personally never experienced this problem with the Epox board.

 

[AL77]

Thanks for the replies.
dexvx, what you're describing is not the infinite loop error as mentioned in my first post. It must be
something else causing the symptoms you mention.

Regalk, yes I have browsed the amdmb.com forums extensively. However, I have yet to see any
concrete info on:

1. What exactly does the AGP driving value do. Some seem to think it's power. So, since the voltage is
still fixed (supposedly) at 1.5v, this value must increase amps, no? Others seem to think it's a timing issue.

2. What are safe values for the 8KHA+ and Radeon 8500 (or GeForce3)? Safe values are those that could
never cause any damage to the video card or mb, no matter how long (e.g. years) the value has been set
in the mb BIOS.

3. Noone seems to say anything about what 'Auto' value they have. Does this defer by BIOS version?
Some seem to think that because the 'control' field is set at Auto, and the 'Value' is shown as DA,
then DA must be the value chosen (so what's the point of Auto I wonder). But I have the 'DA' value in the
BIOS with the 'Auto' setting, yet using WPCredit, the value shows as 99 hex (I'm logically assuming the value
always stays at 99).

4. Are the AGP Driving Values independent of motherboard. Again, I have read no definite info.

So, off the top of my head, you might agree that there are many questions unanswered. Most people on amdmb or
viaarena.com forums only discuss "I changed driving value to EA or FF or etc ... my loop problem is gone", or
"I increased the value but I still have problems" and comments of that nature.

Anyway, I can see that there is so little info because mb mfctrs don't want us playing with this, as I assume it may
damage components if set incorrectly. Yet, it is still there, sitting ominously in the BIOS, a product of Via reverse-engineering
the AGP spec (so I read).

Finally, I know that not everyone is having this problem on newer hardware (i.e. Athlon XP/PIV + Radeon 8500/GeForce3 +
512MB + etc.). But in my memory of the last few years, I have never seen so many users with such a wide array of
hardware all having the same problem. Windows XP is the culprit? I really don't know. I've tried everything I know and I can't
eliminate this problem. I thought about changing the psu to something higher, but that is not feasible at the moment, and the psu is
a quality one (all voltages in range). Also, I have seen people report this problem with similar systems but with a 400 watt Antec,
or Sparkle psu, and yet the same infinite error/freeze occurs.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Jolt2]

Try going to Rage3D site's forum board. There is a standing post on that board for the Radeon8500 and Epox motherboard. It also has links to other places were this discussion is going on. This may help give you info on the problem. Both Epox and ATI are aware of the problem and are working on it.

Here's a link: Rage3D forum on Epox and 8500 problem

 

[AL77]

Thanks for the link jolt2. I had not seen that particular thread before. I will check that out.