Instability with the Abit KT7 and Geforce2 MX

[Paleface]

I built a system last weekend with the Abit KT7 (non-RAID version)
and the Asus 7100 geforce2 MX. Everything is perfectly stable under
Windows 98SE, the only problems arrise whenever I try to run any 3D
applications. Complete lockups occur sometimes minutes othertimes
seconds after initializing any 3D games. Even the game that came
with the card - Soldier of Fortune - won't run. I have to do a hard
reboot everytime. I have yet to complete a clean run of any 3D app.
I have tried all of the recommended Bios settings DA -> EA, and
disabling the fast-write. I even disabled AGP x4, and nothing seems
to work. I don't know whether it is the mainboard or the graphics
card that is to blame, but since Windows and every other 2D
application is pretty damn stable, I'm inclined to blame the Card.
Has anybody else out there had this same kind of problem?
Are there any known fixes or relavant drivers that could solve the
problem?

My setup is as follows:

Duron 600@600 <temp = 34-36C>
Abit KT7 (non-RAID)
ASUS 7100 Geforce2 MX
Teac x40 CD-ROM
NO SOUND CARD
Quantum Fireball 20.5G HD
Antec PP303X 300W power supply

 

[bongod]

I have the _exact_ same problem with my asus 7100. only difference is i have the asus a7v board and i'm running win2k. i'm not really sure what else to try .. let me know what you can think of.

 

[Chuck]

Did you install the Via 4-in-1 drivers?

 

[vss1980]

Paleface, built the same type of system (same mobo and Vid card, but with T-bird 800) for a friend 2 weeks ago. Never had such a bad instability issue with this system although it wasn't good stability straight out of the box.

Once the system was up and running, downloaded the new Asus drivers for the card and the latest nVidia drivers. This did improve stability for nearly all 3D games (Half-Life doesn't crash any more but does some other strange things now). And yes the latest VIA 4in1's were installed.

But, I dont think getting the new drivers will solve your problem - this sounds like a compatibility problem, where I dont know. I would say to check that your BIOS settings are not all set at the fastest settings for memory timings, etc. as these WILL cause instability if incorrectly set.

Good luck

 

[Doggiedog]

I think Micro$oft just released a patch to help with your problems:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q261/6/06.asp

 

[syber321]

The windows patch might help out bongod, but it wouldn't help out Paleface. He's using Win'98 SE. I also have the same type of problem... I still haven't figured it out and I followed all the rules and crap exactly. My system is a Duron 650 running at 650 right now (still trying to troubleshoot) running Win'98SE w/ 128 Megs of standard PC133 SDRAM. I thought it might be the RAM, but it still froze up w/ other working PC100 SDRAM from my older system. I also installed the latest Detonator drivers and Via4in1 and all that other stuff. If you figure it out, Paleface, I'd like to know too...

 

[Paleface]

I don't want to jump the gun here but I think that I may
have solved the problem (at least my problem). I changed the
DRAM clock from the host clock + the bus speed to just
the host clock (ie I went from PC133 RAM to PC100). I was
able to complete an entire mission on SOF at x4 AGP with
no lock-ups! Whatever loss in performance (and I sure
didn't notice any) is offset by the pleasure and peace of
mind of having a functioning computer (as opposed to a $1300
paperweight!). This is just my inexperienced opinion but my
theory is that the reason that the computer became unstable whenever
I tried to use the video card for anything above simple desktop
functions was that both the AGP slot and the DIMM slots are
connected to the same VIA VT8363 chip on the same bus and setting
the RAM multiplier to 4/3 the host bus must have caused an instability
with everything else connected to the VIA chip. Running the RAM
above the host bus has caused some other folks instability
problems too so you might want to try this fix and see if you
can some stablilty. GOOD LUCK!