"Interesting" Video card problem

[Noema]

I have an 'interesting' video card problem. I own a RADEON 9600XT, which will invariably artifact whenever I boot Windows. It won't artifact right away, rather, until I do a quick alt-tab or start a 3D application, like a game.

Now, the interesting part is this: If I shut down Windows, turn off the PC and turn it back again (not reboot - rebooting won't fix it), every thing works perfectly: no artifacts and games work just fine. I usually leave the computer on most of the day, so I have to do this process only once. That makes the problem somewhat minor, but it does imply the annoyance of having to boot Windows, immideately shut down, and turn on again, every day.

What do you think is causing this?

 

[Navid]

Your description is confusing! You say if you turn it off and back on again, there will be no artifact even when you play a game! So, what is the problem?!!!!!
Turn on the PC and use it. By your description, it should not have any problems.
What am I missing?

Anyway, I am sure, we will sort this out and I will understand.
But, in the meantime, install ATItool and have it log the GPU temperatures.
The next time it gives you problems, turn off and back on and open the log and see hoe the GPU temperature varied.

You may need to improve the cooling of your card or your case or both.

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: Navid
Your description is confusing! You say if you turn it off and back on again, there will be no artifact even when you play a game! So, what is the problem?!!!!!
Turn on the PC and use it. By your description, it should not have any problems.
What am I missing?

Ha, sorry about the confusion. I'll try make myself clear:

When I turn the PC on for the first time on a given day, say, in the morning, it will unvariably artifact after a couple of minutes, and 3D applications will be a mess of broken poligons. So what I do is, I turn it off, then turn on again and everything will be fixed until I turn it off and on again and the process repeats itself. Weird!

I'll try ATI tool, I however suspect the temps are not the cuplprit, as the video card behaves perfectly during the 'good' boot (the second one), regardless of how long I leave it on.