Nvidia 71.84 problem?

[Actaeon]

I'm running a 6800 Ultra w/ the 71.84s on a Dell 2001FP connected via DVI. I am using THUGSROOK's GTU Bios, and the card is clocked at 350/1000 in 2d. The card has good cooling (Idles around 51C), so it shouldn't be an overheating problem.

I recently just upgraded from a GF3Ti200 to a 6800Ultra. Along with that upgrade, I went to the 71.84, the latest WHQL drivers from Nvidia.

I've noticed that sometimes, maybe once every couple of hours, the screen would go blank for half a second, then get back to normal. While it does not happen enough to be a big deal, I have to wonder what it is about. So far, this has only occured while on my desktop, on the internet and such.

So, because this occured post-Ti200, and only 2 changes were made (the card, and drivers), I have to assume it is one of those changes.

I don't think it is the card (or at least, I hope not), as it functions fine everywhere else. I don't think it is the monitor because the Ti200 never did this. I think it might be the software, because when I had my 6800GT, I had a problem with the drivers. They kept trying to display nView, as if I was on 2 monitors, and the screen would become stretched and distorted. A driver change fixed that.

So I ask anyone else here, has anyone else had these problems or anything similar? What did you do to fix it? I don't want to have to change drivers unless I have to. Thanks.

 

[AristoV300]

Are you sure it isn't the cable? If it is driver related have you tried driver cleaner to remove and then reinstall?

 

[Gamingphreek]

OK are you entering or leaving any games or apps at the time. It sounds like the refresh rate override is being used. When the screen goes blank for a second or something the refresh rate or the resolution is changing.

-Kevin

 

[MrControversial]

That happens to me when I enter the graphics options by right clicking on the desktop. It's just a brief flicker and it doesn't happen when I game or do anything else.

 

[ginfest]

I've been using the 71.84 since they were beta and haven't seen the blank screen or flicker.

Mike G

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: AristoV300
Are you sure it isn't the cable? If it is driver related have you tried driver cleaner to remove and then reinstall?

The DVI cables are securely connected. I tried to wiggle the cable around to see if it would do it again, it would not. I could try a driver cleaner, but I think that is only neccessary between switching to different manufacturers (ex: Ati to Nvidia). I did uninstall/reinstall the driver a couple of times before this post, but never used a driver cleaner. However, if it comes up again, I'll give it shot.

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
OK are you entering or leaving any games or apps at the time. It sounds like the refresh rate override is being used. When the screen goes blank for a second or something the refresh rate or the resolution is changing.

-Kevin

Nope, just doing regular stuff on desktop. It could be posting on this forum, or just going about my regular sites. Nothing seems to be consistant that would hint at what is doing it. It would go off, then get back on, as if nothing happened. One time, the screen must have flickered on/off about 5 times in 10 seconds. Next time it occurs, I'll see if I am doing anything that'll be causing it. I checked out the driver settings and all that stuff is on Automatic or determined by application.

Originally posted by: MrControversial
That happens to me when I enter the graphics options by right clicking on the desktop. It's just a brief flicker and it doesn't happen when I game or do anything else.

Do you also share the same drivers/same videocard? It is good to know someone else is having similar problems, and perhaps it could be a driver problem. I don't have it as easy as you though, it just goes on and off at random on my computer.

Originally posted by: Ginfest

I've been using the 71.84 since they were beta and haven't seen the blank screen or flicker.

Mike G

Are you using a 6800 series GPU as well? DVI?

Perhaps it might be a DVI problem with the new drivers. I might check out a newer beta driver to see if this happens. It doesn't bother me that much because it happens so little, and it quickly remedys itself, but it gets annoying at the fact it happens for no reason.


Thanks for all the replies so far. I might end up trying a different DVI output on the card to see if it'll help any. I also might go to a newer beta driver. I'll wait for some more replies though.

 

[Actaeon]

Anyone else?

 

[THUGSROOK]

yep, me

i get those "blank screens" anytime im in the nv control panel.
happens with all the 71.8x drivers.

its not the bios either, checked that.

 

[ginfest]

Are you using a 6800 series GPU as well? DVI?

I have an IBM P260 21" Trinitron monitor with 2 connections i am using the DVI one but not sure if it's the same standard as DVI with an LCD?
I also notice that I haven't needed any refresh rate program, my D3D games run at the monitor refresh and OGL stuff can be set in the ini files.
Anyway, not much help exceot to confirm that the drvs are working for me but as we know what works in one setup might not in another.
Good Luck, hope you get it sorted.

Mike G

 

[Insidious]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
yep, me

i get those "blank screens" anytime im in the nv control panel.
happens with all the 71.8x drivers.

its not the bios either, checked that.

Anytime I go to display properties (from desktop) => settings => Advanced, my screen blanks as it switches to the Advanced properties menus.... I have seen this with every version of drivers all through my time with an FX5900 and now with my 6800GT. I believe is is a display mode switch and normal.

-Sid

(this is not the same blanking as is being discussed in the other posts here)

 

[imported_Asteriks]

71.84 added 280 points to my 3DMark05 score with 66.93, from 4742 to 5022 without any other changes, but it also added 10C to my GPU core temp from 65 to 75. Also, my Doom3 timedemo went from 51 to 52.2 on 1280x1024, high setings, and with vsync on. So, I would say thet it is faster but it is hot. I didn't oc anything so do you have any idea why are my temps this high? Other that that I had no problems with 71.84 this far.

3200+ 939
bfg 6800gt

 

[Actaeon]

Meh.

I can't figure it out. Looks like I'l stick with these drivers until another WHQL release. There are alot of beta drivers out, but many of them have issues. These drivers appear to be great aside from this occasional monitor flashing.

If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to post, I'd like to fix this.

 

[ginfest]

Originally posted by: Asteriks
71.84 added 280 points to my 3DMark05 score with 66.93, from 4742 to 5022 without any other changes, but it also added 10C to my GPU core temp from 65 to 75. Also, my Doom3 timedemo went from 51 to 52.2 on 1280x1024, high setings, and with vsync on. So, I would say thet it is faster but it is hot. I didn't oc anything so do you have any idea why are my temps this high? Other that that I had no problems with 71.84 this far.

3200+ 939
bfg 6800gt

That's the infamous "temop bug" in the 7x.xx series of drivers. Supposedly fixed in an upcoming set (76.xx something) but unknown when they will be released.
In a strange twist, if you OC you 2D core clock to 401 the temps return to normal!
Do a search at Nv News or Guru 3D all kinds of posts about the issue.


Mike G

 

[remagavon]

I believe that the flicker problem is a HARDWARE bug. I get the flickers as well, mostly when on the forums or when loading something involving flash or java (also at random times while playing a game), and it only happens on my 2nd DVI output.

My reasoning behind calling the problem a hardware issue is primarily because even without ANY driver installed, running 800x600 at whatever depth is default, the flickering is still present. I don't remember this happening with my 6800gt (of course, that didn't use 2 dvi ports either). This is an *extremely* annoying problem, and it is actually going to drive me to replace my Ultra sooner than I had initially planned.

There is a thread (that I posted) on the nvnews.net message boards that also describes this problem, and a few other people showed up with *exactly* the same issue, so it is not brand specific. I really wish I didn't have to deal with these type of ridiculous bugs in $500 hardware.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: Ginfest

I've been using the 71.84 since they were beta and haven't seen the blank screen or flicker.

Mike G

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: Insomniak

Originally posted by: Ginfest

I've been using the 71.84 since they were beta and haven't seen the blank screen or flicker.

Mike G

Only people with Ultras have this problem.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: remagavon
I believe that the flicker problem is a HARDWARE bug. I get the flickers as well, mostly when on the forums or when loading something involving flash or java (also at random times while playing a game), and it only happens on my 2nd DVI output.

My reasoning behind calling the problem a hardware issue is primarily because even without ANY driver installed, running 800x600 at whatever depth is default, the flickering is still present. I don't remember this happening with my 6800gt (of course, that didn't use 2 dvi ports either). This is an *extremely* annoying problem, and it is actually going to drive me to replace my Ultra sooner than I had initially planned.

There is a thread (that I posted) on the nvnews.net message boards that also describes this problem, and a few other people showed up with *exactly* the same issue, so it is not brand specific. I really wish I didn't have to deal with these type of ridiculous bugs in $500 hardware.

Wow, someone with similar problems. It only happens on the 2nd DVI Output? What about your first?

If looking at the computer from the rear, I am using the one on the left. The one far away from the S-Video out.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: remagavon
I believe that the flicker problem is a HARDWAE bug. I get the flickers as well, mostly when on the forums or when loading something involving flash or java (also at random times while playing a game), and it only happens on my 2nd DVI output.

My reasoning behind calling the problem a hardware issue is primarily because even without ANY driver installed, running 800x600 at whatever depth is default, the flickering is still present. I don't remember this happening with my 6800gt (of course, that didn't use 2 dvi ports either). This is an *extremely* annoying problem, and it is actually going to drive me to replace my Ultra sooner than I had initially planned.

There is a thread (that I posted) on the nvnews.net message boards that also describes this problem, and a few other people showed up with *exactly* the same issue, so it is not brand specific. I really wish I didn't have to deal with these type of ridiculous bugs in $500 hardware.

Wow, someone with similar problems. It only happens on the 2nd DVI Output? What about your first?

If looking at the computer from the rear, I am using the one on the left. The one far away from the S-Video out.

I get no flickering at all with my primary port, the one I am calling secondary is the DVI connector closest to the motherboard (my motherboard is inverted so I can't say which way looking at it without screwing myself up )

Here is the link to the thread on nVnews. I'm almost 100% sure that it is a hardware problem, so we probably could get some sort of compensation if more people would complain. Unfortunately most people don't use dual LCDs, and they don't have the 6800 ultra.

Please note that the flickering when entering the CP is *NOT* related to this problem, and I believe was a driver bug. The problem I am describing even occurs without drivers installed, which is not the case with the CP bug.

 

[cbehnken]

It's 2001FP.

This is a known bug with the DVI interface to these screens. I was reading about it this weekend when I noticed my monitor will not wake from power save occasionally. If you go to dell forums that have a lot of posts about this... Better cables can help, but not always.

 

[Actaeon]

Alright, I'll try my other DVI port when I get back in from work. Hopefully it'll fix the problem. I really don't mind if its just 1 dvi output, I can use the other. I have no intentions of going dual monitor any time soon, but it still sucks this happens, espically for a $400+ piece of hardware.

cbehnken: Got a link to all of this? I'm sure there are plenty of people on 2001FPs, and I havn't heard a thing about it. I also havn't had any issues with the power-save.

Thanks again guys.

 

[cbehnken]

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Alright, I'll try my other DVI port when I get back in from work. Hopefully it'll fix the problem. I really don't mind if its just 1 dvi output, I can use the other. I have no intentions of going dual monitor any time soon, but it still sucks this happens, espically for a $400+ piece of hardware.

cbehnken: Got a link to all of this? I'm sure there are plenty of people on 2001FPs, and I havn't heard a thing about it. I also havn't had any issues with the power-save.

Thanks again guys.

There's a bunch of threads like this over at Dell:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums...age?board.id=pw_monitor&message.id=709

You can do search on EDID corruption.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: cbehnken

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Alright, I'll try my other DVI port when I get back in from work. Hopefully it'll fix the problem. I really don't mind if its just 1 dvi output, I can use the other. I have no intentions of going dual monitor any time soon, but it still sucks this happens, espically for a $400+ piece of hardware.

cbehnken: Got a link to all of this? I'm sure there are plenty of people on 2001FPs, and I havn't heard a thing about it. I also havn't had any issues with the power-save.

Thanks again guys.

There's a bunch of threads like this over at Dell:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums...age?board.id=pw_monitor&message.id=709

You can do search on EDID corruption.

Actaeon: If your problem is the same one I'm having, switching the DVI ports will solve everything.

Cbehnken:

That's interesting, I do have 2001fps as well..

My screen simply goes dark and back again when doing certian things (that can't be pinpointed) and it only happens on the 2nd DVI output of the 6800 ultra. Though I do understand that there may be a power save issue, why would the problem only happen on the secondary ouptut of a graphics card?

I can see why you might associate the two becuase I did read some threads over at dell about the screen going blank, but again it only happens for me when using that output. I'm pretty sure that I even tried a dvi -> vga adapter just to see if it would happen and it does as well. I have 3 2001fps here and all of them do the same thing when connected to that output. I actually don't have another monitor to try so again I can't really say what might be going on there. Thanks for posting!

 

[Actaeon]

Alright, I switched up the DVI ports, and we'll see

 

[fstime]

Never happened to me, I would try getting rid of that bios.....

 

[mwmorph]

i think it has something to do with coolbits and ocing. it didnt happen before i started ocing.