radeon 900 pro help

[yak8998]

Argh -
pic of my computer
yes it is messy, missing drive bay covers, and a side panel, but that is besides the point.

I modded my radeon w/ a trashy cpu HSF, by drilling holes in it (the HSF) and using the stock holes on the radeon. Now, I get "artifacts" in 2d modes (from POST until it loads the right drivers, then it is fine.) but it is fine in 3d (a little slow though I think, but that may be from 256mb pc2100 dollar-store brand RAM). It does this in both linux and windows. My specs are:

2.4b ghz P4
Gigabyte 8PE667 Ultra
256mb PC2100 RAM
128mb Sapphire Radeon 9000 Pro
120gb Maxtor 7200RPM 8mb
24x12x48 CDRW
trashy case
enlight (i think) 300W PSU

And it never did this before I modded it, so I think that has something to do with it. I am confused though, since it corrects itself with the proper drivers. What is the problem?!?

BTW -
1) Which version of the catalyst drivers are best?!?
2) Is it actually worth installing directX 9 if I'm not playing any directX 9 games?

thx

 

[yak8998]

bump
cmon someone has to have an idea at least. plz plz plz

 

[Corporate Thug]

maybe go back to the to stock HSF
i use cat 3.2 because i find it most stable with nforce2
Dx9 not necessary if not playing DX9 games

 

[prometheusxls]

Try loosening the bolts on the GPU... maybe too tight? or something. Put the stock hsf back on.
Did you lap the GPU? If so then don't waste time diagnosing you prolly killed the card. Just chalk it up to experience and buy another.