Unable to run games in full screen

[Raduque]

For some odd reason, I'm unable to run games in full screen mode. I get all kinds of massive corruption and artifacting (looks like both memory and core artifacts... sparklies, random blocks of missing textures/solid colors (not huge, very small ones 5-6 pixels big) and polygon artifacts).

If I put the game in windowed mode, it's fine. No corruption or artifacting of any kind. Even if I run it in 1680x1050 (native res on my 20" widescreen) windowed. I've done everything I can think of except a new vidcard or PSU. I tried driver cleaner, reinstalling different versions, I tried system restoring to my original restore point when I first installed Vista, I even underclocked the card to 300/400 memory/core and it still gave me both core and ram-style artifacts.

Anybody have any ideas? Think maybe the card's power-starved? I can't afford new parts right now.


gigabyte 965-S3
core2 6300 @ 2.8 (artifacts at stock, so it's not the CPU or ram)
2gb ddr2-800
msi 7900GS 256mb
fsp 450w PSU
4x7200rpm sata2 drives from 80gb to 320gb

 

[Fardringle]

The components that you listed have a max power draw of about 280 watts. Add 18 watts for a DVD burner (I assume you have one), 5 watts per cooling fan, and about 15 watts for a PCI card such as a sound card or network adapter, and you're going to be well over 300 watts of peak power usage. At maximum efficiency, your power supply should be able to handle that much draw, but it's somewhat borderline. If the power supply is older or isn't working at its full potential you could possibly be having some power issues.

Having said that, I'm not sure that a power problem would prevent you from running games full screen when they work just fine at high resolutions in a window. Do you get the same artifacts when you run 3DMark?

 

[Duh4Ever]

Software, Software, Software, methinks !

Lovely Vista uncompromisingly asserts that "This system does not support fullscreen mode" whenever full screen in legacy dosprogs is tried.

Reckon there'd be thousands around the world just a little less angry at M$, and more accepting of Vista, if this were fixed - now - without resorting to virtualizing and/or dual booting.

If you find a solution, please please post !

 

[robisbell]

I think it's a power issue, but will wait and see.

 

[Raduque]

I'll try 3dmark0-whatever and see if it artifacts.

I have 5 fans not including my PSU/CPU/GPU fans, and yes a dvd burner. I'll wait till tomorrow and pull some drives' power cables and see if that helps the artifacting, and I'll report back.

 

[Raduque]

Well, I tried 3dmark and it's artifacting. I also tried to take a screenshot of the artifacts, but it's not showing.

See here In the on-screen version, the 3dmark at the bottom of the screen is checkerboard except for the text, and the checkerboard is half the normal color and half transparent. The muzzleblast is the same and leaves a trail across the screen.

I definitely think it's a driver problem as I can't get a capture of it.

edit: And this is what it actually looks like.

 

[robisbell]

it looks like the cards failing.

 

[corkyg]

Failing or simply not enough video horsepower for full screen.

 

[robisbell]

7900 should be able to do it. I say it's the card. rad, do you have STALKER, Half Life 2, Doom 3, Far Cry, WOW? does it artifact on them as well?

 

[Raduque]

I don't have WoW (massmogs, never touch the stuff), but I have played STALKER, HL2, and Doom3 on it. I have only run STALKER recently (in the last 3-4 months), but I'm betting all of them would artifact now.

What I don't understand, if why would it artifact full screen, but not in a window, if the card's failing? Especially at 1680x1050 in a window?

 

[robisbell]

when you window, it's not really 1680x1050, I think the card overheated at some point or it's just a defective card. you're getting it replaced, so no worries.

 

[Raduque]

Getting it replaced? Are you doing it for me? Because I certainly can't afford a replacement card.

If anything, I'll be downgrading to the 6800nu I had before.

 

[robisbell]

is this card still under warranty by MSI?

 

[Raduque]

I got it from the big Woot sale a while back. I don't think it has a warranty. I'll ask MSI though.

 

[robisbell]

I'd check, usually 1 year to 3 years on the video cards.

 

[Raduque]

Never checked on the warranty, but I think I fixed it. I guess it was heat, even thought core temps never went over 77c (well within the thermal envelope for a 7900GS). I took the plastic heatsin kcover off and ziptied a fan to it, and the problems went away. I guess the power section was overheating somehow.