Voodoo2 SLI issues....

[VoraciousGorak]

Hey guys, I'm trying to get my Voodoo2 SLI cards working properly. They're being a pain....

Just got a second Voodoo2 for the cost of shipping to run alongside my black STB card, the two cards are identical. After issues getting them up and running, I've been playing UT99 and Quake III Arena. There've been a couple issues, though.

The computer:
Athlon XP 2400+ @ 2.125GHz
256MB XMS3200XL @ 225MHz or so
NVIDIA GeForce2 Ultra
2xSTB Voodoo2 12MB in SLI
Windows 2000 SP4

I tried the last Voodoo2 Win2K drivers 3dfx released, and I can't run any Glide environments with them, gives me an error dialog and UT99 reverts to software mode. FastVoodoo2 4.0 XP Gold did better, I ran both apps at 1024x768 (with extreme slowdowns in UT99 for some reason, down to 6-7fps on CTF_Face), but when I try to change the resolutions on either (or even the DETAIL levels in Q3A) the machine locks up. Or so it appears. It responds to pings, Folding@Home still runs in the background, I can still access its hard drive over the network and modify files and the like... but the display locks up and even Alt-F4 or Ctrl-Alt-Del doesn't fix anything. This happened before I got the second Voodoo2 card, and I know both cards are working.

Both games run fine in OpenGL, and D3D and Software mode for UT99 on the GeForce2 Ultra. On the last reboot, the computer locked and I had to take the Voodoo2s out. Drivers trashed on that one, I guess. The key that I'm going for is Diablo II, I also have a Voodoo3 that I'm gonna try out later, but I really want these to work.

What's wrong? How can I fix it? And yeah, I applied the Win2K patch that came with the file. The drivers have the same issue with only one card in... the latest 3DFX drivers don't even work properly, UT99 detects a Glide capable card but can't initiate the display mode, reverting to software.

 

[SonicIce]

try the machine with some other voodoo card?

 

[VoraciousGorak]

I have a Voodoo3 I'll pop in there right now, as well as a Rush, but if the V2s don't work properly I don't think the Rush will. Back in 15.

 

[VoraciousGorak]

The Voodoo3 runs, and 3dfx's drivers install, but in UT99 it's slower than software mode when there's a lot of action on-screen. Even with no bots, looking at the ground at 1024x768 only gets 50fps at lowest details. Quake III Arena is also extraordinarily slow, but the resolutions switch.

So now I have two issues: why the Voodoo3 isn't performing like it should in UT99 and why the 2xVoodoo2 SLI cards aren't working properly when at all.

 

[Keysplayr]

There could be the strong possibility that the 2 cards are identical "to the eye", but whats on the inside eh?
Different BIOS revisions perhaps? Different manufacturer of the memory modules? Different memory timings? Different core revision? who knows. You must do your research.

 

[Texsstar]

Vora

Its been awhile but If you want I have a set of custom (hoe/omega) Voodoo drivers which worked for me under XP with my V-5. Theres a read me file and they are a little tricky to get to work but once I got installed my V-5 worked like a charm, it might take a few trys

If you want I can e-mail them to ya about 7mb.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Those 2 Voodoo 2's in SLI are only going to slow your system down. That Geforce 2 Ultra can do everything they can plus more. Just leave em out.

-Kevin

 

[VoraciousGorak]

G.Phreak:

The object is not to outpace the GeForce2 Ultra. They'll be going in a setup paired with a nice happy TNT2 Vanta LT, I don't think they'll be having much trouble outpacing that, thanks for the help.

KP2003: I'll look into it. Any way to check BIOS revisions or flash the cards? The memory modules also have the exact same markings.

 

[Texsstar]

The drivers are on the way (e-mailed ya per PM request) LMK if they worked.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: VoraciousGorak
G.Phreak:

The object is not to outpace the GeForce2 Ultra. They'll be going in a setup paired with a nice happy TNT2 Vanta LT, I don't think they'll be having much trouble outpacing that, thanks for the help.

KP2003: I'll look into it. Any way to check BIOS revisions or flash the cards? The memory modules also have the exact same markings.

Well maybe if you told us you were using that i wouldn't have posted that. YOu posted it would use a Geforce 2. I would use some sort of modded drivers as there is no support for "official" drivers anyways. (kind of a duh statement huh... )

-Kevin

 

[VoraciousGorak]

No problem. The GF2 system isn't even my main, so I don't care too much if it slows down. I'm just trying to get these cards operational, as with the Voodoo3... I just got this card (clocked 143/143), and used to use a 166/166 Voodoo3 that was leaps and bounds faster than this card is. UT99 was playable at 1600x1200 on that card with obscene framerates at low res, but this card's having trouble at 1024x768 with no bots at all.

 

[Budman]

You'll probably have to install win98 for those cards to work properly.

 

[VoraciousGorak]

I could do that in a pinch, I guess, but the system I'm gonna be using them in is gonna be acting as a firewall on my network as well as a light gaming machine, and 98SE isn't the most secure/stable OS in the world. I've HAD these cards running under 2K Pro before, but it's been a couple years now since I've done it.