X1900XT Has weird colors everywhere, even boot up!

Joobot

n00b
Joined
May 25, 2006
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I just got my X1900XT, and last night, after laying HL2:EP1, I decided I should install my Audigy 2 ZS since the onboard audio wasn't cutting it. So I put that in, and everything ran fine for about a minute. Then EVERYTHING went discolored. I'm talking BIOS, startup, everywhere. All my computer parts are brand new and never been overclocked, though I'm trying to figure out how to OC my D975XBX (not the best board for that). Here's my specs:

Intel D975XBX
Pentium D 930 (cooled wih CNP9500)
Corsair Twin2x2048-6400
X1900XT
Audigy 2 ZS

I also noticed that when this happened, my PSU was extremely hot. Could there be a power routing problem with the ZS or X1900XT that caused ti to draw too much power? And do I need the molex cable in the motherboard?
 
You most conveniently forgot to tell us what PSU you have. When you ask questions about your PSU, why do you hide its name and make from us?
 
I have a very similiar setup. What power supply do you have and what is the 12v rail rating? The 1900 draws a lot of juice. What are you cpu/system/gpu temps?

The D975xbx requires three motherboard power connections -- the standard atx, a 2x6 (if you are overclocking, do no use the 2x4 to 2x6 adapter) and a molex (1x4). The prescott is a power eater too -- Need around 39 rating for the 12v from your power supply.

On overclocking, it does not have the a lot of options, but it is rock solid stable on my system and you can get some decent over clocking.

D975xbx (bios 1073 -- version 1181 was released last week -- I have not tried it yet)
Pentium D 940 @3.85
2 GB DDR2 @800 4-4-4-12
x1900 xtx - Cat 6.5 beta (chuck patch)
4x320 SATA II
Antec P180
Antec NeoHE 550

If you upgraded from a Nvidia card, did you use drivercleaner in the safe mode to remove all previous drivers? www.drivercleaner.net.

You have a great rig and when all is sorted out, it will perform and game well. I love my system and gaming has never been so good -- 1680x1050 with all the good stuff turned on.
 
Agreed, sounds like a PS issue....ie lacking enough amps on 12v rail.
 
Okay, well, the PSU does have a 12v rail, but didn't have a functional fan. I replaced it from an Ultra 550W with my older, messier Coolmax 600W that uses a 2x2 to 2x4 power converter. It works fine now. Sorry for not listing my PSU.

reggis,m with such a smiliar setup, I have a few questions about my new setup. CPU-Z is reading my RAM as 400, but in the BIOS it's set at 800. Also, what did you have to do to OC you CPU?
 
400 is correct --- ddr2 means the memory is running at 2x400 = 800. The result is a 1:1 fsb:memory ratio. For overclocking, if you don't have experience, I highly recommend the intel desktop control center: http://developer.intel.com/design/motherbd/software/dcc/download.htm

To start with, the spd for the memory is 5-5-5-15 (you can check this in bios or idcc). Try to adjust the timing to 4-4-4-12 then run the stress tests in idcc to check stability. Recent tests that I have seen would lead me to believe that improved timings will result in better overall performance. After that, go to the burning in options and adjust the fsb in 1% increments (need to reboot in between changing settings to put in bios). After increasing the settings, run the stress tests. If you start to get memory errors, bump up the memory voltage in bios (1.8 - 2.1 in .1 increments). For your memory, I would not go above 2.1 volts. IDCC will get you to a 10% overclock and you will be more familiar/comfortable with the settings and processes and you can adjust to 20% from there in bios.

One last note: Be very conservative in your process. If you get too aggressive, and the board does not post, it is a pain. Intel does not reset the bios values to default after a failed post. You need to set the jumper on the motherboard and boot into the maintenance mode to reset the values. Go slow, in small increments. Good luck on overclocking and let us know how you make out.
 
Joobot said:
Okay, well, the PSU does have a 12v rail, but didn't have a functional fan. I replaced it from an Ultra 550W with my older, messier Coolmax 600W that uses a 2x2 to 2x4 power converter. It works fine now. Sorry for not listing my PSU.

Well if it didn't have a +12v rail your system wouldn't even turn on. So are you saying your power supply is an Ultra 550w or something else? Your issue is likely the power supply. Buy a better brand (i.e. more expensive) power supply.
 
If I increase my FSB at all, my computer won't turn on. It just screams at me. I'm talking 1% does this. Also, now, IDCC won't open at all now for whatever reason. I just click it and nothing comes up.

Edit: One last question. For SATA, should i set it to IDE or AHCI?
Edit2: Got IDCC working by re-installing, but changing my timings to 4-4-4-12 makes my computer turn on, but no input or output, just spinning fans. Newegg says my timings are 5-5-5-12, which I already had it set to.
 
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