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Strange ATI Driver Issue

Skud

Gawd
Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
587
Hi All,

I've got a really weird issue that I can't seem to find anything about on google or anywhere else...

I have the following system..

3200+ Winchester
1GB PQI PC3200 (2x512)
2 x 36GB Raptors (Not RAID'ed)
Abit AN8-SLI (New Part)
Powercolor x800xl (New Part, the one with the power connectors)
Swiftec Water cooling (CPU, GPU)
PC Power and Cooling 510-SLI Power supply


So, I've been using the above parts for a good 6 months now with NO problems. The only new parts are the Abit AN8-SLI and the Powercolor X800XL. They are replacing a K8N Neo2 and 9700Pro.

Last night I swapped out the mobo and video card. Booted it up and everything is fine. Temps look good, settings look good, etc. I installed Windows XP (SP2 Slipstreamed), proformed all windows updates, then installed the latest NF4 Standalone drivers from Nvidia's website. Everything is fine at this point..

I downloaded the Cat 5.6's from ATI's site and proceeded to install them. They installed fine, and I rebooted. Windows started loading and then just as it goes from the "Windows XP" loading screen to switch into the GUI, my system powers off.. Power it back on, and the same thing happens, it powers off when switching to the GUI.

So, ok.. I reboot in safe mode and it boots fine. Uninstall the ATI drivers from the system, reboot and it works fine without the drivers installed. So, I tried the Cat 5.5's.. Same thing happens.. Powers off when entering the GUI.

I'm getting frustrated and I decided to try and boot up a few times.. After about 5 times of going through this, it makes it to desktop and everything is fine!! I can run 3D Apps fine, it's Prime stable (5 hours or so), etc.. But when I shutdown the system, it starts all over again. Windows XP loads.. then *POW* system shuts down.. I have to do that 5 or 6 times until it makes it to desktop, then everything is fine..


<CLIFF NOTES>
Computer POWERS OFF at the Windows XP "Loading" screen just before switching to the GUI.

Does not do this when video drivers are NOT installed (Cat 5.5, and 5.6 tested)

Will sometimes work after going through this 5 or 6 times. Works fine once up and running

FRESH Install of Windows XP SP2 (SP2 Slipstreamed)

The only "unproven good" parts are the Motherboard and Video Card.. All other parts have been in use for the last 6 months.

</CLIFF NOTES>

Any ideas? I've been building systems for awhile and I'm really stumped..

Thanks!!
Riley
 
I don't beleive it's a heat issue. CPU temp is 37C, Sys temp is 35C and GPU temp is 40C. Also, the fact that it's fine with no video drivers doesn't suggest heat either. Or the fact that after 5 or 6 power cycles it seems to work fine as well.. If anything, it should be hotter after the power cycles because it has been running longer.

It could, however be a motherboard issue, but there isn't any evidence to suggest one particular device out of th motherboard, video card, or drivers. I'm leaning towards video card/drivers. And out of those I'm leaning towards video card because I can't see how drivers can sometimes work and sometimes not work without anything else being changed.

Thanks for the input.. Keep it coming!!

Thanks!!
Riley
 
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