8800GTX Issue with Vista x64

D

dannyc

New Member
Hi all,

I've been reading this forum and Nvidia's official forum for help on my issue. I am pretty much at wits end after searching for a solution online and finally calling tech support at EVGA and getting nowhere. My specs are:

CPU: Q6600
RAM: 4 GB (2x2 Patriot Memory)
PSU: 750W Silverstone (SST ST75ZF)
Mobo: Asus P5E
GPU: EVGA 8800GTX 758 MB
Monitor: 3007WFP-HC Dell 30 inch
Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500
3 Case fans
Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP1

Everything is stock speed, no changes to voltages, etc.

My issue is that I started getting TDR errors (NVIDIA Forums -> NVIDIA Statement on TDR Errors) when playing Bioshock and Assassin's Creed. To try and fix the problem, I installed the 175.16 driver set from Nvidia. I did not uninstall my previous drivers, I just installed 175.16 on top of my previous drivers. Everything seemed to run fine for a week--no TDR issues, games ran smoothly.

Then a few days ago I was playing COD 4 when the game froze and I had to do a hard reset (this had never happened before as COD 4 was a very agreeable game). Ever since then I get TDR errors whenever I play any game. This wouldn't be too big a deal, but now the problem has migrated so that sometimes when I am in Vista I get display issues where the system just freezes up and the current image becomes pixelated even when I am not playing a game!

To rule out other problems, I ran Prime95 to stress test my CPU, Memtest86 to check my memory, and CoreTemp to insure no overheating. I have the latest bios for my mobo, I updated my chipset and so far no issues with any of my HW components...

So I decided to uninstall my Nvidia drivers in safe mode, ran Driver Sweeper in safe mode, until I confirmed that no traces of Nvidia remained on the system. I tried reinstalling 175.16, 169.44, and 169.25 all with no success. The only thing that worked to allow me to get into Vista normal mode without freezing up is going to a restore point where I know I was stable and then uninstalling the drivers with the method above and installing 169.44. However, I don't think my system is fixed because I just got a TDR (nvlddmkm.sys stopped responding) while surfing the net. The only good news is that my system didn't freeze.

I don't want to play any games as I don't want to have to go through the pain in the ass problem of having to reinstall all of the drivers if the game crashes the system. Does anyone have any suggestions? Did I miss anything? I am tempted to RMA my 8800 GTX, but I am not sure if that will solve anything. Input please--I am literally begging for a fresh look at this!


Thanks,

Dan
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

I think Dell 3007WFP need dual video card to work...correct me if I'm wrong~~~
Peace~~
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    XPS 720 RED
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme QX9650(Penryn Yorkfield) ([email protected])
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper PC2-8500 Ver.3@1066MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce® GTX 295 Plus w/Backplate OC@ 670c/1246m/1500s
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer (D) Sound Card
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Ultrasharp 27" WFP LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    500GB - Seagate 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache with Thermaltake HDD cooler ~ Western Digital 1TB X (5) / 750GB USB 2.0 My Book Essential Edition 2.0 External Hard Drive
    PSU
    1,000W
    Case
    XPS 720 Sliver w/ X-View Clear Side Panel
    Mouse
    Logitech® MX™ Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse
    Keyboard
    Logitech® diNovo Edge™
    Internet Speed
    15MB~D/2MB~U
    Other Info
    Logitech® Z-5500 THX-Certified 505-Watt 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System ~ D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme N Gaming Router ~ Scythe KAMA-METER 5.25 inch Bay Multi-Function Panel Controller ~
Abiosis said:
I think Dell 3007WFP need dual video card to work...correct me if I'm wrong~~~
Peace~~
Click to expand...

Abiosis,

Thanks for the reply. The Dell doesn't require dual video cards to work. I've been using this system for about a month now with no problems which is why this recent issue is driving me nuts. I haven't changed my system at all and I am getting these TDR errors all of a sudden.

I noticed that you have a very similar system to mine. Have you had any issues when playing games? What driver version are you using? Thanks.

Dan
 

My Computer

System One

dannyc said:
Abiosis said:
I think Dell 3007WFP need dual video card to work...correct me if I'm wrong~~~
Peace~~
Click to expand...

Abiosis,

Thanks for the reply. The Dell doesn't require dual video cards to work. I've been using this system for about a month now with no problems which is why this recent issue is driving me nuts. I haven't changed my system at all and I am getting these TDR errors all of a sudden.

I noticed that you have a very similar system to mine. Have you had any issues when playing games? What driver version are you using? Thanks.

Dan
Click to expand...
I'm using 175.16 & 9.64 nforce myself with no problems by far...
you may try this one...

[XF]nVIDIA ForceWare 175.70 improves 3DMark Vantage 2008/05/12 - Guru3D.com Forums (175.70)

~peace~
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    XPS 720 RED
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme QX9650(Penryn Yorkfield) ([email protected])
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper PC2-8500 Ver.3@1066MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce® GTX 295 Plus w/Backplate OC@ 670c/1246m/1500s
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer (D) Sound Card
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Ultrasharp 27" WFP LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    500GB - Seagate 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache with Thermaltake HDD cooler ~ Western Digital 1TB X (5) / 750GB USB 2.0 My Book Essential Edition 2.0 External Hard Drive
    PSU
    1,000W
    Case
    XPS 720 Sliver w/ X-View Clear Side Panel
    Mouse
    Logitech® MX™ Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse
    Keyboard
    Logitech® diNovo Edge™
    Internet Speed
    15MB~D/2MB~U
    Other Info
    Logitech® Z-5500 THX-Certified 505-Watt 5.1 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System ~ D-Link DGL-4500 Xtreme N Gaming Router ~ Scythe KAMA-METER 5.25 inch Bay Multi-Function Panel Controller ~
Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven
 

My Computer

System One

dmex said:
Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven
Click to expand...

Okay, will check. Just to give an update: I found out that Patriot memory is not officially supported by Asus P5E motherboards. So I went ahead and purchased compatible memory (Corsair 2x2GB).

Additionally, I am using a spare drive to try and do a clean install of Vista 64 bit. However, before installing anything when I POST I am getting a pixellated screen--does this mean the graphics card is bust? I already reflashed the BIOS with the most recent version (702) and I have a call placed into Asus to find out how to reset the firmware back to factory defaults (e.g. BIOS, chipset, etc.).

I think I have narrowed it down to graphics card or motherboard (as I just purchased new memory that is supported by the motherboard). Confirming with memtest86+ right now.
 

My Computer

System One

It sounds like your graphics card is slowly nearing its death. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    E6750 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5K-e/Wifi-AP
    Memory
    4x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    PNY 8800GT @ 675/1675/950
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB WD SATA II 500GB Seagate SATA II
    PSU
    700W OCZ GameXStream
    Case
    Cooler Master Centurion 5
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    ~3Mb
dannyc said:
dmex said:
Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven
Click to expand...

Okay, will check. Just to give an update: I found out that Patriot memory is not officially supported by Asus P5E motherboards. So I went ahead and purchased compatible memory (Corsair 2x2GB).

Additionally, I am using a spare drive to try and do a clean install of Vista 64 bit. However, before installing anything when I POST I am getting a pixellated screen--does this mean the graphics card is bust? I already reflashed the BIOS with the most recent version (702) and I have a call placed into Asus to find out how to reset the firmware back to factory defaults (e.g. BIOS, chipset, etc.).

I think I have narrowed it down to graphics card or motherboard (as I just purchased new memory that is supported by the motherboard). Confirming with memtest86+ right now.
Click to expand...

Has the testing revealed any inconstancies?

Spd2Last said:
It sounds like your graphics card is slowly nearing its death. :(
Click to expand...

I highly doubt it, EVGA 8800GTX graphics cards are very new.
 

My Computer

System One

Thanks everyone for the replies. With the new memory, I have run Memtest98+ for 19+ hours (25 passes) and no errors. On a side note, I have changed the BIOS settings to exactly match the memory specs (1.9v, 5-5-5-18). I haven't installed Vista yet.

I called EVGA and I am in the process of RMAing the graphics card. EVGA tech support said that if there are artifacts during POST most likely it's bad video memory--with a small chance it is a bad motherboard.

Is there any way to test the motherboard while I am waiting for the new graphics card?
 

My Computer

System One

dmex said:
Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven
Click to expand...

I couldn't find an HPET option in my BIOS. Does every BIOS have this option? Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    E6750 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P5K-e/Wifi-AP
    Memory
    4x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
    Graphics card(s)
    PNY 8800GT @ 675/1675/950
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB WD SATA II 500GB Seagate SATA II
    PSU
    700W OCZ GameXStream
    Case
    Cooler Master Centurion 5
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    ~3Mb
dannyc said:
dmex said:
Hi Dannyc,

Do you have a HPET option in your BIOS? Try disabling it and let me know the result.

(High Precision E... Timer)

Cheers
Steven
Click to expand...

I couldn't find an HPET option in my BIOS. Does every BIOS have this option? Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
Click to expand...

Not every BIOS has the HPET option, If you dont have it in your BIOS thats a good thing, but if you did then its best to disable it because it replaces the Real-Time clock with a less effective and buggy one.

Spd2Last said:
dmex said:
Spd2Last said:
It sounds like your graphics card is slowly nearing its death. :(
Click to expand...

I highly doubt it, EVGA 8800GTX graphics cards are very new.
Click to expand...
Are you sure you're not thinking of 9800GTX? 8800GTX has been around for a long time.
Click to expand...

They where made 18Months ago give or take a month or two... I dont consider it very old :p
 

My Computer

System One

Another update. Finally received another 8800 GTX. I've run Prime95 for 12+ hours, no issues. I've run ATItool for 12+ hours and no artifacts. It appears the issue was a graphics card failure. Crossing my fingers as I spent the last 6 hours doing a clean install and reloading all of my programs and settings. So far so good....
 

My Computer

System One

dannyc said:
Another update. Finally received another 8800 GTX. I've run Prime95 for 12+ hours, no issues. I've run ATItool for 12+ hours and no artifacts. It appears the issue was a graphics card failure. Crossing my fingers as I spent the last 6 hours doing a clean install and reloading all of my programs and settings. So far so good....
Click to expand...

Let us know :geek:
 

My Computer

System One

dannyc said:
Okay, will check. Just to give an update: I found out that Patriot memory is not officially supported by Asus P5E motherboards. So I went ahead and purchased compatible memory (Corsair 2x2GB).


I think I have narrowed it down to graphics card or motherboard (as I just purchased new memory that is supported by the motherboard). Confirming with memtest86+ right now.
Click to expand...

Make sure you test the Corsair memory with memtest thoroughly. I have a ASUS maximus formula board that would absolutely not work with Corsair ddr2800 cas4 memory. I ended up getting some Gskill that has been flawless. I understand your frustration with your system. I just want to make sure you don't add to your troubles!!

good luck

EDIT----
Ack posted before I read yours about testing the memory. Glad to see you're up and working!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    My custom build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X38 Mainboard
    Memory
    GSKIL DDR2 800 C4- 4 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    BFG 8800GTS 512 OC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi CM771 19"
    Hard Drives
    WD Raptor 75GB WD 500 GB
    PSU
    Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000W
    Case
    Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
    Cooling
    ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT
    Mouse
    MS wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top