XFX 7800GT issue

[Paprikachu]

New around here but in desperate need of help..

I have bought a XfX7800GT card a while ago, and been experiencing problems with my computer since then. I've tried everything (I can possibly come up with on my own..) But nothing seems to help.

H/W: DFI Lanparty Nf4 SLI-DR, AMD Athlonx2 4400+ s939, OZC Perf Plat Rev.2 2x512Mb, Hauppauge PVR500MCE, Linksys WMP300N, Allied 500w PSU. (Case is custom made but awaiting liquid cooling as the 7 cooling fans are to ennoying... not that this plays any role, but just ta say cooling isn't an issue)

The problem: After a clean install (have done much of them!) the system works fine (no drivers or updates installed so far and system not oc)
After installing all updates (windows mce) still no problem, but it's when I install the grafic card drivers that it all starts.
3 times out of 10 the system starts up normally, but when it doesn't it hangs while loading os.
post screen appears, so far so good, windows loading splash screen appears as well, the little blue line keeps on moving but then, nothing..
the line stops and I could leave the system like that for 3 days and still no movement.
When the system hangs, it's allways on the same moment: when the grafic card is initialised I think. What makes me think that is because at that moment (when the system does start) the xfx fan slows down and the screen flickers to take the resolution chosen in windows.
Booting up in safe mode and uninstalling the grafic card brings the machine back in normal state (no more hanging)
If I install windows (clean) install all the drivers but no updates it works fine as well.
So I've tried to isolate the update causing the trouble but there is no coherence as to after wich one the problem starts.. :confused:
So if anyone could tell me how to find where the problem exactly is, if there are people having similar problems that have found a solution, or anything that could help me analyse this further (tools or tests) I'd be horribly glad..
Because I'm really sick of having a serious nerve trap instead of what could be a nice working machine.. :(

[xfxsupport]

This does sound very unusual especially with a clean install. Have you tried this video card in another system? Please visit www.xfxforce.com and start a support ticket please list the driver(s) you are using. Also you stated if you do not install the driver this does not happen? The video card will allow the system to boot properly as long as the driver is not installed? Please be as detailed as possible in the support ticket like you where here in the forum so we can get this issue resolved asap.

XFX Support

[Paprikachu]

I had placed a support ticket: nr.57715
But unfortunatly nothing helped..
I haven't tried the card in another system yet as it's PCIx and other rigs I have are AGP.
I tried to install the drivers 91.28 as I had been told by the support center but that didn't help eighter.
Also tried drivers from different sources, found on guru3d, nvidia itself, xfx website.
As said, with a clean install, I can boot numerous times without having problems but as soon as the drivers are installed, it hangs. removing the hardware in the control panel and selecting cancel when asked to install new hardware after rebooting the system works fine again.
I tried the latest MCE WHQL drivers but nope again..
I'll post the system setup (driver and updates installed asap)
Is there a way to monitor what windows loads at what point?

[xfxsupport]

I see that you did post a support ticket with our Europe team. I will forward the information along and see if I can help resolve your issues.

XFX Support

[Paprikachu]

Thnx, meanwhile is there complementary info I have to supply?
PS: before this card I used 2 6600GT is SLI and never had any problems, so it's not a certainty but makes me believe there is no problem with the rest of the components in the system