Troubleshoot my video problem...

[Das Capitolin]

I have finished troubleshooting this problem, after the better part of one whole day. Now it's being left in your hands to confirm.

I have been running the XFX 7900GT for two weeks with no problem. Using version 91.31 WHQL drivers, I enjoyed great game play and video. Three days ago I installed the second video card I won; the XFX 7900GT VIVO (they were both supposed to be VIVO, but they were free so who cares).

Without any overclocking I have been experiencing a wide range of troubles. This problem is somewhat hit and miss, as the card runs great in BF2 and FEAR: Combat to begin with, but later either shows strange tecture shapes in BF2 (see attached) or does this and then crashes FEAR. This is part 1 of the problem.

Part 2 introduces the crashing. I have determined that the crashing either results in one of two things:
1) BSOD 0x050, 0x0EA, 0x07B, 0x08E all with reference to nv4_disp.dll
2) nv4_disp for the display stuck in an infinite loop in the system event log

In the second case, I have removed and cleaned, then reinstalled the driver. This works fine for a short while, then I have problems again. They are worst in FEAR because it crashes, and BF2 will keep playing and just show these odd shapes.

If I remove and clean out the driver followed by reinstalling it, things seem at first. Replacing the 7900GT VIVO with the 7900GT and fresh drivers will make everything work fine. However, there are some times after fresh drivers have been installed that even the 7900GT VIVO runs FEAR fine with maximum settings. It is nearly random, but does have a short pattern.

I suspect the 7900GT VIVO to be a little unstable, but there is a 1% chance that it could be something else.

EDIT: I have just confirmed that this problem occurs with the version 91.36 WHQL drivers as well.

Please share your ideas and troubleshooting questions. Once we have 100% confirmation that this is a video card issue, I will move this to the XFX support forum.

[Bio-Hazard]

It's the good old 7900GT problem popping up again, sound's like it's time for a RMA. There's threads here an\d many other forums that go into this problem. (Hard OCP, 3D Guru are 2)

http://forums.guru3d.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

[Das Capitolin]

FYI - Warranty for 7900 series:

XFX is excited to announce another industry first: The XFX Double Lifetime Warranty! Now you—and your card’s next owner—are both covered by the XFX “shield” of protection. Should something go wrong with your Series 6 or greater Graphics Card, and you’ve registered the card with us online, we’ll cover the cost of repair and service—absolutely free! And, should you sell or transfer ownership of the card, the same service applies to the next owner, as long as they register the card with us online.
Now, it’s all fairly simple, but here are the Double Lifetime Warranty specifics:

The XFX Double Lifetime Warranty goes into effect once the initial purchaser (owner #1) registers the product with us on www.xfxforce.com (http://www.xfxforce.com). At that time, XFX promises that the graphics card purchased (Product) will remain free from any defects in material or workmanship for the lifetime of the Product, as long as the Product is used properly.
“Proper Usage” is defined as normal wear and tear. Should the Product be modified or damaged as the result of overclocking, tampering, alteration, misuse, abuse, power supply, power application, or repair by other than XFX the warranty is VOID.
Other situations that VOID the warranty include:
Damage to the card upon installation
Damage caused by software or hardware incompatibility or by motherboard incompatibility (if other than XFX software or hardware).
Was not operated in accordance with XFX specifications, instructions or technical support directions.
Physical damage to the PCB, GPU or components
Additionally, third party products used in tandem with this Product are not covered by this warranty.
Finally, Points 1-4 also apply to the Product's second owner (owner #2). In order to be covered by the warranty, the second owner will have to register the Product with us online at www.xfxforce.com (http://www.xfxforce.com) just as the original owner did.
If the original owner did not properly register the Product with XFX, the warranty is VOID for both the original owner and the secondary owner.
If the original owner did properly register the Product with XFX, but the secondary owner did not, the warranty is VOID for the secondary owner.What the XFX Double Lifetime Warranty covers:

The XFX Double Lifetime Warranty covers only the repair of a Series 6 or Series 7 Graphics Card. XFX will repair or replace the Product to bring it to a state that is free of defects in material or workmanship (no refunds). XFX makes no other warranty, express or implied. Purchaser (owner #1 or owner #2) pays for shipping to XFX.
Secondary owners (owner #2) are subject to parts availability and may incur a charge for the cost of the part**. Service and repair remains free of charge.
Additionally, XFX reserves the right to inspect and verify the defects of the Product(s) that are returned.XFX's liability under the Double Lifetime Warranty is limited to the repair, or, at XFX's discretion, the replacement of the portion(s) of the Product that are found to be defective in material or workmanship. The Double Lifetime Warranty does not apply to software components.
To request a Double Lifetime Warranty repair, simply go to our Help Desk and fill out a Support Ticket. By shipping the Product to XFX, you assume the risk of loss in transit. Products returned to XFX become the sole property of XFX during the assessment and repair/replacement process.
XFX reserves the right to claim shipping fees as well as a service charge* from the purchaser (owner #1 or #2) for any incomplete or modified Product that is returned and that requires repair or replacement, or when the Purchaser (owner #1 or #2) is not entitled to any coverage under the XFX Double Lifetime Warranty.
Valid only to purchases made in North America (USA or Canada).
* Service charge is variable based upon actual material costs to repair or replace missing or modified parts to return them to original factory condition.
** Actual cost of part(s) will be determined upon receipt and inspection of the returned card.

[Mirrim]

When I communicated with XFX reps about my 7900 GT (which is in RMA with Newegg atm), they asked a few of the usual questions and also said I should run 3dMark06 on it, paying particular attention to the card's performance/behavior in the Deep Freeze portion of the test. My card couldn't get through that section without artifacting and crashing through several runs. Your situation sounds similar.

Probably best to give that test a go and see what it comes up with. Let us know! I'm patiently awaiting a return of a new card that will work!

[Das Capitolin]

Thank you for the assistance sbrehm and Mirrim. I have the stock cooling installed, and the card does get very hot despite ample case cooling and ventilation (and air conditioning). I will install 3DMark06 and give that a test.

I suppose I will know it's bad if it cannot complete the tests.

[Bio-Hazard]

The test that normally causes problems is the last Arctic one, it normally produces artifacts and sometimes causes the video to flicker when you exit the program resulting in a reboot situation.

[Das Capitolin]

The test that normally causes problems is the last Arctic one, it normally produces artifacts and sometimes causes the video to flicker when you exit the program resulting in a reboot situation.

That video flicker that you mentioned... I am getting it when I close FEAR (assuming that FEAR isn't frozen) and sometimes BF2.

The symtoms you have mentioned only happen on "bad" cards, correct?

[Kougar]

I believe so? The only thing I could do is already suggest what Mirrim has said herself, run the deep freeze test in 3dmark06 and see if that works. It seems to be able to zero in on that 1% of instability...

At least on the bright side you will not be out of a graphics card during the RMA process...

[werty316]

Also run the "Deep Freeze" test in a loop so you can be sure. Looks like you have one of those dreaded faulty 7900GTs. Good thing you tested both cards before going to SLi.

[Das Capitolin]

Also run the "Deep Freeze" test in a loop so you can be sure. Looks like you have one of those dreaded faulty 7900GTs. Good thing you tested both cards before going to SLi.

How do I do this? I only have the free version.

[Bevous]

My old man says that if it's going to error, it should do it with just a single pass of 06. I'm not really sure myself, I'm just passing on the info.
You hve to keep running the default set if you have the free version, all the options are locked unless you have the advanced or pro copy.

[Das Capitolin]

You hve to keep running the default set if you have the free version, all the options are locked unless you have the advanced or pro copy.

I welcome anyone who want's to PM with a registration code to use for this troubleshooting.

[werty316]

How do I do this? I only have the free version.
:lol: I forgot you need to buy it or get a serial off the net to change any settings, my bad. I would give you a serial number but then you are against piracy :lol:

Just run the app over and over till you get some corruption if any.

[Mirrim]

I just used the free version, Das. Can't loop the last portion as suggested above, but Deep Freeze is indeed the real test. Looping I guess would be nice, but not it all necessary. It seems to give the card a good run through.

[werty316]

I just used the free version, Das. Can't loop the last portion as suggested above, but Deep Freeze is indeed the real test. Looping I guess would be nice, but not it all necessary. It seems to give the card a good run through.
You can if you register it.

[Das Capitolin]

So far, the XFX 7900GT VIVO has passed the 3DMark06 tests; of the six tests I ran, only one had problems. When it completed the last test "Deep Freeze", it began to crash the driver and the screen started flashing. I restarted and took one more test without any problems.

[werty316]

Did it passed if you ran all the tests over and over?

[Das Capitolin]

Werty, it has to go through the routine of six or seven tests. It alternates between CPU and GPU, so there is no continuous stress.

For the most part, it continues to pass the tests. FEAR and BF2 are a whole other issue.

[werty316]

Register it then.
I could PM a serial but you wouldn't be able to submit any scores with it.

[Kougar]

So far, the XFX 7900GT VIVO has passed the 3DMark06 tests; of the six tests I ran, only one had problems. When it completed the last test "Deep Freeze", it began to crash the driver and the screen started flashing. I restarted and took one more test without any problems.

That's exactly what ya were looking for. Some people can run their cards just fine throughout the entire benchmark program, but it would only show symptoms with the last Deep Freeze portion of the 3dmark06 tests. I'd say that about confirms you got one of the bugged cards. :???:

[Das Capitolin]

Oh-oh. The problem is back again. My completely stock 7900GT VIVO is having issues again with BF2. I removed the drivers, then use Driver Cleaner to clean any remains, and reinstalled version 91.47 WHQL drivers.

Attached are some screenshots that represent random occurances before and after the driver cleaning.

I have removed and reinstalled BF2, just to be certain, and recently installed v1.4 patch.

[werty316]

Did you change drivers after everything was fine? ex: originally had driver "A" installed and then instaled "B".

[Das Capitolin]

Did you change drivers after everything was fine? ex: originally had driver "A" installed and then instaled "B".

I wish that I could say that it was fine at some point. I didn't have anything new to post because I was awaiting response from XFX and I was not playing BF2 or FEAR. It has shown this problem with all versions of drivers I have used; some more then others.

[markkleb]

Hey Das have you tried the card in a different comp? I remember before having a big problem when I installed DX9 after the Video drivers, and another time when I installed the NForce4 stuff. (now I dont use any of the NF chipset stuff)