ATI 2900XT lockups

[Tank]

Just installed a Sapphire 2900xt graphics card in my xp based system, now
I've been having all these problems with the desktop going blank and locking
solid or vpu recover resetting.
System is a quad core 6600 Intel cpu (stock speed, water cooled) Abit AW9D
board, 3 gig ocz 800 gold memory,sata2 500 gig Maxtor hd, Hiper TypeR 580
watt ps,XP sp2.
I've been pulling my hair out with this one trying all sorts of configs and
drivers, got the latest BIOS for my board etc. I was just begining to face
up to the fact that maybe my power supply wasn't up to the job although all
my voltages showed good healthy readings. All the crashes are using 2d apps
and games work without problems. I can run COD2, Fear, Quake4, 3Dmark06 etc
without problems
but as soon as I have a few things running on the desktop, tv card , web
browsing etc then it's not long
before the vpu recover resets it, I also get artefacts and weird remnants
when I open my Uguru
utility for my Abit board.
When I replace the card with my old X1900XTX then all the probs disappear

anyone have similar problems? not getting any joy from AMD/ATI support

cheers

 

[JAD]

Just installed a Sapphire 2900xt graphics card in my xp based system, now
I've been having all these problems with the desktop going blank and locking
solid or vpu recover resetting.
System is a quad core 6600 Intel cpu (stock speed, water cooled) Abit AW9D
board, 3 gig ocz 800 gold memory,sata2 500 gig Maxtor hd, Hiper TypeR 580
watt ps,XP sp2.
I've been pulling my hair out with this one trying all sorts of configs and
drivers, got the latest BIOS for my board etc. I was just begining to face
up to the fact that maybe my power supply wasn't up to the job although all
my voltages showed good healthy readings. All the crashes are using 2d apps
and games work without problems. I can run COD2, Fear, Quake4, 3Dmark06 etc
without problems
but as soon as I have a few things running on the desktop, tv card , web
browsing etc then it's not long
before the vpu recover resets it, I also get artefacts and weird remnants
when I open my Uguru
utility for my Abit board.
When I replace the card with my old X1900XTX then all the probs disappear

anyone have similar problems? not getting any joy from AMD/ATI support

What driver sequence are you using? Are you just swapping without driver 'remove' 'repair'
or reinstall?

 

[Tank]

What driver sequence are you using? Are you just swapping without driver
'remove' 'repair' or reinstall?

I've been using the ATI driver removal tool between changes of drivers and
am currently using 7.9 xp32.
Just been looking at some of the forums and noticed that quite a few people
are having the same probs with this card.
No one has a fix for it though

 

[JAD]

I've been using the ATI driver removal tool between changes of drivers and am currently
using 7.9 xp32.
Just been looking at some of the forums and noticed that quite a few people are having
the same probs with this card.
No one has a fix for it though

Does your mainboard bios support video 'enhancements'?
Like back in the day of 'fast writes' and 'aperture,
Try disabling these for now.

 

[Frank McCoy]

Just installed a Sapphire 2900xt graphics card in my xp based system, now
I've been having all these problems with the desktop going blank and locking
solid or vpu recover resetting.
System is a quad core 6600 Intel cpu (stock speed, water cooled) Abit AW9D
board, 3 gig ocz 800 gold memory,sata2 500 gig Maxtor hd, Hiper TypeR 580
watt ps,XP sp2.
I've been pulling my hair out with this one trying all sorts of configs and
drivers, got the latest BIOS for my board etc. I was just begining to face
up to the fact that maybe my power supply wasn't up to the job although all
my voltages showed good healthy readings. All the crashes are using 2d apps
and games work without problems. I can run COD2, Fear, Quake4, 3Dmark06 etc
without problems
but as soon as I have a few things running on the desktop, tv card , web
browsing etc then it's not long
before the vpu recover resets it, I also get artefacts and weird remnants
when I open my Uguru
utility for my Abit board.
When I replace the card with my old X1900XTX then all the probs disappear

anyone have similar problems? not getting any joy from AMD/ATI support

cheers

Been through this *MANY* times, with ATI boards.
Their "software removal tool" sucks rocks.
Still, it helps do what's necessary.

OK: To *properly* remove ATI stuff from a computer that's already had
ATI drivers installed before. This is necessary, no matter whether
you're upgrading, down grading, reinstalling, or loading new drivers
from their website.

FIRST: Run their "Software Removal Tool".
When it runs, you *don't* need to remove either Hydravision their DVD
software, nor the Guide+ software for getting television station
information (If you have or had an "All In Wonder" card).
The removal-tool gives you the option.

Second:
Find the directory (if it exists): C:\ATI
Delete it, and all contents.

Third:
Go into: C:\Program Files
Delete the two directories:
ATI Multimedia
ATI Technologies

Go into: C:\Program Files\Common Files
Delete the two directories:
ATI
ATI Technologies

This next is the *important* step that the ATI Removal Tool just doesn't
do: Go into: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Delete *ALL* files starting with ATI (ATI*.*)
If you're shy about that, then *move* them to a temporary directory.
In mine, that's:
ati2cqag.dll
ati2dvag.dll
ati2edxx.dll
ati2evxx.dll
ati2evxx.exe
Ati2mdxx.exe
ati2sgag.exe
ati3d1ag.dll
ati3duag.dll
ATIDDC.DLL
ATIDEMGR.dll
atiexdxx.dll
atifglpf.xml
atiicdxx.dat
atiiiexx.dll
atikvmag.dll
atinppt2.ax
atioglx1.dll
atioglxx.dll
atipdlxx.dll
atitvo32.dll
ativcoxx.dll
ativdaxx.ax
ativmvxx.ax
ativtmxx.dll
ativvaxx.dat
ativvaxx.dll
ATIVvpxx.ax
ativyuxx.ax
atiyuv12.dll

You can also (if paranoid) use REGEDIT and delete all key-files with ATI
in them that look like they point to one of those deleted entries above.
However, I haven't found that necessary, as the ATI Removal Tool seems
to delete or remove the important ones (about what it's really good
for.)

THEN go and install (or re-install) your new ATI video card.
You shouldn't have any more problems.

(A real PAIN, I know; but ....)

What's a gripe is:
Every time you install or upgrade the software for an ATI card, guess
what? Yeah, the same shit.

 

[Tank]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt "Tank" <[email protected]>
wrote:>
OK: To *properly* remove ATI stuff from a computer that's already had
ATI drivers installed before. This is necessary, no matter whether
you're upgrading, down grading, reinstalling, or loading new drivers
from their website.

FIRST: Run their "Software Removal Tool".
When it runs, you *don't* need to remove either Hydravision their DVD
software, nor the Guide+ software for getting television station
information (If you have or had an "All In Wonder" card).
The removal-tool gives you the option.

Second:
Find the directory (if it exists): C:\ATI
Delete it, and all contents.

Third:
Go into: C:\Program Files
Delete the two directories:
ATI Multimedia
ATI Technologies

Go into: C:\Program Files\Common Files
Delete the two directories:
ATI
ATI Technologies

This next is the *important* step that the ATI Removal Tool just doesn't
do: Go into: C:\WINDOWS\system32
Delete *ALL* files starting with ATI (ATI*.*)
If you're shy about that, then *move* them to a temporary directory.
In mine, that's:
ati2cqag.dll
ati2dvag.dll
ati2edxx.dll
ati2evxx.dll
ati2evxx.exe
Ati2mdxx.exe
ati2sgag.exe
ati3d1ag.dll
ati3duag.dll
ATIDDC.DLL
ATIDEMGR.dll
atiexdxx.dll
atifglpf.xml
atiicdxx.dat
atiiiexx.dll
atikvmag.dll
atinppt2.ax
atioglx1.dll
atioglxx.dll
atipdlxx.dll
atitvo32.dll
ativcoxx.dll
ativdaxx.ax
ativmvxx.ax
ativtmxx.dll
ativvaxx.dat
ativvaxx.dll
ATIVvpxx.ax
ativyuxx.ax
atiyuv12.dll

Done everything you suggest but there are certain ATI files above ( about
eleven), in the system32 folder that won't remove.
When I remove them, a few seconds later they pop back into the directory,
how do I make these files stay deleted?

 

[Peter]

Done everything you suggest but there are certain ATI files above ( about
eleven), in the system32 folder that won't remove.
When I remove them, a few seconds later they pop back into the directory,
how do I make these files stay deleted?

Are you doing this from safe mode?

 

[Tank]

Are you doing this from safe mode?

Managed to remove all files now in safe mode (thanks for that) Everything
ATI removed in system, installed 7.9 drivers, nothing running, went into my
Abit uguru motherboard utility and a few seconds later, lockup, vpu recover
again, think I'm going to jump on this card, I just can't get it to run
using anything 2d. Once the vpu recover reset I ran ATI tool to check the
gpu temperature and this was sitting at 53 c so it isn't a heat problem.
I'm going to start a fresh XP install on a spare drive I have to see if that
fixes it. I don't want to fork out for a new power supply if this isn't the
problem.
Surly I should get the crashes when using 3d apps if the power supply was
suspect as that's when it's using more power?

 

[Frank McCoy]

Done everything you suggest but there are certain ATI files above ( about
eleven), in the system32 folder that won't remove.
When I remove them, a few seconds later they pop back into the directory,
how do I make these files stay deleted?

After running the Software Removal Tool, you need to reboot.
Sometimes after removing some of the above files you also need to
reboot.

Make sure your video-adapter is set to VGA or similar, and again reboot.
Once the system isn't using those files, you can then remove them.
(That's part of the problem with the Software Removal Tool.)

If that doesn't work, then it will take some fiddling in the registry.
Usually the Software Removal Tool fixes that, but ....

Until they *all* are gone though, you won't get a clean install.

 

[Bill]

snip<
Done everything you suggest but there are certain ATI files above ( about
eleven), in the system32 folder that won't remove.
When I remove them, a few seconds later they pop back into the
directory,
how do I make these files stay deleted?

Try turning off System Restore.

Bill

 

[Sleepy]

Managed to remove all files now in safe mode (thanks for that) Everything
ATI removed in system, installed 7.9 drivers, nothing running, went into
my Abit uguru motherboard utility and a few seconds later, lockup, vpu
recover again, think I'm going to jump on this card, I just can't get it
to run using anything 2d. Once the vpu recover reset I ran ATI tool to
check the gpu temperature and this was sitting at 53 c so it isn't a heat
problem. I'm going to start a fresh XP install on a spare drive I have to
see if that fixes it. I don't want to fork out for a new power supply if
this isn't the problem.
Surly I should get the crashes when using 3d apps if the power supply was
suspect as that's when it's using more power?

yes if it was heat or power related it would show up in games before desktop
apps.
have you tried disabling vpu recovery and seeing how it behaves? I have
known VPU recovery to
*cause* instability problems even though its specifically supposed to
prevent them

 

[Tank]

yes if it was heat or power related it would show up in games before
desktop apps.
have you tried disabling vpu recovery and seeing how it behaves? I have
known VPU recovery to
*cause* instability problems even though its specifically supposed to
prevent them

Well I tried a fresh XP install and got the same problems using the Abit
uGuru utility, I think maybe this utility itself has problems with the
2900xt drivers/card
I put the system under stress with no problems, my Logitech keyboard has a
cpu monitoring display built in to it so I can measure load on all four
cores in the cpu and memory.
I ran Prime95, ATI Tool artefact detection, CPU stability test, Video Card
Stability test, disk defragmenter, AVG system test and my TV card. All cores
were running at 100%, the fan on the ati card was blowing like a tornado,
cpu was running at a temp of 53 c and graphics core was running at 71c. Ran
this for 3 hours solid, no problems so I definitely think I don't have a
power issue.
Shut down all the programs, let the system cool down a bit, gpu core back to
53 c, cpu back at 37c with no noticeable load, ran Abit uGuru utility for a
few seconds, moved it about on the screen a couple of times, lots of
artefacts appear on the screen then the computer vpu recovers. If I do this
with the vpu recover disabled then I get a BSOD with an ATI file error.
Utility worked fine with the previous XT1900XTX installed.

 

[DaveW]

Well, You really should have posted the make and model and power output of
the PSU you are using, because that would be the simplest place to start
looking.

 

[Tank]

Well, You really should have posted the make and model and power output of
the PSU you are using, because that would be the simplest place to start
looking.

--

I did, it's a Hiper Type R 580 (630 watts Peak)

 

[Paul]

Well I tried a fresh XP install and got the same problems using the Abit
uGuru utility, I think maybe this utility itself has problems with the
2900xt drivers/card
I put the system under stress with no problems, my Logitech keyboard has a
cpu monitoring display built in to it so I can measure load on all four
cores in the cpu and memory.
I ran Prime95, ATI Tool artefact detection, CPU stability test, Video Card
Stability test, disk defragmenter, AVG system test and my TV card. All cores
were running at 100%, the fan on the ati card was blowing like a tornado,
cpu was running at a temp of 53 c and graphics core was running at 71c. Ran
this for 3 hours solid, no problems so I definitely think I don't have a
power issue.
Shut down all the programs, let the system cool down a bit, gpu core back to
53 c, cpu back at 37c with no noticeable load, ran Abit uGuru utility for a
few seconds, moved it about on the screen a couple of times, lots of
artefacts appear on the screen then the computer vpu recovers. If I do this
with the vpu recover disabled then I get a BSOD with an ATI file error.
Utility worked fine with the previous XT1900XTX installed.

As I understand it, in 2D mode and in 3D mode, the card changes the
operating frequency and perhaps even the voltage fed to the GPU
on the video card. If, for some reason, the 2D mode conditions
are not set correctly (by the video BIOS? or by tweaker utility?),
then maybe that is what is encouraging VPU recover. It is a form of
power management. I think there may be a task running, which detects
when to shift operation of the card. On my machine, it might be the
"ati2evxx.exe" task seen in Task Manager (ctrl-alt-delete). Note
that the solution is not to axe ati2evxx.exe, but to verify what
the proper 2D/3D operating conditions are supposed to be for your
card. Like, it could be a design error, or it could have something
to do with the old drivers. That is about the only excuse I can see
for "crash & burn" in 2D mode and not 3D mode.

Paul

 

[glutenfree]

I did, it's a Hiper Type R 580 (630 watts Peak)

Similar spec, same cpu and power supply, Asus board though and Crucial
memory. Getting lots of vpu recover, also noticed a slight ripple
effect on
my desktop when the system is working hard, all the icons on the
desktop
slightly pulsate, going to try a 1000watt power supply as last resort
as I
think this is the problem. I run two optical drives, two hard drives,
internal zip drive, water cooling pump, three 120mm led fans, lots of
leds
an neons, tv card, eight usb devices, etc as well as the 2900xt

 

[luke_ak_frain]

I got a

AW9D-MAX mother board
2900XT gfx
2GB ram
1200W power surply
Q6600
SATA2 500gb drive
windows Vista ulimate 64bit

I'm have probelms to but i'm getting crashes in games.
The newer and more demaning the game the quicker it crashes.
I get problems with my sounds as well when in these games
if there is music it plays but misses out bits speeds up and slows
down

OMG please help!!!!!!!!! spent the last 2 week trying sort this out

 

[Tank]

I got a

AW9D-MAX mother board
2900XT gfx
2GB ram
1200W power surply
Q6600
SATA2 500gb drive
windows Vista ulimate 64bit

I'm have probelms to but i'm getting crashes in games.
The newer and more demaning the game the quicker it crashes.
I get problems with my sounds as well when in these games
if there is music it plays but misses out bits speeds up and slows
down

OMG please help!!!!!!!!! spent the last 2 week trying sort this out

I decided to change my power supply (future proofing), got a Xsilence Gamers
Edition 1000 watt, still get the errors and vpu recover, had a couple in
games as well over the past few days.
I'm going to rma the card and buy a 8800 GTX or maybe put in my old card and
wait for the new Nvidia release. Never had problems like this in the past
with ATI cards
but going by what I've been reading in the forums I'm giving this card a
miss.