Damn crossfire

[Carl]

I recently recieved my second HD3870, I tried to set up crossfire, the
driver installed fine, on reboot, when I go to device manager, it has a
warning against the first card, code 43. This is a software problem. I run
vista home premium 64 bit, a Q6600 @ 3.0Ghz, 8Gb ram, auzentech prelude
soundcard, terratec tv card, 4xx WD 500GB sata2 drives, all this is on an
asus maximus formuls motherboard. All software/ drivers are up to date. I am
thinking that the cause of this problem is simply poor drivers from ATi, and
I'd appreciate a few opinions before I begin to start trying to assign IRQ's
at the bios level. TIA

 

[JamesH]

Is your 1870 Crossfire of CrossfireX? CrossfireX will not run on a Crossfire
MB.

 

[First of One]

Ignore JamesH's comment (CrossfireX has no relevance here since you are
dealing with only two cards).

When upgrading to a Crossfire setup, ATi recommends uninstalling the driver
for the existing card, then reinstalling driver for both cards at the same
time.

If that doesn't work, try the fix suggested here. Works for some people:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=492316&view=findpost&p=587866108

Remember that Crossfire doesn't come enabled by default. Until you click on
the "enable Crossfire" checkbox in Catalyst Control Center, Windows treats
this as a simple multi-card setup (commonly used to drive 3-4 monitors,
etc.). A multi-card setup is a fairly basic driver functionality; it's not
too likely for ATi to screw up that bad.

Aside from the little icon in Device Manager, can you continue loading
Windows and opening applications, or does the Code 43 error message stop you
from using the comp?

 

[KCB]

Is your 1870 Crossfire of CrossfireX? CrossfireX will not run on a
Crossfire MB.

All 3870s are crossfire X. That only means it will work with more than
2 GPUs, if the motherboard supports it. It doesn't mean it won't work
with a crossfire motherboard, it IS crossfire.

 

[Carl]

When upgrading to a Crossfire setup, ATi recommends uninstalling the driver
for the existing card, then reinstalling driver for both cards at the same
time.

That's what I did.


Remember that Crossfire doesn't come enabled by default. Until you click
on
the "enable Crossfire" checkbox in Catalyst Control Center, Windows treats
this as a simple multi-card setup (commonly used to drive 3-4 monitors,
etc.). A multi-card setup is a fairly basic driver functionality; it's not
too likely for ATi to screw up that bad.

I have no checkbox in the CCC to enable crossfire!


Aside from the little icon in Device Manager, can you continue loading
Windows and opening applications, or does the Code 43 error message stop you
from using the comp?

The PC boots, and everything runs. When I check in device manager, I have an
exclamation mark against the first 3870 in the list, properties reveal the
code 43 error. Also, I only have one Crossfire connector between the two
cards, which I have plugged into the left connectors, nearest the DVI
output, as I only got one supplied. I assume that it only needs one? I'll
try the fix suggested and see what happens. Thanks so far, First!

 

[Carl]

Well, tried that fix, it didn't work. Maybe I will try earlier versions of
the driver. I have cat 7.12 in, perhaps I will try 7.11.

 

[JamesH]

All 3870s are crossfire X. That only means it will work with more than 2
GPUs, if the motherboard supports it. It doesn't mean it won't work with
a crossfire motherboard, it IS crossfire.

Crossfire X only works on the new AMD motherboard. I see nowhere that the
two versions on interchangeable. So far every one seems to be having
problems trying to run CrossfireX on a Crossfire MB.

 

[First of One]

You need both Crossfire ribbon cables. Each 3870 card should be supplied
with one ribbon cable in the box. So if you got two cards, you would have
two ribbon cables.

See picture:
http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd2900/radeonhd2900xt/images/CrossFire.jpg
Instructional video (skip to the "internal connector" section):
http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/howitworksdemo.html

Once the code 43 error goes away, remember to check the "enable Crossfire"
box in CCC.

 

[KCB]

Crossfire X only works on the new AMD motherboard. I see nowhere that
the two versions on interchangeable. So far every one seems to be
having problems trying to run CrossfireX on a Crossfire MB.

Crossfire X supports more than 2 GPUs on compatible motherboards, that's
correct. Crossfire X cards also will work with 2 GPUs on a Crossfire
board. The 'X' is added functionality, not a completely different
specification. BTW, he's only using one connector. That might be the
problem, you think?

 

[Carl]

I only received one connector! Cheers for the help!

 

[Carl]

I contacted my vendor, and they are adamant that crossfire connector
cables are not included with the 3870 cards. I have ordered one from Ebay.
Again, thanks for the help First Of One, but you can stick your thread title
change up your arse, cheeky bastard!

 

[Steven]

I just bought a sapphire version of the 3870 and their was a connector in
the box that seems to be a crossfire connector -- labeled as such

I would have expected one in each card's box... so in buying two cards you
would have two.

Of course some manufacturers may not include the connector, I would feel
slighted

 

[Neil]

From where did you get the one that you are using? It seems at least one of
your card vendors did supply a Crossfire connector. I'm very surprised that
the other didn't. Which manufacturer doesn't include them?

My 1950 came with one. The leaflet with the card says that, to make a
Crossfire system, I need use the connectors that came with both cards to
bridge them together. It certainly would seem to me to be standard practice
to ship one connector with each card.

 

[Carl]

The card without the connector was Triplex 3870, I got connectors included
with both my HD2900's in the past, but I have since sold them, so don't have
enough connectors at the minute.

 

[First of One]

The Triplex 3870 uses the shorter PCB, right? I hope it can do Crossfire
correctly with a reference-design 3870.

 

[Carl]

Hmm, that'll probably be the next disaster to befall me..... but, the
connectors on the boards are above each other so the cable I have already
fits no problem. Just waiting for the second cable to arrive, hopefully
tomorrow, then I will see what goes wrong!

 

[Carl]

Well, the two separate HD3870's do work in crossfire mode. But they don't
like big amounts of ram on the system. I had to remove 4Gb of ram in order
for it to work. Had 8 in.

 

[GMAN]

Well, tried that fix, it didn't work. Maybe I will try earlier versions of
the driver. I have cat 7.12 in, perhaps I will try 7.11.

Cat 8.1 just out