Artifacts on 3870

PandaZ3 · Apr 6, 2008, 06:17 AM

I have a a K9A2 Platinum, 6400 Black Edition, 2 X 2 AData PC6400, MSI 3870 with Zalman VF900 cooler, Seagate 500 gig IDE drive, floppy, Phillips DVD Burner (Sata), I have a Scythe Ninja for CPU Cooler, using Vista Ultimate 64 bit.

The 3870 has a factory OC, but other than the cooler I haven't touched it. I am using 8.3 Cats

I leave the computer on 24/7. I last used it at lunch time about five hours ago it was fine. When I arrived home this evening and woke it up. it had about 20 or 30 thin lines of alternating color on a black background. I shut it down using the power switch, waited a few seconds and started it up. It seemed to post just fine I got the initial Vista splash screen and then the same thing. I am letting it cool it's heels for now, off.

I automatically suspect the Video Card, but it posted. In my previous experience a bad card artifacts during post too.

Anyone have any Ideas. I didn't touch it for two hours to ensure coolness. rebooted and it worked for awhile then quit, Ilet it cool for a few hours but it was messed up as soon as it went to Vista.

Vikingod · Apr 6, 2008, 03:44 PM

Sounds like the card. Could be a heat issue.

Have you tried reinstalling drivers?

tcman · Apr 6, 2008, 04:38 PM

Maybe install Rivatuner, then let the vga cooler fan spin faster than its reference speed and see if it helps. Maybe also get better cooling for the VRM (VRM overheating?) on the HD3870 if you still haven't (bigger mosfet/heatsink) since you are now using the Zalman VF900 cooler.

Good luck!

PandaZ3 · Apr 6, 2008, 05:22 PM

I did not try re-installing the drivers, but if it will load up I will.

I think I put three small passive coolers on what I thought to be mofsets of some kind.

and no as I write this it is not booting properly, posts just fine but as ssonas it gets to Vista scrabbled lines.

I have a X1800 XT I could put in another compter and bring it's X1950 XTX over to this one.

Apr 6, 2008, 06:17 AM	#1
PandaZ3 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cornelius, Oregon Posts: 419 Rep Power: 0	Artifacts on 3870 I have a a K9A2 Platinum, 6400 Black Edition, 2 X 2 AData PC6400, MSI 3870 with Zalman VF900 cooler, Seagate 500 gig IDE drive, floppy, Phillips DVD Burner (Sata), I have a Scythe Ninja for CPU Cooler, using Vista Ultimate 64 bit. The 3870 has a factory OC, but other than the cooler I haven't touched it. I am using 8.3 Cats I leave the computer on 24/7. I last used it at lunch time about five hours ago it was fine. When I arrived home this evening and woke it up. it had about 20 or 30 thin lines of alternating color on a black background. I shut it down using the power switch, waited a few seconds and started it up. It seemed to post just fine I got the initial Vista splash screen and then the same thing. I am letting it cool it's heels for now, off. I automatically suspect the Video Card, but it posted. In my previous experience a bad card artifacts during post too. Anyone have any Ideas. I didn't touch it for two hours to ensure coolness. rebooted and it worked for awhile then quit, Ilet it cool for a few hours but it was messed up as soon as it went to Vista. __________________ It has to be Plugged In? To electricity? Video cards in house, 5770, 4650, HD 3870, X1950 XTX, X1900 XTX, X1900 XT and X1900 Crossfire, 2 X1800 XT's, X850 Pro, X800 Pro, AIW 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9550 SE, 9200, 7000. XFX 6800 GS

Apr 6, 2008, 05:22 PM	Thread Starter #4
PandaZ3 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cornelius, Oregon Posts: 419 Rep Power: 0	I did not try re-installing the drivers, but if it will load up I will. I think I put three small passive coolers on what I thought to be mofsets of some kind. and no as I write this it is not booting properly, posts just fine but as ssonas it gets to Vista scrabbled lines. I have a X1800 XT I could put in another compter and bring it's X1950 XTX over to this one. __________________ It has to be Plugged In? To electricity? Video cards in house, 5770, 4650, HD 3870, X1950 XTX, X1900 XTX, X1900 XT and X1900 Crossfire, 2 X1800 XT's, X850 Pro, X800 Pro, AIW 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9550 SE, 9200, 7000. XFX 6800 GS

Apr 6, 2008, 03:44 PM	#2
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 111 System Specs	Sounds like the card. Could be a heat issue. Have you tried reinstalling drivers?

Apr 6, 2008, 04:38 PM	#3
tcman DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 65 Rep Power: 0	Maybe install Rivatuner, then let the vga cooler fan spin faster than its reference speed and see if it helps. Maybe also get better cooling for the VRM (VRM overheating?) on the HD3870 if you still haven't (bigger mosfet/heatsink) since you are now using the Zalman VF900 cooler. Good luck!