New MoBo, 9600 Pro Loses Sync = System Restarts

Dyre Straits · Nov 18, 2004, 08:42 PM

I posted about my new MoBo here: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/motherboards-networking-misc-forum/61432-highly-upgradeable-motherboard-abit-vt7.html

It's an ABIT VT7 and I've installed Windows XP Home completely fresh, TWICE. I've updated to SP2, updated all the MoBo drivers including 4-in-1, all the device drivers are the latest available, and the BIOS is also the latest available. I'm using the CAT 4.11s and the original Control Panel.

I've also installed DirectX9.0c.

So far, I'm running everything completely at the defaults. This includes AGP 8x, Fast Writes ON including the Master Read and Writes.

What's happening is that the card will randomly lose sync and the system will reset on its own.

It's hard to pinpoint any particular reason as it won't do it at the same place during some of the tests.....but, then it might do it after another couple of successful runs.

I've double-checked the vidcard fan to make sure it's clean and running. It is.

Would like some ideas as to where to check. Maybe I got a faulty mobo as this never happend with my previous one.

TIA for any suggestions.

riles9262 · Nov 18, 2004, 09:27 PM

Check power supply. Try agp at 4x, fastwrites off. The card is seated nicely as well correct? Try different ati drivers (tho this doesn't seem like a driver issue). You can also try a memory check with memtest86...good luck, hopefully the board is ok.

Dyre Straits · Nov 18, 2004, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riles9262

Check power supply. Try agp at 4x, fastwrites off. The card is seated nicely as well correct? Try different ati drivers (tho this doesn't seem like a driver issue). You can also try a memory check with memtest86...good luck, hopefully the board is ok.

PSU is almost brand new and a 580W one at that.

I've removed and reseated the card and am using the little holddown clip at the back of the AGP slot to keep it nice and tight.

I really do hope it's not the AGP 8X. When things are running well, I've noticed a marked increase in performance over 4X on the previous system. And, ONLY the mobo is different so far.

Thanks for the reply.

riles9262 · Nov 18, 2004, 10:01 PM

No problem. From what you said before, I didn't think it was the psu...I have seen many cases where agp8x caused stability problems, or fastwrites. Keep us posted on what your fix is DS

Dyre Straits · Nov 20, 2004, 06:26 AM

I had just one Invalid Sync message last evening....but the computer kept running this time and didn't restart on its own.

Then I played the original Splinter Cell for HOURS without any trouble. However, this was after I installed the latest Omega drivers (which I'm very keen to use anyway) and had set up things from his drivers.

riles9262 · Nov 20, 2004, 08:52 PM

good stuff (and great game btw) hope the trend continues for you.

Dyre Straits · Nov 22, 2004, 04:21 AM

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to chalk this up to a video driver problem. Since installing Omega's latest beta drivers, I haven't had anymore lost sync problems.

I'll try the next ATi official drivers to see if the problem returns. If so, I'll send a Trouble Report on it.

Nov 18, 2004, 09:27 PM	#2
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Check power supply. Try agp at 4x, fastwrites off. The card is seated nicely as well correct? Try different ati drivers (tho this doesn't seem like a driver issue). You can also try a memory check with memtest86...good luck, hopefully the board is ok. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away. Last edited by riles9262; Nov 18, 2004 at 09:32 PM.

Nov 18, 2004, 10:01 PM	#4
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	No problem. From what you said before, I didn't think it was the psu...I have seen many cases where agp8x caused stability problems, or fastwrites. Keep us posted on what your fix is DS __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Nov 20, 2004, 08:52 PM	#6
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	good stuff (and great game btw) hope the trend continues for you. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.