Radeon 9800 Pro being weird...

KefkaZ · Oct 23, 2005, 11:37 PM

Ok, here's what's going on:

I'm getting a LOT of crashes to the desktop in a number of games. (H2, Q4, DOD, etc.) I've narrowed it down and it seems to be either a memory issue or a video card issue.

Here's my question re: the Video Card issue:
Should my computer be detecting my video card (a Radeon 9800 Pro) as 2 devices? I've uninstalled and reinstalled the card and uninstalled and reinstalled multiple driver sets and each time I'm seeing a "Radeon 9800 Pro" and a "Radeon 9800 Pro Secondary." I've obviously only using one card in the system and so I'm mildly confused as to what is goign on.

Thanks for the help!
-Marty

soloz2 · Oct 24, 2005, 12:22 AM

I'm not sure about the video card showing up twice. That does seem a little wierd. I don't think it's probably your memory, but a good way to check is to run memtest. The newest version is 1.65 I believe.

KefkaZ · Oct 24, 2005, 12:33 AM

I ran the windows memory diagnostic (link) and that showed things to be just dandy.

e v o · Oct 24, 2005, 01:25 AM

showing two devices is normal. What are your complete specs. What drivers are you using for your radeon

ptsigas · Oct 24, 2005, 08:34 AM

two devices showing is cool, i got the exact card! dont worry about that- yeah list your specs, that is a big deal- cause if u have a 1.5ghz or something then that makes a big difference- if all else fails re-install the video card- make sure it is plugged in properly.

KefkaZ · Oct 24, 2005, 08:53 PM

Athlon XP 3200+ (2.18 Ghz)
Asus A7n8x-x
1 Gig Ram
Radeon 9800 Pro
Soundblaster Audigy 2 X-Gamer

Using Omega Drivers 2.6.71

Anything else you need?

**dj_stick** · Oct 24, 2005, 10:34 PM

that machine should be able to handle the card… check to make sure that the card doesn't get too warm during gaming, and that the heatsink is on correctly - it may have been dislodged

also run memtest86+ for a few hours, as that will really stress the ram and tell you if you have any errors

btw as for showing two devices - that's only due to the dual graphics heads

Partizan · Oct 25, 2005, 09:49 AM

For memory testing, you should also try Memtest86+

Regards, Partizan

Rayder · Oct 25, 2005, 11:41 AM

It shows as 2 devices because it's got 2 monitor ports on the back of the card. That's the easiest way to explain that. It's normal.

In some of those games, you COULD be trying to push the graphics options in the game beyond the 9800s capability. Try backing it off it bit in the games that crash to desktop. Options likes shadows/water/blurring effects that are set too high can crash a 9800.

Your PC may be overheating. Check to make sure ALL fans are working and heatsinks are clear of dust and dirt. Clean them if necessary.

Do a clean install of the lastest Catalyst drivers.

Those are the first things I'd try anyway.

Oct 23, 2005, 11:37 PM	#1
KefkaZ DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Radeon 9800 Pro being weird... Ok, here's what's going on: I'm getting a LOT of crashes to the desktop in a number of games. (H2, Q4, DOD, etc.) I've narrowed it down and it seems to be either a memory issue or a video card issue. Here's my question re: the Video Card issue: Should my computer be detecting my video card (a Radeon 9800 Pro) as 2 devices? I've uninstalled and reinstalled the card and uninstalled and reinstalled multiple driver sets and each time I'm seeing a "Radeon 9800 Pro" and a "Radeon 9800 Pro Secondary." I've obviously only using one card in the system and so I'm mildly confused as to what is goign on. Thanks for the help! -Marty

Oct 24, 2005, 12:22 AM	#2
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	I'm not sure about the video card showing up twice. That does seem a little wierd. I don't think it's probably your memory, but a good way to check is to run memtest. The newest version is 1.65 I believe. __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]

Oct 24, 2005, 01:25 AM	#4
e v o HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,037 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	showing two devices is normal. What are your complete specs. What drivers are you using for your radeon __________________

Oct 25, 2005, 09:49 AM	#8
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	For memory testing, you should also try Memtest86+ Regards, Partizan __________________ Live and let live!

Oct 24, 2005, 12:33 AM	Thread Starter #3
KefkaZ DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	I ran the windows memory diagnostic (link) and that showed things to be just dandy.

Oct 24, 2005, 08:34 AM	#5
ptsigas HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 206 Rep Power: 0	two devices showing is cool, i got the exact card! dont worry about that- yeah list your specs, that is a big deal- cause if u have a 1.5ghz or something then that makes a big difference- if all else fails re-install the video card- make sure it is plugged in properly.

Oct 24, 2005, 08:53 PM	Thread Starter #6
KefkaZ DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Athlon XP 3200+ (2.18 Ghz) Asus A7n8x-x 1 Gig Ram Radeon 9800 Pro Soundblaster Audigy 2 X-Gamer Using Omega Drivers 2.6.71 Anything else you need?

Oct 25, 2005, 11:41 AM	#9
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,161 Rep Power: 73	It shows as 2 devices because it's got 2 monitor ports on the back of the card. That's the easiest way to explain that. It's normal. In some of those games, you COULD be trying to push the graphics options in the game beyond the 9800s capability. Try backing it off it bit in the games that crash to desktop. Options likes shadows/water/blurring effects that are set too high can crash a 9800. Your PC may be overheating. Check to make sure ALL fans are working and heatsinks are clear of dust and dirt. Clean them if necessary. Do a clean install of the lastest Catalyst drivers. Those are the first things I'd try anyway.