Weird display problems

OldBuzzard · Oct 20, 2005, 03:41 AM

I'm having a hardware problem with my system, and THOUGHT it was the video card, but now that I've just installed a new Sapphire 9600XT and the same problem persists, I'm thinking that it's the mainboard.

PROBLEM: When I boot into XP PRO (all updates) it will get to the first splash screen, the bar will move for a bit, and then just before I get the Welcome screen, the system will hang. and I will get INVALID SCAN FREQ. on the monitor. I notice that the HDD activity light will be constant red, like it's still trying to read something.

I can boot into SAFE MODE (where I am now), and even have the display at 1024 x 768 x 32. It just won't boot normally.

This happened just after I had the side off the system and removed and re-installed my LIVE DRIVE for the Audigy 2 SZ sound card that I have.

When I first re-booted after that, I got a message that the BIOS had changed, and my RAM was at 333 instead of 400. I went into the BIOS and reset everything, but the problem persisted.

ATTEMPTED FIXES SO FAR:

1. Flashed the bios on the mainboard (using bios 25 now).

2. Flashed the bios on the original 9500 Pro, just in case it may have been corrupted.

3. Replaced the 9500 Pro with a new 9600XT.

This is DEFINATELY a HARDWARE/BIOS issue.

I use HyperOS2002 which allows me to have multiple INDEPENDENT operating systems, and it happens in all 7 of my XP Pro installations. For more info on HyperOS, go here: www.hyperos2002.com

Also, if I try to boot into one of the 98SE partitions, it gets to 'Loading Windows 98 GUI' and hangs there too, altho I don't get the 'Invalid Scan Freq." message.

Does anyone have any idea on what I can try next??

[hobo]eclipse · Oct 20, 2005, 04:27 AM

sounds like maybe the AGP is going out?? dunno, you doin any overclockin? if both cards do it, maybe try a PCI card to let you know if its AGP specific or if its the chipset?

Also, RandyP is having similar troubles over here if you havent noticed already.

OldBuzzard · Oct 20, 2005, 06:04 AM

Yeah, I saw that post, and it's 'close' to what I have, but not quite the same.

I've never OC'd anything in the system, just did the watercooling for sound reduction.

No PCI card on hand either

swimtech · Oct 20, 2005, 09:50 PM

Motherboard/chipset drivers maybe?

OldBuzzard · Oct 20, 2005, 10:50 PM

been there - done that

About all that's left is to assume that it's in the AGP buss on the mainboard.

Virtually impossible for it to be a software/driver issue when it happened to 12 different operating systems (a mix of Win98 and XP Pro) at the same time.

Looking at ABIT's RMA procedures, it's looking like it's going to be faster and easier to just buy another mainboard

Sure comes at a bad time. I really didn't want to spend any more $$ on this system since I was planning on doing a major upgrade in Feb/Mar

Oct 20, 2005, 03:41 AM	#1
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Weird display problems I'm having a hardware problem with my system, and THOUGHT it was the video card, but now that I've just installed a new Sapphire 9600XT and the same problem persists, I'm thinking that it's the mainboard. PROBLEM: When I boot into XP PRO (all updates) it will get to the first splash screen, the bar will move for a bit, and then just before I get the Welcome screen, the system will hang. and I will get INVALID SCAN FREQ. on the monitor. I notice that the HDD activity light will be constant red, like it's still trying to read something. I can boot into SAFE MODE (where I am now), and even have the display at 1024 x 768 x 32. It just won't boot normally. This happened just after I had the side off the system and removed and re-installed my LIVE DRIVE for the Audigy 2 SZ sound card that I have. When I first re-booted after that, I got a message that the BIOS had changed, and my RAM was at 333 instead of 400. I went into the BIOS and reset everything, but the problem persisted. ATTEMPTED FIXES SO FAR: 1. Flashed the bios on the mainboard (using bios 25 now). 2. Flashed the bios on the original 9500 Pro, just in case it may have been corrupted. 3. Replaced the 9500 Pro with a new 9600XT. This is DEFINATELY a HARDWARE/BIOS issue. I use HyperOS2002 which allows me to have multiple INDEPENDENT operating systems, and it happens in all 7 of my XP Pro installations. For more info on HyperOS, go here: www.hyperos2002.com Also, if I try to boot into one of the 98SE partitions, it gets to 'Loading Windows 98 GUI' and hangs there too, altho I don't get the 'Invalid Scan Freq." message. Does anyone have any idea on what I can try next?? __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Oct 20, 2005, 06:04 AM	Thread Starter #3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Yeah, I saw that post, and it's 'close' to what I have, but not quite the same. I've never OC'd anything in the system, just did the watercooling for sound reduction. No PCI card on hand either __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Oct 20, 2005, 09:50 PM	#4
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	Motherboard/chipset drivers maybe? __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Oct 20, 2005, 10:50 PM	Thread Starter #5
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	been there - done that About all that's left is to assume that it's in the AGP buss on the mainboard. Virtually impossible for it to be a software/driver issue when it happened to 12 different operating systems (a mix of Win98 and XP Pro) at the same time. Looking at ABIT's RMA procedures, it's looking like it's going to be faster and easier to just buy another mainboard Sure comes at a bad time. I really didn't want to spend any more $$ on this system since I was planning on doing a major upgrade in Feb/Mar __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Oct 20, 2005, 04:27 AM	#2
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	sounds like maybe the AGP is going out?? dunno, you doin any overclockin? if both cards do it, maybe try a PCI card to let you know if its AGP specific or if its the chipset? Also, RandyP is having similar troubles over here if you havent noticed already.