Installing a New Graphics Card

[Will]

I have a friend on Windows XP, who has installed a GF4. Since she installed it, she has been having various connection problems and locking problems.

I don't have physical access to this box, and I don't use XP, so I'm a bit stumped. Changing back to the old card (GF2 MX I think) solves the problem. When she reinstalled the GF4, a box pops up telling her about the PCI bus and defaults. In her system properties, she has a graphics card showing on the PCI Bus, and there is a second monitor connector, which is attached to the motherboard.

I'm assuming she has an onboard chip, but she is using the GF4's video output fine (apart from the freezing), and has installed the GF4's drivers.

Any ideas?

 

[Summo]

i'm not aware of any GeForce 4/XP problems (I use both myself), but I know there was a BIOS upgrade released for the Abit-KT7A motherboard to correct a GF4/XP issue.

Does that help? If this is the mobo she is using I can dig out the link for you when I get home.

 

[Will]

I don't think it's an Abit motherboard. The machine is a PC World box, of currently unknown make/model. If no one comes up with anything exciting, I'll get it Sandra'd and paste the results.

And I think BIOS flashing isn't going to happen. I don't have physical access to the box. So I really hope it doesn't come to that.

The PCI Bus thing is what I think the issue might be.

 

[Will]

SiSoftware Sandra

Processor(s)
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.90GHz
Speed : 1.90GHz
Performance Rating : PR2090 (estimated)
Type : Standard
L2 On-board Cache : 256kB ECC synchronous ATC

System Mainboard
Bus(es) : AGP PCI IMB USB SMBus/i2c
MP Support : 1 CPU(s)
System BIOS : American Megatrends Inc. 1.0M
System Mainboard : NEC COMPUTERS INTERNATIONAL Intel i845
System Chipset : Intel Corporation 82845 Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A3-step)
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Installed Memory : 384MB SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 133MHz (133MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Monitor A727 Packard Bell
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive : MAXTOR 4K040H2
CD-ROM/DVD : IDE-CD R/RW 12x8x32
CD-ROM/DVD : PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-117

Logical Storage Devices
1.44MB 3.5" (A:) : N/A
Hard Disk (C:) : 35.3GB (15.4GB, 44% Free) (NTFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (Q:) : N/A
CD-ROM/DVD (R:) : 521MB (0MB, 0% Free) (CDFS)

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 3 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse : Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse (IntelliPoint)

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Standard Game Port
Device : AC-Link 3D Game Enhanced Audio

Communication Device(s)
Device : Aztech CNR V.92 Modem

Printers and Faxes
Model : CAPTURE FAX BVRP

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Ver 5.01.2600

Network Adapter(s)
Networking Installed : Yes
Adapter : NETGEAR FA311 Fast Ethernet Adapter #2

 

[Will]

The gf4 is a Creative 3d Blaster Ti4600.

 

[Scooba Da Bass]

Make sure the onboard is disabled and the system is set to use the AGB bus primarily?

 

[Will]

I don't think thats it any more, since when the other AGP card is installed, everything is fine.

 

[Summo]

Yeah, but I had similar trouble. Try adjusting the AGP strength in the BIOS. Make sure it's x2 and not x4.

I just don't know.

 

[Will]

Will try. I'm just after suggestions, I'm stumped and don't want to say "Get a new PC".

Half the problem is that the PC didn't come with any CD-based operating system. Not even a restore CD. So unless I get a copy of XP, I can't try anything too crazy.

 

[kameleon]

have you tried uninstalling the mx card completely first?

also try the latest detonator drivers.

you really shouldn't have any problem running a gf4 ti4600 with XP as i set up a system with XP and an asus ti4600 and it runs really sweet.

I would suggest that it is a hardware issue. Is your friend using the pci slot next to the agp slot? This isnt a good idea. A slot 1 and agp slot use the same resources. Is ACPI enabled in bios?

Try turning off the bios cache
just a few suggestions, hope it helps

 

[kameleon]

One other thing, if its XP home she may have to get in touch with M$ to reactivate it as they don't like you changing hardware too many times in case its an "acquired" copy

 

[Will]

It's a legit copy of XP home, and she isn't getting any activation messages.

The MX card has been fully uninstalled several times.

Tried the lastest Dets.

The only PCI card is a network card in PCI slot 2.

It seems to be some sort of Network card/GF4 conflict, but thats where I'm stumped. It can't be and IRQ problem, or else the MX would give the same problem.

ACPI hasn't be changed from how the PC arrived from the shop.

Thanks for the suggestions though, I'm really stumped.

 

[Will]

*cough* Direct X not installed *cough*

 

[danger]

ROFL Has that sorted everything?

 

[Will]

Dunno yet. I'll find out tonight.