Oh, say it ain't so! Blue "scream" of death?

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 12:00 PM

My Sapphire X800XL graphic card arrived, and it keeps giving me the blue screen of death, even when I manage to update the driver!

I have the sinking feeling I might have to reinstall Windows XP so it will accept the new card, which would suck because if I had known this I would have saved for a new motherboard and bought a PCI-E graphic card...

Or maybe it's just faulty and I have to return it...

It's a lose-lose situation!

Curt · 12-20-2005, 12:13 PM

Hi Tanukitsune. First thing I'd check out is if your power supply is powerful enough to incorporate your new graphics card along with all your other hardware. Checking various sites for users with similar problems should tell you what psu you need (as should the graphics card instruction booklet). I had a similar problem earlier this year when I upgraded mine and had to get a new psu too - now everything runs super smooth. Hope this helps.

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 01:21 PM

400W should be enough, but if was the power supply I wouldn't get a blue screen of death, right?

SoccerDude28 · 12-20-2005, 01:33 PM

400 w should be enough. It could be overheating. Are you sure you have good air circulation for your system. This year, I had FEAR crashing my nVidia 6800 all the time, so I installed a couple more fans, and now it works like a charm. These high end graphics cards really need a tons of fans.

Karmillo · 12-20-2005, 02:08 PM

what does the blue screen say? anything usefull or just all that coding crap?

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 02:09 PM

I have the CPU fan, the power supply fans and three more, so I doubt that's it...

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karmillo

what does the blue screen say? anything usefull or just all that coding crap?

Something about MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION and some Assembler addresses (0x0000000C and that kind of stuff), if memory serves me well...

It also said something about that if I had installed somenew software or hardware lately, I should remove it, and the messages did go away when I put the old card back in...

Oh, and before you ask, I did properly remove the card and uninstall it's drivers before installing the new ones...

Huz · 12-20-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanukitsune

400W should be enough, but if was the power supply I wouldn't get a blue screen of death, right?

You can get the blue screen of death in lots of situations. Now that Windows is fairly reliable, it's a good indication that something is seriously messed up with your computer. The PSU is as good a reason as any, because devices getting insufficient power will naturally cause them to malfunction.

As will overheating, a faulty card, some random damage caused during the installation, or general incompatibility between components, of course.

Does your card have a separate power connector, perchance? If so did you remember to connect it?

I did get BSODs when I first upgraded the gfx card in my old computer, but in all honesty I can't remember how I got past them. I think rebooting into Safe Mode and installing the drivers from there sorted it out...

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 08:44 PM

The motherbard is only about a year old, and I did connect the extra power connector cable...

***tabacco*** · 12-20-2005, 09:23 PM

FYI... assuming this is MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION with stop error code 0x9c (probably represented as 0x0000009C), I would say try to remove the card and see if the machine boots fine. If it does, odds are really good that it's a defective card. As near as I can find on MSDN, 0x9c means that the machine performed a check of the machine, and during that check something threw an exception (an unhandled code error, basically). IF you put the video card in and it happens, then take the card out again and it gets better, it's probably the card. I'd say return it for a replacement, and see if that's any better. If it's not, the card may be incompatible with your motherboard or some otehr bit of your system. Try exchanging it for a comparable card from another manuf. and see if it gets better.

No matter what, though, 0x9c probably isn't going to be a result of heat, which would cause crashes without a stop error in most cases (it would just freeze, usually, or get really funky and be unusable).

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabacco

FYI... assuming this is MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION with stop error code 0x9c (probably represented as 0x0000009C), I would say try to remove the card and see if the machine boots fine. If it does, odds are really good that it's a defective card. As near as I can find on MSDN, 0x9c means that the machine performed a check of the machine, and during that check something threw an exception (an unhandled code error, basically). IF you put the video card in and it happens, then take the card out again and it gets better, it's probably the card. I'd say return it for a replacement, and see if that's any better. If it's not, the card may be incompatible with your motherboard or some otehr bit of your system. Try exchanging it for a comparable card from another manuf. and see if it gets better.

No matter what, though, 0x9c probably isn't going to be a result of heat, which would cause crashes without a stop error in most cases (it would just freeze, usually, or get really funky and be unusable).

Blast, I did get a 0x0000009C error code, and it did work again when I removed it, but...

I bought it online, returning it won't be that easy, for some strange reason, the graphic card came from France...

***tabacco*** · 12-20-2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanukitsune

Blast, I did get a 0x0000009C error code, and it did work again when I removed it, but...

I bought it online, returning it won't be that easy, for some strange reason, the graphic card came from France...

Well, then, I'd say try it in another machine if you can get access to one. IF it causes errors there, it's probably the card. If it doesn't, it's most likely a compatibility thing (so sayeth MSDN, anyway). At least then you'll know.

Tanukitsune · 12-20-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabacco

Well, then, I'd say try it in another machine if you can get access to one. IF it causes errors there, it's probably the card. If it doesn't, it's most likely a compatibility thing (so sayeth MSDN, anyway). At least then you'll know.

The only other machine I have isn't AGPX8, I doubt it would even work..

EDIT: Wait, does it matter? I'll have to change the card anyway,right?

Intrepid Homoludens · 12-20-2005, 10:19 PM

Tanuksie, why not just exchange the card for something more compatible? I'm sure the store will understand when you tell them it's the wrong one for your system.

12-20-2005, 10:20 PM

I don't know about that.

Tanukitsune · 12-21-2005, 12:59 AM

I think the store's policy is to exchange it for a new one and that's about it, or ask for a refund...

I have a PC repairment store close to my house, I hope they won't mind testing it to see if it's defective or simply not compatible...

Tanukitsune · 12-21-2005, 05:25 AM

Dang, they don't have email support, just pay-line phone number...

I definetely have to return it, but I'm not sure if I'll exchange it or just ask for a refund and get the first 256MB AGP graphic card (even if it doesn't support HDR) I can find...

With luck I might be able to make a return it to one of their stores in Spain, saving me the time and money of sending it back to France...

Although I doubt it...

***tabacco*** · 12-21-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanukitsune

Dang, they don't have email support, just pay-line phone number...

I definetely have to return it, but I'm not sure if I'll exchange it or just ask for a refund and get the first 256MB AGP graphic card (even if it doesn't support HDR) I can find...

With luck I might be able to make a return it to one of their stores in Spain, saving me the time and money of sending it back to France...

Although I doubt it...

I'm loving my AGP GeForce6800 GT 256MB if that helps. It wasn't too pricey when I bought it, and that was months ago.

Tanukitsune · 12-21-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabacco

I'm loving my AGP GeForce6800 GT 256MB if that helps. It wasn't too pricey when I bought it, and that was months ago.

Here's what ATI support said when I told them what you told me about the error message:

Quote:

You friend is very useful. I would follow what he recommended. If we assume your system is compatible with this video card, I would return it for another one and see if the problem is resolved.

I'm still considering wether to get a replacement or a refund...

The only AGP card I've seen in stores, so far, with 256MB (I think) is the GeForce 6600 LE...

EDIT: Huh? They are sending a DHL guy to pick it up? And according to their FAQ, I'll have to pay for the delivery and they'll charge me a fee just to test the bloody thing...

The Geforce 6600 LE is sounding better every minute, even though I know LE stands for limited edition, as in with limitations, that is...

Tanukitsune · 12-27-2005, 05:48 AM

NOT AGAIN! I got me the GeForce 6600 LE, and it seemed to work better, I ran Sin and HL2: Lost Coast without problems, but I used the Tv tuner it crahsed, so I unistalled it...

Everything seemed to be working fine until it crashed again when I saw a video stream...

This means I probably returned a working X800XL for nothing...

I guess this DOES mean I should re-install XP for the crashes to stop?

12-20-2005, 12:00 PM	#1
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	Oh, say it ain't so! Blue "scream" of death? My Sapphire X800XL graphic card arrived, and it keeps giving me the blue screen of death, even when I manage to update the driver! I have the sinking feeling I might have to reinstall Windows XP so it will accept the new card, which would suck because if I had known this I would have saved for a new motherboard and bought a PCI-E graphic card... Or maybe it's just faulty and I have to return it... It's a lose-lose situation! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-20-2005, 12:13 PM	#2
Curt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Englander in Munich Posts: 1,025	Hi Tanukitsune. First thing I'd check out is if your power supply is powerful enough to incorporate your new graphics card along with all your other hardware. Checking various sites for users with similar problems should tell you what psu you need (as should the graphics card instruction booklet). I had a similar problem earlier this year when I upgraded mine and had to get a new psu too - now everything runs super smooth. Hope this helps. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "Of please! Looking at how sexy, beautiful, and womanly meg is, why the hell would anyone need Viagra?" - Intrepid Homosapiens sapiens (made her Valentines Day btw - you big romantic, Trep.)

12-20-2005, 01:21 PM	#3
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	400W should be enough, but if was the power supply I wouldn't get a blue screen of death, right? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-20-2005, 01:33 PM	#4
SoccerDude28 Homer of Kittens Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Francisco, Bay Area Posts: 4,374	400 w should be enough. It could be overheating. Are you sure you have good air circulation for your system. This year, I had FEAR crashing my nVidia 6800 all the time, so I installed a couple more fans, and now it works like a charm. These high end graphics cards really need a tons of fans. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Games I am playing: Jeanne D'Ark (PSP) Firefox rules

12-20-2005, 02:08 PM	#5
Karmillo woof Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NOT REALLY RIGHT HERE Posts: 4,750	what does the blue screen say? anything usefull or just all that coding crap? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "I've got nothing to lose! Except for...well everything."

12-20-2005, 02:09 PM	#6
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	I have the CPU fan, the power supply fans and three more, so I doubt that's it... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-20-2005, 08:44 PM	#9
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	The motherbard is only about a year old, and I did connect the extra power connector cable... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-20-2005, 09:23 PM	#10
*tabacco* Friendly Server Admin Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 4,087	FYI... assuming this is MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION with stop error code 0x9c (probably represented as 0x0000009C), I would say try to remove the card and see if the machine boots fine. If it does, odds are really good that it's a defective card. As near as I can find on MSDN, 0x9c means that the machine performed a check of the machine, and during that check something threw an exception (an unhandled code error, basically). IF you put the video card in and it happens, then take the card out again and it gets better, it's probably the card. I'd say return it for a replacement, and see if that's any better. If it's not, the card may be incompatible with your motherboard or some otehr bit of your system. Try exchanging it for a comparable card from another manuf. and see if it gets better. No matter what, though, 0x9c probably isn't going to be a result of heat, which would cause crashes without a stop error in most cases (it would just freeze, usually, or get really funky and be unusable). Share Share this post on Twitter

12-20-2005, 10:19 PM	#14
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Tanuksie, why not just exchange the card for something more compatible? I'm sure the store will understand when you tell them it's the wrong one for your system. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

12-20-2005, 10:20 PM	#15
SamNMax Guest Posts: n/a	I don't know about that. Share Share this post on Twitter

12-21-2005, 12:59 AM	#16
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	I think the store's policy is to exchange it for a new one and that's about it, or ask for a refund... I have a PC repairment store close to my house, I hope they won't mind testing it to see if it's defective or simply not compatible... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-21-2005, 05:25 AM	#17
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	Dang, they don't have email support, just pay-line phone number... I definetely have to return it, but I'm not sure if I'll exchange it or just ask for a refund and get the first 256MB AGP graphic card (even if it doesn't support HDR) I can find... With luck I might be able to make a return it to one of their stores in Spain, saving me the time and money of sending it back to France... Although I doubt it... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it!

12-27-2005, 05:48 AM	#20
Tanukitsune ACK! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Spain Posts: 2,448	NOT AGAIN! I got me the GeForce 6600 LE, and it seemed to work better, I ran Sin and HL2: Lost Coast without problems, but I used the Tv tuner it crahsed, so I unistalled it... Everything seemed to be working fine until it crashed again when I saw a video stream... This means I probably returned a working X800XL for nothing... I guess this DOES mean I should re-install XP for the crashes to stop? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Apparently I have a Devianrt Art account... And people actually like it! Last edited by Tanukitsune; 12-27-2005 at 06:48 AM.

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