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Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Okay let me start from the top:
My setup is as follows:
AMD Athlon XP 1900+, 256 DDR, Gainward Golden Sample GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR AGP video card,Sound Blaster AWE 64 Sound Card, Windows XP Professional
1. I installed the card normally no problems.
2. I then turned on the computer and installed the drivers included on the CD-ROM with the card. ( it noted that there were 2 drivers I could install: The WHQL signed, and the unsigned which was newer, so I installed the unsigned)
3. I restarted the computer
4. I then ran Quake 3 Arena to test the capabilities of the card. It worked perfectly!
5. I tried to run Max Payne. Worked great so then I tried running Max Payne with all the details and eye candy running. Everytime, just as a new game was finished loading it would dump me to the desktop with no indication that I was running the game just prior.
6. Then i tried to run Return To Castle Wolfenstein. It would load the autoconsole then stop disappear and then a messagebox would appear saying "Error!" with no further explaination.
7. I tried downloading the latest Detonator XP drivers for my video card from then Nvidia website and installed them. This is where it gets really wierd.
8. When Windows restarted when then "Welcome" screen is supposed to show up, my monitor goes into suspend mode. ( You know when the green light is flashing yellow) and I can't turn my monitor on or off.
9. So I then restart my computer via restart button ( Ctrl Alt Delete wouldn't respond) and press F8 to run a system restore not sure exactly what this took away but Windows XP rebooted normally again. However my Wolfenstein and Max Payne problems weren't yet solved. Same problems.
10. I tried Q3A again just to be sure. It worked.
11. Then I ran Diablo 2 to see if there would be any new problems with that. None. But the Perspective wasn't working so I ran the video test to get it to recognize my new card. The test ran smothly. However when I tried to run Diablo 2 again it wouldn't even open up!
12. I then installed the Direct X 8.0 drivers that came with my RTC Wolfenstein CD. Still no change regarding Wolfenstein.
13. I restarted Windows, still, no change.
14. I tried running Max Payne again and then it would even load the pre-game options menu. It just game an error box saying :"Max Payne requires a DirectX 8 compatible graphics card" That sound really wierd considering this card was made like 2 months ago.
15. Then I looked for the Direct X Diagnostic utility. I tried running the tests and when I tried running the Direct 3D test my monitor started doing the same thing it did when I installed the detonator XP drivers! So I did another system restore.
16. Then I tried running Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force (runs off the Q3A engine) and the single player didn't work, but the multiplayer did. However the brightness was really low and even when I turned the brightness up all the way it still was too dark.
There, that is a list of everything that has been done as of yet. As I found out later that evening from the store I bought this from, Wolfenstein, Windows XP, and this particular video card don't like each other. If there is anyone out there who could help me it would be greatly appreciated.

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 3:53 am Post subject:

Try going all of the way back to the WHQL Det3 drivers. The non-WHQL Det4 drivers have some "issues" under Windows XP. If I run them on my GF3Ti200 on a SY-K7V Dragon+ mobo, I get the infamous "infinite loop" BSOD and random crashes, but the WHQL-certified Det3 drivers (mine are from VisionTek) are rock solid.

This is why M$ stresses WHQL so much. NVidia took some serious shortcuts with the Det4 drivers to try to squeeze out a few more FPS, and some of those shortcuts were a "bad idea".

Here's what VIA had to say about NVidia's driver development process:
http://www.theinquirer.net/05120107.htm
One Via source said that there is a "fundamental problem with Nvidia's driver development, and compatibility wasn't a major concern when developing this driver."

These links may also be helpful:
http://forums.viaarena.com/messageview.cfm?catid=13&threadid=4123&start=1

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q293078

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

I already tried the WHQL drivers that came with the card but nothing changed. I will however try the DETXP drivers off the Gainward site even though they are older than the ones that NVidia offers.

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2002 1:37 pm Post subject:

What drivers did you try? the number, i.e. 21.81 (works great for moi) and what mobo?

----
SJF
"You say bitch like it's a bad thing."
-MoRgAn (LWD forum whore)

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

No I tried the 23.11 that came off the Nvidia site. Next Im going to try the DETXP drivers off the Gainward site to see if that helps. I have a MSI K7266Pro2
BTW where can I get the 21.81?

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Well I just tried the DETXP 21.81 drivers and it didn't help issues at all.

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Fed up with XP. Will try downgrading to WIN2k to see if that makes any difference.

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Fed up with XP. Will try downgrading to WIN2k to see if that makes any difference.Or if neccesary: GASP! Windows 98

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Even tried the slower WHQL drivers that came with the card.NO CHANGE!

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

ITS SOLVED MY PROBLEMS. Reverting back to 2000 has solved most of my video problems. Only one tiny snag: Max Payne dumps me to the desktop at infrequent intervals, usually when its loading a level. My friend with a GeForce 2 MX has the same problem. Any ideas?

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Moderator Joined: 05 Dec 2000 Posts: 5941 Location: USA

Have you looked here or here for a possible solution yet Confused

:

September 11, 2001

Stray Dog Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Nevermind, I found a patch for Max Payne.

AMD Athlon XP 1900+ 256 DDR-SD-RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB DDR
"This, IS MY BOOMSTICK!"

Moderator Joined: 05 Dec 2000 Posts: 5941 Location: USA

Quote:
Nevermind, I found a patch for Max Payne.

Who knew you didn't have the latest patches installed (next time we'll remember to ask) - w Big Smile

f !!!

September 11, 2001