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Video Cards & XP

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by anigwa

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I have been having a terrible time with the boot up and I've come to the conclusion, after checking and changing just about the whole "';.,,." computer that it may be my Video Card. I am using a Nvidia Geforce 2MX 100/200 64Mb Detonator Driver. Can anyone tell me if they have had a problem with this card with XP? Can anyone suggest a Good card that runs well with XP? Anything that works with XP? Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Ron

30 replies

by thechas

Ron, I have had no 'real' problems with XP and Nvidia cards.

I did have a problem with my monitor not being properly supported by XP.

I am impressed with the performance of ATI Radeon cards. If you truly wish to try a different card, I would start there.

I have had XP problems with several different modem cards.
While the cards worked fine with the same motherboard and W98, they just refused to work properly with XP.
This does appear to be a card/motherboard conflict, as the same modem works fine in a different brand motherboard.

Before you give up, check the following:
BIOS updates.
Correct CPU speed settings.
Windows Updates. (some of the compatability updates correct hardware issues)
Latest Nvidia driver.

Have you checked out the shutdown trouble-shooting guide posted at www.aumha.org
While they might not have your specific issue listed, it has helped me get on the right track on a couple of installations.

Chas

by anigwa

Thanks for your reply Chas.
I do like the Nvidia card and I have the most recent driver now. I will have to check my Monitor KDS 19", actually that's one thing I never thought of. I haven't checked for a new bios either but not to sure on that procedure. I have all the XP updates installed that pertain to my system. I am using an on board ethernet card, never thought to check for that driver. Glad you brought this up. What I don't understand, is all the drivers on my computer say they are Digital Signed by Microsoft with a green check mark next to them. Doesn't this mean they are compatible?

Thanks,

Ron

by cg it

Don't alway download the most latest NVidia drivers. version 30.82 I believe is still the most current WQHL driver for W2K/XP. Beta versions [which are above 30.82 might have compatibility problems. I know of one guy who has more experience with installing XP [must have done it a dozen times] than anyone I know and that was because he was constantly downloading the newest drivers that XP just didn't like.

by cg it

And no, a little green mark doesn't necessarily mean they are certified and tested. Means their compatible, but may not indicate certified and tested.

by anigwa

I'm using the 30.82 driver now. I just don't know what to do. I guess it's time for the shop. I can reboot this thing with no problem at all, but shut it down for a while and boot it up and the fun and games start. It boots to the XP Pro window, then flashes a blue screen and then I get a window with can't find some file, I push the restart button and it loads fine. Or, I get the screen, would I like to start windows normally, safe mode, etc. If I choose normal and hit enter,it loads fine and runs all day. Each time submit error report pops up and I submit one and when the browser opens it says it's a driver problem. I've pretty much exhuasted the driver bit. It's either time for the shop or maybe try Windows 2000 or back to 98.

Thanksfor your help, it is appreciated.

Ron

by cg it

I suggest that you uninstall the video card, then power down the system [turn off the machine so that your doing a cold boot]. Turn on the computer and let XP see the new hardware. Install the WHQL Detonator drivers [30.82]. If you continue to have video problems it's quite possible that the card it self might be bad. If this is a new vid card, take it back, get another one, or because the costs of Geforce 3 Ti 200 cards have dropped considerably, [and I know they work with XP, try getting one of them.

by cg it

I'm not a big fan of XP because of the variety of problems I've seen users have with it. Some people swear by XP, others swear at it. XP tried to incorporate hidden security measures [basically that if you substantially changed your hardware configuration, XP would go into a reduced functionality mode or require re-registering with Microsoft], that affected both consumer and those who make software to run on MS based computers. In a way, it's good and it's bad. Just like laptops that have BIOS and System passwords that only the laptop manufacturer can access [hense a deterent against theft] Microsoft sought to control piratecy of their software. This can cause havoc with the well intended user who changes or updates their computer both with new equipment and new drivers. XP can be a cranky operating system when faced with a lot of changes though software updates, driver updates, changing vid cards [which is one of the key componets used by XP to determine configuration change] etc. AsI've said there are those who swear by it, others who swear at it, just like when W95 came out to replace 3.1

by anigwa

Well people, I am really getting upset with this XP. I checked everything that has been suggested, narrowed it down to the video card. Put in a New ATI Radeon 9000 Pro, same crap again. Now I get "File missing or corrupt, System32\Drivers\NTFS.sys".It tells me it can be repaired if I insert the XP disk and hit r, so I do that. Loads up fine. Shut it down for 15 min and same crap at boot up again, so thinking I left the XP CD in the tray I hit r, it boots up fine. Go to take the XP cd out, and it's not in there. So how did it repair itself without the CD. Borrowed a Video card from my buddy, ATi 3D Rage Pro AGPX2, dam thing works fine. Booted up 5 times no problem at all. What the hell is that? Just doesn't like expensive cards or what, and this Radeon 9000 has XP plastered all over the dam box. I think I will scrap this XP crap and go to 2000 or 98. I really like XP, but this is just crazy. Any ideas? I'm really stumped.

by philldmc

I am personally running the Nvidia GeForce 2 GTS w/32 Megs of ram and Windows XP Pro. I've had no problems what so ever with video.

Some suggest you might try is:
Update drivers, all drivers, just updating the video driver sometime will help, but also think about updating the chipset driver, DirectX update (Which is part of WinXP service pack).

If you have a Via chipset go here for the latest driver: http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2

Don't use the Detonator 4.0 Driver that is for thelater video cards. If you are planning on using the GeForce 2 MX verion you need to stay with the Detonator 30.82 version for w2k/xp you can down load it here

http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=winxp-2k_30.82

The service pack for WinXP is located here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp

Also the make sure your AGP port is set to x4 in your bios.

Last note, the MX version of any Nivdia chipset is the water down version. I would look into replaceing that card. You can get the GeForce 2 GTS w/64 for about $40 but if you are looking for performance look into the TI cards or the ATI 9700 video card.

by anigwa

Thank you for your reply. I did some fooling around and I now having it booting up just fine with the New ATi Radeon 900 Pro. Great card! Only thing now is my screen saver won't come on. This seems a never ending saga. Any ideas on this one?

by anigwa

Whoa! Hold the fort, my screen saver just kicked in. My God, could it be that I am cured? Only time will tell. I really want to thank all of you who answered my post, I wish I had a ton of points to pass around as I believe I got some help from eachof you. I'm glad I found this forum as there are so many knowledgeable people on it. My gratitude goes out to all, thanks again.

Ron

by anigwa

Well, I thought i had it. Went away for a couple of days, booted up the system and what does it do, boots to XP screen, reboots itself, then screen with start in normal, safe mode etc. What the hell am i missing? I haven't updated the Bios as i'm not sure how. Do you think i should try that? Any more ideas? PLEASE!

by itjadkins

Ron,
There is a known issue with Nvidia cards and XP. The fix is to update BIOS 1st. Then update video driver. Then go to Microsoft update and make sure you have all the critical updates(there is one for this problem. Do it in that order.
Jim

by anigwa

Thanks for your reply Jim. I am using a ATI 9000 Pro now with the same problem. I guess the thing to do is take it to a shop and have them update my Bios. I have never done this and I know it is criticle that it's done right. I found a site today onmy Motherboard and got the XP AGP driver and SIS Lan Driver. They have bios updates there but none with a fix for the problem I am having. They state not to update the bios unless it has the fix for the problem. I really don't know what to do, but Iam really tired of this crap.

by pnr

The new Detonator driver 40.72_winxp_WHQL will help You.

Regards Per Rasmussen

by chris the koppite

try looking at the irq alocations, XP does'nt like sharing irq's (graphic cards, nic's, and USB) all seem to use the same ones, disableing some of them in device manager and see if this sorts it, if it does then try reallocation of some of irqs.

by anigwa

Thanks to all who answered my question, but, I have had it up to here with Windows XP. When you have to rebuild your whole bloody computer to run an Operating System, it's sad! I dumped XP and went back to my good old Windows ME and haven't had a problem since. I couldn't get XP to run on my AMD Athlon 1400 and it won't run on my new Pentium 4 1.8. So, either the version I have is defective, or, XP and i weren't meant to be. I updated everything to XP compatible and still nothing but trouble. When Micrsoft can make a user friendly version of XP, maybe i'll try again.

Thanks again,

Ron

by ba2486

Sounds like fun, but have you thiught of a virus.

go to pandasowtware.com/activescan and scan that complete puter, see what shows up what have you to loose.
Free online virus scanner

by rtfm error

is it pci? if so it needs to be in the first PCI slot. was it replacing onboard? if so, your mobo may require you to disable the onboard in the bios or by jumper

nick

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