ASUS P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLI
Connect3D ATI x1950 Pro 256 MB
500w PSU
Windows XP Pro SP2
(I think that's the important basic stuff) Right out of the box, I ran Benchmark3D06 - this should run a basic test of the graphics system, and should show off my new graphics. After about 20 seconds the screen hung. I wasn't initially alarmed since the system was just out of the box and I figured drivers might need to be updated/installed. I ran DXdiag and the screen crashed to black under the "DirectDraw" test in the display tab. The 3D Draw test ran fine. I updated to the most recent drivers 7.2 from 2/21/2007 ATI and I was able to run both DXdiag tests successfully. I ran Benchmark again, and again, the test ran for about 20 seconds, the frame rate was very slow - between 10-20 fps and hung again after 20 seconds. When the screen hangs, I have to reboot the system, it responds to nothing. Under other drivers I had crashes to black test the card in other games. Nothing runs more than a few minutes before crashing to black - no error message - no warning except sometimes a slight freeze of the screen and a 'click' from inside the tower. I dont' think it's getting too hot. Temps average 45c and have not been over 50c, and I haven't been able to work it enough to really get it overheated (only had it for 4 days)
I spoke with ATI, they said to update the nVidia chipset drivers so I did this. I uninstalled the NVidia drivers from the control panel, rebooted, installed the new nvidia chipset drivers (that I found here: http://www.nvidia.co...nxp32_8.43.html ) (these are the ones for my system) There was an option to install something for RAID with this update, I chose 'no' because I do not run a RAID. I then looked in the control panel, did not see the ATI drivers listed. I used Driver Cleaner to remove any trace of the ATI drivers, I rebooted, I installed the most recent ATI drivers that had partially worked earlier today, and then I ran 3DBenchmark again. I crashed to black immediately after starting the test. I reset the system, I then got an error that Windows was not shut down properly. I chose to restart Windows normally, but it crashed again before windows fully loaded (screen goes black, monitor goes on standby) (monitor is a 20" flat panel crt) (uses an adapter to go into video card DVI) I reset again, it booted, I chose "last good configuration" and here I am.
I'm scared out of my wits about this chipset driver and wonder if I should uninstall it as things seem to be worse now (I suppose I can reinstall the chips set with the disk that came with the computer?) OR I can I do a Windows System Restore and go back to the beginning - in order to get back to the original chipset drivers?
The other strange thing is that in the device manager it lists a secondary ATI x1950 card. Is that part of the problem? Or a harmless part of all this?
Also in Device Manager there is an "unknown device" I get a message that there is new hardware every time I boot up the system, but it doesn't know what it is, and I am forced to hit cancel. Is this causing a conflict? I have screen shots of my device manager if that helps
I appreciate any help you can give.
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