Asus Radeon & Longhorn Problem

[P-a-u-l]

Hello,

I have an ASUS RADEON 9600 XT and downloaded the Asus SmartDoctor software.

Got into Longhorn build 4047 (which recognized my card, but the video drivers wouldn't install) and thought I'd use SmartDoctor to lower the video fan speed so it wouldn't make so much noise.

I checked the last option (think it is "automatic control") and the display turned off.

Since then I get no video, and the video fan turns off at every boot (right after the POST, even when I try to boot Windows XP).

Now I'm using my old Riva TNT2 card and everything works fine (well, except the games) - proof that there's nothing wrong with the mobo or software or other hardware.

I put the 9600 into another computer and it does the same thing - the cooler from the video card turns off right after the POST.

Do you think the card is damaged?

Is it a software problem, and if so, how can I remedy it?

[LiquidSage]

it's sounds lke a software problem so far. try just basic MS cert ati drivers through your hardware profile properties. You may just have to live with it for now since you are using longhorn.

A good way to test is to make a basic bart pe /win pe disk and see if it has the same no vid issue. also, if you have more than just a monitor hooked up , check that it is not switching to secondary device. If you have an on board graphics card, check to see that your computer isn't switching those as well.

it couldn't hurt to reset the bios and put all settings to normal.

do you oc your card or have done the soft/hard mod to make it XT?

[P-a-u-l]

First of all, wow, thanks for the support!; I didn't get this level of support on neowin.net...

The fact is that I don't get video at all. From the moment I turn on the computer untill it boots into XP (or LH).

Question: is it normal for a computer to boot even without a video card installed/working?

it's sounds lke a software problem so far. try just basic MS cert ati drivers through your hardware profile properties. You may just have to live with it for now since you are using longhorn.

I have 2 operating systems: Longhorn build 4047 and Windows XP SP2. And it doesn't work on any of the two.

I can't install the drivers since I get no image. I'm using my old Riva TNT2 card now, and I can't install ATI drivers while using this card... (and, also, I can't use the SmartDoctor software because it detects that I'm using an nVidia card.

A good way to test is to make a basic bart pe /win pe disk and see if it has the same no vid issue.

What's a basic bart pe/win disk?

if you have more than just a monitor hooked up , check that it is not switching to secondary device.

I tested the Asus Radeon card on another computer and it does the same thing.

If you have an on board graphics card, check to see that your computer isn't switching those as well.

I don't...

it couldn't hurt to reset the bios and put all settings to normal.

Did that already, still the same thing.

do you oc your card or have done the soft/hard mod to make it XT?

It is XT by default. I have OC'd it, but I have returned to normal frequencies in the end.

Thanks again for the help.

[LiquidSage]

well....now it does sound like the card. if it's new enough, you may be able to RMA it.

Yes, these days most mobo's do not need a vid card to boot.

This may be too much but...

Setup up Remote Desktop in WinXP for a user w/ full access. Make sure XP boots up by default. Swap cards and go to a different computer on your network (use a crossover cable if you don't have a network). From there, log in aand see if you can then mess with either the ati card's display settings or the installer for SmartDoctor. Hopefully that will work.

Other option: if the riva gfx card is PCI based, Have both cards hooked up to your comp and set PCI display in the BIOS. When XP boots go into device manager and see if the ati card is detected. Then open display properties and make the ati card a secondary display device ( you will need to have one of the outputs on the card hooked up) You should then be able to mess with ati settings or SmartDoctor.

Since this problem shows itself from BIOS --> OS, you will most likely RMA'ng it or returning it for a refund. If you do, go get a 9800 256mb SE version. Most can be succesfully hard modded to 9800XT. I've done several for people i know and have not had any probs, It probably cost less than even a 9600xt these days and you will have new features not found in 9600. I have heard mixed comments about ASUS's twist with ati chips. Good luck!

[Aegis]

You may be able to start Windows with basic VGA mode (press F8 at boot) and then start whatever app messed up your card to see if it was a problem with the setting you chose.

[P-a-u-l]

Setup up Remote Desktop in WinXP for a user w/ full access. Make sure XP boots up by default. Swap cards and go to a different computer on your network (use a crossover cable if you don't have a network). From there, log in aand see if you can then mess with either the ati card's display settings or the installer for SmartDoctor. Hopefully that will work.

I'm trying this with Windows Messenger and a friend of mine. But the difficult part is activating Remote Assistance with no image on the screen (I have to learn the buttons by heart).

Other option: if the riva gfx card is PCI based, Have both cards hooked up to your comp and set PCI display in the BIOS. When XP boots go into device manager and see if the ati card is detected. Then open display properties and make the ati card a secondary display device ( you will need to have one of the outputs on the card hooked up) You should then be able to mess with ati settings or SmartDoctor.

\

That would be so easy . The TNT2 is AGP. I'm guessing it wont fit into the PCI slot, will it?

Since this problem shows itself from BIOS --> OS, you will most likely RMA'ng it or returning it for a refund. If you do, go get a 9800 256mb SE version. Most can be succesfully hard modded to 9800XT. I've done several for people i know and have not had any probs, It probably cost less than even a 9600xt these days and you will have new features not found in 9600.

I guess it will cost me more. And the Retailer policy doesn't include that... Also, I don't think my card will be replaced if I tell them that the error appeared while in Longhorn, considering it is alpha software .

You may be able to start Windows with basic VGA mode (press F8 at boot) and then start whatever app messed up your card to see if it was a problem with the setting you chose.

I'd have to learn the buttons by heart again; and I don't think the video will activate itself after I select the VGA mode...

I found out something new: The Riva TNT2 turns off too after this incident (my monitor goes off too). And I often get artifacts.

I suspect it may be the OS or the AGP slot (and that's bad!), and I'm reinstalling now.

P.S. What's RMA?

Thanks for the help dudes.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Hello,

I have an ASUS RADEON 9600 XT and downloaded the Asus SmartDoctor software.

Got into Longhorn build 4047 (which recognized my card, but the video drivers wouldn't install) and thought I'd use SmartDoctor to lower the video fan speed so it wouldn't make so much noise.

I checked the last option (think it is "automatic control") and the display turned off.

Since then I get no video, and the video fan turns off at every boot (right after the POST, even when I try to boot Windows XP).

Now I'm using my old Riva TNT2 card and everything works fine (well, except the games) - proof that there's nothing wrong with the mobo or software or other hardware.

I put the 9600 into another computer and it does the same thing - the cooler from the video card turns off right after the POST.

Do you think the card is damaged?

Is it a software problem, and if so, how can I remedy it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looks like the video card is failing to init at all!!! Usually when there's no video, the PC won't even POST at all, thus you probably won't hear Windows booting up. The OS probably isn't even loading! Likely a faulty video card. Thus, time to think about a RMA.

[P-a-u-l]

Yeah, you were right. I did RMA it, and found out that the BIOS was wiped when I have tried to lower fan speed under Longhorn.

Problem solved - they've written a new one (and, omg, never knew it could be so easy!) and now it works fine.

I'm still wondering about how could Longhorn and that software erease a BIOS so easily...

P.S. 1. The PC did POST and it did boot (I could hear Trillian log in) and I thought that was impossible too.

P.S. 2. What is "RMA" exactly? Returning it for repairs while still under warranty?

Thank you very much for your help .

[LiquidSage]

Good to hear you will be getting a replacement. I don't think longhorn is responsable. SmartDoctor or a sudden reboot / crash while the system was altering the bios would be more likely. Longhorn certainly didn't help the situation due to lack of driver support. An OS really doesn't change settings on a gfx card bios. The user, through software made to tweak the card does.

RMA = Return Material Authorization