XFX 4890 compatibility problem with Dell 2408WFP

Jed Shields · 28 May 2009 at 09:40

Hi guys,

just a word of warning with the amazing 4890 deals at the moment. I bought the XFX 4890 card for £165 recently and there is a compatibility issue with my Dell 2408WFP A00 monitor. Every so often the picture goes blank for a second and then comes back, with the DVI symbol showing in the top left hand corner, suggesting that the signal has dropped out. This happens regularly, sometimes 3 or 4 times in a minute. I've tried different catalyst drivers - no difference. However, when running in safe mode there is no problem, so this suggests a compatibilty issue with the ATI drivers.

I've contacted XFX and after much tooing and froing and lots of testing from my end we have agreed that there is a driver issue that XFX are unable to fix. I know that Sapphire have issued a bios update for their 4890 cards that fixes the Dell issue, but XFX have no plans for updating theirs.

I now have to get in touch with Overclockers about sending my card back under warranty

Then I have to figure out which card to get as a replacement :confused:

- looks like I'll be heading back to nVidia ...

Fenris · 28 May 2009 at 09:51

Jed Shields said:
Hi guys,
looks like I'll be heading back to nVidia ...

Or just get an Asus?

Jed Shields · 28 May 2009 at 10:21

Well ... if it's a driver problem, would the brand make a difference?

CraigN · 28 May 2009 at 10:26

when i got my 4870x2 there was a note in the box saying the screen may go black when installing drivers.

I dual screen one 2407WFP (DVI) and one 2408wfp (A01 DVI) and get no such issue.

The only time the icon appears in the top left is when resolution changes when entering a game or something.

Could possibly be a fault with your card and or monitor.

MarkyD · 28 May 2009 at 10:29

I have a Dell 2407WFP and I don't seem to be getting the issue with my XFX 4890.

Is the bug specific to your dell monitor model ?

Fenris · 28 May 2009 at 10:29

Jed Shields said:
Well ... if it's a driver problem, would the brand make a difference?

Well you said it yourself, Sapphire have updated it's drivers which makes me think that Brand will make a differance, I would just have a look see what other brands have done the same.

Obviousely if you want to go for a Nvidia I won't dissagree, just providing ideas.

Jed Shields · 28 May 2009 at 11:26

I think it's specific to the 2408 model and the 4890 range of cards. I've no idea why ...

CraigN · 29 May 2009 at 09:40

i tried this last night with a xfx 4890 and using only my 2408 and had no problems

the 4890 was a friends i borrowed jsut to try it and is jsut over 2 weeks old and my monitor i got from Dell last friday so its the latest version.

I think you should try another 4890 before saying its jut not compatible with your monitor.

Jed Shields · 29 May 2009 at 15:37

Just waiting on an RMA now, so I guess it's with OC ...

kylew · 29 May 2009 at 22:17

If sapphire have released a new BIOS, why not just try it? A sapphire BIOS should work on any 4890. Just because it's not happening in safemode doesn't instantly equal driver problems as there are a few differences with a card running in safemode than just the basic drivers.

Fuzzb3k · 30 May 2009 at 11:04

I had the same issue with my Dell 2408 using an nVidia GTX280 and now with an ATI 4890. It seems to be a problem with the monitor, not the graphics card.

Symptoms are: display blanks out for a second, then the picture comes back with the DVI icon in the top left corner.

chaparral · 30 May 2009 at 11:22

Fuzzb3k said:
I had the same issue with my Dell 2408 using an nVidia GTX280 and now with an ATI 4890. It seems to be a problem with the monitor, not the graphics card.

Symptoms are: display blanks out for a second, then the picture comes back with the DVI icon in the top left corner.

I use to get this problem with my 8800gtx & Dell 2405 monitor...(vista 64bit)

I no had this problem anymore after a format and fresh install...

Jed Shields · 30 May 2009 at 14:58

Fuzzb3k said:
I had the same issue with my Dell 2408 using an nVidia GTX280 and now with an ATI 4890. It seems to be a problem with the monitor, not the graphics card.

Symptoms are: display blanks out for a second, then the picture comes back with the DVI icon in the top left corner.

Yup, that's the fault.

Chaparral - I actually need to reformat my drive as one of my RAID 0 Raptors has failed. I'll see if a fresh install changes things ...

aa6972 · 29 Jun 2009 at 22:46

Fuzzb3k said:
I had the same issue with my Dell 2408 using an nVidia GTX280 and now with an ATI 4890. It seems to be a problem with the monitor, not the graphics card.

Symptoms are: display blanks out for a second, then the picture comes back with the DVI icon in the top left corner.

I have the same problem too, with the same monitor and same graphics card, but I brought the monitor after the card, for now I have change to DVI port 2 to see if its any help... if not i will try using hdmi cable..

aa6972 · 9 Jul 2009 at 22:30

Ok, if anyone still care - after some research ( do a search of "4890 problem ? plese help. " on google, the first thread), it seems the problem is the bios, have log a ticket with xfx, hopefully they will sent me a bios soon.

TheOtherOption · 9 Jul 2009 at 23:21

I had a similar issue with my 2408 and it turned out that the power cable was loose!

MaDMaX** · 10 Jul 2009 at 01:48

aa6972 said:
Ok, if anyone still care - after some research ( do a search of "4890 problem ? plese help. " on google, the first thread), it seems the problem is the bios, have log a ticket with xfx, hopefully they will sent me a bios soon.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14450030&postcount=20

just posted here in monitors! then seen this here .. i have exactly the same problem. i would be interested in what you get back, but if it proves fruitfull if you can copy me exaclty what you said in the ticket, i'll raise one, the more they get the better.

and i have tried different drivers. both dvi ports/ hdmi! and all the same, only when using standard VGA driver does it stop. i did come accross a guy who had similar probs and if he changed resolution down from 1600 x 1200 it also stopped but haven't tried that yet, damm glad i found this thread, thought i was going insane, spent a lot of money with o/c on monitor and i7 rigg, and its starting to get me down

MaDMaX** · 11 Jul 2009 at 17:31

Fuzzb3k said:
I had the same issue with my Dell 2408 using an nVidia GTX280 and now with an ATI 4890. It seems to be a problem with the monitor, not the graphics card.

Symptoms are: display blanks out for a second, then the picture comes back with the DVI icon in the top left corner.

HMM that being the case,, wonder why o/c have opted to RMAmy card,,,

aa6972 said:
I have the same problem too, with the same monitor and same graphics card, but I brought the monitor after the card, for now I have change to DVI port 2 to see if its any help... if not i will try using hdmi cable..

yeh i tried both DVI and the hdmi port still the same

HOWEVER!!! i have now connected from dvi to VGA port on monitor, and so far it has not faulted,,

can anyone comment on the dis/adv of dvi over VGA are there any that i would notice especailly playing games, if not think ill leave it as as for now,,,

aa6972 · 14 Jul 2009 at 19:23

Ok, I got the bios update from xfx, the tech guy is not very smart but hey, he did send me the bios and it works so far. the bios ver i have now is 011.022.001.005.032404
I don't mind posting the bios if any needs it but I would recommended you get it directly from them.
P.S. this seems to be worldwide problem

I have seen post with the problem in Chinese, Japanese etc..

MaDMaX** · 14 Jul 2009 at 19:59

aa6972 said:
Ok, I got the bios update from xfx, the tech guy is not very smart but hey, he did send me the bios and it works so far. the bios ver i have now is 011.022.001.005.032404
I don't mind posting the bios if any needs it but I would recommended you get it directly from them.
P.S. this seems to be worldwide problem I have seen post with the problem in Chinese, Japanese etc..

Would appreciate if you did post it , as I'm at the end of my tether after long chats with Xfx support and wonder why they didn't come to a similar conclusion.
I have an RMA for it from *********** but don't think it is faulty