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If having problems with X1950s look for possible solutions here

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If having problems with X1950 Pro or XT look for possible solutions here

I have had a lot of problems with the x1950 Pro and XT's in the AGP version. I thought I might pass on some of the work I did to resolve it. For figuring out where the issue is I do the following.

1. Ensure CPU and memory is at stock/most relaxed settings and all is stable!!!! Use CPU Stress like Orthos/Sandra Burn In and full Memtest. If not stable find problem here, if stable continue.

2. Uninstall CCC in Windows from add/remove programs.

3. Reboot in safemode and uninstall drivers from add/remove programs.

4. Run ATI Uninstall program from the ATI support directory. This uninstalls most ATI related software.

5. Reboot back to safemode and go into regedit and search for keys only (uncheck values and data in the search popup) that start with ATI or Ray Adams.

6. Go to windows/system32 and delete any files starting with ATI if still present.

7 Go to program files and delete any folders relating to ATI drivers or utilities if still present.

8. Reboot into windows.

9. Create Restore Point NOW!!!!! This will save lots of time if you still have problems after this and need to follow the problem resolutions below!

10. Install Cat 7.4 drivers and do not reboot when asked. Go to control panel and add/remove hardware and let the card get detected and drivers installed then reboot. Do not change any default settings and especially do not unlock overdrive.

11 Run 3DMark06 and see if you are stable. Do this multiple times to be sure. If it is leave well enough alone until you are sure all is well then you can start tweaking.

12. If problems still go to step 13.

13 Reboot and then install ATITraytools here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Video-Tweak/ATI-Tray-Tools.shtml

14. Run atitray tools but do not do any tweaks whatsoever! Go to Hardware and set up monitoring graphs for all the voltage options. Look for your graphics card slot voltage, mine was voltage 10. If this is not close to spec for your MB or varies widely then this will be the problem. For me it was my motherboard. Had flaky voltage regulators on the MB and it was not feeding the AGP slot with enough volts. It would vary from 0.8V to 1.3V and should have been at least 1.5V+.

15. If the graphics card slot voltage looks OK it could be your PSU getting a bit weary from feeding these voltage and amperage hungry cards! I tested this by another PSU with at least a 20amp 12V rail feeding the card only. ===WARNING=== DO THE FOLLOWING WHILE THE PSU IS UNPLUGGED FULLY DISCHARGED, AND ONLY TURN IT ON AT THE SAME TIME AS YOU BOOT UP THE PC!!!!!!!! This can be done by inserting a wire between the Green and black wires on the 20/24 pin motherboard connector and then connecting up to the graphics card only.

16. Boot up and run 3dmark06 and check the voltages are OK or still bad. If no problems get a new PSU. I got the ThermalTake PowerExpress GPU PSU for £26. It's a nice piece of kit for a decent price and better than spending £70+ on a PSU good enough to run the 1950s. If still problems it will be your motherboard or your card is bad! RMA Both at the same time if possible.

I now get over 6000 on 3Dmark06 on an AGP system, may even be the fastest AGP system ever lol. Have a look here: http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=1746593

Hope this helps someone, I have spent many, many hours on resolving this!

Daz
 
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Also thought I should add some issues regarding overheating and fan control that can cause artifacts and black screens. And best method of overclocking.

1. Use the ATI tray tools Monitoring graphs in the Hardware menu. Choose the GPU, Env and Fan duty cycles monitors and write the log to a file so that you can trace back the readings as to when you had a problem.

2. If you have used a utility like ATITools, Tray Tools or Rivatuner to control fan speeds, uninstall all utilities and drivers and then reinstall. Do not adjust fan speeds, let the bios defaults do the job. Some manufactuers BIOS have an issue that cause crashes etc when bios defaults are changed. Also if using several utilities at the same time they can interfere with one another.

3. Once you have things stable and want to overclock, I have found that using the ATI Overdrive 3 in ATI Tray Tools is the best way to go. Uninstall CCC and use Tray tools for all 3d and overclocking settings.

I'll try to add some more to this as I get time as I have had to go through a lot of frustration and trial and error to get to the final resolution. Wouldn't want anyone else to have to do it lol.

Daz
 
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