MSI R9 290X Lightning Critical Bug Can Cause Burned Out Cards – Fans Stop Working After Catalyst 14.

[Gregster]

[Report] At Hawaii’s launch there were multiple jokes about it running too hot. Well, if you are an MSI R9 290X Lightning owner then the joke might become a harsh reality for you. It turns out that a bug that ails only the 290X Lightning’s stops both side fans from working, causing severe heating issues. We were first notified of this critical malfunction by reader Greg Mann and a simple forum search revealed that the problem was rampant in practically every MSI Lightning (R9 290X) out there. At the time of writing, AMD has been notified of the problem.
Lightning R9 290X Catalyst 14.3 Fan Bug Overheating
Catalyst 14.3 Beta Drivers causes critical fan malfunction in MSI Lightning R9 290X
Catalyst 14.3 Driver Issue causes Side Fans of the MSI R9 290X Lightning to Stop Working
Thankfully however, from what we can see in the forum responses at least, all owners noticed the problem quickly enough and stopped any GPU intensive activity while downgrading to a safe Catalyst version. It is worth noting here that the Catalyst 14.3 is a BETA driver and AMD has warned about bugs like this on practically every documentation available. However from a cursory glance this issue has been prevalent in even 14.2 BETA drivers. Here is the hierarchy of the problem:
Catalyst 14.3: Causes critical malfunction of side fans not functioning and middle fan locked at 30%. Manual override using MSI Afterburner or Catalyst Control Not possible. The result is almost certain damage to the GPU if it is put under continuous, heavy load.
Catalyst 14.2: Causes the auto feature to malfunction, resulting in the side fans not spinning up and increasing RPM when GPU is put under load. The result is inadequate cooling and overheating. Manual override is possible.
Catalyst 13.12: Everything works fine.
However, it seems that the Lightning’s safety mechanisms are still working and causes the R9 290X to crash when overheating past a critical value; although even that wont save the card if it is repeated extensively. One thing is for sure though, if you are the owner of an MSI R9 290X Lightning then be sure to downgrade to a lower Catalyst till AMD fixes the bug. This is exactly why the version preceding BETA drivers is called the ‘stable version’. If we hear anything from AMD apart from an acknowledgment we will let you know.


Read more: http://wccftech.com/msi-r9-290x-lig...p-working-catalyst-14-3-update/#ixzz2yvWRS49w

Update:

MSI have been quick with this and asked could user's with the issue install this BIOS please
http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9_290X_LIGHTNING.html#/?div=Utility&os=All

 

[Gregster]

I feel I am and was doing a good thing. If I owned or intended on owning this card, I would be grateful for this info.

 

[Gregster]

"We were first notified of this critical malfunction by reader Greg Mann"

Thats you Gregster.

Of course it is me and what is your point?

 

[Gregster]

Did Syed Muhammad alter the article after you quoted ?

Don't know. I sent him the info and he did the rest and said he would give me a mention. I told me the article was live, so I copied and pasted.

 

[Gregster]

Thanks guys and regardless of what some people think, I am a fan of MSI and would hate to see them having masses of RMA's that could be avoided. They have not had the best run lately and the Lightning is a work of art for overclockers (I had 2 of them). At the same time, I would hate for users to get caught out and install these 14.x drivers and not realise the fans are not spinning.

@ Final8y. I don't care what people assume and if they look at my posting, they will see I want to beat them in benching but don't ever wish cards to fail on people. Just because I prefer nVidia, doesn't mean I want to see AMD gone or failing. People who think that need to look at what I actually post.

 

[Gregster]

Was contemplating on a couple of these but will hang fire to see how this all pans out.

You will be fine Gee. Just avoid the 14.x drivers for now.

 

[Gregster]

In fairness to them, they usually stand up, acknowledge the problem in hand, release a statement then go about sorting it out. BUT it shouldn't happen in the first place.

It stands to reason the fan oil thing would take its toll on Nvidia cards too, same cooler, same fans. Though I don't know the extent of the issue with the newer 'gaming' coolers.

I do like MSI but their QC has gone to **** lately.

Totally agree Paul. EVGA are my favourite and MSI are my second choice but QC seems to be taking a step back. The fan oil leakage was another issue that was hitting miners but with the same cooler being used on the 7 series it was only a matter of time before we see those getting hit as well.

Won't be going anywhere near them until all issues are sorted out.

Cheers for the heads up anyway.

No probs Gee and I fully understand.

 

[Gregster]

No being funny here but I calling bs on this. Why has know one on here reported burned out lighting? Ocuk not sold any?

This site reporting this should just be closed it's not the first time they send out rubbish.
Where is all the user reports?

Stop looking at it as AMD Vs nVidia and you might see the big picture. The site reporting this have gone on my info and their own investigations. Surely you would rather know prior to buying or installing the 14.x drivers that this is happening?

Nothing more than a potential issue that is stopping the 2 main fans from spinning up when the card gets hot. Hopefully no damaged cards as yet.

 

[Gregster]

I just got an email from MSI. For those with the issue, could they install this BIOS please and see if that sorts it http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9_290X_LIGHTNING.html#/?div=Utility&os=All

 

[Gregster]

Nice one. it might be worth adding that to the OP.

Deffo.

 

[Gregster]

I don't see any BIOS on the linked page.

That was all that was sent to me but stuck at work for another 20 mins and will look into it.

 

[Gregster]

Install MSI Live Update 5, let it detect your GPU and go from there

Cheers Paul

 

[Gregster]

It looks like a utility MSI have released not a new BIOS?

I tried the LiveUpdate, it shows no new bios for my card.

Sorry guys, I just don't know. If the live update doesn't give you the new BIOS, can you confirm and I will let MSI know.

This was the email sent.

 

[Gregster]

That makes more sense

 

[Gregster]

C'mon fellas, let's keep on topic and see if this isn't sorted with the latest BIOS and if the fan control utility is needed.

 

[Gregster]

Might be an idea to stick this into CS so they know about it

True Paul but hoping someone with the Lightning could confirm what is what first, just to make sure.

 

[Gregster]

Keyboard warriors are the best

 

[Gregster]

To clarify, is it only the beta drivers having issues with this specific card?

I believe so and there is a BIOS for the Lightning which sorts the issue but just waiting for someone who had the issue to confirm if it worked or not.

 

[Gregster]

What alerted you to this issue in the first place Greg?

A guy in another thread had an issue where the card didn't have the fans spin up, so I did some searching and so many threads with the same issue. I thought it a good thing to get it out asap.

 

[Gregster]

Live Update doesn't show any new BIOS for me, so i might have the latest. Ill try the beta driver tomorrow.

Was it you who had the issue and the side fans not spinning up on the 14.x drivers?

Good man
Surprised that MSI didn't get wind of it before you told them tbh.

I am a big fan of MSI but you would have thought with the quick response that was sent to me, if they had known, they would have made it public knowledge but I couldn't find a single bit of official info regarding this. So many users have it as well.

I am a big fan of MSI but poor show here (if it is them at fault of course).