Need help badly.

[Matt2]

Ok, so I have a huge problem.

After having lots of trouble with my X1900XTX, I reformatted the system and now I can not get into Windows after installing the CATs, any version.

I have changed PSUs from a Fortron BlueStorm 500w to a Silverstone PSU. Went from 2GB OCZ Gamer Xtreme to one stick of known working OCZ PC4800. Changed motherboards from a DFI SLI-D to a DFI CFX3200 Crossfire board. The XTX works in a friend's system.

The system installs windows fine, chipset drivers go in fine, but as soon as I install the CATs the system hangs and I lose video right after the windows splash screen. A reboot brings back the video, but the same problem happens everytime unless I go into safe mode and use driver cleaner to delete the CATs. After deleting the CATs, the system boots fine. This happens no matter what hardware configuration I use.

This problem didnt start occuring until 2 complete reformats ago and now even reformatting and reinstalling windows doesnt even fix the problem.

The only variables I have not changed in my system is the hard drive and the CPU. I am running a complete surface scan of the HD as we speak and I dont think its the processor because the damn system boots fine without the CATs.

Do you guys have ANY idea of WTF I should do to fix this problem? I have never had such a hassle with this system.

Current system config is the same as in my sig except I am running a Silverstone 560w PSU instead of the stated Fortron BlueStorm 500w.

Also the system is running COMPLETELY stock. Nothing is overclocked AT ALL.

Thanks.

 

[Matt2]

Well, for what it's worth. a 7900GT works perfect in my system.

If the XTX works in a friend's system, why would it not work in mine?

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Which CAT version?

 

[Matt2]

I've tried official 6.3, 6.5 beta and Omega 6.3.... same result everytime, no video signal after windows splash screen

 

[Matt2]

Also, Seatools reported no errors on the hard drive during a full surface scan.

 

[akugami]

You got a spare HD you can do a clean install of Windows on to see if it's your Windows that's fubar? I've had cases happen (both ATI and nVidia) where the system just would not stay stable unless I did a full clean install of Windows.

 

[nullpointerus]

System will not boot with CATs installed!!

No wonder! The fur's probably blocking the fans. I would try removing the cats or moving to a new case. Static could also be a problem...

 

[43st]

Check your install order again...

- Install Windows
- Update Windows to latest SP2 +
- Update BIOS to latest
- Chipset drivers (be careful, my MB wants the MSI driver package, not Nvidia's Nforce)
- Graphic drviers, etc.

I almost always miss one of these when I'm updating for some reason.

 

[Matt2]

The same problem occurs after 3 fresh installs of Windows.

I was also careful with the install order, the exact problem occurs across 2 different platofrms: DFI NF4 SLI-D and CFX3200 ATI XPRESS 3200

 

[Zap]

After the splash screen is where Windows sets the display for the resolution/refresh rate. Perhaps something is causing it to set those parameters in a way that your particular monitor can't syncrhonize with it? After installing drivers, try going into safe mode and manually setting resolution to 800x600 and refresh rate to 60, and see if that helps.

 

[nitromullet]

You should check http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/index.php to see if anyone there has a solution to this as well. There was someone pretty recently on this forum posting about a similar issue. He was using WinXP x64 and a DFI Ultra D board (apparently his worked fine with WinXP 32-bit). All the links I've seen to the other people with the same issues also involved DFI motherboards.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: Zap
After the splash screen is where Windows sets the display for the resolution/refresh rate. Perhaps something is causing it to set those parameters in a way that your particular monitor can't syncrhonize with it? After installing drivers, try going into safe mode and manually setting resolution to 800x600 and refresh rate to 60, and see if that helps.

I've actually been playing around with this idea all morning, but for some reason I can change the refresh rate. under th emonitor tab it just says "Default monitor" and where you can normally change the refresh rate it just says "hardware default".

I cant change the monitor type. ANy idea?

This happens in safe mode and in normal mode BEFORE installing CATs.

 

[Matt2]

I moved the computer to the other room where I have a CRT and as expected, the computer booted fine, video and all.

I manually set the resolution to 1280x1024 and the refresh rate to 60hz in both the display properties and in the CCC.

I hooked the computer back up to the LCD and no video... same problem.

wtf eh?

 

[Matt2]

Ok. I threw in a fourth stick of RAM and everything works perfectly on the CRT.

SO now I know that my original problem I had in another thread was bad RAM, not the CPU or the XTX or mobo.

Great news.

Now Can u guys help me find out why I cant windows to boot with signal to the LCD??

I installed the Viewsonic VP171B drivers while hooked up to the LCD and it seemed to work fine. It reported the correct maximum resolution and the correct refresh rates. But still no video in Windows unless i boot to safe mode.

ideas? Please?

EDIT: Not sure if it could be my DVI cable because it works in safe mode.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus

System will not boot with CATs installed!!

No wonder! The fur's probably blocking the fans. I would try removing the cats or moving to a new case. Static could also be a problem...

lol at least I noticed

 

[nullpointerus]

DVI is hotpluggable. Try this:

1. Connect your CRT with the VGA-to-VGA cable.
2. Boot into Windows.
3. Carry the LCD into the other room.
4. Connect the LCD with the DVI-to-DVI cable.
5. Open ATI's control panel and enable the LCD as a secondary display.
6. You may have to hit something to force display redetection.
7. If the LCD works properly at this point, reboot and see if it's still working.
8. If the LCD is still working, set it as the primary display.
9. Reboot and see if it's still working.
10. If the LCD is still working, disable the CRT (which should now be the secondary display).
11. Shut down your computer.
12. When the power is off, disconnect the CRT.
13. Boot up into Windows. Hopefully your LCD works now.

Note that if you are trying to connect a LCD TV instead of a LCD computer monitor, it's possible you may need much more advanced troubleshooting. TV's with DVI or HDMI input don't support computer input very well unless specifically advertise "PC compatible" as a feature.

 

[nullpointerus]

Another thing to try if you can get the CRT and LCD connected simultaneously would be to check/uncheck some of the DVI compatibility options, which are most likely in the properties for the LCD in the display tab of the ATI control panel.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus
DVI is hotpluggable. Try this:

1. Connect your CRT with the VGA-to-VGA cable.
2. Boot into Windows.
3. Carry the LCD into the other room.
4. Connect the LCD with the DVI-to-DVI cable.
5. Open ATI's control panel and enable the LCD as a secondary display.
6. You may have to hit something to force display redetection.
7. If the LCD works properly at this point, reboot and see if it's still working.
8. If the LCD is still working, set it as the primary display.
9. Reboot and see if it's still working.
10. If the LCD is still working, disable the CRT (which should now be the secondary display).
11. Shut down your computer.
12. When the power is off, disconnect the CRT.
13. Boot up into Windows. Hopefully your LCD works now.

Note that if you are trying to connect a LCD TV instead of a LCD computer monitor, it's possible you may need much more advanced troubleshooting. TV's with DVI or HDMI input don't support computer input very well unless specifically advertise "PC compatible" as a feature.

Ok, I tried all of this and yes I am using a computer LCD. Still no go.

The computer doesnt detect a second monitor when trying to "hot plug" the LCD in while in Windows.

However, if I restart the computer with both monitors plugged in, both monitors show the post, the windows splash screen, but as soon as it loads windows, only the CRT goes to the desktop. My LCD loses signal at the exact spot as it does when I just have the LCD hooked up.

I have also tried the program RefreshForce to make sure that the computer is booting with the correct resolution and refresh rate for my LCD, but that doesnt work either.

And again, this problem with the LCD did not occur when I first isntalled my XTX. IT happened after I reformatted my computer after having other issues with the XTX.

Thanks for any help.

 

[imported_spank]

You have installed the monitor drivers ?

http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers/download.cfm?key=37

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: spank
You have installed the monitor drivers ?

http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers/download.cfm?key=37

yup. Installed the monitor drivers. Display properties and the CCC report the correct monitor drivers (while hooked to the CRT) as well as the correct maximum resolution and refresh rate options.

 

[Fraggable]

Try it in your friend's system, the one where it worked, with your LCD. If it doesn't work I'd say it's got to be your monitor.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
Try it in your friend's system, the one where it worked, with your LCD. If it doesn't work I'd say it's got to be your monitor.

Dont think its the monitor because it works in safe mode and before I install the CATALYST drivers and it also worked perfectly fine with a 7900GT in my system after this problem started.

 

[CFP]

Is it possible for you to exchange/refund your LCD? If everything works fine with the CRT, it is either your LCD or the DVI plug on your XTX.

 

[Matt2]

No, the LCD is about three years old so I donthink it has a warranty enymore.

I dont think its the LCD because it booted fine with a 7900GT in it. It has to be outputting the wrong refresh rate or something.

 

[Pr0nMaster]

Or you could just try a real monitor like my 21" widescreen to test it