[Singh]

Ok. My dad got me a new Raedon 9200 series graphics card, which is a magnificent upgrade if you consider that im coming from a Geforce 2 Mx. This is fantastic stuff, and along with 256Mb more means a good FS2 experience.

BUT...


IT DOESNT #(*@*$)(#@$ WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everytime I try to boot up Win2k with the card, it hangs on me just before the transition from the DOS "Starting Windows 2000" Screen and the Blue/White GUI one.

Ive tried everything, changing hte BIOS and stuff - but its not working, so im back to the old card figuring out how to use the new one.

Any help??

[Solatar]

Open up the instruction manual, follow every step (ironically enough) step by step.

Just in case...I spent a few hours getting a new videocard to work...then read the instructions.

[Flipside]

Clean the connectors with a soft non-static cloth, sometimes dust or grime gets onto one of the connectors of the card and the damn thing gives you the six-beep salute

[Singh]

Solatar: I did exactly that. The instructions say to put it in, make sure its in (which I did) and connect it.

But the problem appears to be Win2k as it just wont #$24#$ load! I try safe mode, I try safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt, debugging mode - everything, but it just wont load!

[Flipside]

Hmmmmmmmm... just a thought, but try installing the drivers for the card, if you can, before installing the card itself. I don't think it's the OS else it wouldn't work with the other card either, so it's something card-related

[jdjtcagle]

Yep, he's right IIRC

It tells you to in the instructions also

[Singh]

Originally posted by jdjtcagle
Yep, he's right IIRC

It tells you to in the instructions also

yeah, but normally its AFTER putting the card in, when Win2k starts with the default drivers and stuff.

But it doesnt get into win2k to let me install it in the first place, and it wont let me install the drivers with the older card either.

Crap. My card might just be screwed!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!

[Kazan]

he's going from an nvidia to an ATI -- good probability that he needs to remove the new card - put the old one in, uninstall all nvidia drivers, then put the new card in again

(Nvidia customized AGPGART problem most likely)

[Singh]

hmm...i'll give it a try. Hope it works though, coz its going to be problematic if it doesnt re-install..

[Singh]

ach - small problem. It wont let me uninstall the hardware now, saying tis needed to boot up the PC or somethin.....

[jdjtcagle]

This is why I let other people do this work

[Liberator]

My 2 cents is reinty 2000 and leave the GF2 out completely.

[Nix]

I'll side with Kazan on this one.  You'll need to update your GART driver, which is usually done by updating your motherboard chipset drivers.  In my 9800 instruction manual, this is a big reason why cards wont display in 2K/XP upon installing the card.  What I'd do in order to get the card to work correctly is:

1- download the newest chipset drivers for your motherboard.
2- grab Driver Cleaner 3 from  driverheaven.net
3- Download the latest drivers for your videocard, the Cat's probably, or a good alternative are the Omega drivers from omegadrivers.net

Update your chipset drivers, which in doing so, should drop an updated AGP GART in your system.  This will allow Windows to talk to your card properly, albeit in very ugly colors and resolutions without proper drivers.  At least you can see though.  After you update the chipset, try running the nvidia uninstall to uninstall the drivers.  then use driver cleaner 3 following it's instructions to the letter.  then you should be able to shut down the PC, stick the new card in, power on the PC and boot to windows.  If this doesnt work, you'll probably have to reformat and install 2K fresh again, along with a chipset update.
Then install the drivers from ATI when windows loads up, and you should be rockin'.  Just remember to hit CANCEL whenever Windows finds a display adapter and display controller.   Cancel those and just run the ATI install program.  That'll drop the correct files in the places they need to be.

[Genryu]

All that being said: I also own a radeon 9200, and I do think that 2k has a little compatibility problem with this card. I spent an entire afternoon trying to get this OS to work with the card before going back to XP

[Singh]

ok. I managed to switch over to my onboard VGA graphics, and updated all my chipset drivers. Problem is, I dont know where to find the uninstall for the Nvidia graphics driver (although I have removed the card from my system atm)

Would running Driver Cleaner 3 without first uninstalling the driver be recommended? The default VGA drivers have been loaded atm, so it may not be required :/

[Cyker]

So... the card crashes even if you boot into VGA/Safe mode?!
That's worrying because the AGP GART shouldn't even be initialised then...!

Check BIOS settings and try changing the AGP Aperture (Lower it to 32MB, NO LESS, and try that. If still doesn't work, try raising to half your RAM), dropping the AGP speed to 2x or less, disabling Side-band addressing, Fast-writes and any other crap like that.

Also, what motherboard do you have? Does it support that card?
There's been a whole load of crap about different voltages and 8x AGP and stuff which can trip you up, esp. if you have a fairly old Mobo...

[Singh]

Originally posted by Cyker
So... the card crashes even if you boot into VGA/Safe mode?!
That's worrying because the AGP GART shouldn't even be initialised then...!

Check BIOS settings and try changing the AGP Aperture (Lower it to 32MB, NO LESS, and try that. If still doesn't work, try raising to half your RAM), dropping the AGP speed to 2x or less, disabling Side-band addressing, Fast-writes and any other crap like that.

Also, what motherboard do you have? Does it support that card?
There's been a whole load of crap about different voltages and 8x AGP and stuff which can trip you up, esp. if you have a fairly old Mobo...

Currently using Via Matsonic MS8188E. It should be able to support it; as its not that old.
Ill try setting the bios stuff..hope it works :/

[Singh]

nope, didnt work at all.
I switched back to the Geforce 2 Nvidia.....I still cant find an uninstall button #$@$#$@ anywhere!
Well, at least the additional RAM helps to offset the Lag somewhat :/

[Kazan]

manually delete the driver files - find out which files they are via the driver information page

or use driver cleaner

this is almost certainly a corrupted AGPGART problem (PS: AGPGART is loaded in safe mode... it's required if you have an AGP video card)

you can always try just reinstalling windblows

[Petrarch of the VBB]

I once had a problem with Windows hanging at the logo screen after I'd fitted an ATi card.
Turns out Windows was still loading, but nothing was being sent to the monitor. I only found that out after leaving it for a few minutes and hearing the Microsoft Sound...