Does no crash in safe mode mean HD4870 drivers to blame?

[websemantic]

Hello, I've been having bad problems with my new system. I suspect it is the HD4870 gfx card but I don't know if it is a hardware or driver problem.

I've had a couple of different types of system hang but when I ran Windows in safe mode it was stable for longer than it has ever been.

So, my question is: if all runs fine in safe mode, can I deduce that the problems I am having are with the drivers instead of the hardware (desperately trying to avoid RMA hassle)?

More detail: complete new build with no previous drivers installed. All updates, BIOS and drivers, ATI hotfix latest from relevant websites. Used Vista memory test and that passed fine. Prime95 ran happily for over an hour. Implemented fan fix for HD4870 - all systems temps nice and low (40-45C ish).

Hang happens between 20 mins and 3 hours. Either screen gets green stripes OR goes black OR gfx fan sticks at 100% and screen goes black. Only out for all is to reboot. I see quite a few other people have had this!

Spec:
Vista Business 64bit
Asus P5Q3 wifi
9540 Quad
HD4870 Gigabyte
4Gb Corsair DDR3
Velociraptor
Samsung F1
Asus DVD

[chqshaitan]

I take it mate that you have not overclocked the gfx card? just a thought, but maybe you could try underclocking it to see if the problem still occurs.

Do you have a good psu?

Does the green stripes only appear in 2d or 3d mode?

THose cards do run extremely hot so its possible that there is not sufficient airflow in your case, how about taking the side off and setting up a deskfan to blow onto the gfx card as this would rule out the heat issue?

[GoNz0]

has event viewer in control panel > admin tools show any errors ?

[kalniel]

So, my question is: if all runs fine in safe mode, can I deduce that the problems I am having are with the drivers instead of the hardware (desperately trying to avoid RMA hassle)?

Almost certainly, yes.

However that's assuming same usage. If your usage changes (ie you start playing 3d games only in non-safe mode) and it causes crashes then it might not be just drivers).

[peterb]

IIRC in safe mode the generic windows drivers are used (which would limit the capability of the card anyway) so you probably couldn't play games to the same resolution/speed (if at all) so yes, it does point towards the drivers. However.. it could be that using the proper drivers is driving the card harder, which couold be showing up a problem with the GPU anyway.

Sorry it isn't conclusive....

[GoNz0]

i have a faulty video card that works fine in VGA mode, so it could be faulty.

[websemantic]

chqshaitan, no overclocking. New Enermax Modu 625W PSU, GPU temp 43C. 2D and 3D problems so far. So, don't think it is a temp thing.

GoNz0, I have yet to check and not sure what I'm looking for there so will read up on it. Good suggestion.

Kalniel, peterB - I have had varied responses on other forums but the consensus is that safe mode doesn't fully use all parts of the card so I cannot deduce that it is only the drivers to blame.

Looks like an RMA is on the books :-(

Thanks for all the replies! Of out now, will respond to future posts when I get back.

[GoNz0]

tbh testing in another machine or sending for rma and being prepared to stump up return costs if no faults found as im waiting for an RMa test on mine to confirm,

[chqshaitan]

Ah well if its crashing in 2d applications that would definitively get me thinking tis a hardware fault on the card itself.

Can you detail the main components in your machine, like processor, number of hard drives etc etc, because even though you have a 625w power supply it may not be enough, from what i remember reading on toms hardware the card itself can require nearly 300 watts alone

Also that temperature reading seems really low, are you using air cooling with a stock cooler? because it should be nearer 70 degrees at idle and around 80 under load (taken from recent review at toms hardware (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/radeon...-31046-17.html)

[3d_guru]

New Enermax Modu 625W PSU

I think it's a PSU issue...your pc has to drain about 450-500W of power. Considering that no PSU has 100% efficiency (high end have 80+), so just in case, if you consider that your psu might have efficiency of max 80%, that is 500W efficient. During load time it can easily happen that your psu does not deliver enough power.

If I were you, I'd ask a friend of mine to borrow me a 800 or 850W PSU, try it out for several hours, put your computer under stress, and see if problems still appear. It won't cost you a dollar

[websemantic]

Hello 3d_guru, thanks for the suggestion - I will try it if all else fails. I suspect the PSU is adequate as the crashes are happening during idle mainly so it should definiltly be able to cope.

GoNz0, how did your RMA get on?

chqshaitan, the temps should be at this level thanks to the fan XML profile hack available on many forums.

I'll post if I get anywhere.

[GoNz0]

still waiting for my rma, scan were really fast, then decided to wait until wednesday to ship it ti xfx, so a weekend plus 3 days collecting dust, bit of a letdown really.

if they had said that b4 i sent the card (they didnt mention it until i shipped it) i wouldnt have wasted my time with them and gone direct ffs

anyway its a nvidia card so not much you to you !