NVIDIA 7900GS card locks up with game

Best to post your gaming problems in the Gaming section of the forum.  You may get more info there, since all your issues are with games.

fireberd -

It is not a gaming problem, it is a graphics card problem when all graphic intense games are played.  To me that is video.

fireberd - It is not a gaming problem, it is a graphics card problem when all graphic intense games are played.  To me that is video.

My first thought is dust buildup inside the case on the heatsinks that is causing the video cards to overheat. That would explain why you can play the games briefly before problems occur. 

Since the problem only happens with games, that is what led me to the "games problem".   A 7900GS is not a "great" gaming Video card and maybe it's time for an upgrade?  The gaming people (gaming section) could probably better suggest what video card to get based on the games you play.

Since the problem only happens with games, that is what led me to the "games problem".   A 7900GS is not a "great" gaming Video card and maybe it's time for an upgrade?  The gaming people (gaming section) could probably better suggest what video card to get based on the games you play.

The poster states the problems also occur with the Dell Video Stability Test. In other words, intense loads on the video cards bring about the failure. 

Intense loads generate more heat, which can lead to instability if cooling is inadequate. If this were my rig, the first thing I'd do is check the innards for dust buildup, especially since this problem has increased over time.

[quote user="fireberd"] Since the problem only happens with games, that is what led me to the "games problem".   A 7900GS is not a "great" gaming Video card and maybe it's time for an upgrade?  The gaming people (gaming section) could probably better suggest what video card to get based on the games you play.

The poster states the problems also occur with the Dell Video Stability Test. In other words, intense loads on the video cards bring about the failure. 

Intense loads generate more heat, which can lead to instability if cooling is inadequate. If this were my rig, the first thing I'd do is check the innards for dust buildup, especially since this problem has increased over time.

[/quote]

Case is clean.  Very little dust on 7900GS cards heat sinks or fans.   Temps seem reasonable: 51C and 59C for room temperature of 27C.

VST does end itself afetr 1 min. in both SLI and nonSLI modes.

BTW:   7900GS is OK card for older games like Myst, Tomb Raider Legend Demo, Age of Empires III, Need for Speed Pro Street Demo, and Fear SP Demo.   That's my collection for now.   :emotion-10:   Will eventually change graphic cards - may have to now.  But the system is still under warranty.

BTW:   7900GS is OK card for older games like Myst, Tomb Raider Legend Demo, Age of Empires III, Need for Speed Pro Street Demo, and Fear SP Demo.   That's my collection for now.   :emotion-10:   Will eventually change graphic cards - may have to now.  But the system is still under warranty.

If heat isn't a problem, perhaps your power supply is inadequate?

Two 7900GS cards draw a lot of power.

System is:

XPS700>720; 1kW PS; Q6600-2.4GHz; 680iSLI; 2007WFP;
XP-MCE-SP3-32bit; 4GB Corsair Dominator EPP,
2eaTWIN-8500C5DFG, 800MHZ w/ FAN; Dual 7900GS SLI;
X-FI Extreme Music; 320GB Raid0+160GB+500GB

Plenty of power.

Uninstall all nvidia drivers and then delete them from the hard drive. That means delete the NVIDIA folders from the C: drive.

Then download the microsoft full Install of service pack 3 for xp and install.

Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation ...

http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/3/0/d30e32d8-418a-469d-b600-f32ce3edf42d/WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe

Then reboot.

Then install the march 2009 directx 9.0c version 9,999

Download details: DirectX Redist (March 2009)

http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/C/4/3C46A69A-CB0F-4CCA-B1E8-248D43270D5F/directx_mar2009_redist.exe

Then reboot.

Then install the nvidia drivers.

http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/186.18/186.18_desktop_winxp_32bit_english_whql.exe

Then reboot.

SpeedStep,

I guess you did not pay any attention to my system configuration I listed.  I have SP3 installed.  I have the latest DirectX 9c. I tried the latest nVidia driver you mentioned and at nVidia's suggestion returned to the 178.24 version.  I have done everything possible with drivers, even tried a couple of different ones I know worked previously.  Additionally, my Windows XP is as up-to-date as you can get.  No overclocking of the graphics or CPU have been done.  Memory still at 800MHz.

NO HELP.

I do believe Dell will be replacing my Graphics cards under warranty per email I received from Dell Hardware Warranty.  :emotion-2:    Unfortunately it appears they will be refurbished cards.   :emotion-12:    I don't know how to get new graphics replacement cards out of them.   Refurbished equipment is NOT typical in the industry.   One usually gets a new or recent replacement that is still being manufactured.   Here Dell is sticking me with a used part.   Bummer!   :emotion-45: :emotion-39:

Even a lot of top brand manufacturers will give you a refurbished card for a warranty replacement.  The 7900 GS is an older card not manufactured anymore.  It is nice that you still have a warranty and can get a replacement, but if I were you I would look at an upgrade with a computer like yours.  Even a single 9600 GT will give you twice the performance of your 7900 GS's in SLI and they do not cost that much.  Based on differences in cost being small now among the 9600 GT, 9800 GT and GTS 250, I would go with the latter.  However, you can still go much higher than these cards since you certainly have the power supply for it.   You could probably turn around and sell your two 7900 GS cards and break even buying a new one that will give you much better performance.