Help...I think my Radeon 32MB DDR is dying

[Big Sando]

This past weekend my 3DMark scores dropped off the face of the planet. I was originally getting 2505 at the stock settings. Now I get like 1500 at stock settings, and I did not change anything. I have run 3DMark after re-booting and recovering the memory. Unfortunately, it does not matter.

Also, it seems to get "bogged down" when playing Q3A now. It is much slower. I also tested a DVD last night, and I got the same results. I really notice it in the sound - it is very choppy at times.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Pinky]

Have you tried dropping your system CPU to default to see if the choppiness goes away?

I'm not saying the CPU is the cause, but something's sounds like it's being stressed and it may not be the video card... they usually just "Die". :)

[It_The_Cow]

Have you installed any new programs lately? In Windows 98 after I installed Norton AV, my scores would drop about 1k points in both 3DMark 2000 and 2001

[Big Sando]

Yikes...I dropped the settings down to default. You guessed it...3DMark scores got worse: 1425. And it is still not right.

Come to think of it, I recently upgraded to Windows 98SE. I believe the problems started after that. I do not understand how that would affect the performance of my video though. I could understand it possibly affecting my 3DMark scores. However, I can physically see and hear that something is not kosher.

[Pinky]

Windows 98se needs directx 8 installed, if you haven't done so make sure you do.

try other drivers, even older drivers, and see there's improvement... may want to check for a motherboard manufacturer update... just covering the bases here, dunno what else it could be since dropping to default speeds didn't improve the choppiness...

[It_The_Cow]

I had similiar problems in 98 as well. After a fresh install, I'd get about 2500. After installing all my programs, it dropped to ~1500. I'd say it's a software conflict, but I never found out what caused it on mine (I have Windows 2000, so I don't care anymore :) ). If you want to go through the trouble, reformat, and then install programs one-by-one to see what's causing it

[Carmine_Paterno]

It has been in my experience that windows 98 is faster than 98se. What drivers are you using? Update your motherboard drivers, and make sure to install the new agp drivers. The agp drivers can make a big difference.

Also, how big is your hard drive? Have you been installing space consuming programs? This can make a big difference in 3dmark. This has just been in my experience *i have a crappy western digital 10gb 5400 rpm drive*.

If you want your 3dmark scores back up....i suggest you do a reformat and install 98. Then update all your drivers.

[Big Sando]

Okay...this really sucks. I have all of the most recent drivers for everything, as well as DX8.

It must be a software conflict. I will try to remember which programs were installed after I started experiencing problems and uninstall those. I guess I will also go back to Win98

Let you know how it turns out...keep your fingers crossed.

[Torch]

I think you can be confident that your video card is fine, it's just an issue with 98. I had something similar with my card in 98; everything was slow. In XP (dual-boot) everything was peachy. I ended up doing a fresh install of ME, loaded all drivers, everything works perfectly.

Because I didn't really troubleshoot the issue, just said fack it and threw ME on, I dunno what was causing the problems. I'd be willing to bet it's DirectX or some other video driver residue. Try DXBuster and/or the Detonator driver remover (dunno the 'official' name) ... then re-install drivers and DirectX (you might start with DX7 first).

Just my $.02.

PS - I don't think the Detonator remover will have much effect, since you're using a Radeon. Hehe. I should learn to pay atten- ... ... What was I just saying...?

[Big Sando]

After re-formatting the HDD and re-installing Win98 everything seems to be back to normal ...so far. I have not finished re-installing all of the programs yet. My 3DMark score @1406Mhz and stock vid card settings are back to where they should be: 3070. I am running 3DMark2k1 after each program has been re-installed. I know it is a little more work, but it might help me find why it took a dump on me before.

In XP (dual-boot) everything was peachy

I have seen this term used before, but I do not have a good understanding of what it is. Can you please explain what a dual-boot system is, what it does, and why one might go this route.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I was seriously worried that I might need to replace my new (3 month old) card.

[Carmine_Paterno]

Dual boot is just when you have 2 operating systems installed on your computer, for example windows 98, and windows 2000.

[Big Sando]

So what is the advantage of having two operating systems on a computer?

[Carmine_Paterno]

I dunno.....most poeple like to have it, maybe to compare speed in different operating systems.

Im running just win2k now.

[It_The_Cow]

If you didn't know, Windows 2000 sometimes has conflicts with playing old games. Windows 98 usually has no problem with these older games. Usually once people have used 2000 for a while, they prefer it over 98. However, they still want to play those old games, but still want to keep 2000 as their primary OS. So to satisfy both needs, they dual boot so they can use 98 to play some of their games and still have 2000. So dual booting offers the compatibilty of 98 and the stability of 2000 whenever needed

[Big Sando]

Update...I have finished installing everything and all is well. It must have been a software conflict - something with upgrading to Win98SE. I don't know. That is the only thing that is different about the system then versus now.

I have started benchmarking 3DMark again. With the core / memory at 180 / 180, my score is 3385. There is a lot of room to go though. I was able to get it to 198 / 198 previously.

Also, can you provide me with any links on how to set up a dual boot OS system. I like the idea of having both Win2000 and Win98 for the flexibility.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

:)

[Carmine_Paterno]

All you need to do is install win2k, then after its done, it will give you an option before you computer starts. It says select one....win2k pro, or 98. Then you select which one you want and your good.

[It_The_Cow]

Here's (http://www.3dspotlight.com/articles/dualboot/index.shtml) one of the better guides I've seen. It was made last year, but it's still valid