Need Expert Help - RT and Black Screen

Discussion in 'RivaTuner Advanced Discussion forum' started by FallGuy, Oct 17, 2001.

  1. FallGuy

    FallGuy Guest

    I need some expert help here because I don't think that RT is actually causing my problem, but it highlites it. Let me describe my hardware and what is happening:<br>
    <br>
    ASUS A7VL-VM (no f@%^ing AGP slot)<br>
    VIA KM133 Chipset<br>
    T-Bird 1.4GHz (100MHz x 7 with DDR)<br>
    2 x 128 MB PC133 (at 133MHz/CAS2 - 7ns)<br>
    PNY Verto GeForce2 MX/400 PCI Card<br>
    Detonator 10.90 (also tried 21.81 & 21.84)<br>
    Windows ME<br>
    ProView 550 LCD Monitor @ 1024x768x16<br>
    <br>
    Problem #1:<br>
    When I run MadOnion 3DMark2000/2001 or a game like Unreal Tournament, after I end the program certain Windows components are either black or have a dark pattern superimposed on them (i.e. Start button, Area next to Start Menu where "Windows Millenium Edition" would normally be displayed).<br>
    <br>
    Problem #2:<br>
    This started when I first ran GTU. I had modified my driver with SoftQuadro and did a clean install. Everything checked out as expected in Open-GL. I tried enabling a few of the recommended options (other than overclocking) and got a slight gain in performance. Then I tried clicking on the Fast Settings button and I got a series of errors, ending with some message about not enabling the professional mode or something like that. No problem, I rebooted and tried again. GTU loaded fine, but when I clicked on one of the tabs besides the one it comes up in - my monitor went black. The system was still operating, but I could not see anything. It did it every time I tried it, so I re-installed my driver and got a copy of RivaTuner.<br>
    <br>
    Problem #3:<br>
    I used RT to make a few changes to test out and liked the program / interface (once I finally found the hidden options under the triangle). This time, the only change I made was to give up some RAM for texturing and enabled overclocking, and then the next time I loaded RT - BAM <IMG SRC="smileys/knock.gif"> back to the black screen as soon as I clicked on one of the hidden option buttons.<br>
    <br>
    Do any of the experts here have an idea of what is making these things happen, and more importantly how to fix them? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm about ready to <IMG SRC="smileys/puke.gif"> <br>
    <br>
    -- Joe
     
  2. Unwinder

    Unwinder Ancient Guru Staff Member

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    &gt; When I run MadOnion 3DMark2000/2001 or a game like Unreal Tournament, after I end the program certain Windows components are either black or have a dark pattern superimposed on them (i.e. Start button, Area next to Start Menu where "Windows Millenium Edition" would normally be displayed).<br>
    <br>
    Usually this bug is caused by incompatibility between Detonator and software from Yamaha. Do you use Yamaha sound card or software synthesizer?<br>
    <br>
    &gt; This started when I first ran GTU. I had modified my driver with SoftQuadro and did a clean install. Everything checked out as expected in Open-GL. I tried enabling a few of the recommended options (other than overclocking) and got a slight gain in performance. Then I tried clicking on the Fast Settings button and I got a series of errors, ending with some message about not enabling the professional mode or something like that. No problem, I rebooted and tried again. GTU loaded fine, but when I clicked on one of the tabs besides the one it comes up in - my monitor went black. The system was still operating, but I could not see anything. It did it every time I tried it, so I re-installed my driver and got a copy of RivaTuner.<br>
    <br>
    GTU conatins a lot of beta settings. Changing the without understanding what are you doing can cause BSODs/system hangs.<br>
    <br>
    &gt; Do any of the experts here have an idea of what is making these things happen, and more importantly how to fix them? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. <br>
    <br>
    Use RivaTuner's 'Restore defaults' button. It will rip all the beta settings from the registry.<br>
    <br>
    <br>
    <br>
    <br>
     
  3. FallGuy

    FallGuy Guest

    Thank you for the help. What an obscure connection. My sound card is a Rockwell Riptide combination sound/modem card. It does have Yamaha emulation software running, including msgloop and msg32 that run in the system tray and show up in task list.<br>
    <br>
    Do you know of a way to fix this problem?
     
  4. Unwinder

    Unwinder Ancient Guru Staff Member

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    &gt; Do you know of a way to fix this problem?<br>
    <br>
    1) Use 5.xx or older drivers<br>
    2) Remove all Yamaha software<br>
    <br>
     

  5. Kakaru2

    Kakaru2 Master Guru

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    GPU:
    Gigabyte 8800GTX 768MB
    I have a better one Get a new PCI soundcard. The cheapest are about 10USD max 20Usd and are pretty good if u don't use 3d sound.
     
  6. LoyC

    LoyC Member

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    how about updating your drivers/software? <IMG SRC="smileys/rolleyes.gif">
     
  7. FallGuy

    FallGuy Guest

    The problem with getting a new soundcard is that my MoBo is a microATX form factor and I have all 3 PCI 2.2 slots filled.<br>
    <br>
    1: Verto GeForce2 MX400<br>
    2: IEEE Firewire Adapter (scanner & 2GB Jaz Drive)<br>
    3: Rockwell Riptide Combo Modem/Soundcard<br>
    <br>
    The Riptide is a hardware/software modem and is a real piece of crap. It came in a HP Pavilion. I am not aware of any good combo cards, and until Insight@Home starts taking orders for cable modem access again and I can get online with a Firewire Cable modem (or a USB one if no firewire one exists) - I need the combo card to have sound and internet access.<br>
    <br>
    -- Joe
     
  8. Kakaru2

    Kakaru2 Master Guru

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    GPU:
    Gigabyte 8800GTX 768MB
    Hehe!<br>
    <br>
    2/3 of your PCI slots are obviously taken. That leaves u with just one.<br>
    You need both modem and soundcard. That's two.<br>
    <br>
    Ughh? What now?<br>
    <br>
    The soundcards are just ISA/PCI. (If anywone does know of another SC please enlighten me <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif">)<br>
    So you must put in the third slot the soundcard. That's for sure.<br>
    <br>
    How about the modem you ask? Fortunately a modem comes in more flavours.<br>
    First you can have the internal modem, like the one you use, and this kind is the worst. Get rid of it as soon as money allow it.<br>
    Then u have the external version. And that comes:<br>
    2a) plain old vanilla Serial Extern Modem<br>
    2b) newer USB Extern Modem<br>
    <br>
    From my personal experience when going for external version make sure it has Rockwell chip (actually they're called Conexant now) or buy an expensive brandname one.<br>
    Present standard is V90+V42, V92+V44 will soon emerge but your ISP must support it as well and it's not that much faster and kinda hard to find.<br>
    <br>
    Comclusion: If you buy both a new soundcard and a new modem you solve your problems AND get increase performance. Because it's Sw your modem is eating valuable CPU cycles and has not so quality components and probably the same can be said about present soundcard.<br>
    <br>
    As to what to choose:<br>
    For modem see what you can find at your local HW stores.<br>
    For soundcard i recomend:<br>
    SoundBlaster 128 at ~20USD.<br>
    SBLive Value/5.1 at ~40/~60 (even less i'm sure)<br>
    SB Audigy at ...(beats me <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif">)<br>
    While Audigy is the best; you will find that Live is also a super choice. I have one too and I definetely say to get one but if you're short on cash SB128 is good too at listening.<br>
     
  9. FallGuy

    FallGuy Guest

    Well, good news for me. Insight@Home just settled their problem with @Home and my cable internet access will be installed Thursday. Now I can scrap that piece of crap combo card and just put in a decent sound card. The SB is probably the way I'll go with that.<br>
    <br>
    Interesting that you said to get a Rockwell chipset. This crappy combo card I'm scrapping is a Rockwell (Conexant) Riptide...
     
  10. Kakaru2

    Kakaru2 Master Guru

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    GPU:
    Gigabyte 8800GTX 768MB
    Hehe I said Get an <b>External</b> Rockwell modem not an internal one <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif">
     

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