3870 going black screen with 3D

[iMogal]

System specs as per sig.

95% of the time, anytime I start a game (3D) the computer screen goes blank.
The computer doesn't crash, its like the Vid card falls into sleep mode, and can't be woke up.

I can hit the 'sleep' key on the keyboard, and make the computer sleep, and wake it up, and the vid card comes back, still playing the game.
(The odd time the game will crash cuz of putting the computer in sleep mode)

I've tried numerous drivers, but all with the same effect.

Anyone give me some pointers on how to prevent this from happenning?

P.S. If it keeps doing this, I'm putting my 5lbs sludge hammer to it and buying nvidia.

[zapionics<alt>]

Thats a weird issue... dont think I've heard of that happening with a 3870... What about the obvious; have you recently installed this card? If not, how was it working before? Did you change/update anything in your system/bios? Which games?

[Drufuss]

Can you "Ctrl + TAB" out of the game, back to desktop?

What about benchmarks?

Greetings

Dru

P.S.: Fouling the card with "sludge" won't help imho.

[iMogal]

- Can you "Ctrl + TAB" out of the game, back to desktop?
Nope, screens still blank. Music continues to play.

- What about benchmarks?
Been awhile since I ran one, but 3dmark ran fine.

- recently installed this card
Nope, basically has always had this issue from the install.
This is a second card (RMA'd) Same issue.
I allways hoped it would be a driver issue

Most every game has blank screened on me at some point in time.
Sometimes I can only get a couple mins outa the card, or like last night, the kids
where playing Tycoon coaster for almost 3 hours, with no problems.

I really couldn't harm my ATI, as I really do love the card(when it works)
I was just hoping the card would take my thread seriously and start working correctly!

P.S. Thanks for the laugh Dru!!

[zapionics<alt>]

Based on what you've described I have a hunch its a driver or software related issue.

I'd recommend you uninstall the drivers, boot into safe mode and run driver cleaner to remove all the ATI drivers and then reboot and install the current catalyst drivers. Also re-install DirectX.

driver clean over here

[iMogal]

Originally Posted by zapionics<alt>

Based on what you've described I have a hunch its a driver or software related issue.

I'd recommend you uninstall the drivers, boot into safe mode and run driver cleaner to remove all the ATI drivers and then reboot and install the current catalyst drivers. Also re-install DirectX.

driver clean over here

Yes, I've always presumed it was a driver issue.

Unfortunately, I have done what you've suggested many times, trying different drivers.
Also formatting the system many times... (This comp is 1.5 yrs now)

Most success I've had with this card is when I under clocked it.
but that kinda defeats the purpose of a factory overclock now huh?!

I've even taken the HS off, and replaced the tape with some AS5.
The card ran a good 10-12c cooler after, but still blanked out.
(Its never really crashed the system)

I'm completely stumped.

[zapionics<alt>]

Originally Posted by iMogal

...Unfortunately, I have done what you've suggested many times, trying different drivers.
Also formatting the system many times... (This comp is 1.5 yrs now)...

When the monitor goes blank is it still getting a signal? If you bring up the monitors menu there should be an info page which will display the resolution details. What resolution does it show while blanked?
If there is no signal most monitors will display a message saying so.

[Drufuss]

Originally Posted by zapionics<alt>

When the monitor goes blank is it still getting a signal? If you bring up the monitors menu there should be an info page which will display the resolution details. What resolution does it show while blanked?
If there is no signal most monitors will display a message saying so.

Good point zap!

How is the monitor connected (digital or analog) and what cable do you use (VGA or DVI)?
Can you change the monitor, the cable, the signal mode?

Greetings

Dru

[iMogal]

The monitor(Dell UltraSharp 2407FPW) and now my Sony SBR2000a TV both enter into sleep mode, as the signal drops from the vid card.

Again, if I put the computer to sleep, then wake the computer, it also wakes the vid card and I get the video back.

The monitor connects via DVI, the TV via DVI to HDMI converted cable, both digital signals.

I never had the anaglog cable on long enough to test it.

Realy appriciate the help guys...

[traveler]

The 3870 is a great card.

Nice mod with the Arctic Silver!

Try the analog VGA cable and port. Put a dongle on the vid card and run the VGA cable into the monitor's VGA port. Or does your card have a VGA out port?



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[iMogal]

Nope, no VGA on the vid card.
I don't have the computer plugged into the monitor anymore.
This comp is my HTPC now, so its plugged into the big screen.

With the 48xx series dropping in price, maybe I'll pick one up and put it
into the HTPC, and use the 3870 in my workshop computer

As a side note, I don't recommend the HS and tape removal.
I had to file off a couple stantions to compensate for the thickness of the tape.
Also, a couple chips on my card do not sit flat to the PCB, so a little more modding had to be done there too!