Radeon 9500 Pro Weirdness

[Clocker]

My buddy has a Radeon 9500 Pro 128MB (OEM version from Newegg).

Recently, the video is corrupted while trying to play games. MS Flight simulator was fine before but now the video looks like a checkerboard pattern with alternating squares having vertical black stripes in them. Q3 (only other game he has...that he just purchased) also has the problem.

He has the latest ATI drivers and software patches installed. The problem is evident on both his LCD panel as well as his CRT. Latest motherboard BIOS (nforce2 AOPen AK79D-400VN) is also installed. I've tried tweaking BIOS settings (AGP settings & voltages) and verifying all cooling fans are working & clean. I've also tried underclocking both GPU (Radlinker) and CPU (in bios) but the corrupt video problems in games persist.

The card is just over 1 year old and purchased from Newegg. It sounds to me like the card needs to be replaced but any feedback you guys have would be appreciated.

Is the card even still covered by an ATI warranty or is he SOL?

Thanks,
C

 

[P5-133XL]

Try under-clocking the card. What you are describing is what happens when video RAM starts failing. Underclocking may help stablize the RAM.

 

[blakerwry]

've also tried underclocking both GPU (Radlinker) and CPU (in bios) but the corrupt video problems in games persist.

you've done well... my only suggestion would be to try the card in another system to ensure this is not a software bug.... if it still exists likely something has failed such as Mark's suggestion of RAM.

 

[Clocker]

Thanks guys. Hopefully, the card is covered by ATI's 3 year warranty. I'm not sure how they treat the non-retail box cards.