Trying to salvage my AGP card..agree (or) not, please?

I'll post more on this......but 1st I think I'd better pose this topic from an ATI (now AMD) forum just to see if it looks safe. :confused:

I have an ATI X850XT AGP Platinum Edition card that has failed 3) times under warranty & replaced.
It's shot again :mad:, and I NEED my gaming fix.

Between myself and several 'puter repair shops, there have been bunches of drivers installed....most likely one over the other, which I suspect is NOT the correct way to do that.

Would one of the Video Card/Graphics Gurus (I know there are plenty here) please see if this is is correct?

If so, I may avoid buying another buying another AGP card until after I *know* my income tax liabilty this year, and then I will probably gut my poor baby and either go to an i7, or a socket 775 Intel mobo with all the accompanying accessories.
I'd even consider an AMD on this one. ;)

Let's check this 1st, ok?

Going to a new 'puter In my state of economics.....that means a home equity loan, seriously.

Please, puhlease, take a sec. and check this out? :
http://forums.amd.com/game/messagevi...ord1=X850XT%20

When I was googling it: there appeared to be some VERY NASTY things with similar names to Driver Cleaner 1.5.

The post is several years old, so the actual, correct driver may be too.

The author of the 2nd post is one...shaidarharan.

Thanks as usual ladies and gents!

Steve_83 :)

Windows XP-Home w/SP-3 and .Netframework 3.5 (pretty sure that was in a recent Windows Update.)

What ATI recommended:

Quote:

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The highest AGP based card available as a built by AMD retail boxed card is the Radeon X1650.
Visiontek and Diamond Multimedia both produce AGP based cards based on the HD2K and HD3K series cards. Both companies are Partner Producers and maintain a North American presence.
The HD3850 AGP card is the highest version of a Radeon based AGP card.

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All the 3850's I can find are PCIe and crossfire ready.
Too high tech for this mobo...an Intel P875PBZ.

The Diamond X1650s have fairly lousy reviews (newegg.com), and the Visionteks are 2-3 X the prices on D'hElls site.

ATI X850XT Platinum Edition specs that I can't interpret :confused: are attached.

Just adding more info. Praying for a reply.

Steve_83

Perhaps it's time to switch from ATI to Nvidia. :D

Any guesses from the manufacturer of that AGP card as to why it kept failing (or did replacments fail)?

Thanks for the replies!

photolady...I've always used ATI, so I wouldn't even know what to buy from nVidia. :o

Bistro...Nope, they never send any kind of documentation and (as a matter of fact), NO manufacturer has ever sent me a "why ?" diagnosis.

My $.02 --> that's very unprofessional because I always include a Why Report when a piece of Medium Voltage (4160VAC -10,200VAC) apparatus fails and I repair it.
Go figure?

I guess that's just the nature of the electronics business.

I guess what I'll do after surfing for HOURS last night is buy another ATI card made by Visiontek.... Model X1950 Pro, Extreme Gaming Edition from good ol Tigerdiect.

That would be...unless someone here has a *Better* Idea on AGP replacement for my X850XT Platinum Edition.

I hate buyers remorse.

There's no restocking within 30 days, even if I find out I have a defective AGP slot in my Intel D875PBZ mobo, and those arrogant #$%&*()()'s won't even TALK to you once you mention: socket 478....
AND THAT MOBO HAS 2) YEARS OF WARRANY LEFT! :mad:

One final thought, if I may?

What's the consensus on the instructions contained in the forum link from the original post?

Quote:

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Step 1: download and install Driver Cleaner http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745
Step 2: download Catalyst 7.7 for your OS http://ati.amd.com/support/dri...adeonxip-cat77-xp.html if running XP 32-bit (Home, Pro, or Media Center)
Step 3: reboot the system in Safe Mode
Step 4: run driver cleaner and remove any drivers & miscellaneous software for your current graphics card
Step 5: shut off system
Step 6: remove side panel of computer
Step 7: locate old graphics card (should be the top card in an ATX system)
Step 8: remove screw or card keeper
Step 9: turn down the tab that secures the card (located at the front of the slot, under the card - right side of slot for ATX)
Step 10: remove old card (be sure to disconnect any cables that might be running to it)
Step 11: insert new card firm enough so that it is flush with the chassis, and that the security tab locks in place
Step 12: attach 4-pin molex power connector to new card (will be on the front of the card)
Step 13: screw the card back in or re-attach the card keeper
Step 14: replace side panel
Step 15: Turn on computer
Step 16: install Catalyst 7.7 or earlier DO NOT USE CATALYST 7.8, 7.9, OR 7.10 - THEY WON'T WORK WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Step 17: reboot
Step 18: enjoy

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Once again....I do appreciate the help I get here.

Steve_83

Those are good instructions.!

Well, besides the reference to a 4-pin molex (old...most cards nowadays have a 4 or 6-pin square (non-Molex) power connector) and the ref to the Catalyst version (I believe they are up to 9.1 now), those instructons are pretty straightforwarward. I've used Driver Cleaner and it is pretty effective...just make sure you choose the correct driver to be zapped. And yes, it is generally a good idea to zap the previous driver first in Safe Mode (although not ALWAYS necessary. I've overinstalled graphics drivers before with no problem, but now and then glitches would crop up...better safe than sorry).

IMHO you're paying too much money to a mediocre etailer for a mediocre card. Newegg has better cards for less money. Check this one out. Link below to more...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

Yee gads, that X1950 was a good card several years ago. Spend less and get a better card as suggested.

To clarify...I wasn't slamming the X1950 as such, although it's a bit dated now. I was referring more to the Visiontek brand - it doesn't get very good user reviews. Also, if TD treats their vendors the way they treat their customers I bet the vendors send TD the borderline stuff.:D

I have an ATI X850XT AGP Platinum Edition card that has failed 3) times under warranty & replaced.

I believe you have a legal right to ask for your money back after this many failed attempts. Then invest in in something else entirely.

My vote would be for another ATI-card, made by Sapphire for instance. Which one depends on your taxes... ahem... budget. But definitely from Newegg, excellent service IF something goes wrong IMO and experience.

Cheers
KGG

Thanks a Bunch fellow Drs!.
What a Great site!

When things are going well.....it's rare that I'll do much shopping, therefore I'll be the 1st to admit I haven't kept current with technology.

When I realized I was gonna HAVE to gut this thing after taxes are all settled, it shocked me that Intel had this newer i7 CPU out.
It also suprised me to smithereens how much difference in $$ there are between AMD and Intel processors.

I just don't speak AMD...so to speak. :rolleyes:

Thanks so much lgb and Train.
I almost made a horrible error even considering the 1950 (vs) the 3850....and ATI already confirmed that in my 2nd post in this thread:

Quote:

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The HD3850 AGP card is the highest version of a Radeon based AGP card.

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Yep...I absolutley feel I got HAD by ATI on their frapping $400 card (The Best...at the time 3 years ago), K G G.

My experience....These HUGE Manufacturers could care less if they produce cr** products.

Let the marketing department sell those dum a**es the newer stuff....and people keep right on buying. :(

That's just the way I see modern business being conducted with technological products.

Everything's just going to get tossed in the trash heap anyway.
That's the way things are: I can't fix em.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2009/02/2.gif

Getting the legal deal started?
Seriously? (vs) ATI?

They'd have me for dinner :rolleyes: and drain ALL the $$ I have, to get what?....That nice feeling of Revenge, and....... Alpo Meatloaf?

Thanks again for the comments fellow members and lgb....I'll let you and Train know how the 3850 turns out.

Anyone else care to throw their $.02 in?

Be my guest, please?

I'm not gettin the CC out most likely until next weekend.

Steve_83 :)

Since I'm not in a huge hurry to get this done, I was going to try to salvage my existing X850XT Platinum Edition by using that fellows instructions from guru3d and download Drive Cleaner to clean all remnants of old ATI drivers, Catalyst Control Centers, etc.

On that site you get this message:

Quote:

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Update: This software was removed at the request of the publisher.
A newer version of their software is still available yet shareware, to be found at the author's website.

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:confused:

I've visited filehippo, cnet with-out any luck finding it.
I know those sites are safe.

When one googles Drive Cleaner 1.5: you get some (to me) fairly scary, evil looking downloads.

That's the last thing I need is a buncha Ransomware.

Bistro and Train: where IS a good place to visit and download that program please?

Also, Bistro said:

Quote:

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just make sure you choose the correct driver to be zapped.

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Why won't I zap all of em (there are probably 5-6....and I've been told on a gaming forum, that anything above version 7's are for Vista.)

Now...there's driver version 9 available and (like I already said) ATI seems to not want to even discuss Legacy products.

My next machine I wouldn't touch ATI products or 3rd party suppliers with ATI chipsets with a 10 foot pole. :mad:

Three "under warranty" failures is a DISGRACE. :mad:

Enough ranting....where can I get Drive Cleaner, Please guys?

Steve-83 :confused:

I looked around and it appears that the original Driver Cleaner has gone shareware. Guru 3D has come out with their own Driver Sweeper that looks very much like the original Driver Cleaner.

Actually that looks easier to work with.