Graphic Glitch; Unknown Cause

[Darkmort]

<p>New computer; loaded EQ2 started off just fine then I kept getting graphic glitches; within 90seconds of logging in game and I have to /exit cause I cant see NOTHING</p><p><a href="http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch.jpg</a></p><p><a href="http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch2.jpg</a></p><p><a href="http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch3.jpg</a></p><p><a href="http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.larrytolman.com/Glitch4.jpg</a></p><p>Not sure what the cause is but here are some small facts:</p><p>AMD Athlon 64x2 5400 CPU</p><p>GeForce 8800 GTX @ 768mb @ Driver Version 7.15.0011.6222; Date 7-16-07</p><p>PSU Antec 850watts</p><p>2gigs of RAM</p><p>Windows Vista 32bit</p><p>I've tried simple operations such as lowering the resolution, lowering graphic settings, making shortcut in ADMIN mode, making shortcut in Win XP SP 2 compat mode but I just dont know what else to do.  Any ideas?</p>

[Nulad]

Underclock the gfx card and see what happens?

[Darkmort]

<p>Underclock? It was never overclocked to begin with; I'm using the defaults (just explain a bit better please hehe)</p>

[Tebos]

<p>In the Nvidia control panel, determine what the video card temperature is at idle. Fire up the game and determine what the card temperature is at the time the artifacting is occuring.</p>

[Darkmort]

<p>Half Life 2 is doing the exact same thing.</p><p>I downloaded the NVidia control panel thingy (NTUNE) and it says 65 deg idle and it registered 66 degrees at crash (or whatever) graphic glitch basically.</p><p>Out of the many games I tried out today on my new system to see the difference between FRAPS</p><p>EQ2 and HL 2 are the only games causing a huge error (Graphic Glitches)</p><p>Spiderman 3 The Game played fine</p><p>Test Drive Unlimited (minor graphic problems, but not as much as EQ2 and HL2)</p><p>Tomb Raider Anniversary (fine)</p><p>EverQuest</p><p>F.E.A.R. -averaged 40fps</p><p>Lord of the Rings Online-gained like 15-20fps; played well</p><p>Splinter Cell Double Agent-played an entire game level-probably 30min gameplay no crashes, no problems, however no improvement much on FPS</p><p>Vanguard: Saga of Heroes-Originally I was getting 5-20fps on old PC; After changing the performance to Ultra High or whatever I'm getting 25-45fps; played well</p><p>So again that leaves me with EverQuest 2 and Half Life 2 that I cannot adjust ANY settings cause the minute the game loads up; theres extreme graphic glitches</p>

[Nulad]

<cite>Darkmortis wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Underclock? It was never overclocked to begin with; I'm using the defaults (just explain a bit better please hehe)</p></blockquote>Underclock it from the default speeds, sometimes it can cure the problem at which point you know you have a faulty card which you can RMA.  Nvidia NTune will allow you do this as far as I am aware.

[Darkmort]

<p>It wont let me:</p><p>Default Values are 575mhz for Core Bus and 900mhz for Memory Bus</p><p>I cant lower it, it keeps resetting to default values</p><p>Lowest I COULD do was 144 and 225 but when I hit apply it resets to default; I'm gonna try 25hz HIGHER which probably wont work either</p><p>***Nope, wont let me overclock it; which I could care less really; never overclocked anything in my life, no need to start now***</p>

[Darkmort]

<p>Half Life 2 was doing the same thing</p><p>Since FRAPs wasnt recording anything I used the webcam off my laptop to record video from my 22inch monitor.</p><p>So here is a clipping for Half Life 2s loading screen.  After 31seconds the game WILL come into focus and then it starts tripping out; Im guessing if I can fix/resolve HL2, then EQ2 should be the same thing.</p><p>http://www.larrytolman.com/hl2glitch.wmv</p>

[Tebos]

<cite>Darkmortis wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Half Life 2 is doing the exact same thing.</p><p>I downloaded the NVidia control panel thingy (NTUNE) and it says 65 deg idle and it registered 66 degrees at crash (or whatever) graphic glitch basically.</p><p>Out of the many games I tried out today on my new system to see the difference between FRAPS</p><p>EQ2 and HL 2 are the only games causing a huge error (Graphic Glitches)</p><p>Spiderman 3 The Game played fine</p><p>Test Drive Unlimited (minor graphic problems, but not as much as EQ2 and HL2)</p><p>Tomb Raider Anniversary (fine)</p><p>EverQuest</p><p>F.E.A.R. -averaged 40fps</p><p>Lord of the Rings Online-gained like 15-20fps; played well</p><p>Splinter Cell Double Agent-played an entire game level-probably 30min gameplay no crashes, no problems, however no improvement much on FPS</p><p>Vanguard: Saga of Heroes-Originally I was getting 5-20fps on old PC; After changing the performance to Ultra High or whatever I'm getting 25-45fps; played well</p><p>So again that leaves me with EverQuest 2 and Half Life 2 that I cannot adjust ANY settings cause the minute the game loads up; theres extreme graphic glitches</p></blockquote><p>Okay, you were able to establish with us that Half Life 2 will exhibit graphical anolmolies at 66c. Could you please tell us whether those other games go above 65c at idle. I would think Vanguard would.</p><p>Otherwise, that other poster mentioning the card being defective is a strong possibility. Try this out in EQ2. Turn off all "shadows" in the in-game settings as see if artifacting occurs. You can do this change at the character select screen.</p>

[Darkmort]

<p>I pushed my graphics card using Vanguard; thanks for the tip heh</p><p>74c degrees and NO graphical problems; in fact I pushed my GPU that I lowered my fps by 20 to get the best viewing; Tree Density was at 50%; along with Grass Density at 50%; etc etc; Ultra High Performance etc etc;</p><p>NO Graphical problems unlike EQ2 and HL2 <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Nulad]

That temp is fine for the 8800 series. It may be worth checking for any directX updates and maybe trying a different set of Nvidia drivers just to confirm it's not something with either of those.

[Darkmort]

<p>Just to let you know I have like 3 threads going; one for each community to help me out on this LOL I copied this post from my guild in EQ2</p><p>Instead of using Driver Cleaner; software here is my normal steps: (to un install/re install graphic drivers) Add Remove Programs>Un Install NVidia Drivers (I do not reset) Device Manager>Un Install GeForce 8800 GTX (or display adapter)---(I reset) Upon booting back to desktop; I go into Program Files and SHIFT DELETE NVidia Folder (I Cancel the Auto finding new hardware) I do a complete search on my hard drive anything pertaining to NVidia or NV4 (except the recent download); I SHIFT DELETE I make sure I empty recycle bin I double click the .exe icon to start installation of Graphic Drivers and reset the machine when it prompts Adjust the display settings upon reboot to desktop I did that and to no avail; it didnt work. I have two other threads going; one for EQ2 and one for HL2. One person commented that with EQ2 or HL2 once my Video Card reached 66c degrees that I started receiving graphic problems, that I need to test it out for a different game; like Vanguard thats a resource hog LOL I tested that out and pushed my graphic card to 74 degrees celcius and had ZERO graphic problems; I pushed that graphic card in Vanguard that I lowered my frames per second by 20pts just to have an awesome layout; Grass density was at 50% whereas beforehand it was at 0%; and Tree Density was at 50% whereas before it was at 0%. Still no problems. One person commented that 74c Degrees was a fine temperature for the 8800 GTX So lets see I ruled out the un instal/re install of graphic drivers I ruled out that above a certain temperature I get graphic problems (not the case here) I actually went into my 3D Settings and had everything TURNED OFF; or set to a minimum to load the game; NOPE still graphic problems I went into my 3D Settings and turned everything FULL BLAST; nope still graphic problems It makes no sense; how can I play Splinter Cell Double Agent for 1/2 hour, test out other games, load up Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest 1, Vanguard and only have Half Life 2 and EverQuest 2 have graphical problems; are they using the same graphic engine?</p><p>(PS: trying a different set of Nvidia drivers.......hmm I'll try that)</p>

[Tebos]

<p>I will next suggest that you delete the cache and login-cache directories under the EverQuest II directory. Also, either move or delete all .ini files with in the EverQuest II directory. Report back with your findings.</p>

[Darkmort]

<p>I ended up doing a clean install of my OS; I did copy the files over from a long time ago.  I did delete the cache/login cache and .ini (config files) and I'm still having Graphic Problems.</p><p>What I want to know is why 2/10 games are having issues.  Why am I able to play Vanguard who is a graphic hog but not EQ2 LOL Why cant I play Half Life 2 but I can play Splinter Cell Double Agent just fine.</p><p>Unanswered questions I want to know</p><p>But while were at it.  Is EQ2 using the same graphic engine as HL2 I wonder?</p>

[Darkmort]

Not to sound like a threat (LOL) but if after I get the new video card and EQ2 still wont play I'm calling Tech Support directly

[Darkmort]

<p>Well for Half Life 2; old drivers didnt fix my problem.</p><p>Current Driver Version: 7.15.11.6222 (Date: 7-6-07)</p><p>Tried the Old Driver: 7.15.11.5818 (Date: 4-12-07)</p><p>So I am guessing if it didnt fix HL2 it wouldnt fix EQ2</p>

[Armigite]

If you can find a friend with a capable system, install your card in that system and test it.  If you still get graphic problems, then it's definitely the card.  Otherwise it's your system.  Every time I've had graphic glitches, including the ones you have, it's been a corrupt driver or a failed/failing video card. You <u>may</u> find out that one of your cards is bad.  If not, I suspect you have one of the following: <ul><li>Driver problem (even though you tried a different one)  may need to completely uninstall the current driver and then reinstall</li><li>Heat problem.  The 8800's get pretty hot, and are able to run pretty hot.  Perhaps you have a sensitive one.  Use Rivatuner to force your graphic card fan to run 100% and test it. </li><li>Power supply problem.  Even though it appears that your power supply can handle the load, it may be defective and fail when under a heavy load.</li></ul>I know you've said you ruled out some of that stuff, but those are the most common graphic problem that I've found. Please report back what you find out.  I'm really curious to know what it is.

[Norrsken]

my guess would be faulty hardware. all games arent using the same renering modes, so might be one of those that is screwing the card. And really, most of the time, if a game is freaking out on an nvidia card, its really most of the time a broken card or failing driver.

[Darkmort]

<p>FIXED; WOOT</p><p>Well Half Life 2 that is. I'll be testing EQ2 later on but since I'm not getting any graphic glitches with Half Life 2, its safe to say I probably wont be getting any graphic glitches with EQ2.</p><p>The problem?  My Power Supply Unit.</p><p>I still find it odd that it worked last couple weeks.  I was able to play games with it and so forth but I hooked up a new PSU today got NO ERROR with NVidia Sentinel on power consumption to Video card and when I loaded Half Life 2 I was getting frame rates from 70-200; NICE <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>But it gets better.</p><p>3D Mark 03 with OLD PSU=10,000</p><p>3D Mark 03 with NEW PSU=33,000  (3 times the value YAY)</p><p>3D Mark 06 with OLD PSU=3,042</p><p>3D Mark 06 with NEW PSU=9,608 (YAY 3 times the value)</p><p>Bioshock Demo with OLD PSU=10-20fps</p><p>Bioshock Demo with NEW PSU=30-60fps (WOOT I'm drooling now lol)</p><p>Anyways I'll post my EQ2 frame rates when I decide to log in, but right now I have some shooting to do hehe (and eat dinner and so forth)</p>

[ganjookie]

GET YOUR PC fixed now!!