Graphic set up became unstable after format Dual HD Radeon 4870

[flows69]

Hello,

I have an Alienware M17X R2 which runs on two HD Radeon 4870 mounted in crossfire. After format, the latest drivers recommended by Dell (there are some new ones but never got them to work) were reinstalled without problem. If everything seemed to work fine, unfortunately after a little while the display starts to flicker going from blue to orange over and over, sometimes black and white.

The device manager or Catalyst software do not detect any problem.

The computer remains responsive and after restart everything is back to normal for a little time.

Sorry if I did not provide the info needed, please let me know if you need me to run any particular diagnostic.

My main concern at this point is to determine if this is a hardware or software problem.

Thanks for your time and help,

flows69

 

[Layback Bear]

I don't know if I can help you but those that can will need to know
EXACTLY what power supply you have.

Off the top of my head a power supply of quality with a least 650W, and 4 PCI-e connectors.

 

[flows69]

ok; time to sound stupid: I don't have my tools with me ... is there a way to determine the power supply without opening it up ?

A little update;

Alienware offers a diagnostic tool. Actually not bad, allows you to choose what you want component to test and then offers several scenarios like gaming etc ...

The test for the first video card went well. Played a bunch of 3d videos at different resolutions, no problem. Same for the second video card. Since a problem needs to be encountered to actually diagnose something I tried the gaming test.

About half way through the display froze, flashed and then the screen went slowly dark starting at the bottom until there was nothing left. Pretty dramatic ...

Nothing appears on the screen anymore, when I plug in a second screen through HDMI, there are green pixels and even safe mode won't work.

Maybe the gaming test wasn't such a good idea after all ...

 

[Layback Bear]

The two way I know of to find out what power supply is.
1. Look at the paper work that came with the computer.
2. Opening the computer and looking at the tag on the side of the power supply.

I seriously doubt a store bought that came with one video card has a power supply designed for Two video cards.

 

[RoasterMen]

The two way I know of to find out what power supply is.
1. Look at the paper work that came with the computer.
2. Opening the computer and looking at the tag on the side of the power supply.

I seriously doubt a store bought that came with one video card has a power supply designed for Two video cards.

Alienware m17x isn't a desktop nor a small form factor. It is a gaming laptop :X

 

[flows69]

Hey guys,

I am at a point where the pc actually runs with no display. It does run.

In the past it has happened that one of the two cards had a problem. In which case, there were some display problems but I still had something. Having nothing, I believe the problem would be either on the crossfire link between the two cards or the screen itself ? It would be weird that both cards failed at the very same time ...

what do you guys think ?

 

[Layback Bear]

You are absolutly correct RoasterMen. A laptop. My dumb ass just looked.

Okay flows69 just exactly what are the specs of the computer you want two video cards installed.

 

[rasto007]

Were you able to fix this? I have a desktop running ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series card. It is actually ASUS EAH 4870. The problems (distorted, flickering screen and eventually blue screen) started just a month ago after a complete reinstal of OS. I noticed that the issue appears when I attach a second monitor.

 

[GokAy]

Follow http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html
Make sure the zip file created includes the dmp file/s. If not, configure to create "small memory dumps" http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html and wait for another BSOD, then re-run the "DM log collector" and attach as instructed.