8800GT KO EVGA wont 'boot'

ewan · nLightened

Hi all,
My specs are ASUS M2N32 SLI Deluxe (Bios 1001), AM2 4800x2 stock, Theralright 120 Extreme,2GB Corsair Dominator 2x1024 @ 800MHz,
2 x 200GB sata II's, XFi Sound, EzCool PSU 650w,Cooler Master CM960 case & 7950GX2,
Syncmaster 205BW,XP Pro Service Pack 2

Upgrading to EVGA 8800GT KO 512mb & having probs.
PC runs great using spec as above but does not boot with GT installed.
This is my method:-
1)Boot up
2)Unistall all Nvidia drivers using add/remove.
3)Run Driver Sweeper and remove whatever is left including Ageia Physix drivers (in case).
4)Restart
5)Cancel driver installer for 7950Gx2 when XP detects new device.
6)Shut down
7)Remove 7950gx2 from PCI-E 1 & fit EVGA 8800gt into PCI-E Slot 1.
8)Fit power from 2 x molex 12v to one PCI-E connector & plug in.
9)Turn on.

Now it freeezes as Window XP Pro logo starts to fade onto screen & stays like it, no HD light flashing, card fan is spinng fine as well.
Change cards and it boots fine ??

Norton Ghost existing system, install XP over the top, fit 8800GT and it boots fine ?

Just so people know these PCI-E 2 cards are meant to be fine with almost all PCI-E 1 slots.
Flashed my 8800GT just to make sure of PCI-E probs anyway (from EVGA site) & no difference.
PSU is plenty for this setup & having 'clean' power will not make a difference, beleive me.

So the problem lies in the boot process i guess (stating the obvious).
Possible probs could be im thinking :-

Boot.ini?
AVG 8 ?
Spyware Doctor 5.5 ?
Disk defragger ?
Any optimiser software ?

Seen loads of people who having same probs and most suggestions are pci-e 1/2, psu or dodgy card,
none of these apply to my sys as it boots with fresh xp so what is the issue ?
want to keep my install as is (if poss) as i got too much to reinstall Sad

Any ideas ? help please.

wonkanoby · Ultra nForced

have you tried drivers heaven driver cleaner

wonkanoby · Ultra nForced

also safe mode might help to get a new driver in

ewan · nLightened

Thnx for help m8,
Driver Sweeper is same as Drivers cleaner im guessing (but will look)
PC won't go to Safe mode, vga mode, last best mode or any other.
I even tried /BASEVIDEO in the boot.ini file to no avail

I know the card works, so not faulty.
Should be able to do a stright swap and bam it should boot.
Got me stumped so far Smile

wonkanoby · Ultra nForced

as they are both nvidia thats i would have done

does it boot with the old vga card in it

wonkanoby · Ultra nForced

worst case over install xp

tjwasiak · nFHQ Member

I would say - clean install. I understand you just don't want to reinstall all needed software etc. but my experience is that when you update your hardware it is the only way not to have troubles Sad

I read you have M2N32-SLI... What a sweet board? Very Happy

I lost all day today just trying to make a clean install on that mobo. It turned that newest (1903) BIOS just won't let me do it.

ewan · nLightened

Im thinking that a clean install maybe the only answer Sad

Latest bios killed my other M2N32 board so i RMA'd it, don't want to flash to the new bios with this one (same will happen i think) but anyone know the highest bios version to go with using the 4800x2 & the 8800gt ?

Would have thought someone had the same prob somewhere and figured it out by now Crying or Very sad

BTW the drivers on the disk that came with the 8800gt wont install if i boot up using the 7950gx2 (dunno if that makes a diff ?) thats why im using the 175.16's.

TwL · **=| ~TwL~ |=** nForce Padawan

Did you ever let it boot with 7900 before switching to 8800? Because the nvram check does not clear unless it boots with the old card.

Also, BIOS sometimes changes the PCI-E usage to onboard while switching. So, that might be the issue here.

ewan · nLightened

hmm i was using the 7950gx2 all the time guys without fault.
Np now as after a lot of posts & no working explanations i have done a clean install now & it works fine Cool

, just didn't want to setup the pc the way it was as it takes ages Confused

H8 not being able to solve pc probs but this got the better of me i guess.

The problem had nothing to do with Nvidia drivers as i uninstalled all of them plus i used Driver Sweeper as well, not a power issue either as 650w & good ampage is there as well, deffinatley not a PCI-E 1 problem either as these cards will work in BOTH PCI-E 1 & 2 (less you have a really old board im guessing).

This card better be a whole lotta better than my 7950gx2 after all this haha (got no hair left now)

Like to say a big thnx for those that took the time to answer, good reply's, will SLi this year i guess as the GT's are a very neat addition to the Nvidia family.

Thanks over & out Razz