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Old Aug 22, 2012, 08:58 PM   #1
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Works until blank screen and frozen

My computer works for awhile. Then the screen goes blank. I know the computer is frozen because I can not turn the the num key light off. This only happens when there is graphical load like a game. Right now I have the computer laying on its side because it doesn't do it as soon. When standing up right it happens faster. I reinstalled the video drivers twice. I did just moved to my new place. I am thinking something may be damaged hardware wise. I can not see anything wrong with the video card and or motherboard. I did specifically check the pci-e slot. I tried my 6950 also and had the same problem.

Anyway I am stumped. So help me brainstorm. Thanks in advance

Edit: Rma'd it. More details in posts below.
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Old Aug 22, 2012, 09:05 PM   #2
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Check temps, if you didn't already. Otherwise it sounds like PSU issues. Make sure everything is connected properly.
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Old Aug 22, 2012, 09:57 PM   #3
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Possibly the card has strained the solder joints or pads on the PCIe connector?
Did you leave the card in and unsupported during transfer to new place of residence?

Try the other slot and see if it still does it.
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Old Aug 23, 2012, 10:26 PM   #4
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Everything is and has been connected properly.
Upgraded to 12.8 drivers.
Using a different video cable.
I have now tried the second slot. Should of already. DeR Der... Didn't help though.

Going to try my 6950 again. Also will try the 7970 on another computer. Also am going to clear cmos in case it is a wierd bios problem.

It isn't freezing every time now. It gets heavy heavy green artifacting. I can windows right key enter to shut it down. It goes from a blank black screen to the heavy green artifacting, at least when it doesn't freeze on the blank screen.
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Old Aug 25, 2012, 02:27 AM   #5
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I can't seem to get the 6950 to give me any problems so I am assuming it must be the 7970. I am going to run the 6950 for a few days so I can game and see if it eventually gives me problems. Along with that, I am reverting to 12.6.

I really really hope my 7970 didn't die.
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 08:59 PM   #6
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I have now used my 6950 for a month without a problem. 12.9 beta came out, which reminded me of my 7970. So I decided to play with it. Same problems.

Think baking it might help?
I bought it used off of ebay. Could I still rma it through saphire?
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:06 PM   #7
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Seems to most definitely be the card.
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:08 PM   #8
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It definitely is the card. Just don't know why. Did happen just after my move and that can not be a coincidence. I see no visual defects in the card
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:11 PM   #9
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RMA it and let them figure it out.
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:20 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
RMA it and let them figure it out.
I am going to take that as a confirmation that I can RMA a bought used card
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:30 PM   #11
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Sure sounds like it's overheating. What are the temps at the moment it freezes/artifacts?
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Old Sep 28, 2012, 09:47 PM   #12
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The temps as far as I remember were fine. I took me a lot of reboots for it not to freeze and get the green artifacting. The fan moves. I have tried both the stock cooler and my artic accellero. The card doesn't even feel that warm from its backside. Plus it just after log in sometimes.
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Old Sep 29, 2012, 06:58 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erocker View Post
RMA it and let them figure it out.
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presenta...n=000203&lid=1
Quote:
Currently Sapphire does not directly provide any warranty extensions. Please contact your reseller or distributor for any 3rd party warranty extensions that may be available through them. Any extensions provided by the reseller are independent of Sapphire.
Going to try to rma it. Still not sure I can.
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Old Oct 2, 2012, 01:14 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by james888 View Post
Going to try to rma it. Still not sure I can.
You may be able to RMA it, but if you tell the truth they will deny your request. So lie your ass off and say you paid cash for it at your local store and the maid threw out the box and reciept. They can't blame you for trying! And it just might work.
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Old Oct 2, 2012, 01:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
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You may be able to RMA it, but if you tell the truth they will deny your request. So lie your ass off and say you paid cash for it at your local store and the maid threw out the box and receipt. They can't blame you for trying! And it just might work.
Did and will continue to do so.
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Old Oct 18, 2012, 09:01 PM   #16
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I think I made a mistake while contacting saphire the first time. Its like the online form I sumbitted did not get submitted. So I tried again today and got a response.

Quote:
Provide a copy of the purchase receipt and send it to tech@althonmicro.com for RMA request.
This is a used card from ebay. Would I provide the ebay receipt, or should I contact the ebay seller and ask for the original invoice? I just read a lot of stories about the saphire rma process and it appears they charge you $15 if you don't have a receipt to fullfill the rma.
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Old Oct 18, 2012, 10:24 PM   #17
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they will charge you $15/25 receipt or no receipt but you'll have a lot more luck if "should I contact the ebay seller and ask for the original invoice" that way you can supply a copy of it to them & get alot less trouble from them
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Old Oct 18, 2012, 11:12 PM   #18
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have heard talk about a black screen bug with the Sapphire HD7870 OCs which was resolved by BIOS flash.
I think it just bumped the voltage a bit.
Not sure if the 7970s had the same problem.
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Old Oct 19, 2012, 12:04 AM   #19
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Hell I would just tell them I lost the receipt and pay the $15/$25. That is a hell of a lot cheaper then a new card.
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Old Oct 19, 2012, 01:22 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Widjaja View Post
have heard talk about a black screen bug with the Sapphire HD7870 OCs which was resolved by BIOS flash.
I think it just bumped the voltage a bit.
Not sure if the 7970s had the same problem.
Hmm... I will look into that. If I could keep this card I would like to. It has an 86% asic rating and I like that. Not because it is higher but because I am air cooling it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThE_MaD_ShOt View Post
Hell I would just tell them I lost the receipt and pay the $15/$25. That is a hell of a lot cheaper then a new card.
That was the plan. I still sent a message to the ebay guy to see if I could get the original invoice. If questioned about it being in another name I would claim it was a gift from a friend.
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Old Oct 24, 2012, 11:47 PM   #21
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Well I never got a copy of the receipt. They gave me an RMA number real quick, as in within the hour. It will cost me shipping + a $20 charge. Not bad to get a working 7970 instead of this dud.

My motherboard happened to have a new bios that fixed vga compatability problems. So I flashed my MB with the new bios. I had my 6950 in and it booted up. I then switched in 7970 and it would not even post. Put the 6950 back in and it started right up.

Sending it back in tomorrow. Will post when the new one comes in and how it works etc.
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Old Oct 24, 2012, 11:49 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by james888 View Post
Well I never got a copy of the receipt. They gave me an RMA number real quick, as in within the hour. It will cost me shipping + a $20 charge. Not bad to get a working 7970 instead of this dud.

My motherboard happened to have a new bios that fixed vga compatability problems. So I flashed my MB with the new bios. I had my 6950 in and it booted up. I then switched out in 7970 and it would not even post. Put the 6950 back in and it started right up.

Sending it back in tomorrow. Will post when the new one comes in and how it works etc.
I hope it isnt like the bios BS that Asus Had for their mobos, aka prevent modded 6950s from working...
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Old Oct 24, 2012, 11:50 PM   #23
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Quote:
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I hope it isnt like the bios BS that Asus Had for their mobos, aka prevent modded 6950s from working...
Might want to reread that. The 6950 works the 7970 has not been for a little while.
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Old Oct 24, 2012, 11:52 PM   #24
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Quote:
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Might want to reread that. The 6950 works the 7970 has not been for a little while.
no no you didnt understand im wondering if this is somewhat like how that debacle was for Asus only its affecting 7900s ya know.

btw duststorms up there are fun to go thru lol
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Old Oct 24, 2012, 11:55 PM   #25
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no no you didnt understand im wondering if this is somewhat like how that debacle was for Asus only its affecting 7900s ya know.
I highly doubt it. The card worked on the same bios for well over a month before giving me problems. Although I don't know what vga fixes MSI did for my board I figured I would try it none the less.
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