Works until blank screen and frozen

Nordic · Aug 22, 2012

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.

Frick · Aug 22, 2012

Check temps, if you didn't already. Otherwise it sounds like PSU issues. Make sure everything is connected properly.

95Viper · Aug 22, 2012

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.

Nordic · Aug 23, 2012

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.

Nordic · Aug 25, 2012

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.

Nordic · Sep 28, 2012

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?

erocker · Sep 28, 2012

Seems to most definitely be the card.

Nordic · Sep 28, 2012

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

erocker · Sep 28, 2012

RMA it and let them figure it out.

Nordic · Sep 28, 2012

erocker said:
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

Kreij · Sep 28, 2012

Sure sounds like it's overheating. What are the temps at the moment it freezes/artifacts?

Nordic · Sep 28, 2012

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.

Nordic · Sep 29, 2012

erocker said:
RMA it and let them figure it out.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/support/support_index.aspx?cid=3&psn=000203&lid=1

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.

Hood · Oct 2, 2012

james888 said:
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.

Nordic · Oct 2, 2012

Hood said:
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.

Nordic · Oct 18, 2012

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.

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.

Frogger · Oct 18, 2012

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

Widjaja · Oct 19, 2012

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.

ThE_MaD_ShOt · Oct 19, 2012

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.

Nordic · Oct 19, 2012

Widjaja said:
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.

ThE_MaD_ShOt said:
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.

Nordic · Oct 25, 2012

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.

eidairaman1 · Oct 25, 2012

james888 said:
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...

Nordic · Oct 25, 2012

eidairaman1 said:
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.

eidairaman1 · Oct 25, 2012

james888 said:
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

Nordic · Oct 25, 2012

eidairaman1 said:
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.

Processor	7800x3d
Motherboard	Gigabyte B650 Auros Elite AX
Cooling	Custom Water
Memory	GSKILL 2x16gb 6000mhz Cas 30 with custom timings
Video Card(s)	MSI RX 6750 XT MECH 2X 12G OC
Storage	Adata SX8200 1tb with Windows, Samsung 990 Pro 2tb with games
Display(s)	HP Omen 27q QHD 165hz
Case	ThermalTake P3
Power Supply	SuperFlower Leadex Titanium
Software	Windows 11 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	CB23: 1811 / 19424 CB24: 1136 / 7687

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Keyboard	Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
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Processor	7800x3d
Motherboard	Gigabyte B650 Auros Elite AX
Cooling	Custom Water
Memory	GSKILL 2x16gb 6000mhz Cas 30 with custom timings
Video Card(s)	MSI RX 6750 XT MECH 2X 12G OC
Storage	Adata SX8200 1tb with Windows, Samsung 990 Pro 2tb with games
Display(s)	HP Omen 27q QHD 165hz
Case	ThermalTake P3
Power Supply	SuperFlower Leadex Titanium
Software	Windows 11 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	CB23: 1811 / 19424 CB24: 1136 / 7687

Processor	7800x3d
Motherboard	Gigabyte B650 Auros Elite AX
Cooling	Custom Water
Memory	GSKILL 2x16gb 6000mhz Cas 30 with custom timings
Video Card(s)	MSI RX 6750 XT MECH 2X 12G OC
Storage	Adata SX8200 1tb with Windows, Samsung 990 Pro 2tb with games
Display(s)	HP Omen 27q QHD 165hz
Case	ThermalTake P3
Power Supply	SuperFlower Leadex Titanium
Software	Windows 11 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	CB23: 1811 / 19424 CB24: 1136 / 7687

Processor	7800x3d
Motherboard	Gigabyte B650 Auros Elite AX
Cooling	Custom Water
Memory	GSKILL 2x16gb 6000mhz Cas 30 with custom timings
Video Card(s)	MSI RX 6750 XT MECH 2X 12G OC
Storage	Adata SX8200 1tb with Windows, Samsung 990 Pro 2tb with games
Display(s)	HP Omen 27q QHD 165hz
Case	ThermalTake P3
Power Supply	SuperFlower Leadex Titanium
Software	Windows 11 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	CB23: 1811 / 19424 CB24: 1136 / 7687

Works until blank screen and frozen

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