G400MAX + RRG won't work

[kryten]

I've spent the evening trying to get my new Rainbow Runner G and G400 MAX working together (now matrox have mailed me the cable they left out of the RR box!).

I just can't get it to work on 98 or NT.

The hardware is all installed, and the display properties indicate all is well with the extras (98 shows TV tuner addon and Video input built in, NT just shows Video Input built in).

In Multimedia, PICVideo MJPEG Codec and Matrox VidCap Driver are both present.

Under 98, Quick Connect refuses to run, giving a big message box titled 'Rainbox Runner Hardware Not Detected'; CPU benchmark gives a 'Couldn't Open compressor' error and the PC-VCR gives a green or green/magenta striped background for any type of input.

Powerdesk version is 5.15.022, Video Tools is 1.50.017

NT is a similar story, everything appearing fine and QuickConnect runs, but can't find any hardware. When closing QuickConnect or PCVCR I get a blue screen KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED in RR2Ctrl.SYS

PowerDesk version is 4.22, Video Tools is 1.23.030

I've removed all other cards from the machine, tried another power supply (MB is Abit BP6), removed totally all matrox drivers/registry entries before re-installing but to no avail.

A mate has his working, though he had a G200+RR and just added the G400 so I'll try taking mine round to see if the RRG I have is dead.

Anyone have any suggestions on what else to try?

Thanks.

[maxam]

hi
i had a similar problem with pd515 and 525
with g series rr and g400 the solution was wierd and matrox didnt have a clue on there tech support number but i found out by accident turn off automatic standard selection and choose ntsc bingo eveyting seems to work !! even though here in the uk we are on pal ??? anyone had similar ?

[Zwisch]

have you tried the 5.30 with your video tools?

[b8camp]

As it happens I'm getting exactly the same problem with the same drivers and am waiting for some sort of response from matrox.

I took a guess that the problem was due to my scsi adapter interrupt and AGP interrupt being shared (int10) but theres nothing I can do about it as its an onboard scsi hardwired to the same interrupt (tyan S1836DLUAN motherboard). You might wanna check your interrupts.


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Bill

[kryten]

Interrupts are fine, I ripped out all other cards.

Surely you can get your BIOS to split the SCSI controller and AGP slot interrupts?

Replaced a mate's RRG with mine and it didn't work either, but his RRG works with my G400MAX so its a faulty RRG.

Waiting for a returns number from matrox.

Unfortunately, matrox are now out of stock and have no idea when they're getting more in :-(

Thanks for the advice.

I did get an email response from Matrox tech support that I found a little strange:

'Dear Sir,
There are currently no drivers to support the G400 and Rainbow Runner G
series under NT.'

Despite the fact that matrox UK assured me the RRG works with MAX under NT AND I've downloaded the drivers! Strange .....

[Olliver]

kryten,

The information that you received may have been misunderstood. The RRG 1.23 and the Marvel G200 4.07 are supported under NT. http://www.matrox.com/mga/drivers/la...ivers/home.htm

To date there are no G400 RRG NT drivers.

Olliver

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All comments and statements are purely of my own opinion and in no way reflect on my employer.

[kryten]

Well, I sent a similar question back to the tech support guy who said it doesn't work under NT and got the following:

'Sir,
The Rainbow Runner G Series DOES not work with the G400 MAX at present as there are no drivers that support this configuration under NT or 95/98.'

So, there appears to be conflicting information (especially as when I phoned tech support before purchasing, they confirmed it DID work with the G400MAX and the statement on the on-line store saying it didn't was a mistake).

Also, a mate has a G400MAX + RRG WORKING in his system!?

Anyone know what's going on?

More importantly, anyone know when the RRG will be instock again? They collected my faulty one today but have no idea when they're getting any more!

[Olliver]

kryten,

What Tech Supp told you was true. There is no conflict information.
There will be new VT out that will work with the G400 MAX and the RRG.-

Again I will not give a date but they will be up soon.

Olliver

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All comments and statements are purely of my own opinion and in no way reflect on my employer.

[kryten]

That's exactly what I mean about conflicting information:

Matrox tech support here in the UK who I spoke to on the phone before I bought it said the G400 MAX does work with the RRG.

Matrox US and you are saying 'it doesn't work' and there will be new drivers out soon

BUT

The current drivers + VT DO WORK WITH G400MAX AND RRG. (A mate has them and I've seen it working, without ANY problems).

So why is everyone connected with matrox saying they don't work together, when they do?!

[This_Idiot]

Don't you just hate it when you hit the "clear fields" button instead of the "submit reply" !

OK, let's get back to it.

It's important to realise the difference between "aren't supported" and "won't work". The former usually applies to beta combinations because they haven't been sufficiently tested against a broad range of hardware combinations (or because some combinations "won't work").

Mainly the answer is to back up your system, give it a try, and be prepared to back off it all goes to ratshit. Or if you like to play the safe game, only install "supported" combinations.

I use a totally unsupported combination of PD/VT on a frequent basis with complete success on an Intel base. I'm damned sure that it wouldn't work with my AMD kit, so I use the old 4.33/1.21 combination for that (OK, the AMD kit is actually sitting in a box at the moment)

[kidspot]

I spoke with the matrox store this morning - they said to expect the RRG in near the end of October . . . the wait continues (of course they also said it could be longer.)