Someone from Matrox please help...

[Madman]

Hi guys,

Forgot to add that if newer cards requires cards to be on their own IRQs, why is my sound blaster live doing okay when it was sharing with something else? I'm not trying to start a fight or something but it's just that when you have a problem and people are telling you to do the same thing over and over again, don't you get annoyed? Espeically if you request to try a different card. So what if the card's not bad? Do they know that for sure? Do I know? Probably not. I once did this with creative labs and they emailed me a RMA number so fast it wasn't funny. Afterwards, I found out that it was user error on my part and I kindly apologized. It's not that I'm targeting Matrox, but it's just that they seem like they don't WANT to RMA my card. Why is that, I have no idea. I just know that they continuously dodge my request and keep on telling me to try other "stuff". Because of this I have lost my 30 days or refund. If I knew this was the case I would have returned my card for a full refund. I'm not saying that it's anyone's fault or anything, but I'm just saying that it's not all my fault. What would you guys have done?

Kai

[Madman]

Here's the specs that someone? Wanted:

IRQ List:

0 System Timer
1 Keyboard
2 Programmable Interrupt Controller
3 Com4
4 SB Live Value
5 Adaptec 2940UW SCSI
5 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB UHC
5 PCI Steering
6 Standard Floppy Controller
7 Printer Port
8 System CMOS/Real Time Clock
9 Free
10 Creative PC DVD Encore
10 PCI Steering
11 The infamous G400 Max
11 PCI Steering
12 Cordless Logitech Mouse
13 Numeric Data Processor
14 Primary IDE Controller (Dual FIFO)
14 Bus Master IDE Controller
15 Scondary IDE Controller (Dual FIFO)
15 Bus Master IDE Controller

That's it! BTW, how do you set your AGP to 1x? Would this slow the card down? I'm only wondering because I bought the card so it can run at 2x not 1x. Thanks in advance.

Madman

[Rags]

. What would you guys have done?

Well, first of all if you are a computer technician, you must either be new or you have little experience with PC's. It is common knowledge that if you have problems when adding new hardware, you first check IRQ's, and other setups before blaming the hardware. So, if I had been in your possition, I would have first separated the G400 on it's own IRQ, adjusted settings in the BIOS, checked for memory conflicts, Check for software conflicts, made sure that all of my equipment were running up to date drivers, etc.... .

they seem like they don't WANT to RMA my card. Why is that, I have no idea.

Maybe because most problems can be resolved through tech support and setting up their hardware properly. They probably are doubly sure that they do not want to RMA any card from someone who refuses to, after numerous attempts, try the suggestions and cooperate. I know how you feel, you feel like you should just be able to take something off of the shelf, plug it into your box and go. But this is real life, you need to realize that there are very few times that this can be done, and maybe if you would cooperate with tech support, you will be able to get your G400 running up to speed. Good luck to you.


Rags

[Zwisch]

I simply do not get why you are asking for an RMA on such an issue. You claim to be a tech but you did not trouble shoot the card at all!! This simply do not look like a defective card! First thing I would have done before writting in is : check IRQ's, remove all cards BUT the G400 and see if the problem still occured, Tried the card in another system to see if it is related to mine (if you are a tech then you have access to other systems). So I do not get this RMA thing, you need to put some work into it yourself, you should know how computers works. And furthermore why would you want to go through all teh RMA process when you can't even be sure if the card is defective? Haven't you learned from your first mistakes with Creative labs? At worst if you do not wish to try anything, then contact your vendor and ask for a refund or an exchange, that is why they exist. What will you do if a replacement card works? Contact tech support again and NOW try their suggestions and do some trouble shooting? It should not take you long to trouble shoot the card yourself anyway if you are in teh business...

Z

[kelin]

Just a note here...I am also running the 2940U2W, SB Live Value, and Max...My board is a Soyo BA6 +III, but since they both run Bx chipsets, alot is probably the same...
I know that the AGP, PCI Slot1, and 5, share the same IRQ...2, 3, 4, are seperate(I think)...anyway...if you have checked under system properties/devices, and don't see any exclamation marks, or red or yellow thingies...you probably don't have a IRQ conflict...but I know for me, using a V2 as I am with the Turbo GL...I have had to mess with moving the stuff in the slotz...all the harder due to running 98, NT and Linux in the same box(not for long, my K7 600 and mobo is due this week and Nt/Linux are getting a box for their very own!!!)...anyway, all is running very well...BUT, I must say that since updating with Liveware 2.0 (haven't been able to connect with 3.0, yet)...The Live seems to cause alot of wierd probs...In Nt, after updateing with the Nt update, then Liveware 2.0...sometimes it will lock after doing NT Service Pack 5 (4 always locked up)...the I have to do the revert to last good config, and redo stuff...anyway...I think there iz alot of wierdness with the Live, especially with Liveware 2.0(hopefully 3.0 is better)...
Kelin
Soyo BA6 +III
P3 450
256Megs Enhanced HSDRAM PC133
SBLive Value Adaptec 2940U2W
Quantum Atlas 10K 9.1G
IBM Ultrastar 4.5G UW
Samsung IDE
3Com 3C900B NIC
CD
LS-120and floppy

[Madman]

Okay, I don't why everyone here thinks I'm a retard or something but I've already tried just leaving the G400 Max card in the system and reloaded windows 98 SE 3 times. It results in the same thing: Crash, crash and crash. The screen freezes with a funky looking stripe of color going either across the top of the screen or on the bottom. After that, my system just freezes. I believe that I've already stated this somewhere on the forum, I could be wrong though. I'm coming to the conclusion that the card might be bad because when I used another card it works fine. My old Sis chipset 6232 or something like that. It's a crappy card compared to the awesome G400 but at least it works right. I bought the G400 Max so it can run at full potential, not so it can run like ISA video card. Would you have paid $270 to run the G400 Max @ AGP 1x with bus mastering disabled and at 200RAMDAC? I think not. Everyone probably thinks I'm an ****ole now but it doesn't matter to me because that's just the way I look at things. Just because I do things differently doesn't mean I'm a retard or anything like that. I really like the card, but I'd rather not bother with it if it's going to take me a long time to fix it. I can only deal with it for so long before I get frustrated and don't feel like playing the guessing game anymore. I mean, I can't even return the card? What the hell is going on here? Just my 2 cents.

Kai

[Madman]

Okay it seems like it's me vs. the world but trying to make this short :P This is the reply to I forgot but the guy who said to check for IRQs when you have problems with hardware. Well, for me the first thing to check at my workplace is to see if the hardware is bad. For example, if I get a blue screen of death I always check to see if it's the memory first. So I would take out the original memory and put in a new one. If that doesn't work, then I would try to reinstall windows 98 or whatever software that's there. It's not always the IRQs that are causing the problems, and you don't have to fiddle with your system settings. If you try and mess with the IRQ settings, sometimes it would give you even more problems.

Kai aka madman

[Haig]

Hi Kai,

"Maybe your tech deleted this one by accident?"

I get my info from our email server, not from someone's workstation.

The last email sent to you this morning was:

"Dear Sir,
Please try the G400Diag.zip file to test your card to see if it is working correctly. Also after running this test please try the TweakUtil.exe file to see if dropping the card to 1X AGP it helps the problems you are having."

It's obvious that you haven't read this because you are now asking:

"BTW, how do you set your AGP to 1x?"

I believe Daniel has given you the answer!!!

"Besides, I still derserve a right to RMA."

Sure you do. If a customer insists for an RMA, against tech supp's advice, he will still get it BUT RMA might charge them for no fault found. Do you want this?

Haig

[Rags]

Sorry, dude, but that was me who says he checks those things. Thing is new hardware is rarely bad. If you have a problem when installing it, then it is 90% of the time a setup problem. You guys where you work must waste A LOT of time and hardware. I am very glad I am not your distributor.

RMA'ing for the hell of it is a waste of resources and time. This benefits no one.

Rags

[Madman]

Hi Haig,

Thanks for you quick reply. Is there anyway I can send you the email that Mr. Lawrence didn't get? I still have it on my HDD. It's still under the 'sent' folder in Outlook express. As for the email that you stated, I did look at it earlier this afternoon and tried the diagnostic program and the tweak util. The reason why I was so upset with his was because he continuously said that I was sharing IRQs when I already told him that I tried what he told me! Now that I know he didn't get that particular email (or so it seems) I feel somewhat better. As for my G400 Max card, do you know the refund period for it? I bought it online and still have my invoice. I do remember asking Mr. Lawrence and he has yet to send me a reply on that question. Thanks in advance.

Kai

[Madman]

Sorry Rags,

But if you were working at my place, you'll understand what I'm talking about. My boss likes to buy cheap parts like Amptron....ick...I don't even want to work at the place that I'm working at right now :P

Kai

[Madman]

Oops this is to Rags also:

A lot of time at my workplace we get motherboards that has no pictures also. Situations such as this is when you can't really do anything about unless you RMA the hardware. You can't even boot! :P

Kai

[Rags]

I know what you mean with the Amptron boards (PCCHIPS), they are pretty trashy. In a situation when getting a known setup together, and puting the hardware in, then having a problem that usually doesn't exist, then sure go ahead and replace the hardware. But, when you purchase an upgrade for your personal system, and that upgrade is from a reputable mfr (such as Matrox), then it is best to look into setup problems first.

Rags

[Haig]

Hi Kai,

our on-line-store policy is refunds within 30 days with no questions asked.

Haig

[paul]

Madman,

Looks like you earned the screen name.
That COM4 on IRQ3. Is that a modem or something on the serial port? You could disable if it's internal and give that irq away.
The reason I ask is because my sblive value only likes using irq's 3 and 10.

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k6-3 450 - tyan 1590s bios 1.16 - wdac310100 -(With via bm drivers yields 3x performance by 'hdtach')- g200 mill sgram w/8mb upgrade & bios 2.6-20 PD 4.51 (all software disabled)- 128MB 10ns sdram - sblive value 2.1 - 3com 3c905b-tx - cable access (28.8k for emergencies) - win98 service pack 1 + 2
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