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**noackjr** · 23 February 2000, 04:03

No overclocking, strange AGP bus speeds, or anything? Also, the cards require a fair amount of power and your motherboard or PS might not be up to the task (pure conjecture). Have you tried the cards on other machines? If not definitely do that and see if you stil have the same problems. What kind of flickering are you talking about? Have you changed refresh rates? Just trying to figure out what kinda problem you'r having...

Jon

**Livius** · 23 February 2000, 04:32

Tried the unoverclocked cards with unoverclocked CPU, at default AGP speed (66MHz), with AGP forced to 1x (the default was 2x and exhibited the behavior), all drivers versions since 5.25, with the SBLive! removed. What's more, the same setup worked flawlessly with my old G200 card and with a TNT2 Pro

**HollyBerri** · 23 February 2000, 04:40

My question is: From whom have you gotten these 3 cards??

All from the same place? Or not?

I understand that having had problems with 3 identical cards you might get the idea that there's some kind of defect in the part in general and of course sometimes that does happen....

...but if I had to say whether the likely source of your problems was:[list=1][*] Because a manufacturer (Matrox) released large numbers of a defective product into the distribution channel, despite the fact that their livelihood depends on not doing so, for several reasons;[*] Because a user (you) has a configuration issue within their system which obviously remains unresolved, since replacement parts (at least one of which should have been good simply on the basis of chance) have not changed the symptoms...[/list=a]

...Well, I think I'd check out that config error thing. I see that you have "searched on flicker", and have mentioned this issue before, but I've not seen that you requested a dedicated focus of our attention on this.

Perhaps you should.

Just a concept.....

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Holly

**noackjr** · 23 February 2000, 04:50

(again...)
Have you tried the cards on other machines?

Jon

**The PIT** · 23 February 2000, 06:02

Sounds like a refresh problem. Have tried adjusting this. Try looking up your monitor on the web and downloading a new driver. You can also create a specilist monitor profile within the powerdesk.
You try another card however I can't see three cards being faulty unless your dealer is giving the same card back to you.
You haven't installed anything that creates magnetic field nearby your monitor.

**jms** · 23 February 2000, 06:18

There have been numerous threads on this. Last autumn I tried two different 16MB G400's. Both had this problem. Bought a 32MB Dualhead and have never seen it ever since. Try running something 3D-accelerated in a window(like WinTune98). Ouch.
Jan

**Autopilot** · 23 February 2000, 13:39

I have the same problem with a 16mb single head oem card I purchased back in October. Stubbornly refusing to believe there was a problem with a 2-d portion of a Matrox card, I tried multiple things before finally receiveing an RMA for replacement. Things I tried; Reformat and fresh install of Win98, new power supply, different monitors at multiple refresh rates, different driver versions, and even tried the card in my friend's system. Nothing would make the flicker disappear. And JMS is right, some applications and programs are much worse than others. I'm currently running a Banshee(yuck) while I wait for my replacement. I guess I shouldn't say yuck, because my flicker problem is nonexistant with the Banshee, but I want my G400 back. I sure hope the problem is resolved with the new card or I think I'm going to cry. The RMA process slow, and the prospects of returning another card and the coresponding wait are grim. - Autopilot

**DarkSyd** · 23 February 2000, 13:53

At least you've got a Banshee. I'm looking at a couple weeks of Permedia2 action while my 16mbG400 is gone
Has anyone tried requesting a 32mb replacement part (paying the difference of course)? I don't look forward to going through this more than once, and it does seem to be a problem with just the 16mb parts.

**HollyBerri** · 23 February 2000, 16:22

OK, OK, I believe you (all)!!!

Just thinking out loud... you are all talking about the 16MB SH part, right?

I kinda wonder if, since they were early parts and OEM parts, if for once there was a reason that they should have gone to OEMs only, because it almost sounds like that might be Windows looking for the other head (which of course is not there).

Does anyone still have the part in?? Just wondering what the 'multiple monitors' CP box looks like with such a card installed.

If this has any substance as a possibility, maybe OEMs had to themselves do something to have the SH perceived as a true single-head part... but then again, I've been told not to speculate before now )

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Holly

**DarkSyd** · 23 February 2000, 18:13

Holly
I've still got mine in...I don't have any 'Multiple Monitors' controls available in my display properties. Just looks like any other single vid card setup would.
I don't think there are any 'OEM specific' drivers needed. The ones that shipped with the CD are the same as what ships with the retail box.

**HollyBerri** · 23 February 2000, 20:19

Oh, well, it was just an idea that came to my fevered brain...

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Holly

**Livius** · 23 February 2000, 23:28

Judging from the numerous posts in previous threads this seems to be a fairly common problem. And yes, I got all replacements from the same dealer and they were are s/n JBJxxxxx.

However, everything suggests it's not just a bad batch but a more serious problem. I'll get a 32MB replacement as soon as they bring them in and as soon as I'll get the money for it (approx $70 more for a 32DH). But I don't need DH (they don't import 32SH) and I don't need 32MB. For me the card I got is ideal.

I wish Matrox would say something. I have mailed them a while a go with a link to the most interesting and illuminating thread here. Maybe that's why they are not answering back...

**Autopilot** · 24 February 2000, 03:10

Well soon after I made my first post in this thread, the UPS man showed up with my replacement card from Matrox. Quick turnaround guys, cheers to Matrox TS and RMA.
I just got it installed and the problem is gone. Praise the video card gods! And Holly, I think you were on to something with your speculation concerning the problem. Well, I just wanted to report that there is another Matrox satisfied customer. Thanks to all. So hang in there guys, there is hope

[This message has been edited by Autopilot (edited 24 February 2000).]

**red2** · 24 February 2000, 07:18

I have the same problem. It is a major pain. At least now I know it is not my monitor dying. Maybe it's a defective RAMDAC shipment.

Announcement

Matrox Do Something! (Flickering Part II)

Matrox Do Something! (Flickering Part II)

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