g200 problems - freezing

[kunter]

i've had the matrox g200-tv card for about 2 years now.. and i've had this problem since i got it.. its just now bothering me.. basically it freezes whenever i'm playing a game or doing anythin visual oriented like watching a movie using windows media player or watchin a dvd.

i've gotten the newest drivers including directx.. still same problems.. i've done other small things.. still..

can someone help me figure out how to make it stop freezing cause if i can't.. i'm gonna end up having to buy a whole new card..
just so u know.. some of the games it freezes on is gta2 and starcraft.. and its after maybe 30 min of play on a freshly restarted computer!

[Wombat]

Freezing on StarCraft is interesting. That's all 2D, and was built to run on most software when it came out in '96 or so. (Still a great game, even if I can't beat the Zerg Broodwar last missions).

Okay, full hardware profile, and IRQ listing please. (Check "The FAQ Files" if you need help).

[kunter]

alri... well.. lets see..
for hardware:

p3 500
asus p2b-f mother board
128 sdram pc-100
creative lab SB AWE 128 bit sound card
western digital 13.1 gb
western digital 80 gb
matrox marvel g200tv 16 mb AGP
win 98 se

bout the IRQ settings.. i have no idea.. i didn't see nuthin in the FAQ

[Wombat]

You missed this: http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25593

[Wombat]

Hmmm, a 16MB Marvel.

I assume that's an 8MB board with an 8MB add-on module? If it is, try taking the extra RAM out.

Many places sold modules that were not truly compatible, and they caused problems.

[kunter]

well.. yes.. it is an 8 mb board with another 8 mg chip.. and i believe the chip is an original matrox chip..
it says its a MGA G200 8 MB SDRAM Upgrade Memory

and bout the IRQ things.. i got it..

0 System timer
1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2 Programmable interrupt controller
3 Communications Port (COM2)
4 Communications Port (COM1)
5 U.S. Robotics 56K Voice INT PnP
6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller
7 ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
8 System CMOS/real time clock
9 Creative Labs Sound Blaster PCI128
9 D-Link DE-528 Ethernet PCI Adapter
9 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
9 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
9 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
10 Creative PC-DVD Encore Dxr3
10 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11 Matrox Marvel G200 AGP - English
11 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 Numeric data processor
14 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
14 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
15 Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller

thanks for all the help.. if anyone else has anythin that they can try tellin me to try.. i would gladly appreciate it.. i'm gonna try takin out the memory and see if that helps!!

THANKS ALL!

[Maggi]

your IRQs look ok so far ...

Make sure your desktop is set to either 16bpp or 32bpp colordepth, otherwise, you won't have any hw acceleration.

Also, what was the exact procedure when you updated your Marvel drivers ?

In case your issue is heat related, leave your tower open and see if it lasts longer before freezing.

[Wombat]

I would still pull out the 8MB chip. It's one of the easiest things to troubleshoot.

BTW, your G200 runs faster with only 8MB in it.

[kunter]

ok.. well.. to maggi.. about the procedure of updatin drivers.. i did as matrox told me.. uninstalled everythin.. including some registry entries.. and then reinstalled from scatch i guess.. then i updated my direct x to the newst one.. and thats pretty much all..
and i am runnin at 32 bit colour with a screen size at 1024X768

and to wombat.. i dont see how it will run faster.. but hey.. if it solves my problem.. i'll do anythin..

i have a friend that can give me a g400..
is that any good though?? like will i have the same problem.. i blieve its either 16 megs of ram or 32.. i forget which..

[Kruzin]

G200s will run faster without the memory module because when the card detects a memory module installed, it slows down it's clock speed to try to stabilize it.
The additional memory modules where always a problem on G200s. Most people who tried them had troubles (myself included). Because of problems with memory modules, Matrox has not made a card since G200 that the memory could be upgraded on.

[kunter]

ok well.. that explains everythin.. thanks for all that replied and helped me with my problem..

but.. just as a side note.. does g400 have these memory modules.. and if not.. would that be a wise decision.. cause my friend can get me one for like nuthin.. but i wanna make sure it is worth the trouble or installin or anythin

[Wombat]

All the memory on G400's is built onto the g400 board.

A G400 would probably be a nice upgrade from a G200.