Problem with prototype g400!!! help wanted...

[eNFp]

Hello all

Here are my system specs:
P3-800E on Asus CUSL2 mobo
128mbs ram and sblive value.
Running under Win2k with dx7 and 8.
G400 drivers 5.20

I have gotten my hands on a late prototype g400 dualhead (not max) board. As a prototype, it doesnt look the same as retail or oem board, and doesnt even have a screwplate to attatch it to my case. Sometimes it moves out and forces me to reboot, but I still got it for free *dont ask where.... *

Here is the thing
I know I should expect problems out of a prototype board, but I know it *can* work because it did.
I can load some games but not all. I can play Midtown Madness, Voyager Elite Force and Red Alert2 fine, but when I try Need For Speed V it won't load. Gives me an odd message. "Directx7 required. You have Directx0. <various garbage>"
First off, I indeed have Dx7. Installing Dx8 did not help. Upgrading to 5.20 drivers did not help either. Patching NFS5 to latest did not help either.

I have played NFS5 with the card before, with no problems. It loaded fine... and played smooth and fast, but now for the life of me I can't play this game, and others... The NFS5 video card 3d setup doesnt even detect a valid 3d accelerated card...

So here I am, wanting to play my favorite game... If anyone has a suggestion, I would appreciate it, eventhough I am not expecting much since this *is* a prototype and I am already getting my money's worth. (0$)

Thanks!
-eNFp

[Wombat]

Okay, if that's a prototype, where the hell did you get it?

[Maggi]

LOL .... interesting ...

Maybe it helps to update its BIOS ???

Must be something like 0.7 alpha when it's a prototype.

Cheers,
Maggi

[eNFp]

Sorry, don't want to get anyone in trouble
I will try to update bios, you have a good point there...

let you know
-eNFp

[eNFp]

Woo hoo!
You were right
The bios was superold
when I patched it, the matrox app said "This bios has been updated 23 times" eheheh
I guess now I know what this prototype was used for

Thanks alot!!! I have to go now, time for NFS!!! ))

-eNFp
p.s. I can't disclose where I got it from, sorry

[Wombat]

I didn't think you could. Matrox probably wouldn't let that go. So, at least you're fully aware that you're in possession of a stolen product.

[PR-man]

Hmm where would one obtain a prototype? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

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Celeron II 566@ 952 on a Abit BE6 Rev 1, 128 Pc100, Matrox G450 32 DH, SBlive Value, Supra Express 56i ISA, all running on Win98FE with other odds and ends

[ALBPM]

eYUP!!!! I bet not to many of those were released so it should be easy to track down.

Paul

[cjolley]

But, if you happen to come across a prototype G800.....
chuck
(Your new-found best friend & lifelong buddy )