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Thread ID: 128310	2012-12-12 00:26:00	Severe Tearing, Graphical Artifacts (at wits end!)	Dragoncub (13417)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1317796	2012-12-12 00:26:00	I'm using a custom-built rig that I had assembled for me and I am having some VERY frustrating visual problems. At first things were running smoothly barring ONE issue: graphics driver crash while using the in-game merchants in Borderlands 2. Updating to the latest (beta) driver fixed that, but introduced three new problems: --> horizontal 'streaks' flickering on the screen, varying intensity. Most visible on bold dark colours, less visible on light or greyscale. --> severe tearing, regardless of manually set refresh rates, CCC options, game options - apparent at ALL TIMES, including the desktop, even when booting from cold (ie has been off for over 12 hours) --> artifacts appearing in programmes - mysterious geometrical 'shapes', triangles, jagged polygons, flash periodically (every half hour or so) across the screen. In Skyrim, these run constantly over far objects (most noticably sky, distant hills), where they may take upon other colours also (such as red) or 'lift' parts of the render and flicker it about in place. {EDIT NOTE: this is only when the game is actively running the in-game world - when paused and thus showing the interactive menus, the problem is temporarily alleviated). Things I have tried: --> reinstalling the driver from the disc that came with the card. No change. --> using driver cleaner and sweeper to completely remove all video drivers (including PhysX), and updating to latest (official) driver (I suspected it was an issue with beta). No change. --> Checking the refresh rate set in Control Panel was set to 60hz (monitor's natural). Was already set to such. No change. --> Using Catalyst Control Centre (CCC), changing 3D application settings to use application settings for all. Catalyst AI was on, turned off. No change. --> using CCC, triple buffering tried both on and off. No change. --> using CCC, refresh rate tried both 'always off' and 'always on'. No change. --> video card physical check. Was firmly seated (and replaced again as such), properly wired, cooling system running fully (not detached or rattling). No change. --> New DVI-DVI cable for the monitor (previously analog with converter). Successfully solved streaking. Tearing and artifacts however remain. Each driver install came with reboots and uninstallation of previous drivers as warranted (including the one that was also chased down additionally with sweeper). I'm using Windows 7 x64 with an AMD Radeon HD 7000 series graphics card. At this point I am thinking it is either of two things: (1) graphics card is bad, probably the memory, or (2) bad RAM, which I have yet to test (it is a time consuming process and I cannot get my computer to recognise the USB version of memtest86 and have no discs to write the .iso version to). Specific specs as determined by dxdiag: ------------------ System Information ------------------ Time of this report: 12/12/2012, 13:06:26 Machine name: USER-PC Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333) Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: System manufacturer System Model: System Product Name BIOS: BIOS Date: 08/03/12 12:01:30 Ver: 08.12 Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz Memory: 16384MB RAM Available OS Memory: 16318MB RAM Page File: 2870MB used, 29762MB available Windows Dir: C:\Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 11 DX Setup Parameters: Not found User DPI Setting: Using System DPI System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent) DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled --------------- Display Devices --------------- Card name: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6819) DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz) Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6819&SUBSYS_23201787&REV_00 Display Memory: 1727 MB Dedicated Memory: 2017 MB Shared Memory: 3806 MB Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor Monitor Model: Philips 236VL Monitor Id: PHLC082 Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz) Output Type: DVI Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,at icfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64 .dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a. cap,atitmm64.dll Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1151 (English) Driver Version: 9.2.0.0 DDI Version: 11 Driver Model: WDDM 1.1 Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2012 14:41:40, 1120768 bytes WHQL Logo'd: n/a WHQL Date Stamp: n/a Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2B59-11CF-4870-2A03BEC2C535} Vendor ID: 0x1002 Device ID: 0x6819 SubSys ID: 0x23201787 Revision ID: 0x0000 Driver Strong Name: oem18.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_R575B:9.2.0 .0:pci\ven_1002&dev_6819 Rank Of Driver: 00E62001 Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported DXVA-HD: Not Supported DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Enabled	Dragoncub (13417)
1317797	2012-12-12 00:47:00	Who built it. :)	Trev (427)
1317798	2012-12-12 01:21:00	Through a TradeMe representative of Onlinesale Computers Ltd. It DOES come with 18 months warranty and is only 2-3 months old, but I am loathe to have it freighted up to Auckland if I can avoid it since that means I'd be without a computer at all for an extended period. Considering I have four sticks of 4GB RAM, I confess I'm hoping it is that (I can get by on 12GB until a replacement is available). Unfortunately the listing is now expired from my TradeMe so I am unsure of how to find it again to get specs (neither of us posted trade feedback) but I do have contact for the representative who built it and we have conversed already regarding the afore-mentioned convertor. As a custom-built it has had other issues too - it doesn't have hibernate as an inate option, and when I modified sleep modes to make it available it boots itself back up after a few seconds. This is however a common 'feature' in computers not designed explicitly to work with W7, and something I can tolerate.	Dragoncub (13417)
1317799	2012-12-12 01:27:00	Considering I have four sticks of 4GB RAM, I confess I'm hoping it is that (I can get by on 12GB until a replacement is available). To rule out memory issues run memtest on it preferably from a bootable CD.	mikebartnz (21)
1317800	2012-12-12 01:29:00	Possible causes: 1. Overheating 2. Unstable clock 3. Bad drivers 4. Ones you suggested Solutions: 1. Check for dust and proper airflow, increase fan speed or lower the core voltage 2. Basically the same as the previous, but i recomment getting a gpu stress test and if it cant pass that then the clock is unstabe and you may have to put more voltage in it or reduce the clock. 3. Get the latest drivers from the companys website. 4. RMA but make sure this is the problem otherwise ur without a gpu for a while and you gotta pay money for it. If you are overclocking then it may be an over heating problem, when you overclock you want to reach the highest possible clock withought getting a high voltage as the higher the voltage the higher the temp. You will kind of be able to tell when ur getting to the clock limits of the card when you have to scale up the voltage alot to be able to increase the clock.	Slankydudl (16687)
1317801	2012-12-12 01:35:00	So what version of the drivers are installed now?? 12.10 or 12.11 beta? If the beta drivers are installed, have you tried 12.10?	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1317802	2012-12-12 01:36:00	I'd try using a linux live CD to test it, or making a small partition to install windows onto to test drivers etc. I'm guessing it's the GPU though. If you test and find it IS the GPU you'd only have to send the part back (yay!) With the RAM you could try just using 4 GB at a time, you should quickly see if one stick of RAM is bad . Also, check for a BIOS update and check the GPU temps. Could be that the cooler isn't seated although I doubt it. As I said before, my preference would be to start with a clean install of windows to see what happens. No artifacts? Install the drivers off the disk, still no artefacts? beta drivers, STILL no artefacts then it's a software config/bad driver install. If on a clean windows there are artifacts then it's most likely a hardware issue OR a bad hardware config in the BIOS somewhere. If you still haven't got that memtest working you can try windows mem test (just search memory diagnostic in start) or just swap out RAM modules (using of course, a clean windows install) I know it's a bit icky making a partition for winows just to test things but it will give you a fresh, untampered base through which to eliminate problems. Quick q, tearing, is that occurring even during the boot process? If so that's all hardware in which case ignore all my stuff about making a nice clean windows install to sandbox.	The Error Guy (14052)
1317803	2012-12-12 02:12:00	It DOES come with 18 months warranty . 18 months? What brand is the GPU? Asus and Gigabyte GPUs have a 3 yr warranty. Anyway, the easiest test is to swap out the card with another and see what happens. Fixed - card faulty, send the card itself back. Not fixed, could be drivers, sometimes the latest isn't the answer, try the next oldest one instead.	pctek (84)
1317804	2012-12-12 02:13:00	To rule out memory issues run memtest on it preferably from a bootable CD. As I have mentioned I cannot get my computer to regonise it. I went into the advanced BIOS menu at boot to set the stick in question as priority, but it would insist on booting normally. Though obviously memtest would save me SO MUCH TIME I don't have a CD on hand. I don't have any writable discs, so I'd need to make a special trip to get one. First I'm trying to evaluate my options when it comes to faulty hardware. Possible causes: 1. Overheating 2. Unstable clock 3. Bad drivers 4. Ones you suggested Solutions: 1. Check for dust and proper airflow, increase fan speed or lower the core voltage 2. Basically the same as the previous, but i recomment getting a gpu stress test and if it cant pass that then the clock is unstabe and you may have to put more voltage in it or reduce the clock. 3. Get the latest drivers from the companys website. 4. RMA but make sure this is the problem otherwise ur without a gpu for a while and you gotta pay money for it. If you are overclocking then it may be an over heating problem, when you overclock you want to reach the highest possible clock withought getting a high voltage as the higher the voltage the higher the temp. You will kind of be able to tell when ur getting to the clock limits of the card when you have to scale up the voltage alot to be able to increase the clock. Cooling is working fine. Not a heating problem - occurs immediately from startup at cold boot when the computer has been off for over 12 hours. Checked the fan physically when I pulled the card out - clean and turned smoothly. Right now it quietly hums in place. GPU is not overclocked but working at stock speeds. If it is working incorrectly at stock speeds, I'd take that as an indication of a genuine fault that requires investigation regardless, as it could mean the part is unreliable in the long run. Drivers... well, normally I'd have thought it were a driver issue. (Aren't these things always?) However, trying the beta, trying the official release, and trying the on-disc version... same problem in all of them. For this reason I'm turning my mind toward hardware. I'd try using a linux live CD to test it, or making a small partition to install windows onto to test drivers etc. I'm guessing it's the GPU though. If you test and find it IS the GPU you'd only have to send the part back (yay!) With the RAM you could try just using 4 GB at a time, you should quickly see if one stick of RAM is bad . Also, check for a BIOS update and check the GPU temps. Could be that the cooler isn't seated although I doubt it. As I said before, my preference would be to start with a clean install of windows to see what happens. No artifacts? Install the drivers off the disk, still no artefacts? beta drivers, STILL no artefacts then it's a software config/bad driver install. If on a clean windows there are artifacts then it's most likely a hardware issue OR a bad hardware config in the BIOS somewhere. If you still haven't got that memtest working you can try windows mem test (just search memory diagnostic in start) or just swap out RAM modules (using of course, a clean windows install) I know it's a bit icky making a partition for winows just to test things but it will give you a fresh, untampered base through which to eliminate problems. Quick q, tearing, is that occurring even during the boot process? If so that's all hardware in which case ignore all my stuff about making a nice clean windows install to sandbox. Since I have four sticks, I was going to test them in breaks of two. It is unlikely two will have the same fault. I'll also try swapping them in the sockets, but damn if I hope it isn't a socket error as replacing the whole motherboard will be a lot more cumbersome. Tearing at BIOS? I truly cannot tell, or at least, I didn't actively notice any (not to say it isn't there, though). I don't have animation rapid enough to test it. Currently one of the more effective methods I've found to make it immediately apparent is in playing games, scrolling browser pages, and moving windows and icons around on the desktop. I'll see if I can have another look though. As for a clean install of windows, I have feared that would be the next part of testing. I am at that ve.e.ery awkward point where I am momentarily without a backup external HDD, so I've delayed that for testing. Though I do have one, it is not as large as my desktop's HDD, so I would only be able to back up documents, music, saved files, app data, and the like (and potentially 'trim the fat' at that). And I'd need to reinstall and bunch of stuff regardless (copying over all the wrecked files back again would solve nothing). I am anticipating access to a 1TB HDD in about a month as a family member is upgrading her backup storage, and offered hers - though only 1TB (to my desktop's 2TB) it would cover me for now. I have to wait to get access to that, though. Thanks for pointing out Windows diagnostics, I'll finish up this reply and try it now.	Dragoncub (13417)
1317805	2012-12-12 02:16:00	18 months? What brand is the GPU? Asus and Gigabyte GPUs have a 3 yr warranty. Anyway, the easiest test is to swap out the card with another and see what happens. Fixed - card faulty, send the card itself back. Not fixed, could be drivers, sometimes the latest isn't the answer, try the next oldest one instead. Yeah, people keep suggesting this to me. GPU fault? Swap with another! Monitor stopped working? Test it with a spare! I say, who are these people walking around with an entire spare computer sitting in their wardrobe? As for my friends, the only one nearby chose her laptop 'because it was pink' with an inbuilt chipset. (Despite my attempts to help her find a good one, the only influence I ended up having was that she got one with a CD-DVD drive.) Unfortunately neither of these are options. I could only test it with another GPU by getting another GPU, which negates the whole going-through-warranty thing. If I was to take this route, it would mean sending the whole tower (potentially the monitor, also) back to the builder so he can run the swap himself. The warranty is for the whole built from the builder, which is probably based on the minimum warrantly of one of its parts (not necessarily all of them). The GPU brand is ASUS.	Dragoncub (13417)
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