Powercolor LCS 6970... BSOD

[Epimetheus]

Gigabyte EP45-DQ6 motherboard (latest bios, not the Beta version), Q9300, 8gig memory, Corsair AX850, OCZ Agility 2, seagate 1t drive,... no overclock.

Just upgraded from a Biostar VA5775NHG1 to the Powercolor LCS 6970. Windows recognized it instantly, one reboot and all ran smoothly for a day (Crysis never looked better!).

Rebooted this morning, and consistantly got a BSOD at the point where I would normally login (after the 'glowing window' bit). Safe mode works.

Uninstalled drivers and ran Driver Sweeper, reboot (no problem w/ standard VGA drivers), installed the latest version of CCC/Drivers.

Reboot with fresh install again ends up w/ a BSOD. Rebooted in safe mode, rolled back drivers to standard VGA.

Format C:, install fresh... same driver hell.

What am I missing here? Is it RMA time (I hope not - removing a water loop is a pita)

Sean

[_dangtx_]

drop a live cd,ubuntu or hwatever you like and go for a few hours of browsing etc.

if thats fine, its just software.

[Epimetheus]

right... downloading Ubuntu ISO now.

To make life bearable, I've pulled the 6970 and placed the old card back in... works fine (which makes me think it's hardware). Looks awful with the poor LCS just hanging there in the loop.

will keep you posted.

[SKYMTL]

Can you tell us what the BSOD error says? Basically, it should name a .sys file which is causing the issue.

[Wi-Fuzzy]

Just for giggles (I think you have a hardware issue). Try install just the ATI/AMD driver...no CCC.

[Epimetheus]

ok... now I'm royally confused (replace 'confused' with explicative of your choice).

Get this... I installed Ubuntu to an extra drive I had laying around, first thing it does after install is update my video drivers. Reboot, and nada... black screen.

Read skymtl's post - went to device mgr and updated drivers for the display device so that I could find out what driver it's choking on (went too fast last time for me to see). Reboot, and voila! it's running again.

Good... but makes me nervous... and a little distrustful of this card... like maybe the waterblock isn't properly seated against some of the thermal tape.

will try to burn in the videocard (winmark) and see what happens...

[maverick_brent]

not that it should matter, because i am 99% sure the 5950 drew more power, but what are you running for a psu?

[Wi-Fuzzy]

I just have to say. never put in a water block. But "thermal tape"...that does not sound good.

[Epimetheus]

psu = corsaire AX850


Thermal tape - it's what is used to contact the mem to the block. It was factory assembled.

[Wi-Fuzzy]

Ahh...ok