ATI 9500 problems
 

Ok, I'm not really sure whats going on here so I'm hoping that one of ya'll do.
I just bought a new ATI 9500 as something to tide me over until next year when I upgrade my entire system. The problem is that when I turn on the computer the screen fills with white vertical lines, different color squares, all kinds of weird stuff. This happens in the BIOS too, not just windows. The weird thing is that if I turn the computer off and back on in less than 5 seconds the card works perfectly. It even runs 3dMark fine. This has happened every time so it's not just some freaky coincidence.

If it didn't work at all I'd understand, but working after a reboot is something I've never come accross. If anybody has some ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

The specs are:
Radeon 9500AGP
Intel Motherboard w/ 1.5Ghz P4
640Mb RDRAM
WD 120GB
WD 40GB
Sound Blaster Live
400W Antec PSU

I'd take the card out, clean the connectors off, and blow out the AGP slot. Then put it back in and see if it still does it. My girlfriend's videocard did something like that; we had to RMA it back to NewEgg. If that doesn't fix it, I don't know what to tell you. I doubt it's driver issues even though that could be it. Good luck!

Do you have another video card in the computer? Even if on-board?

If so, it could very well be a memory-sharing conflict between the two video cards; I have a similar problem with my 'ol Voodoo3 and Radeon9800 in the same system - you just need to disable the one you aren't using if this is the case.

My 9700NP has done that a few times... but it's been quite some time since it's done it. If it is a serious issue, rma it.

It's the only vid card in the system, and it's AGP, so no onboard video.
I wouldn't think it'd be driver issues since it does it in bios as well.
btw Lasereth, this one came from NewEgg too :-(

Is it past the RMA period yet? I'd seriously RMA it back and get a new one just to be safe. If it's past the RMA period, call and bitch at them, it usually works pretty good. :) Good luck!

-Lasereth

Newegg is really good about taking things back... definently give them a call either whether its past the RMA time or not...

Make sure your it's not too hot. If it is you can cool it down by dumping water on it while it's in your machine. (jk)

I had the same problem but it was a bios realted issue. I had set the agp mode to turbo2. When I switched it back to normal everything was fine.