How to test video memory for errors?

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Eric.

Eric.

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Does anybody know of a program that will scan a video card's memory for errors, like Memtest does for system RAM? I'm hoping that I just have a memory leak and not something else on the system going wrong. I've had a few problems with CSS which were resolved with newer drivers, but I can't finish the Bioshock demo without crashing (at pretty much the same point each time).

Card: Leadtek Geforce PX7900GT TDH 256MB PCIe
Drivers: Forceware 163.44
OS: XP MCE '05
 
I have been to that one, and the links take me to something Russian. So I'm going to pass on that one, considering I didn't see the same program on any other of the results.
 
ATItool has a scan for artefacts thing, it's also a great OCing tool.
 
ok... read the thread before posting. Got it.

I'm not sure I understand what good it will do you if you find out there is a memory problem. Are you planning to get/install replacement ram on the card?
 
I don't know of any tools for checking video card memory, and no amount of googling or searching OC-ing or hardware forums has led me to one either. I'm sure that it can go bad, but it's not something that I hear of very often.

What exactly happens when the demo crashes?
Does the computer completely freeze? Does it go to desktop? BSOD? Spontaneously reboot? etc


Are you OC-ing anything? Are you running the demo in DX10 mode? (I don't think the 7900's are DX10 compatible. My EVGA 7600GT KO isn't.)


First I'd run the demo again, and just before you get to the point where it normally crashes, exit to the desktop and check the video card, mobo, and cpu temps. My old shuttle used to artifact and hang and crash like mad when it got a little warm (and it didn't take long with that thing either).

Secondly, it might be worth running Memtest86 and/or 3dMark and/or a Prime95 Torture Test just to see what they dig up. Monitor your temperatures during any of these as well. If you are OC-ing anything, these will let you know if you're being a little over ambitious.

Then, I'd try running another high end game, whatever you've got, and see if you have the same crashing issues on a high detail setting. If all of the above go smoothly then...

Lastly, I'd remind myself that this is a demo so there may still be some hardware compatibility issues to work out before the official release (or afterwards in patches, as is often the case).
 
Boundary Layer
Lastly, I'd remind myself that this is a demo so there may still be some hardware compatibility issues to work out before the official release (or afterwards in patches, as is often the case).
Click to expand...

I would bet that is most likely it. I remembering reading that people have had some problems with the demo.

Maybe you could go on the Bioshock forum and ask them there?
 
F1GTR
ATItool has a scan for artefacts thing, it's also a great OCing tool.
Click to expand...

Not getting artifacts.

Boundary Layer
I don't know of any tools for checking video card memory, and no amount of googling or searching OC-ing or hardware forums has led me to one either. I'm sure that it can go bad, but it's not something that I hear of very often.

What exactly happens when the demo crashes?
Does the computer completely freeze? Does it go to desktop? BSOD? Spontaneously reboot? etc


Are you OC-ing anything? Are you running the demo in DX10 mode? (I don't think the 7900's are DX10 compatible. My EVGA 7600GT KO isn't.)


First I'd run the demo again, and just before you get to the point where it normally crashes, exit to the desktop and check the video card, mobo, and cpu temps. My old shuttle used to artifact and hang and crash like mad when it got a little warm (and it didn't take long with that thing either).

Secondly, it might be worth running Memtest86 and/or 3dMark and/or a Prime95 Torture Test just to see what they dig up. Monitor your temperatures during any of these as well. If you are OC-ing anything, these will let you know if you're being a little over ambitious.

Then, I'd try running another high end game, whatever you've got, and see if you have the same crashing issues on a high detail setting. If all of the above go smoothly then...

Lastly, I'd remind myself that this is a demo so there may still be some hardware compatibility issues to work out before the official release (or afterwards in patches, as is often the case).
Click to expand...

It has crashed differently each time. Once it has just dropped be back to Windows with no other side effects. Once it BSOD'd (nv4_disp caught in infinite loop), and twice it has left me in 600x400 with 4-bit color, requiring a reboot.

The BSOD said that it was either a driver error (and to get the newest ones, which I had) or that the video device itself was responsible. After rebooting Windows suggested to get new drivers or to lower the hardware acceleration of the device. :dunce:

Not overclocked. Other games are fine.
 
Ya, if you're not OC'd, not artifacting, and can't replicate this with any other game or piece of software I'd be willing to bet that it's a glitch in the demo either not recognizing or not utilizing your hardware correctly.

The only other idea I had, which I already posted, was that the game may be trying to run in dx10 mode and your machine doesn't support it. I snooped around on a few other forums and it seems that this does cause issues for some nv cards in xp. One solution was to run the game from the command line and add '-dx9' to the command.
bioshock demo.exe -dx9​
or something like that
 
DX10 is one of the options. And it is off. That would cause it to crash immediately, not when it is supposed to go to a loading screen. I saw a few posts on Gamespot that other people were crashing at the same point.
 

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