512 MB 3650 AGP card not recognised by my VIA motherboard

[tottenham_hs]

Gday Guys.

I've seen a similar problem posted here but couldn't find my solution from it.

I have a Via motherboard with the details below from siSoftware Sanadra:

Mainboard
Manufacturer : HOLCO (Shuttle)
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : AV49
System BIOS : 10/02/2002-AV49-6A6LXH2AC-00
Chipset : VIA P4X400/A

currently my comp works with a GeForce4 Ti 4200. Here is what my AGP slot info is from SiSoftware Sandra :

Device Information
Device Type : VGA Video Adapter
Device ID : bus 1, device 0, function 0
Windows Device Name : NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 with AGP8X
OEM Device Name : Nvidia GeForce4 Ti 4200 with AGP 8X [NV28.2]
OEM Hardware ID : FUN_0, VEN_10DE, DEV_0281, REV_A1
Revision : K2

Power Management Features
Version : 2.00
Supports Clock Slow-down : Yes
Supports D1 PM State : No
Supports D2 PM State : No
Supports PME# : No
Supports PME Clock : No

AGP Capabilities
Version : 3.00
Command Queue Length : 32
Fast-Writes Support : Yes
Addressing Support : 32-bit
Isochronous Mode Support : No
Addressing Support : 32-bit
Current Data Transfer Rate : 4X 8X


i have purchased a Powercolor HD 512MB 3650 AGP card.

When i plug it in i get no video signal whatsoever. I am running a brand new PSU 500w so the card is getting enough power. My only idea is to flash my bios as it is quite old , but i'm concerned that i won't be able to get it running again.

My BIOS is Phoenix Technologies LTD 6.00 PG (i think i remember seeing somehere it was the 2002 version).

Is this motherboard capable of running this graphics card?

[Mr. Chris]

Yes, that board should be able to run that card. Are you sure the card works?

Another issue with these older boards is bad capacitors. Look at the caps around the area of the CPU. If any have brown goo oozing out of the tops, or the tops are bulging, that could be your problem.

You can check the Shuttle website for a BIOS update. Look at the change notes for each update to see if any are for a compatability issue with these newer AGP cards and that board.

Flashing BIOS is risky, be sure to read all the instructions that Shuttle provides. Chris.

[boyblue]

tottenham_hs

This is an old post but it may still help you.

How I installed my new Ati video card on Via chipset motherboard

How are THS going, my mate from London supports them?

[RQuallsJR]

You need to download the 8.9 hotfix at the ati site, type in 8.9 hotfix in the search bar be sure to click on ati site . this is for the 2000 and 3000 series agp cards only. then you should be good to go.. Rob.

[tottenham_hs]

ok guys. I have got past my ram issues with this upgrade. Previously it couldn't take more than 1 stick of ddr400 and i found out somewhere (after an exhaustive search) that i had to reduce it to 333 speed to register more than 1 stick. So now i am confident that my av49 p4x400 motherboard is working well as the agp slot works well with my GeForce4 AGP 8x card.

Now my gut is telling me this board should be able to run with this card. I just need to get the settings right.

Upon startup i don't hear the power up beep and never hear my hard drive chunking away so that tells me it is a bios recognition problem or motherboard settings. I recieve no signal whatsoever. When i startup with no card i get motherboard error beeps. When i startup with Geforce4 the computer works fine.

Things that i have checked.
- card is definately seated tightly
- ram is fine as i'm running 1gb the recommended amount.
- power supply is a brand new 500w more than the 350 recommended.

I have tried to update bios using the shuttles files but get an error saying it doesn't matchup as i try to flash it using the adwflash program from a bootable cd designed for flashing.

Which is wierd because my version is AV49S00L and the latest bios file is av49s00q. But still the program says the bios don't match up and fails to flash.

I tried the hotfix mentioned earlier but it won't install as i need to have my old GeForce 4 plugged in to get to windows and it detects no hardware (eg the 3650 512mb) to install the hotfix and cancels out of setup. I doubt this is my problem though as i am not getting my power beep and hard drive ticking - no signal not sure that a windows driver will make any difference.

Almost bought a new motherboard yesterday - but now i have hope for this one with your help guys. Anyone out there got any further ideas for me?

[tottenham_hs]

Found the bios history for my motherboard :

BIOS Revision History
Bios name Remarks

AV49S00H Initial version Date:09/17/02
AV49S00L Support Hyper-Threading CPU Date:10/02/02
AV49S00N 1. Fixed resume from S3 fail with CPU133/DDR166. Date:02/12/03
2. Added CPU macro code to add HT Performance.
3. Added 'APIC Mode' function item.
AV49S00P 1. Fixed VT8235 AUTO-POWER-ON after clear CMOS. Date:02/19/03
2. Patch AGP_8X with / DDR_400 can't run 3DMARK2003.
AV49S00Q Support D-Stepping CPU Date: 05/14/03

Can't really see anything that will help me here other than a patch that allows 3dmark to run. The link for info on my board is here Shuttle * Products * Mainboards * Socket 478 * VIA-chipset * AV49N * Info/FAQ * Realtek AP

[Mr. Chris]

If you're not even getting a beep with that new card installed, I suspect a bad card. You should get some action out of the board. Chris.

[boyblue]

I agree with Chris and as far as updating the bios what method did you use?

[tottenham_hs]

i made a bios flashing boot cd that loads no drivers (from bootdisk.com) with the awdflash program on it and the aav49s00q.bin file on it. Loaded up awdflash and tried to use the av49s00q.bin as the source file. it said something like they didn't match up. i have checked that the jumper wasn't on bios write protection. and i have done the cmos reset using the jumpers. no dice each time. i will try the bios update route one more time then tomorrow i will take the card back to the store. any other bios update methods to try - as i really don't wanna go there and admit that i have an old bios.

[tottenham_hs]

fellas - updated the bios to the latest from shuttle. still no dice. going to take the card back tomorrow - if another 3650 fails - what kina card will be able to run vista media center and play hd files - my cpu is p4 2.4ghz and i have 1.256 gb ram. need to know my options as i think they will only exchange and won't refund my money