Unable to unlock my PNY Geforce 6800, Pls HELP!

[A8dr1aN]

Hi!

I was reading this article http://www.ocia.net/articles/6800/page2.shtml on OIA and thought it would be a great idea. So I ordered my NV Silencer 5 Cooler, installed it as indicated in the article, everything was working great so far. :P
Now I got to the part in the article where I was to unlock my 6800. I got the latest version of Riva Tuner (15.3 New Years edition) and tried unlocking my pixel pipelines according to one of their web tutorials. I followed their picture by picture guide to the point, the card temporally unlocked (all 16 pipes and the extra pixel shader were displayed) and I was prompted to re-boot.
Now Windows doesn't want to load anymore. It keeps restarting so I highlight the "Load last known working hardware profile" option. Once back in Windows, I check RivaTuner and I only have 12 pipes instead of the unlocked 16.
This obviously didn't work.
OK.
So I follow the article's author and the way he unlocked his using a batch file instead. See here: http://www.ocia.net/articles/6800/page4.shtml
I ran the batch file only I don't get the OK message instead my system freezes! I end up having to kill-switch my system and having to load last known working profile once again.

My card is NOT unlocking? WTF not?
Could someone PLEASE HELP ME!!! :cry:

My card is a (slow ass) Nvidia PNY GeForce 6800 regular version (with 12 pipelines).

Many thanks in advance!

[XPTB]

Maybe brand has something to do with it. I'm not the expert, as I opted for the 6600GT 8)

One of the technical Guru's should be along shortly to give you a real answer hehehe

[A8dr1aN]

One of the technical Guru's should be along shortly to give you a real answer hehehe

I hope so, too, before I take a poop on it! :x

[silenze]

My BFG 6800OC doesn't unlock with the NVStrap driver in RivaTuner, I have to use the batchfile command to run rivatuner with the flags, and if I don't do it within the first 10-20 minutes of booting, my machine locks up too... but that's the only issue with it I've seen.. it's fine from then on..

Maybe you got a later card and Nvidia changed something?

[playafly187]

I have had something similar to that happen to my card. Rarely, when I try to unlock the card, the batch file takes about a full minute to load. But, I have never had it lock the system up completely. It is quite possible that your particular card was not a good "batch" and the locked pipelines may be faulty.

[A8dr1aN]

silenze,
Could you show me the batchfile that you're using? I'd like to give that a try hoping it might differ from mine.

playafly187,
I am starting to think that way also. It's a good possibility that I bought a 'unlucky' card. Sounds just like my luck... :cry:

Anyway, I was thinking, with prizes dropping, somewhat, I should maybe consider buying a 6800 GT with the 16 pipelines? I'll stay away from PNY this time.

What's the cheapest that they run these days?
I did a little searching and found one with $399. OUCH! It had 256MB RAM though.
Tax returns are just around the corner, so getting another card shouldn't set me back too much.

I started messing with my card, overclocking it, trying to unlock it after noticing how one of Nvidia's demos that came on the card's install CD didn't work right! I'm talking about the Nalu demo. At first I thought my system requirements were insufficient but after checking with their site, my system well surpasses it. The demo runs, but it's a slide-show!!!
LOL, I actually thought at first this was due to my powersuply being only a 200W so I bought and installed a 300W one like the card's requirements specify. This didn't solve a thing.

Also, I find it weird that I'm able to overclock the hell out of it!!! I used the latest version of PowerStrip and am currently @ 385MHz Engine Core Clock / 850MHz Memory Clock speeds. Didn't notice any artifacts or system lockups even after intense gaming and benchmarking it on 3D Mark 05. Keep in mind, this is after installing the NV 5 Cooler on my card.
Interestingly, running it in this overclocked stage, the Engine Core speeds are displayed in their original state (before overclocking) @ 325 under 3D Mark 05. Does this mean that the Engine Core is not overclockable on my card either?

Thanks in advance and for trying to help me out! :???:

[playafly187]

If I were you, I would just keep that 6800. I couldnt justify spending 400 bucks for just a few more FPS. Your card seems to overclock pretty well, so I would just stick with it until a marginal upgrade comes along.

BTW, with a 300watt PSU, what are your complete system specs?

[A8dr1aN]

My full system specs can be found here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?product=90823&lang=en&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=bph07854

The only differences are that I've added another 512 MB totaling 1Gig PC2100 RAM, changed my PSU to a 300W from the stock 200W, my PNY Geforce 6800 Video Card of course, and added the SB Audigy 2 sound card. Also changed the speakers, mouse & keyb.

Would like to know what's keeping the performance down! Is it my motherboard?


I couldnt justify spending 400 bucks for just a few more FPS.
Heh, but I'd like more FPS :P

[playafly187]

ahh, that could very well be the problem right there...

i could be wrong, as i have never tried overclocking / unlocking a 6800 on a store-bought PC, but i wouldnt be surprised if it didnt work for that one reason.

that, and the PC2100 RAM is really holding you back ;)

[silenze]

silenze,

Could you show me the batchfile that you're using? I'd like to give that a try hoping it might differ from mine.

playafly187,
I am starting to think that way also. It's a good possibility that I bought a 'unlucky' card. Sounds just like my luck... :cry:

Anyway, I was thinking, with prizes dropping, somewhat, I should maybe consider buying a 6800 GT with the 16 pipelines? I'll stay away from PNY this time.

What's the cheapest that they run these days?
I did a little searching and found one with $399. OUCH! It had 256MB RAM though.
Tax returns are just around the corner, so getting another card shouldn't set me back too much.

I started messing with my card, overclocking it, trying to unlock it after noticing how one of Nvidia's demos that came on the card's install CD didn't work right! I'm talking about the Nalu demo. At first I thought my system requirements were insufficient but after checking with their site, my system well surpasses it. The demo runs, but it's a slide-show!!!
LOL, I actually thought at first this was due to my powersuply being only a 200W so I bought and installed a 300W one like the card's requirements specify. This didn't solve a thing.

Also, I find it weird that I'm able to overclock the hell out of it!!! I used the latest version of PowerStrip and am currently @ 385MHz Engine Core Clock / 850MHz Memory Clock speeds. Didn't notice any artifacts or system lockups even after intense gaming and benchmarking it on 3D Mark 05. Keep in mind, this is after installing the NV 5 Cooler on my card.
Interestingly, running it in this overclocked stage, the Engine Core speeds are displayed in their original state (before overclocking) @ 325 under 3D Mark 05. Does this mean that the Engine Core is not overclockable on my card either?

Thanks in advance and for trying to help me out! :???:

Bathfile contents:
RivaTuner.exe /wrc020,0 /wrc024,0 /wrc028,0 /wrc02c,0 /wr1540,13f0f /rr1540

Could very well just be unlucky...

It should read 325Mhz unless something 3D Accelerated is monitoring the clock... :wink: (The drivers set the GPU to your "Standard 2D" setting when you're not running anything 3D accelerated, once you get into OpenGl/D3D, they set it to the "Performance 3D" clock..)

[silenze]

My full system specs can be found here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?product=90823&lang=en&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=bph07854

The only differences are that I've added another 512 MB totaling 1Gig PC2100 RAM, changed my PSU to a 300W from the stock 200W, my PNY Geforce 6800 Video Card of course, and added the SB Audigy 2 sound card. Also changed the speakers, mouse & keyb.

Would like to know what's keeping the performance down! Is it my motherboard?


I couldnt justify spending 400 bucks for just a few more FPS.
Heh, but I'd like more FPS :P

Store bought PC but he put a different videocard in it, that won't have an effect on his piplines....

What are you scoring in 3DMark ?

[A8dr1aN]

I must warn you to lean back a little. The performance hits :!:

*Benchmarks taken in 3D Mark 2005.
*Demos were run @ 1024 x 768, no AA, and filtering set to optimal.
*CPU: Pentium 4, 2.53 GHz
*RAM: 1 GB PC2100

Before Overclocking ( 325/700):

3DMark Score: 2916 3DMarks :cry:
GT1 - Return To Proxycon: 9.6 FPS
GT2 - Firefly Forest: 9.2 FPS
GT3 - Canyon Flight: 17.9 FPS


Overclocked @ 385/850:

3DMark Score: 3353 3DMarks :|
GT1 - Return To Proxycon: 10.8 FPS
GT2 - Firefly Forest: 10.7 FPS
GT3 - Canyon Flight: 21.0 FPS


And here's the line that made me doubt the Engine Core is overclocking:

VGA Core Clock: 324MHz

This is the same on all results in 3D Mark 05!

If it's the motherboard and PC2100 RAM that's holding me back, would a better card like the 6800 GT or 6800 Ultra even make (any?) much difference?

Thanks!

[silenze]

I'd say you're doing about like you should for that cpu/motherboard/chipset/ram.. you'd get faster results with either upgraded though.. I score about 4,000 in 3DMark 2005 with the same settings and 12 pipelines on the system in my signature.. 3500 without overclocking or unlocking any piplines (my card came with all 6 shaders unlocked already).

[playafly187]

I'd say you're doing about like you should for that cpu/motherboard/chipset/ram...

agreed. if i were you, id take your tax return money and buy a new mobo/ram/cpu setup instead of a new video card.

you can pick up an Athlon 64 3000+ for around $160, mobo starting around $80 and a gig of pc3200 ram for around $140.

i think you would get a better increase in video and definitely overall system performance going this route instead of a 6800GT, but this is just my opinion. 8)

[nibird]

I too have been unable to unlock my Nvidia 6800 256mb by either method Riva or batch file.
Dell XPS gen4
P4 3.4
1GB ddr2

[playafly187]

interesting... again, another manufactured pc that cant unlock... :idea:

[nibird]

Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I too have been unable to unlock my Nvidia 6800 256mb by either method Riva or batch file.
Dell XPS gen4
P4 3.4 1mb L2
1GB ddr2 pc4200
Nvidia 6800 256 mb
320 raid 0
win xp pro
Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated

[playafly187]

could you try to use the card in a custom-built computer? i have a feeling that manufactured pc's arent letting people unlock their cards. i have no proof behind this, but it is just a hunch...

[silenze]

could you try to use the card in a custom-built computer? i have a feeling that manufactured pc's arent letting people unlock their cards. i have no proof behind this, but it is just a hunch...

Is it even a name brand card? It's probably manufactured By Dell, which could be a huge reason why..

[playafly187]

good point... i wasnt even really aware that dell created such a powerful card. :lol:

[nibird]

Everest home , Sisoft Sandra etc show the video card as Nvidia 6800 256 mb.
As far as I know it is a Nvidia card manufactured for dell

[Skimanjohn]

I have a BFG 6800 128mem and neither works for me too. My system is pretty good the specs are Asus K8N-E Deluxe,AMD 64 3400,1gig Corasir XMS mem,Sound Blaster Audigy 2,BFG 6800 128 and i still feel i should have gotten the 6800GT 256 DDR3 vid card.

[asw7289]

About the Nalu demo... i had the same problem. You have to go into your bios and change the agp aperture size to 256 and disable fast write if you need to, and then it will run perfectly.

I have a BFG 6800 OC i believe the disabled pipelines are faulty =(, my friend bought the exact same card but unlocked them flawlessly, the lucky bastard.

[silenze]

About the Nalu demo... i had the same problem. You have to go into your bios and change the agp aperture size to 256 and disable fast write if you need to, and then it will run perfectly.

I have a BFG 6800 OC i believe the disabled pipelines are faulty =(, my friend bought the exact same card but unlocked them flawlessly, the lucky bastard.

I had faulty pipes on my bfg 6800oc (small glitches in water in 3dmarks).. fixed it with an ultra though :wink:

Disabling fastwrites will be a little bit of a performance hit...