Knoppix Fried GeForce 4 Ti 4200!

**igs** · 03-06-2003, 12:55 AM

Hi all,

This might seem hard to believe, but I think Knoppix just fried my graphics card

I have been running Knoppix 3.1 on a Thinkpad 600 with no problems, but tonight I decided to try it on my Dell 4550 with GeForce 4 Ti 4200.

Knoppix went through much of its boot sequence until it tried to talk X11 at which point the display disappeared.

From this point on, no matter what I did not bring back the display.
Changing the video card did however completely restore system to normal.

JUST A WARNING o ALL

**Loper** · 03-06-2003, 02:44 AM

<snip>
This might seem hard to believe, but I think Knoppix just fried my graphics card.
</snip>

Actually, it's IMPOSSIBLE to believe. There's NO WAY that Knoppix could be responsible for your problem. I speak from my electronic, software AND computer hardware experience. It's likely an unfortunate coincidence.

**Loper** · 03-06-2003, 03:03 AM

OOPS!

**thadk** · 03-06-2003, 07:51 AM

Did you try cycling power (unplugging) for about 30 seconds before writing it off as a dead video card? How did you know it was a dead video card and not something else?

I had some problems with Dell's P.O.S.T. memory checks being tripped by the KnoppixKDE disk on the lab computer I was working on and failing and the computer refusing to turn on past the second POST light (ack!!) but after an hour of frantically fidgetting, and earning accusatory stares from the rest of the patrons I cycled the power to clear the NVRAM (I think) and it turned on like nothing at all. Naturally when you took out the video card you would have cycled power. Are you sure this isn't what it was? It's a heck of a lot more likely.

I have also repeated this event on an IBM of mine. Maybe it was only the particular CD but I had uneventfully used it on two laptops of mine.

On second thought, If you'd like I'll take that 'dead' video card off your hands for you, heh heh. gl.

**god** · 03-06-2003, 07:57 AM

i have a geforce 4 ti 4200... no problems at all... well...

originally, when I started x, using the nv drivers, I got a black screen, very much like what you discribed. Pissed me off, i could not figure out what it was for the longest time. Turns out the NV drivers do not support the digital out monitor hook up... All i had to do was switch it to the standard monitor plug and i was all set...

btw.. did you check the card by running it in another OS?

**zoo** · 03-06-2003, 10:55 AM

I have a geforce 4 ti 4200, and X does indeed not support the DVI port. Although the terminals all worked well, there was no signal, until I changed to the analogue port.

**igs** · 03-06-2003, 11:35 PM

Wow, thanks for all the interest.

I'm willing to believe this is a horrible coincidence, but I must admit I am very wary of trying again. My experience is also that software rarely fries hardware, but it could push a dodgy card over the edge by chucking out extreme sync signals).

Here is what I did:
1. Used machine for a couple of hours on XP (sorry)
2. Re-booted machine with Knoppix, Knoppix went through much of its boot sequence until it tried to talk X11 at which point the display disappeared

3. Tried reboot again with Knoppix, gave blank screen (no POST messages even)
4. Diagnostic lights all show green (claiming memory & video OK)
5. Swapped screen from DVI to Analogue
6. Re-start gave blank screen as before (Knoppix & XP)
7. Reseated card, no change
8. Swapped video card for old Matrox I had lying around
9. Re-start XP, and all is OK (with old video card on analogue)
10. Swapped back for sanity check, no display
Conclusion: dead card

I am brave enough to try Knoppix again with the old card just to make sure it all goes OK, I'll let you know if I have any trouble assuming I still have a video card

Ian

**tskarthik** · 03-14-2003, 09:55 AM

igs, can u please let us know what brand of GeForce Ti 4200 was that ? Creative ? LeadTek ? Asus ?

Your gf4 ti 4200 chip probably wouldnt have got burnt. It would have been some other electronic component on your card. Though the card manufacturers use the standard gf4 ti 4200 and follow nvidia guidelines for board design, they might use poor quality components, which might have been the cause for the dead card.

**igs** · 03-15-2003, 12:43 AM

My card was a (presumably) Dell card as shipped with a dimension 4550, there are no markings on the card to indicate either Dell or any other manufacturer except Nvidia themselves.

As the machine was under warranty I have been trying to get Dell to replace the card but they seem to be a bit reticent so far.

igs

**Lando** · 03-18-2003, 01:59 AM

I too have a Ti4200 (MSI), and Knoppix works fine with it. Better yet, my Ti4200 does not crash Knoppix to (or vice versa), but it is the cause of a great deal of instabilitiy under WinXP.

On a secondary note, does anyone besides me not trust Nvidia at all? Their website says the detonator drivers (latest, of course) are WHQL certified, but in actuality only parts of them are certified. The drivers as a whole aren't even signed by MS.

Suffice to say, I'm getting a Radeon 9700 ASAP.