Poasters Computer Forums

This is quasi-computer related, but not really a plea for advice or focused particularly, so I figured the rec room would be an ok place to expound.

I just finished Call Of Duty 4; Modern Warfare.  I installed it New Years, and have been diligently wasting working on it since.  OMG, as texters say, is it cool.  The detail, plot twists, range of missions and weaponry is absolutely stunning.  You shoot blow up rocket stinger bomb blast so many things so many ways it's just spectacular.  And, die a lot.  Some saves are spaced soooo far apart, and demand so much activity to get to, that it can be very frustrating at times wondering if you're ever going to move on as you go for a looong time and then die and are sent back to the beginning of that segment. 

As I have an SLI board but just the one GeForce 7600GT, I'm figuring to add a second and try the thing as designed.  There is a "SLI check" box on the video options.  I ran it at different depths, but mostly the "optimal" 800x600 mode.  The game did hang, momentarily, quite a bit... but then plow forward ok while looking great.  So I'm curious if 2 cards will goose it accordingly.  I've seen ratings that Oblivion also benefits greatly from SLI, so that's another I'm midway through and would pick up on with the 2 GPU arrangement.

Only hesitancy is that I'm only running a 450 watt power supply... and probably oughta check to see if I even have a hanging 6 pin video connector for the second card on the thing as apparently both really ought have a direct juice pipeline.  I would hate to install a new PSU but will if necessary... I hate doing that, because to me it's like trying to install an octopus.  And electric one, at that.  And redoing all those stupid connections just confuses me, more than usual.

Anyway, that's my news and plans.  Naturally, if anyone's done SLI lemme know.  I guess if I can do it I won't need to pop the SLI Balloon (thanks again Buff for linking that for me).  With my luck, I'll probably toast the thing anyway and wind up buying a used one from Scuzzy.  Or, I'll buy a new card from NewEgg or Tiger and then he'll offer me his for $20 or so.

Ace; if I do mess it up it's not like I can send it to Monarch to be fixed, you know.

I would think 450 watt should be enough, I've seen some 7600 series cards that don't require the 6 pin power connector.

Can you still get the same make and model number card of the one you have now, I think but am not exactly sure that you need the same make and model to do SLI properly. You may be further ahead by just going with a newer card.

You should test the PSU by placing the connectors across your tongue.

If you survive that test, send COD4 directly to me so that I can test it on my system for a few months or possibly years. I'll report back to you every once in a while (if I remember) and tell you of my progress. You'll only have to pay me the cost of shipping. Both ways.

I don't have any Sly movies, although I did enjoy the original Rambo and Rocky/Bullwinkle flicks.

Heh, Ace said "goose." That's funny.

Scuzzy; the things I'll do for Ace simply baffle me.

Yeah, I know.  What you said.  Both of you.

The card's a eVGA GeForce 7600GT (KO) 256MB GDDR3 PCI-E.  Which I figure if I get all that in the name of the new one oughta be a match, huh?  I saw New Egg has an open box one, and otherwise some bundled deal but no other special.  Tiger Direct has it, as well as through Amazon through Tiger. Circuit City is $30 more or so.  I'd like to wait till it hits "bottom" like I did back when I bought the VooDoo for my first machine, but then again I'd hate for them to disappear while I'm left holding
well, the one I've got.

Sounds encouraging on the PSU analysis Pat; thanks.  Mine's an Antec that came with the case, so it wasn't something I really scoped out back when.  I'll probably do my usual just buy the thing and then sit staring at the guts muttering "what the heck was I thinking..."

Ace; I hope Scuzzy doesn't have New Egg tied up like he did in December.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I have been thinking on doing a minor upgrade on my socket A system, just a new video card and some ram. Funny thing is a gig of ram and a modest video card for that system is about 160$. For that same money you can get a new motherboard with on-board video, an AM2 processor and 2 gigs of ram for just a very few dollars more. Now that surely isn't the latest and the greatest but still it would still be faster than the socket A system.
Ah, what to do what to do?

Let me work on it; I guarantee you'll have a new system in no time. 

And you don't want no modest video card.. and you sure don't want some lame onboard video thingy.  You want megaVIDEOcard capabilities and ultra hot and noisy gaming capabilities, so when that RPG hits you you KNOW you been hit. 

Plus, I figure my resume will look better in SLI.  It oughta be way faster, plus have more depth and framerate and antialiasing and anaphalactic lighting and that stuff.

Ace; just think how cool clipart will look.

Anyway, yes I think you're right if you wait till they bottom out they will be gone. I went ahead and ordered one of  these video cards. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130076)

Since this is my other older system with the AGP there is really not the choice like with PCI-E right now but it should give it a nice boost over what I have now and I can keep using my older PATA drives. Most of the new motherboards right now only have the one PATA connection and this old Gigabyte board has 4 of those plus the 2 Sata connections and I'm just not ready to put it out to pasture.

Personally, I don't see the value of SLI, unless you have pots of money and buy both cards when they are still new tech.  Buying a second 7600GT now will probably give you a nice little performance boost for (maybe) a small investment.  However, you are still spending money on old technology.  You will probably find that investing a little more in something like a 8600GTS will give you the same or better performance boost and will also give you DX10 capability and it will last you longer.

On top of the above, you have already pointed out that you need to consider the additional power for a the extra card.  You also need to consider the extra noise that the additional card will produce and also the extra heat - does your case have sufficient cooling?

When you consider the points above, it is probably more sensible to forget SLI.  However, jesters are not really famous for being sensible so if you fancy playing with SLI, go for it.

Boy, are you right about the lack of sensibilities.  I'm astounded by how much I don't I am. 

You know, it just seems a waste to have gone with this kicky SLI mobo and not actually try it.  It'd be easier if the 7600 cards were $50 or $30 or free, naturally.  I appreciate the heat and noise factors.  It's running cool and quiet enough now, but who knows after, you know?  I do have some pots, and some money, so it shouldn't be that hard to put some in one and go from there. 

Plus, I hate having stuff that's now removed and unused.  Shoot, I've still got some old sticks of memory laying around, "in case" they could be useful. And an old video card from some previous vintage.  I guess I could drop them in a Goodwill box... Anyway, I think your advice on going with the 8600GTS is great Buff and I hope Scuzzy takes it to heart.  And then sends me his 7600GT card for free, or even at his exhorbitant shipping costs, to me.  That would be the ideal way to SLI my way into hotter and louder gaming.

Ace; I hope he's paying attention to all this.

Get Scuzzy's card for free, or at least peanuts, then play with SLI.

Otherwise, sell your own 7600GT to some other shmuck (no offence) and put the money towards a newer card.

FYI, there are some interesting comparisons here http://magicboxlive.blogspot.com/2007/10/8600gts-vs-8600gt-vs-7600gt-full-review.html (http://magicboxlive.blogspot.com/2007/10/8600gts-vs-8600gt-vs-7600gt-full-review.html).  You can see that a 8600GTS will out-perform your humble 7600GT considerably.  It also out-performs the 7900GT, although it does consume more power.  I haven't seen any figures for 7600GTs in SLI but I doubt that they would be as good as the 8600GTS.

Another thing to consider is that not all games will benefit from SLI - they need to have nVidia provide a SLI driver for them first.  With the newer, more powerful graphics card you would see the benefit in everything.  You would also get hardware HD video decoding, if that's the bag you're into.

Buff; that empty slot on your motherboard is calling.........resist!

I don't mind when the empty slots call to me, as long as they're not in a casino...  I hate when the slots and everything sit silently while I hit the power switch and smell something burning.

I'll check out the comparison... I don't know any shmucks.  I suppose I could look for some on eBay.  Usually, I'm the shmuck. 

"Jester Shmuck."  That's a claim to fame.

On nVidia's site they gave Oblivion as one of the games that doubles in performance with SLI.  Didn't mention Call of Duty 4, but figure if the game options give you an SLI check box they must be figuring it will have an effect.  COD4 is the first one that hiccupped on me... and not badly but just sorta aggravating to freeze right when some bad guy jumps out at you... and wait for it to go live, so you can go dead.

Ace; shmuck. 

I'm astounded by how much you don't you are, also. Whatever that means, since I don't speak ravioli. But I certainly hope there's a cure for it.

I agree with Buff for no reason other than to disagree with you. Plus, what he says makes sense since he's not a jester.

I think you should send your 7600GT to me. I have no need for it, but I'll be happy just knowing that you don't have it.

Scuzzy; I'm pretty sure you don't have it.

Well; I've got good news and stupid news.

First off, I ordered an EVGA 7600GT second card, from Amazon. There's a $15 rebate, which should help.  Amazing thing is, ordered yesterday and it arrived TODAY.  Normal "5-7 day free shipping" deal.

Now the stupid.  There was no SLI connector (bridge) with it.  Apparently, the Mobo mfg. is supposed to supply that.  And guess what?  No mobo ASUS SLI connector in the box, from Monarch. 

Now, there's a (slim)chance I've got one, hanging from the installed card, in the system.  But gotta figure I woulda noticed that and wondered why some cable was hanging and going nowhere, in the case.  So my suspicion is I don't got one.  Either Monarch, in their final malfeasance and collapse didn't bother to throw in all the hardware, or ASUS didn't have one supplied.

I did a NewEgg search, and only could locate a 3 way EVGA connector... And they played dumb to the whole notion of this being a seemingly useful, and not exactly high tech, device, that you'd think oughta be available in some standard configuration.   So no go, there.  Circuit City doesn't carry any such thing. Asus shows it as a ribbon cable, and the nVidia SLI site shows a T-shaped clip on thing.  I contacted Asus, which said "go to the estore and find it there."  Well, I found both, as well as a "long" one, but the regular two are out of stock.  Hoo.  Rah.   I'll call around to see if it exists in retail.  I did find a couple on eBay, which of course involved jacking up the price.

But, with my luck, it's a "special" thing that each mfg. will blame the other for not including.  I guess I'll find out if there's one running loose in the case.  But would like to have one, in hand, before I crack it open.

Ace; I wish I knew today what I didn't know yesterday.

Oh just try just bending a bit of wire across the SLI bridge contacts, I bet that would work.

May be..............

I have one that came with a gigabyte board, should (might?) work. Some cards and/or boards also need a retention bracket.

Too bad I just got home from your corner of Michiana, I could have dropped it off.

This Asus store has one of the longer bridge models as well as a retention bracket for sale, looks like most of the smaller bridges are out of stock though.

http://estore.asus.com/shop/search.asp

Well, way to go, you.  One of the local "We Sorta Service PC's, Maybe, But Not Much On Saturday" Shops also said they had a Gigabyte one and that I should bring in the mobo.  I'm sure.

You know, I also disremembered that this stupid Antec case has a plastic air duct chute that runs from the back across the PCI slots and extends over the CPU to serve as an exhaust pipe.  So you (well, "I") have to dismantle that contraption to even SEE the slots. 

I bought what looks to be the smaller flexible Asus strip on eBay.  I was going to just get the longer one from Asus (no further response from either their estore or CS) figuring it should work and I could just bend it back, although that might hit the dang exhaust chute too.  But when I clicked to "buy" I got a security warning that the site appeared to be suspect...(?!).  So just went back to eBay since I woulda haved to give Asus all my info, charge card, etc.  That, and the fact they pretty much stopped responding.

Will await arrival of this purchased thing.  Still got one more black plastic piece to knock off the back panel, as it's blocking the screw for a new card...

Acus; all this is a lot harder than actually installing one.

Is that a Sonota case? I bought one of those for one of my daughters and didn't even use the ducting as it interfered with the main power plug. Everything works fine without the duct anyway.

My main challenge lately is getting my KVM switch to work with my new keyboard and mouse wireless combo I bought early last December, I was going to just get a new KVM but then there is no guarantee that would work with this keyboard/mouse combo either. I guess it's mainly due to the funky way Logitech uses the one cord, two plug, USB adapter and their CS is no help as they only support direct connection to the case no extra external devices.

So, I now have two mouses and the one keyboard with three wireless adapters, the two mouses connected directly to each case/board and the keyboard connected to the KVM. This does work and I ended up having to buy another wireless adapter and a cheep mouse, but at least I can use both my systems with just the one keyboard and the two mouses.

Strangely enough the keyboard is recognized by the system as the keyboard it actually is and all the extra buttons work as they should and since the mouses are directly connected all those extra buttons work too. Eventually I'll just get another monitor and keyboard and make some room for another desk and then we can both have access to a computer at the same time. 

I too removed the ducts from two of my systems. Mostly they just got in the way, and I'm fairly certain that in one of the systems it was restricting air flow. You might consider removing it completely and monitor your temps for a little while. I'm betting that you won't notice an appreciable change.

Scuzzy; heh, heh. Pat said "mouses".

You know, with all this computer talk lately, you guys oughta consider making this into some kinda computer forum.

Yeah, it's a Sonata.  I'm sure it would have bugged me to no end if I woulda put it together, and come to that...  There's a plastic exit funnel still on it, so I'll remove that.  Any chance of reinstalling the venting will depend on how easily it goes back...  I can see point for exhaust of the cpu fan up and out, and not back into the works, but this thing rides over and pretty much covers the PCI slots so would think the graphic cards are in a low-ceiling room with it on.  Temps seem the same as normal, without.  Haven't tried "gaming" without the tube, but wasn't going to until I got this dang card in anyway.

I've still got the trackball in a drawer, that I used to have with a mouse.  And do have a joystick, again.  But never did two mouses.  USB sure makes things easier that going direct into the back of the box. 

Ace; if you become a better person, mouses will beat a path to your door.

Oh dear.  I hate to say I told you so but.....you wouldn't have had this trouble if you'd just gone for a new replacement card.  I dare say that once you've added all the costs and postage etc. together it will not work out much cheaper.

Still, I dare say that you'll learn from the experience and it won't be a total waste.

Buff; I really do hate it but, alright then,...I told you so!

Oh, dear, I dare say if I had bought that marginally improved stupid video card I would then be back to a single stupid video card and still have my now worthless stupid used video card plus no dang SLI performance hookup which was the point of the stupid SLI board in the first place and I'd be now waiting for this new model to plummet in price for some future time zone a year or two hence when I would finally be able to buy another one of the stupid things just to have my dang SLI, finally.

At which time I would've forgotten half of the twisted plot of Call of Duty 4 anyway, or quad cards would be all the rage by then, or I'd have to do without Merlot for the time between just to make up the difference and sooth my nerves.

So, thank you very much, after all is said and done I blame Monarch.  Which is easy, since they're dead.  Probably pinned in alcohol in a display case.  I still may find an SLI bridge duct taped inside something, in this Sonata, someday.  It wouldn't surprise me.  Or some kid of a past Monarch employee is wearing it for a retainer.

And I don't think you told me so.  I do not recall a poast reading "Ace, don't go and buy another of the same because you know you'll be out the SLI bridge anyway and Scuzzy could be kind and send you one but he won't and Pat probably has one that'll work but he'll offer it just after you go and buy one plus once you've got the card and the bridge is in the mail I'll be here to tell you so and say you could've just replaced everything else instead of the simple upgrade."  I tell ya, if it was my birthday you all would take the cake.

And,  :P it's still cheaper.  The rebate will cover the added connector thingy.  AND, Mr. KnowMerlot, if I had boughten the other better card by its lonesome I'd STILL BE OUT THE STUPID BRIDGE, ANYWAY. So it'd still be something I 'd have to buy.  Dangit.

Ace; I with Monarch would've closed before I ordered...

Ace; "I with Monarch"...? since when did I get a stupid lisp?  Criminy.  Buff will probably tell me he told me that, next.

Oh if it was your birthday you would most likely not even tell anyone and then get put out because no one mentioned it anyway.

But yeah, you'll be the one to come to when it's time to give advice on how to SLI, if it works out alright for you I may even give it a go.

pat; I bet Scuzzy would put Ace out.

Boy; you told me that, Buff told me this, Scuzzy woulda this and that.  You'd think I'd be smarter with all the great advice I get.

Well, ok, I suppose I should be.  Whose fault is that, huh?!

I do apologize for raising my emoticon at Buff, though.  I know he means well, but it's just sorta mean to point out stuff I woulda coulda shoulda, you know?  If I could guess right among varous options, I would have won the Case Game on Deal or No Deal by now... 

Who could predict what's the right move?  Sure, with hindsight, you can tell if your collar is out or that cowlick is settled down.  Or, if you missed a loop in back.  I mean, chances are, I'll get this bridge in a couple days from California and I'll get that stupid piece of exhaust pipe off the back panel and I'll get the new card to seat and I'll loop them together and won't even need to install drivers and it'll crank up and work great and I'll wade through Call of Duty 4 again (8) and life will be sweet.  What could go wrong...?

Well, sure, the bridge might not fit, if what he showed isn't it.  Or, I really struggle with the install.  Or, I get them configured and find that the heat's building up something fierce.  Or, that two of them tax my power supply and I have to replace that resident evil and go through the whole "how the heck does this thing even come out of here" "shoot, what do these connect to, now" "why do I have 3 left over..?".

Huh.

Alright, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  As nimble as I am working in a pc case, it won't make much difference.  At least I have the solace of knowing, should anything NOT work to perfection, that a resident expert will be sure to point out
that he tolded me so.

Ace;  :D  I'm sure everything will work out fine.   :'( I sure hope it works out, fine.   ::)  dangit this better work.  Fine.

No, I have to be honest, I didn't tell you about the lisp.  That one came out of nowhere.

And if you'd "boughten the other card by it's lonesome", you wouldn't need the stupid bridge.  Cake would be nice though.  With Merlot.

Let us know how you get on.  You'll know when it's running right - it's when the lights dim, the temperature rises and you can't hear much above the windy fan noise coming from your PC.

Seriously though, I hope it works out for you.  You can be the resident SLI "expert".  Maybe not though - you would likely then have to venture into other parts of the forum.  The techy bits that you aren't usually allowed in.  We'd lose track of you and have to follow the jingling sound to find you again.  Probably find the cat instead.

Buff; I digress.

 I'm sure it will work out great.

I wonder if your motherboard is one of those that is x16 with the one card in the main slot but then is x8 and x8 in SLI mode? That is what my Asus manual shows for my M2N-SLI board.

Ha! Buff!  Ha, I say! I did NOT tell you that!  I did not say "it's lonesome."  I said its lonesome.

I am not so daft that I would mistake the possessive with the contraction!  I am an Ex-English Major, after all.  I know the difference of being possessed, as compared to having contractions!

And, yeah Pat, I know about the knockdown.  I figure it's like one of those Honda engines, where it runs on half the cylinders to save gas.  Unless you push it, and then all bets are off.

And, may I add, like you could stop me, I have done a commendable job IN the dang techie sections, over the past year.  I sniffed out the bogus web virus hoax, and kept Pete from copying stuff illegally and getting arrested, and told somebody "antivirus are good" or something to that effect, and probably saved their system.  There were probably others, too.  Although some of them were just in retaliation to Scuzzy or somebody saying "Of course, Ace wouldn't do the right thing as he's an idiot" tagged onto some helpful advice, which would cause anyone to respond "Quit pointing out that I'm an idiot, dangit."

That, and having a speech impedidement, would cause anyone to clam up.  And Hey, Pat, if you've got the dang manual to go with the dang M2N-SLI (Deluxe?) board how come you don't got a dang Asus SLI bridge, huh?!  How come you got some dang bogus Gigabyte one!  Explain that, huh!

Ace; these guys are holding out on me.

Good grief!  Thanks for correcting my grammar :-[  although I have no idea where that apostrophe came from.  I think it was added by the site, in the same way that it used to automatically add an A to post. 

And please don't mention contractions as the other half is expecting our first in April and she's starting to get really worried.

Buff; expecting.

The other half of what...?

Oh.  Alright.  April, huh?  My birthday used to be April 1 here, until it was roundly ignored and somebody left my cake out in the April showers and who has the recipe, you know?

I hope it's not April 1, just because people probably wouldn't believe it.  And don't worry about a thing.  As one who doesn't have kids and would know as much about childbirth as computers, it's easy for me to say "don't worry about a thing."  So I will.

"April" might do well, as a name.  Well, especially if "it" is a girl.  Although I'd bet you'd have one tough son, after a few years, if you named him April.

Sli is another possibility.  You could call him "Poaster"... That'd be different.  I was always fond of "Bob" just because it's easy to spell.

You know, I don't know if Buffalo Bob would be such a good idea though... Buffalo Bill?  That might be ok.

Ace; not Buffalo Chip... uh uh.

Huh, you know it's not like I didn't make an offer of the one that I knew I would never use since I gave the Gigabyte board away as a gift to some one that would never need the bridge. But yeah, I do have the one that came with the Asus board but I just might want to use it and if I gave it away I might find myself searching on ebay for one or something like that.

And how was I supposed to know you would go out and buy one even though you probably knew I had one and would offer it up as an early birthday present.

Ok; let me try to follow this latest told me so:  you offered the thing I wasn't looking for knowing full well you had the thing I was looking for since you figured it would be better to not offer what i need but rather what you didn't since if you had actually given me the thing I could use later on I might have to give it back, at the time you might actually feel like using it, if you did. 

I suppose at that point when I finally did resort to shopping eBay I'd find one and buy it.  Then.  Unlike now, when I did. 

You know, I'm just gonna wait for the one to arrive from California.  I figure at least that once Buff has his kid and he says whether it's a boy or girl I can say

See!  I told you so!

Ace; heck, I've got a 50-50 shot.

Ok, so I'm really not a very nice person.

I should just go back a few poasts and once I see you've ordered one I should have said," Oh too bad you ordered one I have the one I got with my brand new board and I would like you to have it, but I see you just ordered one, darn."

And you know I even could have dropped it off again today as I was in the area. Actually all over the area, I have been on a quest for the impossible. I have been looking for a replacement light bulb for a customer since way before Christmas.  It's an odd sort of bulb, kind of a cross between an incandescent and florescent, long and thin but clear glass, the pins are not on the end but on the side. Every time I went into a place they just said never seen anything like it. So, today, since I had the day off, I went out looking. I started out in Roseland and stopped in at every electric parts and lighting store until I finally found a place way the heck out on Miami that had two frosted ones, but I needed four clear ones. They are going to order me the clear ones at 40$ each. So if you ever need a light bulb, I can help.

Only one I need is the type that lights up over your head... mine burned out.

Hey.. you said it's an odd incandescent/fluorescent kinda hybrid, long and thin and clear, pins on the side...?

Yeah.  I've a box of them.  Whole bunch.  Perfect condition. Even various sizes.  Perfect, clear, glass, incan/fluoro bulbs.  Got some.  Just sitting here.  So many, I don't know what to do with them all.  Wish I knew someone who could use them.  Yep.

Ace; I'll show him whose an odd sort of bulb.

How fortunate is that? I mean really, here I've been looking and looking for them and you just happen to have SEVERAL.

I just can't believe my luck.

Oh, darn, too late, I just ordered some. Guess I'll just have to wait till they come in.

Hopefully they don't have to come all the way from California.   

Well; paybacks are heck.  And I'm sure Buff told me so.

I get this email, tonight.  From the Asus Estore.  "our inventories are updated" and now they've got the stupid flex connector of which I just bought.  For $5. 

Stink. Stank. Stunk. 

Ace; why do good things happen to good people.... too late. 

Heh!  I didn't see that one coming.  If I had, I'd have told you so.  Oh, well, I guess it's a good fallback for when your Ebay purchase arrives and it turns out to be the wrong item.  Asus are apparently notorious for putting different numbers of slots in between the PCI-E slots on different boards and so have SLI bridges of varying lengths.  I've seen lots of complaints from people that have their sound cards between the SLI boards and have trouble getting the bridge to go over the top.  Hope yours fits!

I can tell you now that my kid is a girl.  So "Sli" and "Poaster", and any kind of name prefixed with the word Buffalo are right out.  We have already seriously considered April though and it remains a strong contender.

I've got plenty of bulbs here but I'm probably too far away to be of any help there.  We should really ask Travis to get involved, since he always seemed to have a blub.

Buff;  Whatever happened to Travis?

I don't know what became of him.  He bought that stereo, and then reappeared for a time, and then I don't know. I miss him too.  Every group should have a Canadian in it, eh? I did see a Travis was due for a 40th birthday, so maybe this place just aged him rapidly.  I know it's added years onto my life, since I first poasted back in 97 or whenever. 

You could go with "May" but that would probably just confuse her.  My step-dad's name is June.  and he was born in March, so go figure.

I know what you mean by board variance; I checked the one the one supposedly came with and it looks to span the same spread.  On Asus site, they don't make any distinction as far as the 3 types being further defined; just the hard T shape, the flex, the long flex bridge.  Here in the US we make some flex bridges that weren't supposed to.

Ace; I have a big round glowing bulb, but it's not so bad if I wear my hat.

Could be he just went off and did whatever it is that teenagers do. Don't ask me what that may be as it's been quite some time since I've been one or had any about the house.

He was fun to have around though, good kid.

I am now a SLIder...

For UnAmericans, that is slang for a greasy hamburger sold by White Castle here in the states...

I now have an SLI enabled computer.  The GPU install wasn't bad, except for trying to get the stupid screw back in to hold the top.  Booted up fine, but also did NOT have any "enable SLI" pop up that was expected... Went through the NVidia control panel, and no SLI check box anywhere (?). Finally came across one, in a standard view and checked it.  Booted itself back, and went back into the control panel and then there was an SLI enable choice. Clicked it, rebooted itself... and came back in some goshawful 640 mode no depth rendition, huge and safemodish.  Thought maybe it was because no drivers installed on the 2nd card (even though it was not to need that...).  But went into the normal properties and reset to 1280x1024 full color, and came back fine.  Everything shows 2 cards, went in and played COD 4 with 2 card enabled and worked ok.  Not noticeably better than before, but fine.  I'll try Oblivion and other games later today.

I was afraid that maybe the SLI balloon registry entry (to pop it, at start up) might have cancelled out the SLI recognition, but apparently not.  Just took awhile to kick in the dual card setting.  Temps are fine, and did not put in the heat duct.  Might later, but doesn't seem to matter.  The Bridge from EBay was just fine.  Just the right length, as the short flex one.

Ace "Two Cards" Jackson

Well congratulations on the install and actualization of SLI.  You have now spent a little more money but have realized the full capacity of your motherboard after much worry and consternation.  All for little or no apparent improvement in the graphics performance, but you do now have braggin' rights - "I have it and I did it, so there." 
I hope you're happy.

Ol' single card Bill

Oh, not so fast...

It seems, every time I look in the NVidia control panel, that SLI is NOT enabled/selected.. when I do click on enabling it (both as "Apply" and as "Ok") the computer reboots...  Sometimes coming back in the mega size ugly mode, sometimes holding to the normal resolution.  And, in going back into the NVidia control mode, same thing...  So I'm thinking SLI is NOT enabled but at this point I'm stuck as to what to do to confirm if it is, or just do different.  Each reboot generates a MS "system recovered from serious error" pop up.

Both cards show as operating fine in the device view; I installed the drivers that came with the card, just to see if that would make a difference.  They loaded to the original card, while the new one held onto the ones I already had installed.  There is no BIOS SLI setting (that isn't "on").  I deleted the SLI Balloon registry edit, but couldn't really locate its hiding in the Registry itself.  I figure my "didn't notice any difference" then could well be based on it's not functioning.

So, right now, until I can go back into the NVidia setting and see it STAY with SLI, I figure there's still work to do.  One of those "do everything right, but that's not enough" conundrums.  I don't know if two cards can "work" but NOT in cooperation, so would almost rather see a warning sign at this point.

Ace;  :(

I seem to recall that when you first started with this machine, you had a warning or error message about not having 2 cards.  Someone, maybe Buff or Chandler, poasted directions to turn something off and the error disappeared.  Maybe be you should retrace those steps and change the original "fix."  I also recall that you commented that the "fix" wasn't intuitive, ie not simply checking or unchecking a box.

Bill; on again, off again.

Yes... and that's the thing, I can't find any reference on how to UNdo the SLI Balloon kill "fix."  Program is sliballoon.reg, and I've got that on the desktop.  But no means to identify or find it in the registry, if that was added.  Or, any way as yet to re-establish the start up SLI balloon (to make it reappear).  I too am thinking that could affect the boot up trigger to enable SLI.

Other thing is I'm not getting the options through the NVidia control panel that the mobo manual shows I should... There should be a desktop manager choice that also has "Properties" which leads to the SLI enable.  I don't have that appearing at as the 3rd choice, and am instead getting to the SLI enable through a display button.  So it's throwing me that I can't follow the instruction chain I see in the references, as those aren't showing.

There's no means I can find to connect power directly to either card, so no choice as to adding a connect that way if it's a power issue.  I've confirmed cards are seated, and showing as working properly, so either I'm getting blocked on the NVidia software recognition or ... who knows. 

Ace; another day that ends in "y"

Oh dear, what troubles and tribulations you are having.

To undo the SLI balloon fix, open notepad and paste the text below into it.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak]
"NvCplEnableMultiGPUConfigurationPage"=dword:00000001

Save it on your desktop as a .reg file, such as SLIundo.reg  Then just double-click it and it should just add the entry to your registry that the "fix" removed in the first place.

Having said all that, I believe that the SLI balloon thing was removed from the nVidia drivers because of the annoyance it caused.  You should really be running with the latest nVidia drivers which doesn't have the balloon thing in it.  I don't think.

Also, take a look here - it seems to be just what you need.
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread94018.html (http://www.notebookforums.com/thread94018.html)

Buff; Good luck.

Thanks Buff, dear, appreciate that.  I'm trying the undo as recommended.  Also will download drivers from NVidia (had that originally, then installed the EVGA version that came with the card, so will try door number 3).  Since I already flipped around drivers with no effect hard to tell which should come first, registry change or drivers.

Ran the command... didn't do anything as far as bringing back an SLI balloon or options...

Where it seems I'm getting stuck is that I'm not getting that immediate "You have an SLI capable configuration; wanna enable?" pop up, and am NOT seeing the option I supposedly should to set up out of the NVidia settings screens that the motherboard manual shows.  So just manually going in and hitting "enable" without prompting seems to not do the trick (and isn't lasting...). 

Drivers I guess are next, again (they're gonna take a couple hours to download, with my speed burning dial up Onspeed connection).

Ace; workin' on the weekend.

Drivers still downloading, eh?

Bill

Oh, I bet he just walked away from it for a day just to clear his head. Then he'll sit down and figure it  all out and it will work just fine.

Yep, that's it.

If he clears his head there won't be anything left.

I am curious as to how this all works out. I recall a time when Ace had all sorts of input devices hooked up to his Quantex.

Scuzzy; good thing his mobo doesn't hold 6 video cards, or we'd never see the end of this.

Gee, does this board have any PCI slots?  Maybe we could see if that could be accomplished, 'course Ace would have to do all the work.  We could just offer suggestions....

Bill

I walked away trying to decide whether to shoot my head, or this _______ thing.  You will not believe this.

Last night, I lost the monitor.  It will boot up to the Windows screen, but before it goes to the "Welcome" the monitor shuts down like in a standby/power saving mode, and does not come back.  I've tried reconnecting, disconnecting, but since I'm blinded to anything nothing I can get to as I'm stymied.

Here's how it went down.. uninstalled the NVidia display drivers.  Rebooted, recognized hardware, went to the install... Apparently the new drivers were corrupted (after the 4 hour download).  Couldn't pull them from the desktop, burned them to disk, couldn't use them from that.  So reinstalled the EVGA ones (April 07) from the disk I got with the new card.

Went ok, but found LG Monitor was just showing as default analog.  So got out the LG disk, and installed the digital driver for my model.  Still wouldn't move into normal 1280x1024 view and quality so rebooted.  That's when the thing went into its spasm.

May try my work monitor, at home... it's analog but if I can just get back into startup at least I can view and try things.  I don't have an analog video plug for the LG, to try it at work (the one on my work monitor is attached).  It doesn't seem like the LG is disfunctional, since it's showing things; just like a power shutdown, at that point of startup.  And nothing will move it off it.  There's no BIOS settings to apply for it.

Unbelievable; Ace

Sounds like your monitor doesn't like whatever resolution it is now set at.

Push F8 on startup and chose Safemode.  Then set resolution to 640x480 or 800x600 and reboot.  That should get you back to square 1...or 2 (ish).

Buff; resolute

I don't have a Safe Mode option... have noticed other tech pleas with the same.  Only thing the F8 shows is the sequence for boot, and device.  So I can use it to choose the initial device but no 'Safe' mode shown...  So no idea on this thing on how to trigger that.  Only thing I've seen so far was to hit the power switch on monitor during boot, then reboot and hope it gets "found" but don't think that'll work as I've hit the monitor buttons to no effect.

Ace; unsafe

No safemode?  F8 should give you the safemode option.  Sequence of boot options are normally another key.  I think you may be pressing the F8 key too soon.

I guess that booting up and then pulling the power doesn't make the PC automatically go to the safemode option? (After you've restored the power and switched it back on, of course).

Try the other function keys too - it must be there somewhere.

Buff; I guess it's F8 (fate).

No, boot options are F8.  Bios is Delete.  But I just found a tech forum chain that said the timing is critical, and that you get the boot chain if you hit it "early" but wait and do it and the safe mode appears.. guess I'll see.  Not like I haven't tried it 50 or so times already. 

I'll probably buy a VGA connect, to try the monitor that way in case the digital keeps getting stuck.  What's particularly stupid is these errors are all with things that HAVE been working... drivers were already tried and worked (just not SLI) and monitor has been functioning at this optimal/base level, with the drivers.  Just isn't making sense that it's choking on things that worked a day ago.

I did burn the new drivers, again, and at least will have them if I can boot it and look to reinstall things (again again).  About the only other things I can think to try are going with the other video card as primary, trying a Windows repair.... 

Ace; you definitely didn't tell me, so, on this stuff.  Tell me it'll be F9.

Hey maybe you got the Jester version of Windows.

If you do get to safe mode or before trying a new driver install you may want to go to Add/Remove and remove any previous Nvidia drivers listed there.

I'm in, from home.  Blew my lunch hour (but didn't blow my lunch, per se).

Finally got it to boot in Safe mode; criminy is it touchy.  Took repeated attempts; once got the 2nd screen on "which installation to use" but skipped the Safe mode page.  Finally got it to appear and got in.  Took repeated attempts to get the thing to knock down to 800x600, too...  Once that took, I shut down and took out the new card.  Finally it came through by itself to start up.

Driver news; seemed "ok" with the EVGA ones.  Did ANOTHER download from NVidia; got the most recent again plus the WHQL previous rendition, and burned both to disk.  Went in and ran the new from the disk (instead of uninstalling, and instead of updating through device mgr).  Checked through device mgr that the new one was showing...  So far ok.  Once I get it "stabilized" (and probably copy over every stupid thing on it, in case it does implode...) I'll try that SLI thing again. 

Ace; when's dinner...

Week 2:

After achieving some stability (back to square one) I reinstalled the second card, today.  This time, the system DID recognize an SLI potential and went to the NVidia properties to enable.  This time, in checking it, it SAID system would need to reboot (and didn't automatically shut down immediately). 

This time, it will go through the Welcome screen and then there's a "click" and the monitor resets, and the start up stops.  Went safe mode, got in.  Went to last good configuration, and that's fine.  Just that everytime I enable SLI, and reboot, it won't go through.

Only thing I know to do now is a BIOS update.  Drivers are new, cards are showing just right so hardware looks good.  Original card is 16x, second at 8x, all's showing just fine.  So will probably go that route, as I've hit the wall otherwise. 

Sunday Update; today's thrill is that my Kensington PocketHub 7 USB port was "found as new hardware" (!).  Had to unplug the mouse and put it into the PC back, since it was into the hub.  No drivers for this thing, Windows Update could find none, no disks to search...  So no clue what this is about.  All is plugged in, as always.

Ace; will see.  We'll see.

Ace

There may be a power issue here?  If your PSU is struggling then that would explain USB devices behaving strangely.

Other things to consider - check that both graphics cards are running at the same clock speeds etc.  They should both have the same BIOS too.  Since you bought them so far apart, it is likely that they don't.  Rivatuner may be able to help identify any differences in the cards.

I have also read that the older nforce disk controller drivers did not like to work with SLI.  Make sure that your motherboard chipset drivers are up-to-date.

Buff; getting ready for the superbowl....

Hey Buff,
Thing with the power is I don't know how to know there is a power issue (without buying and replacing it...).  Where do you see the BIOS on a video card?  I don't see where that appears.  I did read that link where it mentioned that, but find that odd since the SLI "rules" state the cards don't even have to be the same brand; just same GPU.  So it seemed to be less a "matching" issue than the original "dupe card" mentions.  Just tried the EVGA site; they don't SHOW the video card BIOS, and apparently any significant change will appear if you go to the driver download and it'll be there... So the card company isn't going to be of help on this one.

I'll check out Rivatuner.  I had the Asus mobo Bios updater get to clearing the old, replacing, then stopping at 86% on the install.  I lost my LAN network connections, which I wasn't using anyway.  That showed in device manager, but the pop up "new hardware" thing seems to relate to the USB hub.  Just hard to go forward to try to fix this with the weird side steps.

How'd you like the Super Bowl?  I thought it was super.  I was personally glad to see the upset; it was almost too dramatic...  Also enjoyed the Bridgestone commercials, budlight wheel, giant pigeons, baby E-Trader.  Even the Shaq jockey vitamin water (bleah).

Ace; I wish they would've run over Richard Simmons.

I'm curious as to what motherboard you have? If you have already mentioned it I must have missed that.

Well, I'm not surprised.  It's an Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe.  Really, I don't know what's "deluxe" about it, but that's their claim. 

With this "new hardware" pop up thing, I've tried the Asus disk and the Windows disk and I'm out of disks that might hit a nerve, on it... And it tries Windows Update and chokes there too.  So as far as "installing" "it" (the hub..?) I don't know what it would take since it's a plug and play device, ya know?

Ace; time for duct tape...

Well duh, don't I feel dumb. That's the same board as I have and my manual indicates a 600 watt power supply for a fully loaded system, whatever that may mean.

I have a 550watt power supply in mine and it's nowhere near what I would consider fully loaded. Tell you what, I'll trade you my 8600 series card for your two 7900s and I'll see if it works here.

Just kidding, but the Nvidia requirements suggest a minimum 450watt power supply so you should be good there, I think.

I really did not care for changing the power supply, back in that old Gigabyte and then to the Asus replacement in my first Monarch...  I did a few power demand probes, and nothing suggested I would have to have more.  These cards don't have a plug in on them for a direct power supply, so they're just working off the board. 

I've found tech sites with video card BIOS versions, to download... After it's downloaded how do you change the BIOS for a card(s)?

EVGA hasn't done anything with the BIOS on these GPUs since 2006, so that doesn't seem to be a big issue...

Ace; Watts in your wallet?

Well, let me ask this.

Have you tried the new card independently of the older one?

You may also try reversing the order of the cards and see if that makes a difference.

No, and simply because I'm trying to keep things working as best as possible... It's a thought.  I've got the hub back in recognition, but there's some "other device" not recognized, that can't pull any drivers.  Since it's unknown, can't tell what this thing isn't seeing (!).  It's listed under the network adapters, and NVidia network bus enumerator, and above the ports list under device manager.

I lost my Earthlink connection, and had to reestablish the dial out number last night (!,,,).  One thing I looked for too on my/our mobo was some SLI switch, but seemed to be no such thing. 

I'm looking at power supply alternatives, so if anyone has suggestions I'm all thumbs.  It's in that Sonata "silent" case where the power supply was supposed to match up for quietness.  I really don't care if it roars, if it would work, at this stage. 

Ace; 28 Days Later

I have two Nvidia Network controllers listed there, you may have to reinstall your network drivers from the Asus Cd.

There is no SLI jumper on these boards, supposed to be automatic.

I picked up the reversing the graphic cards from  here.  (http://forums.slizone.com/) Seems to be a lot on the subject there.

I have a Seasonic S12 series power supply, it's quiet and has plenty of connections almost too many.

I'll check out the Seasonic.  I could not find an entry on NVidia's SLI board that seemed to mention switching/reversing the cards... Don't know what they called it, but will keep shopping.  Since I lost the monitor once already, my fear is swapping them and going with it "anew" could cause difficulties there again.  It would seem I'm so close, since things are looking to be configured correctly. 

I've tried the Asus update mode of BIOS update, and keep getting the same result; going with the newest BIOS works up till the last stage when it says it's only 86%, and have to bail out.  I tried downloading the file and updating, as well as the straight from internet mode.  There are other means to do it, but that was the most direct and simple...

Ace; blind in one ear

You should also probably read some of Whiz's ruminations on the modular power units.  Many seem pretty fond of the variable number of power leads.  Makes for a 'cleaner' install.

Bill

I purchased a Thermaltake 430W PSU several months ago and I am very pleased with it. The build quality is great, and the noise level - while not completely silent - is pleasantly low.

I too recommend a model with modular cables, but it's not absolutely necessary. The model I purchased uses the standard bundled cable. Here's some Thermaltake PSUs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001379+40000058&Manufactory=1379&SubCategory=58&SpeTabStoreType=0) you might consider.

Hey, check out this ABS Tagan BZ 1100W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817814012). It even comes with a pair of gloves.

Scuzzy; it looks like it can power your refrigerator, too.

Judas Priest, don't go with the low-end of the spectrum...  Like I need a $350 mistake at this point of my experiment. 

Mine's supposed to be 450 watt, although I know most Sonata's state a 380 watt "true power" built in.  Going by the packing list...  If I gotta, and I sure hope I don't gotta, I'll probably shoot for a 550+ or so something that's pretty straightforward and around $100 something.  I did (finally) figure out what the modular thing means.  That would seem to make it a lot more convenient, since that bundle of snakes just makes me nervous.  Only weird connect on mine I believe one direct to the fan, as I think it controls it off the back panel (as soundproofing).  No plugs into the video cards separately, no special auxiliary plug ins... only one SATA plug being used.  So I gotta figure I'm not gonna need a lot of connections, but just consistency across them. 

I looked over Whiz's previous poasts and the recommendations of various folks so that ought to help.  Any PSU companies to avoid?  I'm figuring the PC Power (OCZ), Seasonic, Silverstone are okey doke.  Antec? Thermaltake?  Ok too?  I won't go off-brand/cheapo.

Ace; I like Judas Priest now that Rob's back. 

PSUs with modular cables will have "outlets" in which you plug in small series of cables. This does nothing for performance, but it allows the user to customize the amount of cables used for a particular setup. It makes a less cluttered installation.

Take a look at this series of Newegg pics from a Thermaltake unit: Modular Cabling (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=17-153-058-02.jpg%2c17-153-058-03.jpg%2c17-153-058-04.jpg%2c17-153-058-05.jpg%2c17-153-058-06.jpg%2c17-153-058-07.jpg&CurImage=17-153-058-02.jpg&Description=Thermaltake+TR2+RX+W0136RU+ATX12V+Ver2.2+500W+Power+Supply+-+Retail)

Scuzzy; I'm pretty modular myself.

Thank you for telling me so. Usually Buff would show up by now to tell me so, so it's nice of you to step up and tell me.  I know my PSU is under two "bars" so I'll take a look to see just where the fan points and how stuff comes out of it.  I know what connection is looped under it, and the others are bundled on the front end cage.  It's pretty tidy, as Monarch just pulled the necesssary ones and tied the rest together. 

Thermaltake seems to have a decent offering at that price point, and thought they were pretty respected... I've never had one die (I had replaced that old one, but then found it wasn't necessary... and that was a cheapo swap).  I'll also check for the SLI label on any; since that is the point...

Ace; I wish I was part of the Modular Squadulor

I've always believed that you get what you pay for. You know... the caveat empty thing. Like anyone else I also like a good deal. Thankfully there are plenty to be had.

Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Antec, Thermaltake, as well as Enermax (and a few others) are brands worthy of consideration. PC Power & Cooling is probably the Cadillac of the group, but you'll find plenty of BMWs and Lexus-type brands out there. You'll want to watch out for the Yugos. I'm very pleased with the Thermaltake unit that I bought and I would strongly consider another Thermaltake for future builds.

I would think that the SLI label thingy is important.

I suppose that the unit you need will largely depend on how much you plan to tax it.

Scuzzy; the difference between taxes and death is that death doesn't get worse each time Congress convenes.

Yes; Enermax.  I forgot them.  You know, it's one of those things... I might get lucky here, and get this thing to actually run.  And find the 450 I've got is adequate, as it should be per the pieces involved.  Or, it could be the culprit and everything is spinning off the power debt (as, I believe, Buff told me, once). 

Murphy, across the street, would probably confirm per his laws that if I DON'T replace it then by golly, it was the problem.  And if I do, it won't matter the least bit.  Besides his freaky Grinch decoration, I really hate that guy sometimes.

Or, what I fully expect, is my economical second card upgrade plus the SLI strip plus a power supply plus who knows what else will be a rebuild and (Ooh! I should go to a Dual Core Processor, too!) a big stupid chunk of change, of which will take my dang tax rebate in its entirety and I'll wind up supporting some third world manufacturing growth when I really should have been spending my money on good old American computer hardware, or a new TV.  And, have no money left for games, anyway.  Or, inflatable holiday decorations I could pop and fire across the street at that guy...

Ace; I usually pay for what I get.

I would avoid Sparkle PSUs.

There's something about an electrical power box named Sparkle that just seems wrong. It's sort of like buying a car manufactured by Crash Auto. The last thing I want is for my PSU to sparkle.

Scuzzy; I might buy some Explode ammo for my Glock.

I agree, go for the dual core. Prices on those are so low they are almost giving them away and ram is still at rock bottom prices, for DDR2 anyways. So you might as well pick up another couple of gigs there.

Anyway, if I were to buy another power supply today I'd take a good look at this one  here.  (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004) The Corsair's were being made by Seasonic, I can't be exactly sure on this one as I can't see a picture of the UL code.

Tomorrow is another story.

I had Corsair memory, previously, so that brand would be ok.  I see Mushkin makes PSU's too. 

I did the chipset driver reinstall; didn't affect the mystery device found hardware thingy, which remains.  I thought the same about Sparkles.  Sparkle Plenty was in the Dick Tracy comic strip.  I also wouldn't go with Crackle, Flaming or Smoking or Sitting Here Dead as brands.

Ace; Ford might just give up on the Taurus reincarnation and go with Crash.  Or Bumpercar.

Well, I've had an eventful day with this thing and have got a lot done and accomplished nothing, in a manner of speaking.

Just as an FYI:  in order, I (re)installed the Soundmax audio driver set off the mobo disk, uninstalled Asus Update as I've persistently gotten that "86% there" BIOS internet download from it.  Reinstalled Asus, but did NOT go through the internet update on the tool itself because that has always taken a long time and seems to glitch (shuts it down...) after doing so.  So left the thing in its original version off the disk, and then did a BIOS update from the saved file I had.  And, it worked!  Actually did the flash, rebooted, and worked!  Also lost the "unknown device" pop up, which may well have been solved with the audio drivers.

Feeling brave, I figured may as well click the SLI enable again.  Rebooted, and voila!  Stupid thing got to the Welcome screen, went dark, and rebooted..  Finally, went to SafeMode.  Naturally can't do the NVidia panel in SafeMode.  Restarted, and same stall.  So went back as SafeMode, found a restore point about 20 minutes prior (after the Soundmax reinstall) and it came back fine, but naturally without SLI.

At this point, I don't know what it CAN be besides a PSU deficit...  I'm pretty much out of updates, and software attempts.  I would think, from what I've been told (probably need more told me so's) that the monitor shutdown, gasping at boot, logic of not enough juice to crank both cards, would all add up.  The power supply is 450 watt per the invoice, and I know that's low end as far as SLI, so I will probably try a new 600 watt to see if that's the real fix. 

I did find a modular Antec at NewEgg that's SLI, and at my sub-$100 price point, so may choose that.  I'll naturally welcome other advice; will see what you find out Mark as I know you were keen on the Silverstone so will watch how yours comes out.  I don't want to go sub-600 watts, just because I don't want a "Ooh...!  Close!  if only I had just a little more!" reaction.

Ace; acetone

Well one thing is certain, this Monark thingie, has diverted all your otherwise bountiful energy away from what should have been the focus, namely that we missed Fat Tuesday and now we're well into this period of great personal sacrifice without one single solitary poast from you about it.  Dang Bunny will come and go and we'll still be SLI ing.  Mind you, I blame this Monark Monach wait King beige -OK it's black- box thingie. 

Bill

You are as blind as a bat; as in "Louisville Slugger."  You doofus; I had as my imprimatur (well, saying thingy by the pig avatar) on Tuesday "Big FAT Tuesday."  And, for Ash Wednesday, I had not one but TWO (2) poastings.... First:  "dust to dust; where's my Swiffer?" and secondly "Ashes to ashes... funk to funky" in memory of David Bowie.

Geez Louise.  I would think, with all the consternation and mishaps and ignoring Buff's best advice, that I would get a "attaboy, Jester" for upholding not only holiday references but also for crafting what has to be the longest dang Blonde joke in the history of poastdom.  Not that it was particularly noteworthy, or humorous, but by golly it sure was long.  AND introducing gratuitous nudity, in the mind of the beholder, if one was so inclined.  I was not inclined, personally, as I need to sit up to even be able to see this monitor with trifocals at all well.

As you noted, there is no putty colored anythings around.  All is black, particularly my mood most nights staring at the next "Huh.  This is surprising..." surprise. 

Ace; I will admit I didn't acknowledge the Year of the Rat...  Hopefully, there's still time.

'Doofus' who are you calling a doofus you you SLI-der.  And what could some reference to David somebody have to do with the dang Bunny, huh?

I will admit that I chuckled at your Blond(e) joke but taking off a sweater is a long stretch to peeling a hard boiled, colored  egg from the Easter Hare. 

Bill; I prefer them fried.

I like mine over medium.  You know, you're just mad because you thought I had this thing working when I first thought I had it working and didn't realize it wasn't working, so you missed your chance to say "told you so" that it wasn't.  Working.

We've got a month plus before we can celebrate egg-laying rabbits, so I'll just try to promote egg-laying poasts till then.  I did look at PSU's at Best Buy today, but as usual they were overpriced and peculiar.  My wife had a $100 gift card for Linens and Things, but they didn't have any there.

Ace; linens, or things.

Newegg has PSUs on sale now.  I received a promo mailing from them yesterday, and again, today, and, I think, the day before.

B

I couldn't find the Antec I'd located yesterday, but will shop through.  Would figure them to be the best source...

Oh; and Buff,

I did the Rivatuner download, thank you.  The two cards are showing as identical, as figured, but not BIOS.
Old card is rev. A2 with BIOS 5.73.22.18.24
New card is B1 with BIOS 5.73.22.51.45

I was in the middle of a site on BIOS for Videocards and their 'how to flash an nVidia card BIOS" and it froze, so will search for a look at how to.  I've gotta see, with two cards, if a BIOS update can be done on ONE (and not the other...) or Both at once, or consecutively, or whatever...

Ace; Fat Saturday, at the moment.

I have read that the original SLI set-ups required that the two video cards have matching BIOSes to ensure smooth operation.  However, I'm not sure that the modern nVidia SLI drivers require it.  Given that flashing BIOSes is somewhat risky, I would do some more research on the subject before going for it - I wouldn't want you to screw up your PC based solely on my advice!

Having said that, if you are comfortable with flashing (and what good jester wouldn't be?) then it is probably a good idea to get both BIOSes flashed to the latest version anyway.  I'm not sure how you would flash the separate cards but it may be safest to have them installed separately as single cards when you flash them.

Buff; decorating today

Who are you decorating?

I thought "well, I'll locate the newer BIOS and then figure to maybe flash the old one with that" except there's no listing anywhere that I can find OF the newer one's.  I did find one for the older.  Also looked at the instructions on "how" by creating a floppy but really didn't understand what/how to do it.  Under the circumstances I probably won't go for it unless I'm really confident it's logical and relevant.  Also couldn't figure how you direct it TO just one of the cards, and I really don't want to rip them out again since I know the hardware is set correctly and both cards show as they should. 

Just a "last gasp" before resorting to the power thingy.  Thought I found a good deal Coolermaster but it had the bundle of snakes instead of modular; I'm thinking I'd like the modular approach.

Ace; I hate snakes.

This just keeps getting better and better. It's just like one of those reality shows where a contestant is given a couple of sticks and some string and a paper clip and told to go out and survive for 14 episodes on their will power.

Newegg had a great deal on a Thermaltake 600 watt power supply 89$ with a 40$ rebate and free shipping, I was all set to poast a link, but today they are out of stock.

Anyway, I got to cross the crossroads of America on the Indiana toll road yesterday. Had to go into Chicago to work for the day. I have one of those I-pass automatic toll devices that deduct your tolls when you drive under except on the one where it didn't and I had to back up into on-coming traffic to change lanes to get to one that did, now that's reality.

pat; How long is your piece of string?

If I was on that show, after the 13th episode I'd come across the box of extra string and sticks I forgot I'd stored away earlier.

I'm in my crawlspace and I find the box where I figured I put the old old power supply... plus, there were extra cables in it.  Which, included some that came with this computer that I apparently stuffed in there as I didn't require them.  Including the analog monitor cable, which I almost purchased when I lost the thing on the reboot cycle. 

And, the SLI connector that came with the mobo.

Which, is not identical to the one I purchased on eBay.  Which, I installed.  Which, didn't make a difference, but what a stupid am I. 

That was one dang cold day to drive to Chicago.   I haven't been on the toll road since they went to the auto cards, so I don't know what to expect.  Except that I don't want to find out.

Ace; no global warming here, with the second day at 1 or 2 above.

Well, it's not much warmer that that here.

You could put that one you bought up on Ebay in the hopes that some other forgetful person stuffed theres away in a box somewhere and is in need of one, heck you might even get something extra for your trouble.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the tollroad, but if you have to go downtown the Skyway is the fastest, bestest way to get there from here.

Lets see, a new video card and a possible new power supply and a few bucks on spare parts. You're almost to a nice new 8800GT.

Glad I wasn't one of those who said anything about told you so stuff, because I wouldn't go there.

I realize that; you know, who knows what that new card may have acted like, too... and here's the thing I've noticed; the SLI effects of ANY two cards look to be twice the performance of one of them.  So that's just something I'd like to see, since that was the rationale in going with this board in the first place.  I still might pick up some decent discounts along the way.  Hey; you wanna buy a barely used Asus SLI strip...?

There's an Antec Neopower 650 watt that's half modular, for $99, down from $159.  I want to be sure any PSU fits this thing easily, and is the same configuration (bundle comes out the end opposite of the switch, any fans are on the ends and not the middle... and fit this Sonata case).  Seems I can get some bargain rates on non-modular makes.   I just hope I don't get confused with "what the heck plugs into this one..?" with a new one.  Or choosing what modular goes where.  Or "how come I don't have one of these" conundrums. 

I'm pretty easily confused and conundrumed when facing a fistful of wires.  I about jumpered when I opened that box of loose cables.

Ace; if it still doesn't work I'll offer a package deal duo SLI cards with strip on eBay and buy the stupid new card.

What do you mean, you about jumpered? How do you do that?

You might consider just giving up on this venture and selling everything but the power cord. Actually, you might want to sell the power cord too, since that might be the entire problem. Then use the money to buy a nice set of drums so that you can accompany yourself when you play the guitar. Or the mandarin.

Out of curiosity - I don't want to go back and read - did you try the new card by itself just to make sure that it works properly and without any errors?

Also, make sure that you are subscribed to Newegg's newsletter so that you can get the special deals. The codes only work with a valid subscription.

That Antec Neopower 650 sounds like a nice deal. As far as the modular cables are concerned, you'd have to be a total fool to be confused by them.

Scuzzy; wait a minute...

Well, to keep you from having to read by having me have to tell you "No.  I did not never try the new card by itself."  Reason being this thing has one nasty hard to pin screw at the top, and it's enough to have to have done it, twice.  Plus, although appreciating the diagnostic merits, I don't want to undo a working arrangement.  At least half of them.  Plus, I trust it would work, if I asked it too.  It just doesn't want to cooperate with the incumbent.  You'll see the same thing next December, after the election.

I have to say, this "Good Cop" "Bad Cop" "Real Cop" gambit you guys run here takes the cake.  You've got Pat agreeing with me on my observations "According to web tests I should be ok with 450 watts" "Yes, that should be sufficient" and then bad cop Buffalo "Why don't you just get a new better single card" and "Oh dear, here's how to undo that" and "Oh, my, here's how to undo the undo" and "You really need to make sure your BIOS match although probably not and be careful, I wouldn't bother."  And then you, with your "try resetting your clockwork Orange" and "here's how to get New Eggs, and spam" and "try the power cord, by itself, on yourself" advice.

You know, opinions are like pc components that don't work.  Everybody has one, and I have more than most people.

Ace; I've got to tell my wife I get to buy drums...!

You're right.  We should all collectively apologize for conflicting opinions and advice, all of which have undoubtedly confused the issue and worse, haven't solved the problem.  So on behalf of Fido and I, we are going to defer to someone else.  But have and offer the definitive opinion on the SLI, bridge, PWS issue(s)  Don't do it, leave sleeping dogs lie and admit that the original decision to purchase an SLI motherboard was, simply, foolish and wrong....
See, now it's all fine.

Bill

Well, yeah, if I had behind sight I'd be blind, just from the immenseness of all this.

I'm not sure that came out right.

You know, not only wouldn't I have probably gotten one but I sure wouldn't have gotten it from that sinking ship that was Monarch.  I could probably dig up my original quest, here, and I bet I'd find a whole bunch of advisors saying "Ace, you know, SLI is the next big thing you gotta get one of those Buddy."

Buddy is what I used to go by, as per my ex-parakeet, way back when here, so I answer to that as much as the other fake name.

Foolish, and wrong.  That could be a fitting epitaph. 

You know, though, with two cards and two bridges, and maybe two PSU's pretty soon, I might be able to configure a system that will blow the doors off this piano black Sonata box!  Like back when I did the joystick, and trackball, and mouse, and I could cursor all over creation. 

Anyway, thanks for your sentiments, and thank Fido too.  Probably having a dog with barbecue breath is about as bad as two video cards doing the work of one.

Ace; half the time.

I'd like to jump over the chuck wagon by not accepting responsibility for any of this, even though I also told you so and gave you unwelcomed advice.

I am deeply offended that this has gone on to page 4. Goodness, what have we done to deserve that? Huh?

Scuzzy; let me know if you need help blowing up any doors.

If I had a choice, I'd be the bad cop.

Say, what card do you have connected when trying the SLI anyway? Have you tried connecting to the other just for grins?

It's fine with me if you want to be the bad cop for awhile; Buff can be the Constable, on Patrol. 

Whattya mean, which one's connected?  They're both connected.  With that kicky little strip betwixt them.  You mean which one has the monitor cable?  Or which one gets to sit in first class, and which one's in third? 

Ace; whoever's which cop, I'm still the perp.

Yes sorry I mean the monitor, if you have the monitor connected to the card in the blue slot have you tried the one in the black slot instead?

No... I really did not like that episode when I lost the monitor, completely, and went blind...  That's my only reservation (we're staying home tomorrow) about flipping that around.  Any reason why you think that's suitable?  Or just a "Simon Says; Ace do this" type of exercise?

Ace; about the only exercise I'm getting.

Look, don't ask why - just try it.  We're already on page 4 and you should be just about ready to try anything.  Once.

I could be Constable but I can't do landscapes. 

I am also not accepting any responsibility for this because, as I already told you, I told you.

Buff; telling

Well, you're right, usually I ask "why" after I do something.  Sometimes all through Saturday, and well into Sunday.  Do you mean landscapes as in "painting" them or landscapes as in cutting the grass and planting some bushes? 

Of course you're irresponsible; I never meant to imply you're anything but, so hope I didn't mislead you on that causing you to be misled.  I was glad to get an earful today, though, so appreciate that. 

Ace Update:  I thought of a reason NOT to connect my monitor to the secondary card (besides being tired of lifting this thing out of it's side holder, flipping it onto its side, and putzing around in it..  the primary card now connected is at 16x.  The secondary card, on this board, runs at 8x.  Would seem to me running the video from the slower could result in a lesser "view"...

Ace; I think he already told me that.

By Golly Yes J, offer advice if you have any.  More the merrier. 

The problem is: this is a nebulous area without much "hands on" expertise, except by those whom may have undergone it and found it to WORK.  Plus; there are seemingly unlimited variables; brand/vintage of motherboard, the duo cards (and just how similar they are...); drivers, PSU's, the like.  Different cards might have different power consumption needs and means (separate connections from PSU or off the board..?).  Plus, part of my ongoing difficulties are sorting through the "advice columns" (not just here; other tech forums and SLI bases both civilian and company-sponsored) as well as a rash of unexpected "surprises" (shifting NVidia video property screens, "looks ok oh oh" crashes and endless reboots, loss of vision, SafeMode salvation over and over again).  "Normal" people probably don't mess with it at all, since it's really just a gaming benefit ("from what I've heard").

It also seems to be a place of suburban myths, and hard to tell just how justified (or necessary?) some "fixes" might be.  Matching card BiOSes, BIOS updates (mobo), vintage of drivers, really necessary power demands (especially figuring drain from CPU, fans, the rest besides the cards).

Add to that the meanness of people who just like to see me jump through SLI jumpers, or find great joy in telling me things and reminding me they did, that can add to the general mystique and mythology herein. 

Really, if there was a "get down and dirty fix it" it'd be: 
1. Ace, give it up.  It ain't worth it.  (already expressed).
2. Ace, just buy a better dang new card and don't bother with that contraption (already expressed, plus he told me so).
3. Ace, update your card and PSU and CPU and probably memory and most everything else which ya gotta figure is gonna cure whatever it is that's hanging that thing up, anyway, as it won't be there anymore if it's replaced.
4. getting there, on #3....

Ace; I don't know what bores people.  Usually,  I don't care.  I figure if it's me, that makes two of us.

The way I understand it is both cards will run at 8x in SLI mode, so I figure you might as well go with the card that has a head start.

And in manual it just says to connect the monitor, doesn't say to which card, just to connect. So..... and here's the good part......"What can it hurt?" or "What could go wrong?"

Pick one.

In the system, the primary shows at 16X and second at 8X.  I know that was stated they both drop, but have seen conflicting things on if/how much.  So that's what I was referring to, but know what you're going by too.

I know they work "in cahoots" but I can't see this being that bipolar where they send the output either/both directions (?).  Would seem the second card assists the main, and the main drives the signal back.  I might knock it down and try it, but doesn't seem sensible to me to switch everything from the adjunct card.

Ace; dang down and dirty serious help.

This is the serious board. 

Ace; seriously.

I guess if it was me in this situation I would just try every conceivable option including switching around the cards testing each card individually, trying the different cards in different slots and the connections to monitor. Heck I'd even give my ram a go with memtest. Then I'd look to the power supply as the next step, well if I hadn't thrown the dang thing out in the snow by then. 

Seriously, P, I know what you mean.  Especially chucking it in the snow thing.

The tough thing with this is it's been so hard to work in a sequence or progression, as a process of elimination.  Not like I can travel through it bit by bit and have a satisfying sense of "been there/done that/now do this."  That's why I'm a bit "spooked" to experiment.  Losing the monitor, losing the Earthlink connection, having those LAN connectors go goofy, unknown device appearing, USB glitch...  I'm a bit jittery about "well, let's yank this and see what happens" since I'm figuring something BAD will, probably.

Logically, as there has been "progress" (suitable drivers, slot and device recognition, consistency in the pattern after I enable SLI where it goes through start up TO the "welcome" stage and then blips off and reboots) it would seem "sensible" to me that a power deficit would be in order if it's losing it at the point of "high definition" and really kicking in. 

I do remember flipping that monitor connection, when I lost the monitor, and it didn't help.  You know too, in a weird way, if I connect to the B card and it does work I'd be wondering if I was really seeing the best/right rendition of SLI, going off the "other" card...!  After laboring over it I really want to see what SLI does, at its best and as intended.  That's the motivation.  Heck, it's already "ok" and stable (knock=wood) so I want the upside.  Guess I'm just trusting that essentially it is ok and thingS aren't going bad; just a glitch at the point of this pair kicking in together.  If I flip flop I'll report back.

Ace; if it breaks I'll blame you, and Buff will tell me he told me. 

It would seem NewEgg raised the Antec PSU 650 watt $20 or so, since yesterday.  Thanks so much. 

Anyone ever buy from Directron or Tiger Direct?  I noticed they have some attractive prices, on Ultra X-Finity SLI units.  Not a brand I'd looked at, but seem appealing... 

Ace; XFinity, and beyond.

Directron has gotten decent ratings in the past, I haven't checked lately.  Tiger on the other hand has mixed reviews. 
The other alternative you might look at is Zip Zoom Fly. 
Personally, I think Newegg is the best of any.

Bill

I looked at Reseller's for both... pretty much equal.  I'd agree on NewEgg except they don't seem to carry the Ultra brand.  I'll look at Zip Zoom Fly; never heard of that, so thanks!

Ace; I don't want my fly zipping or zooming

Zip Zoom carries Ultra up to 1000w.  Prices look OK.

Zip Zoom does have a good selection, including a really good price on a 600 watt Ultra (Titanium finish) that has a $30 instant rebate and is a chunk cheaper than a black version...
However; per Resellers looks like CS plunged this month and reviews hint at a going to heck in a handbasket trend... So will have to consider if they're in that Monarch tailspin mode.  Rather than having a PSU gathering case (hot air) through a large single fan I'd rather find an end fan (or two) configuration like mine now has so it just blows out the back.  Ultra and Antec seem rare to have (some) like that.

Ace; Zippy, the DooDah

I also noticed they were 'out of stock' on many models, maybe indicative of liquidating their inventory.  Probably prudent to go somewhere else.

Bill

Never ordered from Zip Zoom, I have from Directron and that went fine, but shipping took a while and as I remember was sort of pricey. Have ordered a few things recently from Tiger and it went fine and shipping was fast as they are just over in Illinois.

Geez Louie, Pat, YOU were just in Illinois... you'd think you could have picked one up from me when you were already there.

I guess I could get with Bubba to see if he'd shop for me and send stuff.  I just have an apprehension of sending him cash, and then waiting to see what's next. 

I'm glad to hear Tiger and Directron are ok; they seem "stable" per Resellers.  I'll probably scour the batch over the weekend and choose something.  May as well get that over with.  Consensus at Zippy seemed to be "they're ok if everything's ok, but if it's not you aren't either."  Of course, that seems the big advantage with NewEgg is when things go wrong.  As much as things go wrong for me, that could be worthwhile.

Ace; if I send an order to Bubba he better not put some dang snake in the box...

It's been a few years since I last ordered from Directron. I never had a problem with them, but I eventually switched over to Newegg for most of my purchases. The last thing that I remember ordering from Directron was, ironically, an Enermax power supply.

I recall that their customer service was responsive when I needed to adjust an order. Although I haven't used Directron in some time, I would order from them again based on my previous experience.

Scuzzy; I don't know if they're foolproof, though.

Thank you for your recommendation; since Scuzzy said to go with Directron and gave it his endorsement I was able to shop and buy an Ultra X-Finity 600 Watt.
At TigerDirect.

It was $10 cheaper than Directron, for the same one.  And both prices very close to the silly deal Zippy po(a)sted.  For some reason the Titanium is less than a Black one.  Criminy, for the difference I'll send it down to Whiz to paint it...

Ace; Paint It, Black. No colors anymore, I want them painted black...

You know, I really had to laugh "foolproof" that was pretty funny.

That and the last order I got from Tiger was a keyboard and they sent it in a box that would have held about 15 of them, it took one of those extra large size kitchen bags to hold all the styro peanuts.

So while we wait for the next chapter....

My last keyboard from Newegg arrived in a similar sized box, but I took a different approach. After carefully extracting the keyboard, keeping all the peanuts in the box, I neatly retaped it closed and put it at the curb with the trash.
Some curious soul, coming upon this large box from Newegg, looking as if it had just arrived, opened the dang thing spreading peanuts all over the street! Now several months later, we are still picking up the odd peanut.

Something to be learned here....

Bill

I don't see what's so funny about the "foolproof" comment...

Criminy, page 5!  I oughta rename this "Hijack This!" or "SLI Keyboard tips."  We lost one of our dang plastic egg crates outside to a bozo who wanted the crushed cans in it on recycling day. 

You know, I should try packing peanuts on the squirrels.  Have to be more economical for the multiple bags of unsalted roasted peanuts we're going through weekly, keeping these chubs mobile.  And it would seem more filling, too.

Ace; less taste! more filling!

Well, here's a footnote.  Better than an appendix, huh.

I got the Ultra Spiffy X-Finity PowerPack today.  Pretty darn quick, for regular shipping.  Was sitting on the porch, waiting for me.  Criminy, is it cold.

It's very shiny; I can see myself in it.  That made me put it down, fast.  It's a shiny chrome ("titanium"... right) box with a wad of cables coming out one end.  Later this week, I'll actually attempt to hook it in.  Probably right after I remove the other plugs and unit and then say "Hey... did you bother to see where all that plugged in to?"  And I'll answer "dangit."

Ace; it's been great, so far.

A bundle of snakes, huh?  Since you didn't order a modular one, here's an idea.  Take a pair of wire cutters and cut the connectors off.  Then, when you're ready you can tape back together only the ones you really need.

Bill; pretty foolproof.

Oh, good idea, Mr. Jersey Wise Guy.  Why do I need a PAIR of wirecutters, huh??  Why can't I just use one dang wirecutter, answer me that?!

I guess the cable color is "titanium", hence the description of this as compared to "black."  I do have a description in the manual of each one, and for what; what I did last time was just look around and figure "huh.. this one looks like a four hole thingy, so I guess I should find a four hole thingy one for it."  So I'll probably go with that paradigm, again.

Ace; I suppose electricians tape, then...

Boy. Talk about a left turn.  From SLI malaise to how come they're a pair of pants.  Like you could find a pant, somewhere.
I blame Bill.

You know, maybe your barber uses scissors and a razor, but mine uses an electric trimmer with a whole bunch of little teeth seesawing away.  With the shortest guard.  Not like I'm letting my bangs grow out, ya know? 

Oh; and the new PSU is still doing just fine.  I moved it, on the kitchen table.

Ace; I suppose a pair of blonde twins is going to be a crowd, now.

Hey, it isn't my fault your barber uses a buffer, no sir. 

You know, maybe you should have ordered the second card when you ordered the first, like you mentioned to the poaster when you last trespassed into a tech room.  Nah, we would have missed all these 5 pages of fun, Still not my fault, either.  Someone told you so, then, I think.

Bill; heh.

I'm surprised you got an order at all yesterday, it being President's day and all. My order from newegg sat on the loading docks in Jersy and California all day yesterday and won't be here until Thursday instead of Wednesday. Lucky You.

I don't go to have my hair professionally cut anymore, I just fire up the do-it-yourself job I bought a while back, put in the 3/4 and then 1/4 inch guard and go to it. Works for me.

B, that thing woulda cost a lot more, back then...  You know, the odds are it wouldn't have worked, if the PSU is the culprit, which woulda given me a brand new dead box.  But, yeah, if someone was gonna do it now sure.  Although TWO of those 8800GT's would just about be a house payment... I was amazed to get any delivery on a holiday, too.  I actually received it before I got the "your item has shipped" email.

Anyway, Pat and I have the same tonsorial method.  If I spread my fingers over my head after shampooing I'd be slapping myself on the head.  Not that I don't, or shouldn't, do that anyway.

I remember cutting my own hair, once; I think I was probably in 9th grade.  And didn't do it wet.  And, used a mirror.  My goodness, what a chop shop.  That was many shades of wrong.

I quit going to the barber when I cringed when she'd hold the mirror up, to show me the back... not like the front was anything to write home about, either.  I didn't like going to guys, to cut it, since that was just sorta creepy after awhile.  I have done it myself, with the trimmer.  But if my wife does it I don't have to reach as far, and I can sorta doze.

Ace; doze days.

Congrats on the Robin; that is my favorite, as the Bird of Spring.  We're way away from those.  If we saw one it would be a frozen carcass stuck to a peanut in my yard.

I did see a frozen deer carcass, upright, off Brownsville road on the way to Vandalia yesterday, on my way to Kalamazoo.  Not a good day for a drive, with death and mayhem on our AussieSpanish Trail Toll road and 94 in Michigan.  The mileage I'll get for the trip will pay for the PSU, so that's sweet.  It makes it "free" now.

I did not see Pat, on the trip, unless he was in one of the cars idling in the median in the snow or up on the bank in the snow.  Or around me, in the whiteout we hit around Portage and KZ.  Swiss Valley has hills, which we passed.  Otherwise, our glacier took out most of them here too.

Ace; I hope I see a robin by my birthday, or before.  Speaking of dear, did Buff have his birthday yet?

Hello dear.

No, no birthday yet.  Tomorrow.

I will be spending my birthday supervising the installers fitting a new boiler in my house.  We have been without hot water and heating for about 3 weeks now.  Even had one day without any water too, due to a burst water main.

Bad time of the year to be without heating.  Temperatures are around -4C at the moment.

Wouldn't mind a pair of 7600GTs - soon warm myself up on those bad boys.

Buff; Cold

Geez, Buff.  You should have mentioned that.  For I am a

BOILERMAKER

having attended and degreed at Purdue University.  US of A.  In fact, I mentioned that the other day, in that NASCAR poast.  So, also, I am happy to say
I told you so.
:P

I do hope you have a warm and jolly birthday, though.  I'd gladly lend you my pc or a space heater.  And you guys with your Celsius... geez louise, crank that thing up to Fahrenheit, will ya?  You'll feel the difference.

Ace; maybe you could light your candles, today.... that might help.

A boilermaker huh?  Hope you didn't make the boiler that just packed up on me.

Didn't see anything in the NASCAR post because I have stayed out of that one - we don't get NASCAR over here.  I'm not really a great motorsport fan, although I do like to see some good rallying now and then.  I scanned that post but none of it really made any sense to me.

Thanks for the good wishes.  The boiler is being installed as I type and hopefully I won't need to rely on the many candles on my cake!  That's a fire risk right there.

-4C is 24.8 in old money.  You're right, it does sound warmer.

Buff; sorry...how about getting back to that SLI thing?

Looks like the Crossroads of America was closed for business yesterday what with the multiple pileups on the 94 and the toll road. Luckily no one was seriously injured.

There goes another funny, Buff not only tells ace so. He lets him know it's time to get on with it as well.

Well, Buff has certain privileges today, you know, to give him even more leeway...

It being a day that ends in "Y." 

Otherwise, I was glad I drove the day before as yesterday was even more horrific.  A nasty accident at the entrance to the Martin's supermarket I go to, too, in Granger.  Troll road blocked at the Mishawaka entrance, where I'd normally take it.  I am looking forward to the warm up, hopefully this week end.

And, really, there's no SLI news.  The PSU still sits on the dining table (actually, in the living room and not the kitchen) as Bill figured.  I'm waiting for it to crawl upstairs, yank out the old one with its titanium tentacles, and attach itself correctly. 

Ace; Colonel Mustard, in the living room, on the table, with a power supply..

What am I waiting for?  Well, for one thing, for Buff's birthday.  I'm not going to work on a holiday.

Secondly, I don't want to rip out a power supply and attempt the new one in the dim afternoon glow of Michiana, by the time I get home.  Especially I'm usually working on this idiot thing on the floor between my old faux scandinavian computer table desk and the new.  So, probably Saturday.  Unless I get really motivated tomorrow.

Fifthly, the thing is really working well right now, so I don't want to talk about that.  Also, this shiny chrome thing really makes a nice centerpiece, so maybe I might just keep it there.  Heck of a paper weight, too.

And, hey J, I loved the photos.  Those were great.  That red one is a stunner...

Now; go say happy birthday to Buffalo.  Poor guy is having tea and toast and a room full of strange servicemen, for his birthday. 

Ace; I guess that would be a surprise party.

I saw Angry Red Planet...  I usually get noise whenever I point my camera at anybody.

On the subject of SLI; this won't take long.

Yanked out the Antec 450 watt and with some ado installed the chrome dome Ultra 600 watt.  One cruel thing is I could NOT find a 4 pin board plug... Nothing on it.  Finally discovered they'd stuck two together as an 8 pin.  Once I saw it and pulled it apart, had that.  The other 12v are 6 pins and I really don't have any such target on this mobo.  And the cards don't have any means to have a direct plug in.

So, cranked it up.  Booted fine.  Enabled SLI; and
same old same old.

Goes to the Welcome; then disables.  Then reboots.  Then goes to Welcome; then disables.  Have to safe surf it back, pick a restore.  So still won't hold or kick in on SLI.

checked and installed video drivers, again.  Even got the "You have an SLI configuration" balloon to pop up.  But again, applying it requires reboot, and reboot won't go through.

I've got the latest 169 NVidia drivers; both downloaded on file and disk, and they ALL show as "corrupt".  Using a 12/5/07 set of drivers, and both cards are set with them and you'd think that'd be current enough anyway. 

So; stuck.  I am really sans ideas.  Anything from this point would just be senseless jiggling things around for the fun of it.  Only thing Software would be somehow get the latest drivers to actually be of use (although doubt that'd matter); do another Mobo BiOS update/flash (cringe); attempt the gpu bios flash (which is still mostly a mystery, to me, and no obvious answer).  Everything's been attempted on the software, and everything says hardware is working and configured.  and yet...

Ace; may as well discuss food, and LED flashlights, or BluRay technology at this point.  Or Buff's birthday boiler.

Thanks, Johnny.  You guided me expertly in that previously, as I had no clue.  Hopefully, it won't be necessary but a sensible move under the circumstances.  I have done a BIOS "use the dang defaults" setting.

Aye; here's the rub;  I may have this thing going SLI now.

Albeit, it's hard to tell.  The problem with the NView NVidia program is it seems to show SLI enabled and then show it as the default "nought."  So, I really don't think I can trust going to it to see if it's "on" or if it's just showing "set here for the time being." 

Here's what changed this PM; I swapped the cards.  Yes, Pat, you can tell me so. 

I gotta say, the new one was wedged in something fierce.. boy, can I set these things.  It was so locked in I used a glove, and pliers and tried to flip a screwdriver under the screw mount.  It was not budging.  But, finally, ripped it loose.  When I booted, it recognized both as new hardware.  Was set at an ugly default 800x600..  So I went to up it to the monitor's norm of 1024 and it says "your drivers are set to a previous version of Windows and we're not gonna go there."  Where, I reply "huh?" 

Same one's I've been having.  so I do an "update" (reload) off what I've got.  Then, pop up says "You know, your monitor would really be better suited to 1024xwhatever you know" so I say "ok."  So it upgrades.

So I go to NView Properties to try the SLI thing; hit the enable/Apply mode.  This time, it doesn't ask; it just goes to immediate reboot (like way back when).  And comes all the way back on... So I look back in NView, and it's on the "regular" setting and not SLI... So I try it again.  And, it reboots immediately and comes all the way on (no stall at the Welcome screen/no need to restore or Safe it).

I look, and NView shows the default standard setting.. so I begin to wonder if it's showing what IS, or what is the next choice...?

So, I go to Call of Duty 4.  I choose the 2 card graphic option, max setting 1200 something, pretty much all the video choices... And I've been playing it this afternoon glitch free, pause free, absolutely highest grade visuals with max frame rate with no dropoffs or pauses or any probs...

Which, I figure Buff would say; "The proof is in the pudding."  I am seriously doubting the NView tool will show what IS.  I'll look for 3DMark or some such utility that might show me what I'm really running...  But I don't think I can trust the card utility to show what's going on.  And, at this moment. I've gotta figure I've got SLI since I NEVER was able to max out this game, with one card.  And this game is so demanding there's no way it will go this smooth and clear unless something special is happening.  So, for all practical purposes, I believe I've got an SLI set up.

Bill, I understand if you're hesitant to give an "Atta Boy" on this.. Heck, I am too.  I wish I could find a "Yo, you've got SLI" pop up.  Unfortunately, not on this.  But my hunch is "it is."

Ace; go figure.

Sounds like a success and a Merlot is well deserved.

Doesn't sound like you've become a SLI expert though.

Buff; I pity the fool

There's got to be a morning after, so I'm having coffee since it's 7:20 here.  Thankjs, J and B.  Hey, that sounds like a drink...

This is ironic as heck...  The thing is, you can't TELL if both cards are working in cahoots... Not like just looking at the screen is going to reveal it.  Can't see anything going on, except through the NVidia Settings tool.  And that does enough suspicious things to not trust it.  There were times when you click on the "Enable SLI" screen, and then the "reboot now" button, and as you're watching things shut down the last view of it has the dot with "do not use SLI" marked... right before the computer shuts down! 

If youse guys know of a tool or utility that will show if something like this is really operational, lemme know.  Only thing I can think of, past the actual game test I mentioned with COD4, is a system tester like 3D Mark that stresses and reports the results.  As a reminder from this non-expert, device manager will always show the cards as working normally, the NView system settings tab will show each cards slot, assignment, speed (still 16x and 8x), card BIOS, drivers...  But all that is true even without the bridge in place.  It's not like you can just slap on the bridge and they're "on."  The only software trigger is by NVidia.  So if it's by nature glitchy... 

Ace; we oughta hire a dang SLI expert... where's Nestor?

"Atta boy."  You get it to work and now your fussing over a message in a stoopid bit of software?  I mean, really,  those messages don't mean anything.  Just like "Windows caused a critical error and will terminate." or "Fatal error at 00000xxx060000001" or "Temperature exceeding maximum setting...." or "there are 151,000 fragments on the HHD degrading performance."  Who really cares as long as COD4 looks pretty, right? huh?

You could try some really intense graphics application, as a test, to stress the cards, like Word or somethin'.

Bill; good work.

Well, yeah, I guess that could work.  Maybe if I use clipart, too?  That would stress it.

Ooh.. or WordPerfect.  I can "reveal codes" PLUS typeset PLUS clip art...  If I do all that and then change the line spacing it's gotta put it to the test!

Ace; and run a spell check, at the same time... Or, heck, the Thesaurus!  And turn on BOTH printers!

That is just so like you, run the topic out 5 pages and do the fix from 3 pages ago. "AttA BoY"

Glad to see (hear?) you got the thing going, great news, that's the best thing I've heard since, umm, well, the other day when I went up north and two hours from the bridge I see a sign that the bridge is closed on a beautiful sunny day due to falling ice. The good news was by the time we got there it was open again and we got over without delay.

Congratulations on a job well done.

Geez Louise, Pat, even a blind squirrel goes nuts sometimes.  You were going to have me flip the whole dang thing around.  At least Johnny would've been satisfied with me just yanking the battery and counting to 50.

I'll tell ya, the old card came out ok.  But there was awhile I saw the distinct possibility of having the new one break in two. You'd have thought I epoxied it in.  Oh, and then I'm trying to attach the digital plug on the new one and one screw is just spinning... the stupid mounting post nut was gone.  So I had to detach one from the one to stick in there.

I've been looking at forums about ways one can TELL if one's dang SLI is working.  Not the only one who found the NVidia desktop manager tool suspect, and inconsistent.  And even activating the "green bars" for performance gives results that aren't necessarily clear.  And testing it (Futuremark/3D Mark) just tells you how it performs against other pcs.  Not itself.  Seems every way to verify is cryptic, or secondary. 

I downloaded the newest 169 NVidia drivers (again...).  Might try an install (again...).

This "the" bridge?  The Mackinac SLI bridge? 

Ace; how do you know if your refrigerator light is off....

Page 6, good grief.

Yeah, the Mighty Mac, did you know there is over 40 thousand miles of wire in the cables that support that thing and that we here in the lower half are affectionately known as trolls. Because................ yep, you guessed it, we live below the bridge. Just a couple of bridge facts for you to add up with all the other bridge facts you've been collecting in these past few days.

The fridge one is easy, you just open the door really fast and watch to see. 

Look, you don't just get handed 6,122 poasts.  You've got to earn them...

We've got a troll road, you've got a troll bridge.  Cool.  This thing takes as long to read as it did me to write I mean work on the dang computer. 

I gotta say, I really DON'T want to open up the NVidia View or the case, and look to see what's on, because I'm afraid of what it'll show me.  I guess Faith is believing in things you can't see.

Ace; I believe in Faith.  Hill.