Need Help with ym SLI setup

So, I've had my computer for a year now, and just now it is bothering me that I've never gotten my SLI between my 2 8800GTs working.


What happens is if I enable SLI, and start a game, I will get maybe 1 or 2 seconds of the game, and then it will freeze both audio and video. Have to manually shut it down to "fix" it.

I thought of the worse possible answer, that my other card is busted, but I can plug my monitor into it and play games on that one like normal.

I've tried enabling/disabling the Physx thing (usually I leave that enabled) along with the SLI mode turned on but that didn't do anything.

I've tried beta, and normal drivers, I just installed the April 2nd driver today.

I'm not overclocking or using any other utility like nHancer.



So any ideas on how I can get it to work? There is supposed to be a small cord connecting the two cards, right?


Edit: This is my computer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883227052

Power supply has since been upgraded to 700w

SLI?! Not everyone is a rich as you Jao.

May be you can find something in these threads. These are old (2007) but hope you find a solution for it. I'm posting these to make up for my weak attempt at insulting Jao, even though you might have already seen these.

Here's one from peedub

Larry

Curly

Moe

How's your PSU Jao?

the one that came with this rig, the 580W one, died. so I replaced it

No idea how in the hell your google-fu beat my google-fu though. I didnt find any of those 4 sites.....



...wait for the edit



and edit, that first result has my motherboard, maybe I need to update the bios on it? No idea how to do that though.... and IIRC you can easily fuck that up

I think im going to try the omega drivers, see if I have any luck with those






Went to the ASUS site, looked for new motherboard chipset drivers

Nvidia Chipset Driver Package V1.12 for32& 64bit Windows Vista.(Vista beta drivers are for testing on.)

dated 2006/12/26 F dat

Bios settings. I assume your memory is SLI-ready since it came in the package. You did get 2 1GB modules and 2 512mb modules, right? Losen up your memory timings in the Bios and see if that helps. I had been getting crashes on my cpu for a year because I was running the timings that the RAM was marketed as, not the "timings that are guaranteed." Once I loosened them up, I don't get the crashes.

You may want to try older driver revisions if that doesn't work.

Edit - Think I found the answer if it's not the memory timings.

http://www.vistax64.com/gaming/216579-s ... games.html

He's got the same motherboard.

how would I go about updating the bios?


omega drivers are allowing SLI, but Im not getting the physx or GTAIV support i'd like, lol.


thanks for that post pat

So, SLI is working now with the omega drivers? GTAIV support? I don't follow. Get on AIM or whatever.

No idea how in the hell your google-fu beat my google-fu though. I didnt find any of those 4 sites.....

Just use keywords in search engines like a caveman?
For your case I typed "SLI 8800GT freeze". lol, I only noticed now that there's a link to the specs of your rig in your first post. I'm a lazy reading bastard.

maybe I need to update the bios on it? No idea how to do that though.... and IIRC you can easily fuck that up

how would I go about updating the bios?

Updating the bios is easy if you have the exact flash/update for that particular hardware version of your motherboard.
If you fuck it up you can always reset the bios manually using the jumpers in your mobo, which can be a pain in the arse if you have to start re-installing everything (OS, drivers, programs, etc.) again.

You need four things.
1. The exact flash file or bios update for your mobo. Refer to the model of your mobo to know what flash/update you need.
2. Software or program that will read the flash and update your bios. For Asus, that program is Asus Update.
3. The manual of your motherboard.
4. Backups of your drivers/software/OS or anything that's important to make your PC functional again just in case.
Hopefully the last two won't be needed.

Download the updater first.
Then download the exact flash file update (I cannot emphasize more that the flash file is exactly for your mobo version).
Use the updater. You may be required to browse in your drive the flash file needed.
Click. Boom. Restart.

Here's an easy and simple guide on flashing your bios

If you fuck it, you need to reset the bios manually by opening your rig. That's where the mobo manual comes into play when you have to change and revert some jumpers. Read the mobo manual regarding the jumpers.
Handling the jumpers isn't that complicated but it has a pretty high risk if you do it unintelligbly. You may end up screwing your entire hardware, not just the mobo. (I assumed that you didn't know the things above, just in case. If you do know, goody. I also hope you know about static electricty with regard to opening a PC)

If your PC turns on and you can access the BIOS setup, then your successful in reseting your bios. Set your preferred bios settings.
If you're fortunate that the OS boots up, you can continue enjoying your PC again.
If things start acting up, just reinstall the drivers, if that doesn't work do it the NLSC way - format!


Since most people advise against flashing the bios (If not's broken why yada yada...), I may appear evil by saying it is "easy" to flash/update the bios. It's really easy to do and not fuck it up if you know what you're doing, as in most cases in life.
However I am wary of anything "beta" involving flashing the bios. E.g. if the updater is a beta version, like say for Vista, I would rather leave it be, better be safe than sorry.
I cannot emphasize more again that the flash file is exactly for your mobo version.

How about getting just one 2GB module?