Replacing the GPU in the field...

So the video glitches which I mentioned in my last thread have one upped, and started throwing up an ATI Graphics Driver error message then black screening, which is making me think that there is a much deeper problem than outdated software (I am suspecting GPU, as evidenced in the title, although I am going to upgrade first just to make sure).

So my question is - I know there are a limited number of supported graphics chipsets for the axon - the ATI HD2900 etc... Should I be in the pickle that I think I am in (finding myself with a dead GPU in the near future, or at least finding myself with a GPU that is not stable enough to count on in a show), in the middle of the ocean and needing to pick up a new one up PDQ will any manufacturers board do provided it is of the correct chipset? Is there a specific brand of boards that HES use for the axons? I would like to stay as close to genuin as possible, but would also like to know that if I jumped off the ship and went to the local computer shop and bought a card with the correct chipset that it would work...

Anyway, any assistance would be appreciated

Mac.

0 marty postma - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

There are only a few video cards supported in the system.....there are no drivers present for any others.....nor anyway to install new drivers as the OS partition is "locked-off".

As far as getting a replacement, it is not only a matter of the correct ATI card model, but also the correct one for the motherboard in your AXON (there are 2 different motherboards).

So in short, you might get lucky enough to find one at a local store, but don't just grab the first one that looks right.

You should also consider looking at why the card failed in the first place so you can keep it from happening again. IE- are they really dirty and never cleaned, stored in a place with an ambient temperature that is too high, improper space for venting heat, etc, etc....

Hope this helps. :)
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0 mac.calder - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

I am almost 100% certain that it is due to overheating because of lack of cleaning, combined with a fairly "dodgey" source of power (not running through the UPS!?!) and a whole heap of vibration - the plan is to fix items 1 and 2 and hope that will prolong the life of all the other parts at least. :15:
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0 Joe Bleasdale over 15 years ago

Could better cooling be an option to help prolong thier lives?
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0 mac.calder - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

The actual rack is extremely well cooled - their is an AC duct directly over the top of the rack, nothing below the axon, and a 1ru gap between it and the next PC, and there is not much in it. The booth is kept bellow 19 deg C - I think it is purely the fact that there is most likely 18 months worth of dust clogging the GPU fans.
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0 Joe Bleasdale over 15 years ago

OK. I assume it was your predecesor that hadnt cleaned them..?
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0 clyde - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

If you are looking for some spare ATI HD 2900 XT then I can help you out. I have a few near new from Asus.
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0 Joe Bleasdale over 15 years ago

[quote=Clyde;35687]If you are looking for some spare ATI HD 2900 XT then I can help you out. I have a few near new from Asus.

Could you please PM me with your prices and delivery. They wont be for an AXON, but my friend and I biuld computers and servers for fun. ;)
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0 sblair - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

Guys,

As Marty stated, there are only a handful of cards that are supported. If the units are still under warranty, then you can get replacements from us directly under the warranty or we can sell replacements otherwise.

You have to be careful in buying the the video cards elsewhere unless you are certain they are the exact model. There are a lot of different manufacturers and versions even of the HD2900 card. You have to make sure it is the identical model as the one we shipped with otherwise there are high odds it won't work.

The video card market turns over very quickly. For the top end cards we use, a given model is typically only built for about 6 weeks by the vendor and then out in distribution for a few months until the next one comes along. Thus we buy a very large inventory at once when we switch to a new card.

You can always get replacement cards from HES Support. Either of the original card or the current model we are shipping with.
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0 clyde - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

Scott said it correctly, make sure its the right model as a HD 2900 pro will not work like a HD 2900 xt. The only difference between brands is the cooling normally and also things like warranty and chassis packaging but the drivers are all the same so brands shouldn´t play a role.
Hopefully you will get a free replacement card from High End anyway.
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0 sblair - Former HES Forum Member over 15 years ago

It *can* matter which brand as well as the cards will have different model ID's for Windows even for the same card between different brands so the system may not work properly.

I know this makes it complicated, but the video card manufacturer's unfortunately make it complicated for us.

To answer the obvious question, we have used different ATI AIB's depending on the model. Some models were actual ATI branded, others have been Asus or HIS.
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