Windows 2008 Server R2 Video Card Issues

valentim16

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I've just built a new system running Windows Server 2008 R2 as the OS. I haven't been able to resolve a graphic card issue and was wondering if anyone can suggest a graphics card that is supported on this OS?

I'm currently running an ATI card that seemed to work just fine. After upgrade to latest bios and Windows 7 drivers -- graphics is too slow to use PC. ATI don't support server OS even thought it's a "workstation" graphics card. Is there such a thing as a graphics card that is supported on Windows 2008 Server R2? I've only read of people getting non-supported cards working.

Thanks!

SUPERMICRO MBD-X8SAX-O LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Core i7 Server Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182165 (audio)

ATI 100-505505 FireGL V7700 512MB PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195061
 

valentim16

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Not certain but it's the only component in the system that is not supported on the OS. Screen refreshes are painfully slow and even when typing the display can't keep up. I'm in the process of rolling back bios update and GPU driver update to narrow down the issue.
 
Same thing I was thinking. After updating the BIOS, did you readjust your settings?
Your post suggests that you've successfully installed Server 2K8 and haven't had problems, despite the OS not supporting the GPU, but after updating BIOS the problem emerged.

Questions:

1. What was the reason for updating the BIOS?
2. What GPU drivers were you using prior to the Windows 7 compatible version?
3. Were there any other noticeable differences (error messages, system changes, etc) after the BIOS update?
4. What happened after rolling back drivers?
 

valentim16

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Alright - I'm back from the dead ... with a few more answers:

After updating the BIOS no other settings were changed except an update to the video drivers to see if that might fix the slowness problem.

1. The BIOS update was recommended by the manufacturer after reporting random power-off issues i.e. the computer would simply turn itself off for half an hour.

2. Originally installed on the new build were the latest ATI Windows7 64 bit drivers (and control panel software) at the time.

Interestingly, the new ATI graphic card driver software (drives + control panel) still crashes during install. However, based on a tip from support I simply unzipped the .exe and installed the new driver manually. It’s not officially supported but seems to work for now.

3. After the BIOS update the system simply ran very slowly and screen refreshes were most notably slow.

4. Support sent me a BETA BIOS that said it might fix the problem. It has in fact fixed the performance and display issues. However, it will take some time to determine if the original power-off problem is also corrected. I suspect I’ll be updating the BIOS with the official release soon too.

I’ve asked support additional questions to determine if it was in fact the BIOS or the graphics card or a combination of both.

 

valentim16

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Quick update. SuperMicro support have concluded that it's a power supply issue. Although they've provided no more information than that at this stage. Corsair support is impressive. They've said it's either a power supply or CPU issue based on the symptom -- PC turns off and won't turn back on for an hour, trying to turn PC on result in fan spin for a second. Out of interest, they said this is a common symptom of the 4/8 pin power not being connector to the motherboard. They're allowing me to RMA and switch out the PSU -- sending me a new PSU in advance to avoid any down time.
 

valentim16

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Will be very interested to see if a new PSU solves the problem then. Here's hoping! The system build:

SUPERMICRO MBD-X8SAX-O LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Core i7 Server Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813182165 (audio)

Intel Xeon W3550 Bloomfield 3.066GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Server Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819117218

Kingston ValueRAM 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model KVR1333D3E9SK3/6G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820139043

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820167017

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

ATI 100-505505 FireGL V7700 512MB PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814195061

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139002
 

valentim16

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True true! That was my first thought when this problem started happening. Monitoring temps with SuperMicros monitoring tool. Temps have been consistantly cool but it's software so there's room for error/bugs of course. Case is open, nothing running hot that I can tell from physical inspection. No overclocking. Connections checked of course.
 

valentim16

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Replaced the PSU but still have the same problem. Waiting for Intel support to determine if it's the CPU. Strange -- have gotten the CPU overheat alarm go off each day. The second time I just shut down all apps and waited. The CPU cooled down and was fine hours later (after opening the same apps). Maybe it's as simple as a bad CPU but I would have thought it would fail on a consitant basis and not randomly.

Maybe I'm over thinking this. But it is possible for a graphics card that's seated next to a CPU to cause the CPU to overheat? Is it worth moving the graphics card one slot further away from the CPU?