Replacing the GPU in the field...
mac.calder
Registered User
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Graphics Driver error message then black screening, which is making me think that there is a much deeper problem than outdated software (I am suspecting GPU, as evidenced in the title, although I am going to upgrade first just to make sure).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.
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.
Comments
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. :)
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. ;)
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.
Hopefully you will get a free replacement card from High End anyway.
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.
Well I will get the ball rolling for a PO;
Thanks
Mac
Any idea how old these servers are? Are they still in warranty possibly?
We also need to get the serial number off the back panel or inside door for the server too to make sure we know which rev it is.
SN is 76CA4306002
Re:
Cruise Ships are an odd beast - Tech turnover is huge... a contract is 6 months and 3 weeks in length, you have the full range of techs, from those who just want to party for a while and see the world, to those who love their job and treat the venues like their own. Most technicians move to different ships after each contract too - so information is very quickly lost - like the last time the racks were vacuumed out for example... Get a brand new technician on a ship who has never done ships before, they may not realise that these sorts of things need to be done, because their background is not venue oriented. It is very difficult to just point the finger at someone and say "Their fault" - because it is a culmination of factors
Can you verify which motherboard is physically in that server? I want to make sure we get you the right thing.
Thanks.
Scott
Got another problem with this Axon - I tried to upgrade, it all looked to go well, however it freezes once it boots up. Giving it the 3 finger salute brings up the normal, greyed out options box, as well as the following error message: "DL2: DL.exe - Application Error ... The exception unknown software exception (0xc000000d) occured in the application at location 0x7813fae2. Click on OK to terminate the program."
What version is currently on the Server and which version are you going to? If you have a version before v1.4.0 then you will have to download the current recovery disc to upgrade the O/S itself.
Your best bet is to contact the Support guys here so we can figure out what replacement/upgrade option for the video card will work best for you.
Scott
Mac,
We have seen this problem a few times recently here in the office. If this the first time that the fixture is being upgraded to 1.4.0, the culprit is most likely improperly encoded content. Try removing all of the user content from the server and then reboot it. This should clear it up.
Thanks,
As for the improperly encoded content... It would not surprise me at all if that were the case... I suppose I will have to dig out the old disk to 'downgrade' so I can access CMA and try again.
Thanks
--edit/update--
Okay, I deleted all the custom content, got through the upgrade, now instead of just sitting there and doing nothing with the blue AXON screen, after about 2 minutes - the outputs of the graphics card just disappear, the monitors loose sync etc.
Pulled it out of the rack as well, just to check everything was seated correctly - the GC has X1900 on the back near the serial number
Street prices on those cards were never $150. They were closer to $450. Remember there are many variations of those cards with different clock speeds and RAM.
As I explained back in Post #9 in this thread, the video card market is tumultuous to say the least. Any given model is only available in quantity for a very short period at the beginning of the cards introduction to the market. That means we have to buy all that we are going to buy of that model card when it is first released....unfortunately at full price. This includes Service Replacements.
I know the street prices of the few of these cards you can find have of course dropped, but our cost on them sure hasn't as we had to buy them early on at full price.
Also understand that there isn't just one HD2900. There are many many flavors of it produced by all of ATI's partners. They all present themselves to the driver as a different model internally. Thus it is critical to have the specific flavor of card that we shipped with as a replacement, or alternatively, the specific model that we are currently using.
"Thus it is critical to have the specific flavor of card that we shipped with as a replacement, or alternatively, the specific model that we are currently using."
which could be the HD1900xtx , HD1950xtx, HD2900xt, HD3850 series from either Asus, ATI or HIS at the moment from what I gather. Which means about 50% of the ATI top range cards available will definately work according to your logic.
Its not that I don't agree that High End should sell spare parts but at least keep the price in acceptable range.
Its still just a computer - nothing more nothing less
I'm not going to get in a debate or argue the situation with you. I just wanted to provide you and others a bit more insight that might not be obvious.
To correct a few points here:
1. Believe it or not on a lot of those cards we had to buy above street price as we bought through specific channels within ATI to enable us for a higher level of support from them that was necessary.
2. I may not have been clear before. Some models we bought from ATI, some were from HIS and some from Asus. For example we shipped with an ATI X1900XTX, that doesn't mean the Asus or HIS versions of that card will be detected or work properly.
3. I understand the thinking that it is just a standard computer, but it really isn't. That is why I have gone into a lot of detail in this thread explaining a lot of things we normally don't disclose. You can't just open these up and slap in any replacement part you want and expect it to perform properly as you might with a desktop computer. We very carefully choose and test the exact components we use based on a lot of research and testing. In addition, there is a lot of code written around the specific models of video cards that are detected for example as we have a high level of integration deep into the cards.
I've explained the situation as clearly and openly as I can. I understand you may not be happy with the situation, but I've given as much explanation and insight as I can.