WIN98SE machine won't boot with a Voodoo3 3000, but will with a Graphics Blaster Exxtreme \ VOGONS

WIN98SE machine won't boot with a Voodoo3 3000, but will with a Graphics Blaster Exxtreme

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First post, by TusockyThree68

Posted on 2021-06-04, 03:42

TusockyThree68 Offline

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I came to seek advice from the 90s computer enthusiasts that reside here. A few months ago I cleaned up and started using a computer from the late 90s (for old Windows and DOS games). Recently, I tried to install a Voodoo 3 3000 from eBay so I could play games like Half-Life and Unreal. When I go to boot into windows it either hangs at the windows 98 screen or tells me it restored system files and is rebooting (whereupon it re-enters the loop). The mobo is using the newest BIOS I could find. It worked fine with the GPU it had, but it's a pretty crappy one and I need more power to play 3D accelerated games. I did try a Pine SiS card I found for cheap, but it had similar problems. I also tried booting into safe mode and it does the same thing as booting Windows normally. I don't think it's a driver issue, because booting into safe mode doesn't help. What can I do to remedy this issue?

P.S.: I can access command prompt from outside of Windows, I'm assuming this would help

The Specs:
CPU: AMD K6-2 (clocked at 500 Mhz I believe)
GPU: Graphics Blaster Exxtreme CT6610 trying to move over to a PCI VooDoo 3 3000
Motherboard: First International Computer VA-503+ Socket Super 7

Reply 1 of 4, by dionb

Posted on 2021-06-04, 08:25

dionb Offline

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FIC generally had excellent bug-free motherboards, but they messed up on their first two So7 AGP boards, the PA-2013 (ATX) and VA-503+ (AT). Neither is capable of delivering the current demanded by the AGP spec to the AGP slot. FIC specifically recommended not using Voodoo 3 cards with these boards after reports came in of both stability issues (like you are experiencing) and VRMs going up in smoke (like you probably do not want to experience). Unless you're able and willing to mod a better VRM onto the board, you shouldn't use that V3 with it, I'm afraid.

Reply 2 of 4, by Doornkaat

Posted on 2021-06-04, 09:06

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dionb wrote on 2021-06-04, 08:25:

FIC generally had excellent bug-free motherboards, but they messed up on their first two So7 AGP boards, the PA-2013 (ATX) and VA-503+ (AT). Neither is capable of delivering the current demanded by the AGP spec to the AGP slot. FIC specifically recommended not using Voodoo 3 cards with these boards after reports came in of both stability issues (like you are experiencing) and VRMs going up in smoke (like you probably do not want to experience). Unless you're able and willing to mod a better VRM onto the board, you shouldn't use that V3 with it, I'm afraid.

That was my first thought too but OP mentions he's trying to use a Voodoo3 3000 PCI.

Reply 3 of 4, by dionb

Posted on 2021-06-04, 22:59

dionb Offline

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Hang on, missed the PCI there. Then that's not the issue indeed 😮

Reply 4 of 4, by TusockyThree68

Posted on 2021-06-05, 00:32

TusockyThree68 Offline

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dionb wrote on 2021-06-04, 22:59:

Hang on, missed the PCI there. Then that's not the issue indeed 😮

No, I was mistaken, it actually is an AGP model. I'll take your advice. Thanks.

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