VOGONS


First post, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I've been trouble shooting a Nvidia driver issue in Windows 2000. I'm trying to get a Quadro 4000 to work in Windows 2000 SP4 with the stock kernel (i.e. not the extended kernel from Windows XP). While the GeForce and Quadro Release 258 drivers (which support the Quadro 4000) will install on Windows 2000, the drivers fail to load at startup and the Nvidia control panel app fails with a series of .DLL system call errors (system calls that work in Windows XP).

Oddly, the same system with the same drivers will load when I have a GeForce 6800 GS in the slot instead of the Quadro 4000. The Nvidia control panel from Release 258 also functions correctly with the 6800 GS.

I can only conclude that the driver set executes different system calls (intended for Windows XP) when it detects the presence of the Quadro 4000. I wonder if this is caused by some sort of requirement for DirectX 10 which Windows 2000 SP4 does not support. I also wonder what other cards encounter this problem given that the drivers support the GeForce 200, 300, and 400-series (all DirectX 10 capable).

Has anyone here gotten a GeForce 200, 300, or 400-series card to work with Windows 2000's stock kernel? If so, how did you get around the issue I described above if you encountered it at all? Thanks.

Reply 1 of 14, by BitWrangler

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Is the chipset AGP driver loaded?

Edit: whoops, make that PCIe drivers... I are thinking that extra fiddling is required for PCIe on 2k as it is on 9x.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 2 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I don't think it's a PCI driver issue. I think Windows 2000 treats PCIe like an extension of the PCI bus.

My 6800 GS (PCIe Gen 1) functions correctly with the last GeForce driver that will install on Windows 2000.

Reply 3 of 14, by DosFreak

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Windows 2000 is based on the NT kernel. Nothing to do with 9x.

Foster, I would hit up Blackwingcat since he is the one that modified the nvidia drivers to work on windows 2000 for the 980ti but the BWC kernel is required. He should have a greater idea if what is going on. If no luck with vanilla then the bwc kernel is pretty minimal if you just wanted to install that.

For vanilla I just use my quadro fx 1300 which works well.

Last edited by DosFreak on 2021-11-21, 11:01. Edited 1 time in total.

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
Make your games work offline

Reply 4 of 14, by BitWrangler

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++
DosFreak wrote on 2021-11-20, 17:50:

Windows 2000 is based on the NT kernel. Nothing to do with 9x.

I meant the same kind of fiddling, not the exact same fiddling. For example DirectX is required on 2000 and XP as it is on windows 98 to play DX games, doesn't say anything about what kernel each uses, or that it's all the same binaries.

Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.

Reply 5 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I'm familiar with Blackwingcat's work. I've used the Extended Kernel to get both the Quadro 4000 and a GT 640 working with Windows 2000 in the past. I'm taking on building an overkill Windows 2000 machine using only the vanilla kernel (as officially updated by MS) as a personal challenge (I could run my Windows XP drive if I want to use the XP kernel).

I'm considering getting a GeForce GTX 285 for this build because it's supported by the last "certified" Nvidia driver release (197) for Windows 2000, but I wanted to know if anyone had success with the 200, 300, or 400-series cards without using the Extended Kernel first.

I've seen evidence online that folks have gotten the 8-series cards to work, but nothing after them.

Reply 7 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
kolderman wrote on 2021-11-20, 18:54:

I have a high end AGP Radeon with 2k and it works well.

I have a Radeon x1900 GT which works quite well with Windows 2000. I'm looking to beat it.

I also have a Radeon HD 4850 that might work with some driver tweaks, but again, I'd like to beat that too.

Reply 8 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

It's also possible that Nvidia's Release 258 was just a bad driver for the Quadro 4000 given how new it was at the time of release. As I recall, this driver doesn't work well with Windows XP either. It's also possible that the error doesn't affect any of the related GeForce cards.

I'd just rather not buy yet another video card without hearing if anyone else has had success.

Reply 9 of 14, by The Serpent Rider

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Radeon HD 2xxx/3xxx can be installed on vanilla kernel with simple file editing. And with some more shenanigans, everything up to HD 6xxx.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/571484.html - browse and use at your own risk.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 10 of 14, by bakemono

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

I know that an NVS 290 works on stock kernel with 182.46. Never tried to go any further than that on stock kernel.

A GT 240 works on extended kernel with 197.45 but I never tried 197.45 on stock kernel (though it is said to work...)

again another retro game on itch: https://90soft90.itch.io/shmup-salad

Reply 11 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
bakemono wrote on 2021-11-21, 08:29:

I know that an NVS 290 works on stock kernel with 182.46. Never tried to go any further than that on stock kernel.

A GT 240 works on extended kernel with 197.45 but I never tried 197.45 on stock kernel (though it is said to work...)

It looks like the NVS 290 is an 8-series card, so it make sense it would work with Windows 2000 given that I've seen screenshots of other 8-series cards (such as the Quadro 4600) working in Windows 2000 using the vanilla kernel.

If someone has gotten a GT 240 working, then it stands to reason that a GTX 285 would also work. Have you seen a report of the GT 240 working with the vanilla kernel somewhere online?

Reply 12 of 14, by bakemono

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
fosterwj03 wrote on 2021-11-21, 16:34:

If someone has gotten a GT 240 working, then it stands to reason that a GTX 285 would also work. Have you seen a report of the GT 240 working with the vanilla kernel somewhere online?

Well, there is a blog comment from 2010, in Japanese, from someone who says they used a GTX 260 with no problems.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/1114373.html
And one here about using the 257.21 driver to run a GT 240
http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/1370860.html

again another retro game on itch: https://90soft90.itch.io/shmup-salad

Reply 13 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
bakemono wrote on 2021-11-21, 22:01:
Well, there is a blog comment from 2010, in Japanese, from someone who says they used a GTX 260 with no problems. http://blog.li […]
Show full quote
fosterwj03 wrote on 2021-11-21, 16:34:

If someone has gotten a GT 240 working, then it stands to reason that a GTX 285 would also work. Have you seen a report of the GT 240 working with the vanilla kernel somewhere online?

Well, there is a blog comment from 2010, in Japanese, from someone who says they used a GTX 260 with no problems.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/1114373.html
And one here about using the 257.21 driver to run a GT 240
http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/1370860.html

Google's translation of Japanese to English is always a joy to read. You're right, it looks like someone did run a GT 240 without using the extended kernel. That gives me some hope.

I decided to roll the dice and purchase a used GTX 285. I'll let you all know how it works once I receive it and get it installed in my test rig. It should give 3D applications a huge boost if it works.

Reply 14 of 14, by fosterwj03

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I can now report that the GTX 285 does work with the Windows 2000 vanilla kernel (Service Pack 4) using both the GeForce Release 197 and Release 257 drivers. Unfortunately, the nVidia Control Panel app does not work using either driver (it reports a .DLL error just like it does for my Quadro 4000). The driver itself functions correctly giving me all of the resolutions supported by my monitor up to 32-color. DirectX 9 also passes all diagnostics. The Display Properties dialog and task bar app function correctly as well.

I can also say that the fan on my BFG GTX 285 OC doesn't sound bad at all even when the GPU got up to 86 degrees C.

Just for fun, I ran some Crysis benchmarks using all "High" settings with anti-aliasing "Off". It's definitely playable at both 1024x768 and 1080p (barely) using these settings. I ran the benchmarks using both the 197 and 257 drivers. Release 257 performed slightly worse, but likely within the margin of error for only one run each (results not shown).

Attachments