Depending on what VIA board we're talking about, you most likely need to decrease the AGP transfer speed (either from 4x to 2x, or from 2x to 1x). Don't worry, this won't actually decrease the performance (especially not with a GeForce 2 Ti).

With the GeForce 2 Ti, use driver version 7.76 (attached), it usually gives the best results both in terms of speed and stability.
You can force AGP 1x by applying the attached registry file and restarting (you can modify the file for AGP 2X - in case you are currently running at AGP 4x).

tried to change it in the bios, but it didnt help. also with the reg file

I have also an option in the bios "AGP Comp. Driving". whats this?

the 7.76 version works the same.

atom1kk wrote on 2022-09-01, 10:47:

tried to change it in the bios, but it didnt help.

I have also an option in the bios "AGP Comp. Driving". whats this?

Changing the AGP transfer speed from within the BIOS itself can give mixed results and might not actually do anything (depending on the motherboard/BIOS version).
You need to check the AGP transfer speed with Everest / Aida32 / Aida64, to make sure that it's actually at the speed you want it to be.

Leave AGP Comp Driving at the default setting.

I dont think it has something to do with the transfer rate.

Its strange that first i have to install a newer driver like 44.03 before i can use older once. at my 478 system there were no issues.

the chipset now is VIA Apollo Pro133A

everest shows 2x AGP atm.

tried atleast NFS 5 the game seems to run ok wthout any issues

One more thing. On booting it shows check system health!

Is it normal feature?

VIA based boards from this era are known to have issues with higher AGP transfer speeds, which is why the first thing I would try would be to revert to AGP 1X and then go from there.

Your 478 system doesn't have any issues because it probably doesn't have a VIA chipset. 😀 And if it does, it's one of the much newer chipsets that has long since solved these AGP compatibility problems.
Newer nVIDIA drivers do tend to be a bit more stable on these VIA chipsets, because they use all kinds of software workarounds when they detect a VIA based board. However, on the other hand, they are slower especially when used on slower platforms.
Again, the first thing I would try would be to load the BIOS optimal defaults, do a clean Win98 install with a VIA 4in1 v4.35 (not too old, not too new), DirectX 7.0, the nVIDIA driver 7.76 and the AGP 1X registry tweak.

The "check system health" means that you should access the BIOS and check the hardware info/health menu, where it will show what the actual issue is (it can be anything, including a fan speed sensor that doesn't like modern fans with low RPM - in which case you can switch it to "ignore").

Well, did a clean win install, left first the original via driver from windows (from1999) installed only dx7 and the 7,76 driver. looks very good atm.

will test it later, since i have to go but thank you alot for the support, will do more extensive tests and report. it seems the 7.76 is apretty good one. i have download all from vogons here, but this one was not there

atom1kk wrote on 2022-09-01, 12:03:

Well, did a clean win install, left first the original via driver from windows (from1999) installed only dx7 and the 7,76 driver. looks very good atm.

The default VIA driver is probably keeping the AGP transfer at 1x, however it's usually quite a bit slower than newer drivers.
I would still install VIA 4in1 4.35 (or at least not newer than 4.56 on this particular platform), and switch to AGP 1x via the registry tweak.

will keep it in mind, but you know... never touch a running system 😉 iff new issues appear i will try it

Wow, I've got the exact same MB and CPU! I equipped a Radeon 9000 Pro (Gigabyte GV-R9000 Pro II), though.

Looks like you've got the "F9" BIOS; you might want to flash the BIOS to the latest "FC". I got mine two years ago from e-waste and it was already "FA".

yeah you are right, its the F9 bios on.

And I paid 30 € 😁, but with RAM and CPU. good P3 boards with ISA and changable FSB is nearly hard to find here.

tried now some games, nfs 4 hat some glitches, but this is due to the driver i think. installed 8.06 and it worked also without any issues.

I think what I did different was, to install win98 on AGP 2x set in bios ( befor it was always on 4). i think somwhow this is the cure. maybe I will try to reinstall windwos and use the 5.32. if it will work fine, so i think than this was the solution.

atom1kk wrote on 2022-09-01, 15:22:

tried now some games, nfs 4 hat some glitches, but this is due to the driver i think. installed 8.06 and it worked also without any issues.

All NFS games (actually, at least 99% of all period correct games) work perfectly with driver 7.76. I've been using this driver for many years on many platforms.
If it has glitches for you, it's NOT the driver's fault, I can assure you. 😀

Try and do exactly what I said and it should work. If it doesn't, then you have another compatibility issue (either related to your specific motherboard, the RAM or other peripherals you might be using).

For example, are you using a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 sound card by any chance? I've experienced some weird behavior with SB Live cards and a few VIA Apollo Pro 133/133A boards. Among those issues, there were also intermittent freezes and even BSODs in some games/3D apps.

I dont have any soundcard atm inside. waiting for my AWE64. well with 8,06 it works fine. i will keep it like it is, if more issues occur, i will try your method. but still thx for the support

Since i had more time, I did some tests, because this issue triggerd me. and came to following results.

You dont need to slowdown your agp to 2x, atleast not with via 4.35 ( did not try others). the main issue is, you have to install the via drivers before graphics (even win98 has automatically installed, you still have first to reinstall them again) , than I had no issues. tried 4 drivers and no issues. for me the 5.32 has the best results, with 7.76, the compatibility is good, but i sufferd alot on performace drops in many games. in NFS 4 i got only around 25-30 fps., with 5.32 it ran all the time with 50-60. also in dirt tradck racing. if i have the mood i will try it with other via drivers, but i think this is not needed. 4.35 seems pretty ok ( everytime a full clean win98 install is needed 😁)

Yes with via boards the 1st thing you do is install the via drivers before anything else or it seems you are asking for a world of hurt.

I recognize Via Hyperion 4in1 package as mandatory to install just afeter fresh installation of Windows. Otherwise you're asking for having issues.