AGP Fast write enable

Can someone tell me what this actually is ? the reason I ask is, I was just looking at this http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...lm/amazon.aspx and it says, "see if your PC can play this " and was told my AGP is disabled.

What do I need to do, if anything ?

TIA

Geoff

[Strzelecki]

Fast Writes is a sort of 'burst mode' for the AGP bus that allows burst of data to be sent. In essence it allows the CPU to bypass the system memory and send data straight to the graphics chip, eliminating a bottleneck at the memory bus. If your AGP card supports it then you can usually enable fast writed through the BIOS (press F1, F2 or del on bootup).

[patrickp]

Originally Posted by yesman

Can someone tell me what this actually is ? the reason I ask is, I was just looking at this http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...lm/amazon.aspx and it says, "see if your PC can play this " and was told my AGP is disabled.

What do I need to do, if anything ?

TIA

Geoff

Fast writes are just one aspect of the way your AGP port works, and are often disabled rather than enabled for optimum performance.

If you're getting a message that AGP is disabled, rather than just Fast writes, that's an entirely different matter.

Make sure you have the chipset drivers for your motherboard, particularly the AGP driver, installed, and that you are running up-to-date drivers from the manufacturer for your videocard.

[phils_wicked]

Its worth reading up on fast writes, some ATI chipsets dont like the feature and work best with it switched off.

There are a few good comparisons between fast writes being on or off, as far as I can remember there wasnt much of a performance hike or drop either way.

[downquark1]

If you can enable fast writes without causing any problems then do it. If not don't worry, I've seen experts say that it barely does anything anymore.

Thanks for all the replies, I think I may leave it as it is then

[patrickp]

Originally Posted by yesman

Can someone tell me what this actually is ? the reason I ask is, I was just looking at this http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...lm/amazon.aspx and it says, "see if your PC can play this " and was told my AGP is disabled.

What do I need to do, if anything ?

TIA

Geoff

Ah! Looking at the M$ page you linked to, I know why you're getting the message: in Windows Media Player, if you're using the latest ATI drivers (with an ATI card, of course), you can enable hardware support (better, higher quality playback) for some WMP files by enabling Fast writes.

It's always important, yesman, if you're posting about a problem with your PC, to give a summary of your system; you ought to do that now. In particular, what videocard and drivers for it are you using?

AFAIK you shouldn't be asked to enable Fast writes, though; it's simply an option.

What exactly did the message you got say, and can you describe for us the series of events that led to you getting the message?

But, as I said before, if you're getting a message that AGP rather than Fast writes is not enabled, that's a different matter, and you need to check that your chipset and videocard drivers are properly installed.

Also, as Phils_wicked mentions, enabling Fast writes with many ATI cards may cause instability.

Originally Posted by patrickp

Ah! Looking at the M$ page you linked to, I know why you're getting the message: in Windows Media Player, if you're using the latest ATI drivers (with an ATI card, of course), you can enable hardware support (better, higher quality playback) for some WMP files by enabling Fast writes.

It's always important, yesman, if you're posting about a problem with your PC, to give a summary of your system; you ought to do that now. In particular, what videocard and drivers for it are you using?

AFAIK you shouldn't be asked to enable Fast writes, though; it's simply an option.

What exactly did the message you got say, and can you describe for us the series of events that led to you getting the message?

But, as I said before, if you're getting a message that AGP rather than Fast writes is not enabled, that's a different matter, and you need to check that your chipset and videocard drivers are properly installed.

Also, as Phils_wicked mentions, enabling Fast writes with many ATI cards may cause instability.

I don't actually have a problem with my PC, I just wanted to know if there was any benefit using AGP fast write enable.
System:
Processor Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz
Memory 1024 MB
Video NVIDIA GForce 6600 GT Version 6.14
Windows XP

[patrickp]

Originally Posted by yesman

I don't actually have a problem with my PC, I just wanted to know if there was any benefit using AGP fast write enable.
System:
Processor Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz
Memory 1024 MB
Video NVIDIA GForce 6600 GT Version 6.14
Windows XP

You could try it. The worst that can happen is that your system will become unstable. I don't know whether you have the option to set Fast writes in your software, or whether you'll be enabling it in BIOS, but whichever you use, you'll be able to disable it in BIOS if the instability is so bad (and that's not likely) you can't boot to windows to disable it in software.

Originally Posted by patrickp

You could try it. The worst that can happen is that your system will become unstable. I don't know whether you have the option to set Fast writes in your software, or whether you'll be enabling it in BIOS, but whichever you use, you'll be able to disable it in BIOS if the instability is so bad (and that's not likely) you can't boot to windows to disable it in software.

Well, I gave it a go and couldn't see any difference whatsoever

Thanks for taking the time in replying

[patrickp]

Originally Posted by yesman

Well, I gave it a go and couldn't see any difference whatsoever

Thanks for taking the time in replying

You're welcome. Hey, what's that smoke coming out of the back of your PC? ;-)

[Chrysalis]

I reccomend you have it off, there is hardly any speed difference and a high risk of instability.

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

I reccomend you have it off,

That is without doubt, the best advice I have ever had
__________________

Originally Posted by patrickp

You're welcome. Hey, what's that smoke coming out of the back of your PC? ;-)

That would be my 14.4kbps dial up connection.