This document provides some frequently asked questions about Sandra. Please read the Help File as well!
Q: Sandra displays the wrong multiplier/FSB for my ES (engineering sample) CPU.
A: It is not possible for us to support such processors with no documentation; there is no guarantee that they work properly, are set properly or report the correct status.
Q: Sandra does not display some PCI buses and their devices (especially if there is a gap, e.g. only buses 0, 1 & 4).
A: Make sure the PCI-to-PCI bridges are configured correctly and that they are detected. Otherwise, disable the option Use buses by PCI-to-PCI bridge configuration. While this may reduce the accuracy of information, all the installed buses should show if Windows detects them also.
Q: Sandra reports incorrect AGP bus speed!
A: Check that FSB is correct. Certain boards run the AGP bus at different speeds from the specified ones and Sandra may be unable to detect this. If you’re using a board which allows you to play with the AGP clock (e.g. 1/2 & 2/3 settings) the detection may not work – depending on clock generator chip. Update to Sandra version 5.30 or later.
Q: Sandra reports the AGP bus is disabled! Is this so?
A: If you don’t have a TRUE AGP video adapter then the AGP bus capabilities are disabled so for all intents and purposes the AGP bus is disabled.
Q: Sandra reports a different AGP aperture size than what is set in the BIOS.
A: Some AGP drivers/mini-ports (e.g. ATI) do change the AGP aperture to what they consider to be more appropriate. This is to prevent any problems due to incorrect settings especially in OEM setups. Thus Sandra is not wrong, the the setting is different!
Q: Why isn’t my AGP video card using 8x, 4x, 2x data rate as it should?
A: First make sure that both the AGP Bridge (chipset) and AGP video card support this rate. Some non-Intel chipsets only work reliably in mode 1x. Then make sure the AGP clock is 66MHz and no faster. Most video cards will revert to 1x if the AGP bus is overclocked. For non-Intel chipsets, update the AGP miniport drivers to the latest version. Then update the video drivers to the latest version. You may try to force 2x, 4x, 8x – check the manual. If it still does not work ask on the Usenet…
Q: Sandra detects my AGP Video adapter as PCI!
A: If the adapter does not report any AGP capabilities (not even a header block) then it is really a PCI design adapted to work with AGP – probably an early one. AGP adapters support advanced data transfer modes and texturing which yours lacks. Technically it is not an AGP adapter. Just because it uses the AGP connector does not mean much. It has to be designed specifically for AGP if any improvements are to be realised.
Q: Sandra reports incorrect PCI bus speeds.
A: Check that FSB is correct. Certain boards run the PCI bus asynchronously and Sandra may be unable to detect this in all cases. If you’re using a board which allows you to play with the PCI clock (e.g. 1/3 & 1/4 settings) the detection may not work – depending on clock generator chip. Update to the latest version of Sandra.