http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3607
 

This is a beta driver that addresses the following issues:
 

• GeForce GTX 980 displays texture shimmering when Texture Filtering Quality set to High Quality.
• GPU outputs fuzzy lines over DisplayPort after a period of time following driver updates.
• System hang up and black screen after power on with some monitors (DP1.2 & 4K/60Hz) + GTX980

This driver has a workaround built into it that prevents Windows from hanging during boot.  
Those of us who have the motherboard error beep, this doesn't solve it.  But as I stated, it keeps Windows from hanging so it's a start.  
Would be nice for someone to resolve the error beep that causes the issue in the first place though.  

Viper97...I have found that I can work around that by, strangely enough, loosening the thumbscrews that hold the card in place on my case/motherboard.  Once done, I can successfully boot without interruption.  I've done this three - four times today (new card was installed and I was working out the bugs).  Might it be a manufacturing tolerance problem with the 980 and the PCI-E slots?It's a thought....

I noticed with both of my 980SC ACX2 cards that the brackets don't line up with the case screw holes as well as previous cards have. I have to loosen the 3rd slot screw to get the 2nd hole to aline properly. But when the card is secured the 3rd screw goes in easily so it's not a real problem for me. Since I haven't had boot problems with one or two cards in I don't suppose I will try the beta driver hotfix, yet.

I tried the 344.80's and they totally trashed Metro 2033 and Last Light Redux.  Both crashed.  Back to 344.75 and all is well...

Heini2

Viper97...I have found that I can work around that by, strangely enough, loosening the thumbscrews that hold the card in place on my case/motherboard.  Once done, I can successfully boot without interruption.  I've done this three - four times today (new card was installed and I was working out the bugs).  Might it be a manufacturing tolerance problem with the 980 and the PCI-E slots?It's a thought....

I noticed with both of my 980SC ACX2 cards that the brackets don't line up with the case screw holes as well as previous cards have. I have to loosen the 3rd slot screw to get the 2nd hole to aline properly. But when the card is secured the 3rd screw goes in easily so it's not a real problem for me. Since I haven't had boot problems with one or two cards in I don't suppose I will try the beta driver hotfix, yet.

You can also loosen the MB screws to reline the PCIe Slots to the Case.

Viper97

bowler484
This driver has a workaround built into it that prevents Windows from hanging during boot.  
Those of us who have the motherboard error beep, this doesn't solve it.  But as I stated, it keeps Windows from hanging so it's a start.  
Would be nice for someone to resolve the error beep that causes the issue in the first place though.  

I have the motherboard error beep on an X79 Dark... with a stock (reference) 980 ACX 2.0.  I have found that I can work around that by, strangely enough, loosening the thumbscrews that hold the card in place on my case/motherboard.  Once done, I can successfully boot without interruption.  I've done this three - four times today (new card was installed and I was working out the bugs).  Might it be a manufacturing tolerance problem with the 980 and the PCI-E slots?
 
It's a thought.

I hope Not, I plan on installing two GTX 980 GFX cards this week.
Thought I would try out this new term GFX instead of writing out Graphic.
I wonder if I should use the two x16 Slots or spread them apart?
On the tolerance part would that be with our X79 Dark MB or the GTX 980?

bcavnaugh

mistermister
Question... is this a thing with 970s? Ive had issues with my DP but I assumed it was the cable. WHen I first tried switching from HDMI to DP I got those white lines of "static" on my display as described above. I switched to one of the other mini DP... ports, and it solved the issue. About 30 minutes later I came back to my PC to find that the monitor was saying no signal. Tried all 4 ports on my 970 and no luck, so I assumed it was the just purchased DP cable. New one should be here on Tues, but now this has me wondering?

Old but a Nice Rig +1
When you switch from HDMI to DP did you do this will Power On or Power Off on the Computer and Monitor?

Yeah I need to update my mods rig, lol. And if you're asking what I think youre asking, yes I noticed my PC would reset if I switch cables while its running. I found it odd at the time but didnt think much of it... though it does this with HDMI as well.  

Well I got my new DP cable. This time I opted for a full size DP connection on both ends, instead of the full to mini. That way I could try this with my second 970, seeing as how it has 1 full size DP versus my reference card's 4 mini.
 
And it worked! ...for about 10 minutes. Then it started to look like this and get progressively worse:
 


 
You can see the horizontal "artifacts" in the top picture (and in the top right corner of the second picture). The second picture shows how blurry everything gets. This was a crisp, pristine picture just a few minutes before. 
 
In any regard... I'm assuming the 970s are not immune to this DP issue?
 
 
edit: I should also note I get a low resolution image of the "windows loading" animation after boot/post, after which I get a black screen and nothing. Switching back to HDMI resolves this.
 
 
Double edit: Installed the fix, seems to be working! I'll update if anything else pops up. 

I wasn't having the sleep issue, but I did see some of the texture shimmering/fuzzy lines. This appears to worked for me.

Done

Viper97
On the Geforce.com forums, this seems to be a major problem, not related to EVGA in particular but to all 900 series cards.

Correct.  However, although some people are popping up here with 970 issues, this issue, as well as the hotfix driver, are primarily concerned with the 980's.

Well that's good to know... but the bios is different for each manufacturer even for reference cards? It's not standard?

mdjenkins
I'm experiencing the black screen on cold boot when I have only the 4k/60hz screen connected via display port (Dual 980 GTX in SLi). If I have another monitor connected to the HDMI port, it works great. No issues, nada. This is only a work around, as I will be selling my old 1900x1200 as soon as I can.
 
I've updated to the hotfix driver and no success. According to the nice folks at the nVidia forum, a bios update is also required.
 
 
The EVGA cards I'm using have BIOS: 84.04.28.00.80
The minimal BIOS recommended to resolve this issue is: 84.04.31.00.00
 
I'm told that I need to get the updated BIOS from the card manufacture. So here I am asking where I can find the bios update for my EVGA cards. It's not on your download page. 
 

As far as I'm aware, there are currently no BIOS updates for the 980's.  The only 900 series BIOS updates are for the 970's, and those are only to change the default fan profiles.

Come on, pls! Where is this FTW GTX 980?! You said end of November and it's already 2nd December... What is going on? Give some news Jacob. Are you guys gonna have an FTW card for GTX 980 or not at all. Are you dropping it?

I'm just posting so that the number of affected users is visible:
vBios: 84.04.1F.00.80
 
Looking forward to seeing the update, thanks.