Need help with my Radeon card

[bullion416]

I bought an ATI Radeon 64 mb DDR card back in august 2001. When I first got it, I was running with Windows 98 se and at another point in time with Windows ME. It worked fine then. (Note: this card is being used in the computer I built) Within the last few months, I have been alternating between Win2k pro and win xp pro. At first, I didn't notice any problems with it, except some compatibility problems. Recently, I noticed that things seem to run choppy with some games and also I am getting random lines and objects that are out of place that will pop up during the game play and last about a second or so. Do you think it is a bad card or some sort of software problem? I have tried so many updates and drivers, that I don't know what to think now.

 

[toadstool]

The choppiness is just something you'll have to get used to with XP, until newer versions of the games you like are XP compatible.
I get some choppiness in Unreal Tournament (disabling V-sync helps a lot).


Not sure about the "lines" you're talking about. When I run 3dmark, I do see some "tearing" when the "Max Payne" demo runs....when the gun flashes are seen. The rest of 3Dmark is fine. Not sure if that's what you're talking about though. Other than what I described...i don't see "lines " or artifacts.


I have a Radeon 8500, by the way. (and games WERE smoother under Win98)

 

[zsouthboy]

Try using the Omega Drivers.... fixed all my probs in Win2k....

you'll have to search in google to find them, as I've forgotten the website....

zs

 

[rbV5]

<< Do you think it is a bad card or some sort of software problem? >>



Software, likely drivers, especially if you've had several versions, you might have some remnants in your registry causing you fits. I used my Radeon VIVO (SE model though) and I didn't experience choppy play in XP, mine works quite well actually. I personally think the beta 6018's (find them here) are the best drivers so far. Clean up the traces in your registry and do a clean driver install should fix your problem

 

[bullion416]

How do you clean the traces in the registry from previous display drivers? (with windows xp)

 

[rbV5]

<< How do you clean the traces in the registry from previous display drivers? (with windows xp) >>



Good question:

Read this thread to the end. You can see its not quite cut and dried.

Here's my, "hey it works for me" XP Radeon driver installation steps:

*expand the drivers I want to use to a folder. (in my case, \video\6018\ )
*uninstall card from device manager (don't reboot yet)
*open regedit and look for and delete the registry entries discussed in the thread (keywords to look for: "Ati Technologies" "ATI*" "Radeon" "Rage" "Rage Theater" ect. ect)"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services" keys begining with ATI* is where most mine are located YMMV.
*Search for "ati*.inf" in the "C:\WINDOWS\inf" folder and delete them
*Search for "ati* in the "C:\WINDOWS\system32" folder and sub folders and delete them (be very careful deleting these files to make sure they are related to the card)

Reboot

*allow XP to install the default radeon drivers, this will install the rage theater drivers for VIVO features everytime. reboot if it asks you.
*manually install the driver set of your choice as follows:

*device manager>right click video adapter>update driver>check "install from a list or specific location">check "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install">press "have disk">Press "browse"> point it to your drivers directory (in my case, \video\6018\ )> double click the "AtiDrive" folder>click "atiixpag.inf">pick your radeon model and install.

Your not done! Update the Rage Theater drivers manually as follows:

*Device manager>sound video and game controllers> update all the entries that start with ATI*>right click>update driver>check "install from a list or specific location">check "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install">press "have disk">Press "browse"> point it to your drivers directory (in my case, \video\6018\ )> double click the "AtiDrive" folder>click "atintwdm.inf">your driver should be listed>install>repeat for all the entries.

Now go to add/remove programs click on ati multimedia center and do a repair install, make sure you check all the features.

I use beta drivers, so I disregard the warnings about unsigned drivers. You should now have a somewhat clean installation of whatever driver version you picked. Beware that some versions break the VIVO functions,<6014 WHQL for instance> the 6018's I'm using are great when pared with MMC 7.5.

Forgot to add that playing around in the registry could result in severe self-inflicted injury to your rig, simply double clicking on the setup.exe file is probably the smartest way to go.