ATI Radeon 9600 PRO woes...

[amos_ng]

===========================
ATI Radeon 9600 PRO woes... :confused:
===========================

I recently bought a new ATI Radeon 9600 PRO. (ORIGINAL ATI)
Previously I was using the Nvidia GeForce 2 MX400. (ASUS V7100 PRO SE)

I followed the instructions in the ATI installation manual.
-Installed the latest VIA 4-In-1 AGP Drivers (DL from www.viaarena.com)
-Rebooted PC
-Uninstalled the Geforce 2 drivers
-Shutdown PC
-Physically removed the Geforce 2 card
-Physically installed the Radeon card
-Boot PC

When Windows XP starts, it detects 2 devices;'Video Controller' and 'Video Controller (VGA COmpatible)'.
Why?? How come it did not detect 'ATI Radeon 9600 PRO'???

I was told by the ATI manual to CANCEL the Wizard when Windows XP starts the 'Add New Hardware Wizard'.
It then tells me to proceed to 'Installing the CATALYST Software Suite' from the provided installation CD.
After installing the 'CATALYST Suite' (ATI drivers, Direct X 9.0,HydraVison + other ATI software), I rebooted the PC.

Upon restarting, Bios loads as usual. (no errors)
The 'Windows XP Professional LOADING screen' appears as usual.
But after that, the monitor 'freezes' at a black screen with 3 tiny short lines(dark green) at the top, left and right of the screen.
It just stays that way for an unknown reason.
What happeneded? I followed all the instructions in the manual...

Q 1)Is it because my motherboard (AGP 2x/4x) (ASUS A7V333) is not compatible? (I doubt so)
Q 2)Is it because my VIA 4-In-1 AGP Drivers are outdated? (4.37v)
Q 3)Is it because my BIOS is outdated? (ACPI Bios Revision 1006)
Q 4)Is it because my old Nvidia driver is conflicting? (I already uninstall them, I even used NastyFileRemover(NFR) )
Q 5)Is it a Windows XP conflicting error with the Radeon 9600PRO?
Q 6)Is it a lack of system power? (Could it be..)

After going through the ATI Website Support, it was recommended to install the latest VIA 4-In-1 AGP Drivers and update the Bios.
I downloaded the latest 4-In-1 AGP Drivers (4.49v) from www.viaarena.com
I downloaded the lates BIOS (ACPI Bios Revision 1017) from www.asus.com.tw
I removed all previous graphic drivers using NastyFileRemover(NFR) before each time I reinstall.
And so I did all that, but to no avail...

Anyone out knows how to solve this problem?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.


Thank You

[amos_ng]

----------------
PC Configuration
----------------

Icute Generic Casing, 350W Power Supply for P4 or AMD
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ CPU Fan
2 Medium-sized Ball Bearing System Fans
(Disabled them after relising it could be lack of power)

Windows XP Professional OEM (comes installed with Direct X 8.1)
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
ASUS V7100 PRO SE (Nvidia Geforce 2 MX400)
256MB 266MHZ Kingston RAM
40GB Maxtor Fireball 4D040H2
80GB Seagate Barracuda IV
Sony 3 1/2" Floppy Drive (Generic)
40x 12x 48x SONY CD-RW CRX195E4
Integrated C-Media 5.1 Audio (Enabled via Bios)
HP NetServer 10/100TX PCI LAN Card


P.S.
I tried removing power from some of the hardware like fans, HD and CD-ROM.

[amos_ng]

==========================
Giving ATI a second chance
==========================

After numerous failures, i decided to try a 'fresh' PC.
I backed up all my files and did a clean Windows XP installation.
As usual Windows detect all my hardware.

All after doing the 'ATI recommended' steps, the same thing still happens as before.

I'm almost running out of troubleshooting solutions.
Feel like giving up... But I still have hope in it.

[amos_ng]

==================================
My Two Cents Worth : Nvidia vs ATI
==================================

When I wanted to upgrade my graphics card I had a dilemma as to go for the Nvidia FX or the ATI Radeon.
I read rave reviews about ATI's latest Radeon offerings.
And it was OBVIOUS that ATI were producing hardware superior to Nvidia.
But ATI always had compatability issues, namely its poor drivers. (I still remember my P200MMX with integrated ATI graphics)
Where else Nvidia was simply PLUG & PLUG no questions asked. (hardly any problems)

When I bought the ATI Radeon, it was in faith that ATI deserved a run for their money and that
after all these years they would have ironed out all its notorious compatability issues.
Moreover, many PC magazines/websites, gaming magazines/websites give >90 / 100 ratings and numerous gave it outstanding awards.

ATI hear me out.. even if your hardware is the best, having so many problems would hinder and discourage people from buying.
I almost felt like going back to the shop and exchange the ATI Radeon 9600 PRO for a Nvidia FX5600 or a Nvidia FX5800 even if it means paying the difference.

Moreover the card I chose is the ORIGINAL ATI Radeon 9600 PRO; with the label
--------------------------------
ATI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
1 Commerce Valley Drive East
Markham, Ontario. Canada L3 7X6
--------------------------------
proudly printed on the box, over other Taiwanese manufacturors. (MSI,ASUS, GIGABYTE, Power Colour...)

If for every consumer who buys an ATI card and returns it to buy a Nvidia card instead, ATI loses 100%++ of sales to its arch-rival.(Nvidia)
(Its almost like the PS2 vs Xbox saga. Xbox with the better hardware but PS2 with the better games)

Is the EASE of use that CONSUMERS want.(Like with the consoles; its the games that matter more and not the hardware)
I read this kind of rant about ATI around 6 years back. And now in 2003 I'm actually writing the same thing.
I bet I'm not the only one out there...

I have faith in ATI. Without faithful ATI consumers, the GFX industry would be a monopoly (ie. Nvidia)
And nobody wants that to happen as it does not benefit the consumers.
Only Nvidia would gain...

SO ATI, PLEASE DO NOT DISAPPOINT US!

[mjc]

Do you have any start up sounds?

I take it that the problem occures when it switches to the desktop?

It is beginning to sound like a resolution/refresh rate problem...that maybe you monitor can't handle the default refresh rate (which may be set to "Optimal").

Could you try a different monitor?

[amos_ng]

Quote "I take it that the problem occures when it switches to the desktop?"

Ans: Yes
Evertime it freezes at the black screen i have to force reboot th PC.
Windows Startup Menu then prompts me to select either 'Safe Mode', 'Last Known Good Configuration'.... or 'Normal Mode'.

It safely goes to safe mode when i select 'Safe Mode', but will freeze again when i try to reinstall and reboot.
It goes back old config of detecting 2 devices;'Video Controller' and 'Video Controller (VGA Compatible)' when i select 'Last Known Good Configuration'.
It goes back to the freeze screen when i select 'Normal Mode'.


I'm using an 21" INTERGRAPH 21sd95 monitor.
Yes i did try another old 14" SVGA monitor, still the same blank screen.

Maybe my monitors are too old?
Or perhaps lack of SYSTEM POWER? (I got 350W)

[amos_ng]

I managed to make some progress :) But still quite the same...:(

THIS TIME after restarting in 'Last Known Good Configuration', it finally detects 'Radeon 9600 Series'.
The 'Add Hardware Wizard' prompts for location of drivers, i then let it searched the drivers located in the CD-ROM and installed it.
I chose the 'Radeon 9600 PRO' drivers which is WinXP certified with digital signing.

But... After installling, the display adapter is now 'Radeon 9600 PRO' and 'Radeon 9600 PRO - Secondary'.

================================================== =====================
NEW ADDITION
------------
<<<! But after reboot in freezes again. !>>>
Its like a infinte cycle...
================================================== =====================

I suspect the secondary adaptor is for PCI and the other for AGP.
Because I ran the ATI driver unistall program and its dialog says so...
See attached picture.

Why is there a secondary display adaptor??

[mjc]

Ok, since you can get into safe mode it looks more and more like a resolution problem.

Check and see what Device Manager lists as your Monitor....if doesn't list the specific monitor you have see if it is included in the list of monitors that XP has (on the properties for the monitor select update driver, when it says search or pick from list....select pick from list and see if you can find your monitor).

If you let it stay at Standard VGA can you get to the desktop?

If so you should be able to change the monitor by right clicking on the desktop and selecting properties.....

[amos_ng]

Problem is in 'Safe Mode' it does not start in Standard VGA mode.
It detects 'Video Controller' and 'Video Controller (VGA Compatible)' instead... :(

Is 'Video Controller' and 'Video Controller (VGA Compatible)' considered Standard VGA? :confused:

Because in Win 95/98/Me I can install Standard VGA easily from 'Install from a list or chose a location'.
I can't seem to chose Standard VGA in Win XP.

How do I actually do that? :confused:

Device Manager lists my 21" INTERGRAPH 21sd95 monitor as 'Default Monitor'.It is not possible update the monitor driver as it 'unselectable' in the 'Display Properties'- Settings.

[mjc]

ahlf the problem is that it isn't recognising the monitor and the other half is that it seems to be detecting the card twice....

Is this a dual head card (one that will let connect dual monitors)?

If not, now that it has the install path try removing both devices and rebooting. Hopefully this time around it should install just once. If that doesn't happen select the one marked secondary and then under properties select Disable, then reboot and try to change monitors.

[welshboy]

I got a radeon 9000Pro card with dual connectors and that is how it shows on my Control Panel. Yes it supports dual monitors hence the two adapters showing. Just keep the primary one selected.