I've set the agp write to off. But still as i run for example Homeworld 2 it freezes up after a couple of minutes. And smart gart is set to 4x. I'm pulling my hairs right now, what to do???

Homeworld 2: Options-Shadows off. It runs fine.
I´m looking for a solution to resolve my problem in Age of Mythology from Spain.
Greetings.

I have a
P4 2.4ghz
512mb pc3200
Powercolor 9600 Pro
MOBO - Gigabyte GA-SINXP1394(GA-8SQ800 Ultra2)
SiS 655 chipset

I'm using cat 3.6

C&C Generals
Comanche 4
BF1942
NOLF2
Red Faction2
those freeze after a while of play.

games that work

Homeworld 2
Jedi Academy
Jedi Outcast
F22 Lightning 3
Homeworld
Homewold Cataclysm

Oh yeah Max Payne won't even start

Help?

NOTE Connect 3dRadeon 9600pro works with OSes below
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Me
not with others or thats what "they" say..
My os XPpro ,mobo EpoxKRA2+ ,Mem 512Mt 333mhz samsung
Connect 3dRadeon 9600pro 128mt ,Athlon xp2600+ 333mhz
AGP 8 or 4X both works.. ,Writes on/off works.. works perfectly.
AGP voltage 1.48v ,UFO:aftermath ,C&C generals ,Age of wonders:shadow magic ,NWN ,Battlefield ,ET etc.. All games work without crashes or s**t! like that
Uninstalled all carddrivers and From Devicemanagement deleted card *REBOOT*
xp found new device ,installed basic VGAdrivers ,then via4in1 ,thendirectly CATA3.8
Reboot & last i drove DirectX webupdate. After that card has worked like it should.. try these out!

I also just bought and installed the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro and was having problems with Age of Mythology and War Craft III Frozen Throne. I had a NVIDIA TNT2 card before and these games ran perfectly with it. But after changing cards I experienced the computer hanging just after the opening movies just like everyone else. Someone told me to make sure all of the NVIDIA drivers were taken off and they were so that wasn't the problem. I took the suggestion about changing the APG Write to "off". After rebooting my computer the games now run perfectly. This of course should be only a temporary solution until ATI can come up with an upgrade to address this problem. My question is this, by changing the APG Write to "off", will this cause any other problems that I should know about? All I know now is that the games can be played without any problems and I am happy.

I thought that all of you would like a good laugh so I am posting my specs (We have two kids in college and I can't buy another computer for a couple of years and by that time we will have three in college so I am trying to work with what I got for now)

Dell Dimension 4100 Intel Pentium III 800MHz
Bios updated to A11
Windows ME
Memory 384MB
30GB Ultra ATA hard drive with 17GB free
8x/4x/32x CD/RW

Thanks for all the suggestions and I am going to keep checking with ATI for any other solutions.

(1 of 6)


Crazy and All,

I wrote ATI a letter outlining the problems that we all are experiencing and they responded… Some of it we know, some of it is new to me. I hope this helps. (In order to get the whole thing in here I will break it up into a couple of post)

Based on our experience, the issue(s) you describe are usually due to system configuration errors. We believe that the troubleshooting steps listed below may help to resolve this issue.

If you own one of our Radeon products, you may consider reviewing the information at:
http://www.ati.com/support/products/pc/radeon/radeonissues.html

If the ATI display adapter you have is an AGP card, you should also consider reviewing the information at:
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3179.html

You may also consider using the new SEARCH ATI function on our web site. It can be found at:
http://www.ati.com/search/index.html


Regards,

Customer Service Canada
ATI Technologies, Inc.
http://www.ati.com

(2 of 6)

Prior to trying the suggestions listed below, ensure that

1. The most current version of DirectX is downloaded/installed for your version of the Operating System. DirectX can be found on the Microsoft website at <http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp>

2. The most current Microsoft Critical Updates and Service Packs are installed. The Windows Update webpage can be found at the on the Microsoft website at <http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp>.

3. The most current motherboard drivers are downloaded/installed (i.e. AGP, IRQ, IDE Busmastering). The most current drivers for your motherboard can be found on the motherboard manufacturers website.

4. The most current display driver is downloaded/installed for your ATI product.
<http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html>

5. The most current sound card drivers have been installed.
=====================================================
ATI Driver and Software Installation Instructions for Radeon family of products.

> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/installation/radeon.html
=====================================================

"This display driver is not compatible" error installing drivers under Windows 2000/XP.

Ensure you are using the Reference driver if using a "Powered by AtI" card. The drivers posted on the ATI website, will only install if a retail ATI card is installed in the machine.

ATI provides graphics chips and technology to third party vendors or partners. Graphic cards produced by these vendors may be identified by the "POWERED BY ATI" logo.

For support information on your "POWERED BY ATI" partner product, please visit:

<http://www.ati.com/support/partner/index.html>

If you require assistance identifying your "POWERED BY ATI" partner product, please visit:

<http://www.ati.com/support/identify/>

Download and install the Reference Drivers located at <http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/partnerproducts/index.html>.

> learn more <http://www.ati.com/support/partner/faq.html>

(3 of 6)

InstallShield Errors or Hangs during installation - Windows 2000/XP

1.Try emptying the Windows Temp folder.
- Click Start, Click Run, in the Open line, type temp, and then click OK.
- Delete the contents of the TEMP folder and all the subfolders as well.

2. Try Removing the InstallShield Installation Information Folder.
- Click Start, click Run, in the Open line, type c:\Program Files, and then click OK.
- In the Program Files dialog box, click the InstallShield Installation Information folder, and then click Delete.
- Close the Program Files box.

3. Try Removing the InstallShield folder.

A. First Set Windows to show all files.

- On the Desktop, double-click My Computer.
- Click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
- Click the View tab, and then click to select the "Show Hidden files and folders" check box.
- Click APPLY and then OK.

B. Delete the InstallShield Folder.

- Click Start, and then click Run.
- In the Open box, type the following (including the quotation marks): "c:\program files\common files\"
- Right-click the InstallShield folder, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.

4. Try re-installing the ATI Software

(4 of 6)

System hangs or freezes at random after installing ATI drivers:

This issue may be related to the allocation of resources, particularly IRQs. You want to ensure that the ATI display adapter IS assigned and NOT sharing an IRQ. Use the following webpage to check for possible IRQ sharing or configuration issues.

For Windows XP please see the following page:
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/howtowin2kxpirq.html
====================================================
BIOS update/settings:

You may consider using these settings in your BIOS to help troubleshoot your issue. If you are changing any of the options in your BIOS, please be sure to note what you are changing and what it was set to initially.

NOTE: These options may vary depending on the type/version of your system. You may or may not have all these options. Please consider changing the settings that correspond to those listed below.

- Video BIOS Shadow and Video BIOS Cacheable - DISABLED
- C8000-CBFFFF Shadow and CC000-CFFFF - DISABLED
- AGP Aperture size - 64 MB
- AGP Turbo - DISABLED
- VGA Frame Buffer and Primary Frame Buffer - DISABLED
- PnP OS installed - YES
- Assign IRQ for VGA - ENABLED
- Resource Control - AUTO
- AGP Bus Mastering - ENABLED
- VGA Palette Snooping - DISABLED
- Disable any UCSW or Write Combine options in the CMOS
- Disable any manual configuration of PCI by setting these options to AUTO
- System Bios Cacheable - DISABLED
- Video BIOS Mode Cache - UC
- Try lowering the AGP support (i.e. from AGP 4X to AGP 2X). If this resolves the issue, you may consider contacting the motherboard/chipset vendor for more information regarding the GART support available on the motherboard/chipset.
=====================================================
Ensure that Direct3D, DirectDraw and AGP Acceleration are all ENABLED.

1. Select START and then RUN
2. Type DXDIAG and then select the OK button
3. Select the DISPLAY TAB
=====================================================
PCI Cards

Try moving the ATI card to a different PCI slot

(5 of 6)


System restarts to a Black Screen after installing the ATI Display Drivers.

Assuming all the updates have been applied, try the following.

1. Try changing the refresh rate. If the monitor offers more than one frequency, choose the lowest frequency first to ensure that the display functions correctly.

- Click on START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL
- Double click on the DISPLAY icon
- Click on the SETTINGS tab, then the ADVANCED button
- Click on the ADJUSTMENT tab, then the REFRESH RATE button.
- Ensure that the refresh rate is NOT set to "UNKNOWN".

> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/faq/win2k/win2kconfigchangerefreshrate.html

2. Restart into SAFEMODE and uninstall the AGP portion of the motherboard drivers.

If using a VIA chipset based motherboard, rerun the installation and uninstall only the AGP drivers once prompted.
Most cases, the AGP or motherboard drivers can be uninstalled using the Add/Remove Programs located in the Control Panel.

3. If your motherboard has onboard video, ensure that the onboard video has been properly uninstalled.
4. Try lowering the Graphics Hardware Slider and then testing.

> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/faq/win2k/win2kconfigadjusthardware...lider.html - Windows 2000/XP

5. Check for a system bios update.
6. Try the card in another system.
7. If PCI, try the card in another PCI slot.

> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3179.html
=====================================================

(6 of 6)

Uninstall and Reinstall the ATI Display Driver and ATI Multimedia Center - Windows 2000/XP.
For more information please refer to http://www.ati.com/support/faq/win2k/win2kdriverinstallation.html
for driver installation steps.

1. Uninstall the ATI Multimedia Center followed by the ATI Display Driver.
Both are located in the ADD\REMOVE Programs under the control panel

2. Restart into SAFEMODE.
Hold Down the SHIFT key or tap the F8 key as your system restarts.

3. Remove all monitors and display adapters listed under Device Manager.
To Access Device Manager under Windows 2000/XP
A. Right-Click My Computer
B. Click on PROPERTIES
C. Select the HARDWARE TAB
D. Select the DEVICE MANAGER BUTTON

4. Select START and then RUN. In the Open Field type REGEDIT followed by selecting the OK button.

NOTE: Prior to making any changes please backup your system registry.

To backup the system registry.

A. Select and highlight My Computer in the Registry Editor
B. Select File and then Export
C. Export Registry File dialogue box will then appear
D. In the File Name Field type the name of the file (i.e. Backup)
E. Ensure that "ALL" is selected in the Export Range section
F. Select the SAVE button.

5. Remove the following registry keys:

NOTE: Not all keys will be available under every OS.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ATI Technologies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ATI
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ATI Technologies

6. Close the Registry Editor and restart the system
7. Allow the system to redetect the display adapter. Allow Windows to install a default VGA graphics adapter.

NOTE: This will not occur under all operating systems.

8. Once prompted restart the system.
9. Windows will then redetect the monitor. Allow the system to install standard monitor driver for your display
10. Install DirectX and then restart the system (located at http://www.microsoft.com/directx)
11. Install the Video Capture Update - Restart once prompted (located at http://www.microsoft.com/directx)

NOTE: If you have DirectX 8.1 installed you do not need to install the Video Capture Update.

12. Install the ATI display drivers and then the ATI MMC - Restart once prompted
13. Test the PC
=====================================================
Drivers and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) :

Windows XP: http://www.ati.com/support/faq/winxp.html

Robert, thanks for that info .. post 4/6 was really the only relevant one, but i guess it doesn't hurt to post all of it. Problem is, it's all old stuff and they still failed to address the issue. Did you mention to them how a lot of us could get it working by increasing the AGP voltage or decreasing our system bus speed?

That reference driver link didn't work until I removed the "index.html" portion. (page 2 of 6)
I was not aware that the front page driver was "Built by ATI" only, but given the lack of those cards refered to here, it may be something to pursue.

In 5 of 6 it appeared that they were suggesting that those with VIA chipset AGP drivers are to remove them. Does that only apply if you encounter the refresh rate issue, or is that a general suggestion? Does this mean to just stick with the Windows XP defaults?

A lot of these suggestions are mentioned before on this forum, but it's gotten so long that its become hard to mine for info.

what does this do?:
B. Delete the InstallShield Folder.

- Click Start, and then click Run.
- In the Open box, type the following (including the quotation marks): "c:\program files\common files\"
- Right-click the InstallShield folder, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.

is that safe deleting everything in that folder?

after that big emotional complaint to ATI this is the response I got.
"Thank you for the feedback concerning your recent issue with ATI. Be assured
that many of our ATI staff visit boards and forums online on a regular basis for
customer feedback and opinions. The Catalyst team is aware of all the current
issues and take them into account when programming the next version of the
software. We apologize for having to use older drivers at this time, a newer
version of the software should be coming out shortly that addresses many issues."

Someone on a forum mentioned to install an old driver. Namely the Cat 3.4. I did just that. Since then i have no more problems with freeze ups! Everything works well, even Homeworld2 with all options on. Wolfenstein runs smoothly to and no freeze ups there either! And of course the AGP is set to 4X. I tried everything before, except configuring the bios-settings.
So i would recommend people that before you are going to dig around in the bios-settings try install that older driver Cat 3.4. It worked well for me.
Nevertheless i will never buy anything from Radeon again.
I hope this new info will help you people out there.

Good luck!

I found something that worked for me, but maybe not for all...

Set Fastwrite to on in Smartgart AND BIOS and set AGP speed to 4x. It fixed the NWN problem for me. Best of luck...

Well, for whats its worth ...I was having the same problems as all.When I first got the 9600 pro 2 months ago I had problems with 3dmark2001(hanging)Halo,(screen freeze after 1-2 mins of play)even bf1942 would crash.I lowered all my settings and had to play in 800x600 so it wouldnt crash.I tried it all...upped agp voltage,disabled fastwrites(strange pixel lines would appear),disabled vpu recovery,updated bios...etc.The only thing i hadnt tried was older drivers.Read in the posts about how 3.2 drivers werent crashing.Tried the 3.2's but an error would come up saying i need to download a basic vga driver.?So i went to Omega's driver site and loaded the Omega 3.4.Much to my surprise i am running smooth as a whistle!Pulled a 10551 on 3dmark 2001 and have played the last 2hrs on halo at 1152x864 with everything on high and not a hitch.I was ready to throw this card off a bridge but it seems as though its a driver issue more than anything.Try the older drivers and see if it works,this card is worth it.

Athlon 2000
windows 2000 pro
kt400 mobo(6712)
512(pc3200)

PeAK_iN_DaRiEN

Well it's great to see more people finding that older drivers working for them, I mean they having a working system and it should add more pressure to ATI to figure what they did in their software to get it this way.

And IF ATI are reading this forum as they claim, then it just adds weight to the argument that their drivers being at fault rather than individual hardware.

Crazy

Well, I just upgraded to an nforce2 board (ASUS A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2.0) and a barton 2500+ and my problem has disappeared thus far. However, I've only had a couple hours of testing, so it hasn't been thorough yet. This is with the Cat 3.8 drivers, AGP 8X and Fast writes on. So it does look in fact like my old board probably didn't supply enough voltage to the card. I don't blame the board though, I still blame ATI for making a card that is way too untolerable. It's like they only test their cards in a small subset of modern motherboards and forget about all the rest.