Okay, I got a ATI Sapphire Radeon 9600 PRO 256MB Atlantis graphics card for Christmas, and well, it's been a nightmare getting this damn thing to work!
I've re-formatted for it, tried the Driver it came with, tried the latest, I've tried different Monitors, I've tried a whole new different Computer, I've tried different resolutions, I've tried different refresh rates, I've tried resetting CMOS settings, I've tried using the motherboard jumper, I've tried updating the Motherboard Chipset, a new PSU ! I've tried almost everything I can think of.
This card 1 way or another, is just giving me SOME SORT OF PROBLEM !
First it was rebooting my PC by itself, turning the monitor of as it if it's on standby, then (baring in mind I used to have an ATI Sapphire Radeon 9250 128MB) it keeps (still does) giving me random "ATTENTION, OUT OF RANGE, H: BLA BLA, V:BLA BLA" when I haven't touched my Monitor settings since I've had this machine. Then it used to just every colour was distorted, then it just couldn't recognize my card at all, now;
Finally ! I'm up to the best stage I've ever had with it so far, lol.
The computer is running fine, nothing wrong, HOWEVER, now, it's just a case of I keep getting random Errors my PC keeps saying it keeps recovering from but I keep getting it all the time, and sometimes my monitor just shuts of as if it's on standby (still), sometimes it'll do it for a few seconds and come back on again, sometimes it'll come back on in a few seconds and my PC is just froze so I have to reboot. Or sometimes, it'll just reboot my PC randomly out of nowhere. <- And yeah, that's the best stage my PC is at, at the moment ;\
Now, problem is;
- I install DirectX, but it says it's installed, but there's nothing in my C:\Program Files\directx !
- Whenever I try access my ATI Catalyst Control Center to get into my smartGART settings to try change my AGP settings from x8 to x4, and turn of Fast-Write (if it isn't already), it just won't run the Control Center, it runs the Process (i've checked in Processes being run), but the actual window just won't open...I've tried it in Safe Mode too, just won't open...Now if I could do this + get DX to install, it supposedly, according to SapphireTech Support FAQ in the Question it's giving, it has all my problems, but I just can't do the answer they give if ATI Catalyst Control Center won't open! I've tried un-installing, re-installing, re-formatting, different driver versions of it. It'll just run the process, but no actual window for me to use it ! So I need to change my AGP from x8, to x4, and I can't find this setting either in my BIOS/CMOS setup when I load up my Computer.
This card is troubling me to end, but I'm determined to get it running on my Computer, lol.
I mean, I've made this post in Notepad first and keep Ctrl+S to keep saving it incase at any time my PC reboots/shuts of!
Specs:
Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2
Processor: AMD Athlon 2.4GHz (clock at 2.0 - Socket A Type)
Motherboard: Acer Aspire T120 // VIA VT8378 UniChrome KM400
Bus Type: DEC Alpha EV6
RAM: Kingston 1024MB RAM (2 x 512MB Sticks, PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
So overall, need to get ATI Catalyst Control Center working and DirectX to install properly.
+ Following annoying things:
- PC Reboots
- PC Freezes
- Monitor goes off
- Can't get on Catalyst Center
Although I could leave my PC on Login Screen as long as I want and it wouldn't freeze, so it just can't process some things so it'll reboot or freeze? :S
Here's a pic of the Serious error it keeps recovering from it says;
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8...userror2uw.jpg
And here's what made me look in DirectX folder in Program Files, tried to play Guild Wars (MMORPG), and this comes upon trying to load it;
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2...doutput2oa.jpg
Many, MANY thanks if this card gets working properly,
Josh
[EDIT]
I also even bought a new PSU that came today, a 500W with Dual Black Fans. Hasn't made a difference though in my opinion.