Problems installing new Catalysts

stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
edited September 2003 in Hardware
Hi,

Heres the deal.

I recently flashed my 9800np to a Pro and everything works fine. I was using the Catalyst 3.4 drivers before flashing the card.

Now, since the nee 3.7 drivers are out, i decided to install them.

I uninstalled my older drivers (add/remove programs) and i used driver cleaner too to get rid of all the older files.

I then restarted my pc and tried installing the 3.7 drivers and it all seemed to go according to plan when suddenly i saw this error pop up that said something like "A problem occured while installing the drivers......and the system needed to be restarted".

I restarted and nothing showed up... So i had to use safe mode and do a System Restore and reinstall my older 3.4 drivers which worked fine. I figured it might be a problem with my driver downlod, so i tried the Catalyst 3.6 drivers and the same problem occured .

So now basically i cannot run the machine on any other drivers other than the 3.4 catalysts.

Sorry for the essay, but i had to state my problem :(

any suggestions as to what im doing wrong ?...or any solutions ?

Thanx in advance.
«1

Comments

  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Welcome to Short-Media stillwaters

    You flashed it with a pro BIOS? Rather than just overclocking it? The drivers you are using (3.4's) are just standard stock downloadable drivers from the ATI site?

    The reason Im asking is Im not totally sure why you are getting this error. My only thought on it is that there could be a hardware detection problem since you flashed it. The newer driver sets may simply just not recognise the hardware signature following the flash.

    One of the vid card smartguys will about later, Il make sure they drop into the thread to cast their thoughts ;)

    Oh and watch out for the folding@home borg circling nearby ;D
  • stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
    edited September 2003
    thanx for your reply.

    Yes i flashed it with the Pro bios and the detection went off perfectly.

    When i flashed it and started windows, sure enough it detected it as a Radeon 9800 PRO and everything works fine.

    I am using the standard ATI drivers and not the Omegas.

    And when i installed the new 3.7 drivers, that too detected it fine as a Radeon 9800 Pro...but just as the installation was coming to an end i got the Error message.

    But when i reverted back to the 3.4 drivers, there seems to be no problems whatsoever.

    im baffled :confused:

    im attaching an image to show you that it detected it fine.
    1.jpg 22.8K
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Time to start asking the obvious questions now then mate ;)

    What OS? & Last time CLEAN installed? :)

    Looking at the snapshot, nothing is screaming "bad flash, futz beyond all hope". Starting to sound more like a software issue (probably not driver).
  • stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
    edited September 2003
    OS - XP Sp1

    clean installed 3 months ago.

    ...hmmm..what else..:scratch:

    Abit Nf7-S V2
    Barton 2500+ @ 2.4g
    2 x 512 Crucial Pc2700

    thats about it i guess ..


    :banghead: :eek3:

    oh i just wanted to stress that my radeon works perfect with the 3.4 drivers...its just that i can't upgrade to any newer ones.

    3Dmark 2001 Score is around 17000...
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Identical setup to mine :eek:

    This is just on trying to update a driver set. Sounding more like a Windows error than a driver/hardware error.

    Im just hunting round the web for a Catalyst remover (in the style of Detonator Deleter for nVidia cards). If I turn something up, Il post it back :)

    Either that or use the trusted method to fix the problem.. backup, format C: and enjoy that sparkly clean install feeling :)
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited September 2003
    I'd reflash the card with the BIOS that was orginally on it (you did save it, right? RIGHT? :D) and then O/C the card using one of the O/C'ing utilities available and while it's O/C'd try installing the new drivers. If it works then perhaps it was a BIOS issue. If it fails take the card back to default speeds and try to install.

    If all fails, then it's either a driver issue or a Windows issue. If it works w/ the Non Pro BIOS overclocked or not, then perhaps the flash wasn't perfect, or perhaps your card just doesn't like the Pro BIOS.
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Welcome to the forums Stillwaters.

    What manufacturer created your card ("Built By ATI", Sapphire, PowerColor, etc...) and would you be able to post the nanosecond rating on your memory chips & the manufacturer of your memory chips (Samsung, Infineon, etc...).

    It's strange that this is happening, as I BIOS modded my Sapphire 9800 Non-Pro to the Pro Edition and installed the Cat 3.7's without incident. If anything, I would have expected to see massive system errors, as I installed the Cat 3.7's on a Windows XP install that was previously used with a GeForce 4 Ti4400 and the Detonator FX 45.24's (beta's). :D

    It doesn't sound like a bad BIOS flash at all. Any time that your BIOS flash borks, the video card usually won't display anything (usually)...

    Since you were able to get into Windows and were able to successfully install the Cat 3.4's and run 3D applications with it, it doesn't sound like a hardware problem at all. Sounds along the lines of a Catalyst 3.7 compatability issue with your system.

    I'm going to do a little research on how to properly remove Catalyst drivers and I'll get back to you on it. You should NOT have to format your PC to install new drivers. :)
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Before formatting, try following these instructions regarding a "foolproof" Catalyst Uninstall/Install method.

    This is what I use before I resort to formatting and so far, it's worked 4 out of 4 times. :)

    This guide is of particular importance to Windows XP & ATI hardware users, as Windows XP caches the Catalyst drivers in many different areas throughout your Windows directory (such as \System32\Drivers, \Temp, \System32, \Inf, and such other folders as C:\ATI, C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia, C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies. Try this out and see if it makes a difference.

    Rage3D: Foolproof Catalyst Uninstall/Install Method
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    SimGuy said
    Before formatting, try following these instructions regarding a "foolproof" Catalyst Uninstall/Install method.

    This is what I use before I resort to formatting and so far, it's worked 4 out of 4 times. :)

    This guide is of particular importance to Windows XP & ATI hardware users, as Windows XP caches the Catalyst drivers in many different areas throughout your Windows directory (such as \System32\Drivers, \Temp, \System32, \Inf, and such other folders as C:\ATI, C:\Program Files\ATI Multimedia, C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies. Try this out and see if it makes a difference.

    Rage3D: Foolproof Catalyst Uninstall/Install Method

    I went looking for that :eek: damn.. I couldn't find it anywhere. :respect: Simguy
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Teh "search" button is my friend. :D

    :kneel: :canflag:

    Stillwater's flash worked perfectly, as it matches what I've got showing in the advanced video card properties dialogue box.

    Stillwater, did you use the "98-8004.BIN" BIOS file that's been floating around on the internet to perform the flash?

    56K Warning (suckers...) :P
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    God damb it Simguy, I was about to post that link.

    But, yeah... Welcome to Short-Media stillwaters. It smells like a simple case of old driver new driver conflict to me. Even though you've removed the drivers in add/remove programs, that is more superficial a method than you would think. However follow the instructions linked to by Simguy and that should hopefully cure your problems. I myself only the other day, followed those very instructions to remove my CAT 4.6's, and had no problems, so as long as you follow the instructions to the letter you should have no problems what so ever.

    Give that a go, and then get back to us.

    Cheers
  • stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
    edited September 2003
    woah :eek: thanx for all the replies. thats some quick response time ! :thumbsup:

    i used the 98-8004.BIN Bios which was posted by that Saturn dude on the Futuremark forums to perform the flash.

    i'll give that Foolproof uninstall a go and get back to you :)

    once again, thanx a lot for the help. hope its works fine .

    Glad to have joined these boards :vimp:
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    Short-Media prides itself on having response times comparable to that of the worlds best TFT's (for example), but Short-Media isn't just perfect for gaming.;)
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    ... and I quote...
    Shorty said
    One of the vid card smartguys will about later, Il make sure they drop into the thread to cast their thoughts ;)

    :D These guys are lethal with this stuff :respect::respect:
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited September 2003
    little OT here but, are there updated bios files for the 9700pro?
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    croc_ said
    little OT here but, are there updated bios files for the 9700pro?

    Updated as in flashing a Radeon 9500 to the 9700 Pro?
    Or updated as in allowing overclocking on the 9700 Pro?
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited September 2003
    second option ;)

    I have an FIC (bleh) 9700 pro.
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Spinner said
    Short-Media prides itself on having response times comparable to that of the worlds best TFT's (for example), but Short-Media isn't just perfect for gaming.;)

    I smell a Short-Media byte with that one Spinner... :D
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    Is there anything available that can turn my 9800 Pro into... well whatever ATI are planning to release next?;)
  • stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
    edited September 2003
    Spinner said
    Is there anything available that can turn my 9800 Pro into... well whatever ATI are planning to release next?;)


    the 9800XT ?:D yeah....that could be possible if the cards are identical (and since ATI haven't renamed it to 9900, it more or less sounds like few minor improvements on the existing 9800 pro). So hofully theres a way to get more out of your existing card :)

    Btw, the 9800XT supposedly ships with Halflife 2 ?
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Spinner said
    Is there anything available that can turn my 9800 Pro into... well whatever ATI are planning to release next?;)

    The 9800XT is going to just be an over-clocked 9800 Pro, pushing a minimum of 425/750 with either 2.8ns or 2.6ns DDR SDRAM onboard. I don't think software can fix this one for us. :D

    Croc_:

    As for the 9700 Pro BIOS, I haven't seen one lately floating around. If you wanted to O/C your 9700 Pro, go grab Rage3D Tweak from www.rage3d.com

    It's got quite a lot of features that can increase your performance and allows you to overclock your ATI Radeon video card. :)

    //Edit: Fixed listed clock speeds. Whoops :D
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    The 9800XT was originally scheduled to ship with HL2, but that will only work if HL2 is out before the christmas holiday shopping season.

    You can also expect to see new Catalysts the day HL2 ships.
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited September 2003
    yeah, I already have that, just wanted to make sure I was totally updated on everything :) Thanks!
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    The 9800XT is going to just be an over-clocked 9800 Pro, pushing 425/700 with 2.8ns DDR SDRAM onboard. I don't think software can fix this one for us.

    :(:doh:
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    I think they would be using better RAM than 2.8ns as thats what Radeon 9700 Pros use and it has already been pushed with the 9800's, I dont think they could take it any further to be honest.

    NS
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    It's quite possible they may use 2.6ns RAM, as they may have trouble pushing 2.8ns any further than it has already gone on the 9800 Pro.

    It's all a cost -vs- performance thing.

    I don't have any exact information on the 9800XT, but the name suggests that it will only be a upclocked version of the 9800 Pro. The clock speeds suggested are the general consensus of video enthusiasts over @ Rage3D and from what I've gathered from different "sources."
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited September 2003
    What timings are used for the video RAM, does anyone know? Is it likely that ATI will use slower timings with 2.8ns chips to push the MHz up?

    Any utilities available to adjust the timings?
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    a2jfreak said
    What timings are used for the video RAM, does anyone know? Is it likely that ATI will use slower timings with 2.8ns chips to push the MHz up?

    Any utilities available to adjust the timings?

    CAS2 is all I know.

    CAS1 forces you to lower the clock and doesn't provide enough of a boost to beat the speed @ CAS 2 thus that is pointless.

    CAS 3 normally still locks you to the same speed as CAS2 but with less performance so thats a bad was to go too.

    The program you use to edit the Radeon BIOS files allows you to change the clock speeds, TV outs and CAS latency.

    EDIT: Found it, RadEdit - http://atomnet.co.uk/?p=programs&search=radedit

    NS
  • stillwatersstillwaters Pittsburgh, USA
    edited September 2003
    sorry guys for not replying sooner but i fixed the problem. i used that foolproof way of installing the drivers and it worked like a charm :D

    thanx a lot :)
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited September 2003
    Great to know! :)

    Hope to see you around SM as an active member! :)
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