Vista - Installed 4870x2 now I cant play games =[

Hey, I have:

CPU 9450
x48 Formula Rampage
8GB DDR2 Gskill memory
VelociRaptor x1
Saphire 4870x2

When I try to load full screen games my computer craps out and reboots. When Vista Ultimate x64 loads, it says my ATI graphics controller failed, but windows can not find a solution to this problem!

This has failed with CoD4 and the benchmark program that comes with the video card. I am running catalyst 8.8 because the others did not work for me either. When I install my drivers I uninstall ATI software through windows control panel, and reboot, then install new drivers and reboot again. Does anyone know what is causing this problem? I tried running CoD4 at different resolutions, 19xx x 16xx etc. I have a 24" monitor. If you need anymore info pls ask!

Thanks
p.s. I just updated to SP1 overnight, so I'm not sure if this will help or not.

They are very powerhungry buggers them 4870X2. how's your PSU? It can also be temperature issues, as I bet it runs quite hot too.

And being a brand new card, driver issues are more likely a fact than just a probability... The price of sticking to the cutting edge...

SP1 is a basic requirement for a useful vista... Asking before having it installed is like asking for solutions to issues with roadgrip after trying a car with 3 of 4 wheels mounted.

Sorry I should have included that, I have a 900w psu so I don't think that is the issue. I was JUST able to get SP1 installed (i'm doing it remotely from work so its a bit hard to see what's going on haha). It took about 4 attempts to have a successful sp1 install, the computer was rebooting (which is odd, its usually very stable if i'm not trying to load full screen games). I am updating warhammer online atm but after this is complete I will try to load CoD4 and see if it reboots on me.

4 reboots are perfectly normal when installing SP1.

Use a driver cleaner to remove old drivers from ATI and Nvidia. Install the new drivers. 48070x2 uses 270W. Do you have a PCIe x16 rev2 slot?

what driver cleaner do you recommend??

Driver Cleaner.. lol

what PSU do you have. i see you said 900w, but what brand?
Also what drivers are you using. 8.7 or 8.8
I've been hearing about some horror stories with the 8.8 since it was just released. You shold be on 8.7 i believe. Also is it getting to hot and crashing, causing a restart. What speed is the fan % set to. I'd turn that up anyways on principle.

I'd go home, make sure SP1 was successfully installed. and any hotfixes also. then restart ur computer, and try cleaning, then RE installing the latest driver for your card.

Thx for updates, my psu is ABS Tagan BS series (sli ready -- nicest high quality modular psu i've ever owned). I'm not sure about the "rev2" slot but the motherboard x48 formula rampage is seems to be an amazing board so far so I'd assume it has it. SP1 did install correctly but I'm still having problems. I also have a intel ICH9 compatibility problem! I think I will be able to find drivers for the SMBUS but we shall see. I will look for driver cleaner now thanks

No - Driver Sweeper - Guru3D - Driver Sweeper

Be sure to read that page carefully *before* you download and try to run it.

Does your power supply have two 6 pin PCI Express power connectors only, or a 6 pin PCI Express power connector and an 8 pin PCI Express power connector.

If your powersupply only has two 6 pin PCI Express power connectors on it, you need to use a 6 pin to 8 pin PCI Express power adapter to ensure the card is getting the power it needs. I had to use a 6 pin PCI Express to 8 pin PCI Express power adapter recently on my 3870X2 as I suspected it was starting to have a few power issues, and using the adapter I mentioned is what solved it.

The adapter I mention, can be ordered from Newegg, or from PC Power and Cooling if your videocard didn't come with one.