ASUS EAH 2900XT Catalyst doesn't install

bowmore · Jan 26, 2009

I'm running Vista 64 Home Premium. I can install the catalyst drivers in XP but in Vista the catalysts drivers will install though the driver will not be loaded. I have to install the drivers from Asus which are very old. Is there anyway I can modify the Catalyst drivers for Vista 64 (like for the mobility cards) so they do recognise by card as an ATI card so I can install the Catalyst drivers. (I wouldn't mind with running old drivers but I have a problem running LOTRO which start up but I get no picture).

SgtBaxter · Jan 26, 2009

Ahh, another ASUS victim.

The problem is the ASUS drivers. They will not allow the ATi drivers to load. The other problem is they do not uninstall properly (at least under x64).

You need to make sure you have smartdoctor and gamerOSD uninstalled, and also uninstall the ATi catalyst, and asus drivers (to the ability the uninstallers will do).

Next go into your device manager and uninstall the video card, and make sure to check "delete driver software". Once that's done, head into the windows system folder and look in system32, system32/drivers and sysWOW64. If you see any drivers starting with ATK, those are the asus drivers that need deleting (in the info tab you'll see ASuSTeK). Take them out of the system folders and then reboot. Then you can reinstall the Catalyst drivers and hopefully they'll work, but you might need to adjust a key in the registry.

I have another post on the subject that's a bit more in depth--> http://www.vistax64.com/gaming/194703-vista-x64-crashes-during-games-3.html

Check that out first, and good luck. It's a pain but better and faster than reinstalling the whole OS. This problem was a nightmare for me initially, as my 4850 would work okay for general stuff, but no 3D. It would work one startup, then the next not work (I knew it wasn't working when Aero wouldn't run). I've complained on the Asus boards about the problem, hopefully some folks will find this info and avoid the headaches I had. Although it's a good rule of thumb not to ever install the drivers that come with a video card, but instead download and install the drivers from ATi or nVidia.

sygnus21 · Jan 26, 2009

Are ASUS drivers really that bad in causing install/uninstall problems? Do they add extra items to the drivers?

Being an ATI user for many years, and my last two cards being made by VisionTek, I've only used "ATI's" drivers and have never had an install/uninstall issue. Never even thought about using the VisionTek drivers. I currently have a VisionTek 4850.

SgtBaxter · Jan 26, 2009

sygnus21 said:
Are ASUS drivers really that bad in causing install/uninstall problems? Do they add extra items to the drivers?

As far as x64 goes, yes. I can't say for XP or 32 bit Vista.

The problem with the 4850's when they first came out was the heat issue, and ASUS includes "Smartdoctor" and "GamerOSD". Smartdoctor allowed you to control the fan speed on the card when others couldn't. That's why I bought the Asus card, as I bought it when the 4850 was brand new.

The problem came later trying to install the catalyst software, and uninstalling smartdoctor and gamerOSD. I could get no 3D output from the card, unless those programs were installed - because they won't uninstall properly and the asus drivers would conflict.

sygnus21 · Jan 26, 2009

Hmmm....talk about screwing up a good driver set, if that's indeed the case.

As for heating issues with the 4850, yeah I was aware of it as it was thoroughly discussed in one of the Rage3D forums, which I'm a member. It was determined that the temps (65c ish) were normal operating temps. I still have the stock fan on my card and have never had any heating issues, nor do I use the fan control incorporated in the cat drivers.

On the other hand, my 3870 gave me heating problems and had to be RMA'd. It was during that time that I bought a 4850 and have never looked back at the 3870. In fact VisionTek sent me a brand new single slot 3870 with a ZEROtherm cooler seen here, but I don't use it.

Newegg.com - VisionTek 900202 Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

At any rate I hope the OP is able to get his driver issues sorted, it's a pain when you can't get drivers to install.

bowmore · Jan 26, 2009

First thx all for taking time to help me with my problem. Followed given instructions. Problem is that next to the entry for the graphic card there are nu upper of lower entries.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}is the entry that states next to "standard" "display adaptor" (translating this from dutch so could not be exact words in English). Unfortunately there are only the values "standard" "class" "classdesc" "iconpath" "installer 32" lowerlogoversion" but no "lowerfilters" or "upperfilters" entries.
So catalyst drivers don't install in Vista 64 (they do however in XP without a problem).

This is the detail from the failure that Windows reports

robleemhandtekening:
Gebeurtenisnaam van probleem: PnPDeviceProblemCode
Architectuur: x64
Hardware-id: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9400&SUBSYS_021E1043&REV_00
GUID van Setup-klasse: {4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
PnP-probleemcode: 0000002B
Naam van stuurprogramma: atikmdag.sys
Versie van stuurprogramma: 7.1.1.849
Datum van stuurprogramma: 12-01-2008
Versie van besturingssysteem: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Landinstelling-id: 2067

sygnus21 · Jan 26, 2009

Since I'm not familiar with the registry strings SgtBaxter is talking about, you'll have to wait for his input about them. Im not fond of messing with registry strings anyway, but that's a debate for another time.

At any rate what drivers are you tryng to install, and where did you get them from?

PS - Kind of hard to read that code since it's not in english (for me) - Sorry

bowmore · Jan 26, 2009

Trying to install catalyst 8.12. I had no problems installing them on my other OS XP Home. Working perfectly there. It is just in Vista 64 they won't install. Only Asus specific drivers for Vista 64 will install and those give me a lot of problems. Well, if all don't work out I'll have to buy another card. Will not be from a manufacturer that will not allow generic drivers to be installed.

stormy13 · Jan 26, 2009

bowmore said:
Will not be from a manufacturer that will not allow generic drivers to be installed.

More a matter of like SgtBaxter said about not installing the drivers and/or apps that come on the driver disk, but just going directly to ATI (or Nvidia if one of their cards) and getting the latest drivers. Only time you would need to install the drivers from the disk is if the card is new enough that support hasn't been added to the currently available drivers.

I know it is frustrating, but hang on til SgtBaxter posts back and see what he has to say.

sygnus21 · Jan 26, 2009

See if you can install an older driver - maybe 8.11's? And try to stay away from the ASUS drivers for now.

In the meantime I'll do some digging around for you. As been said, hang in there. We'll get you up and running (hopefully)

sygnus21 · Jan 26, 2009

OK, check out these posts -
Here - Rage3D Discussion Area - View Single Post - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread
Here - Rage3D Discussion Area - View Single Post - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread
The entire thread here - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread - Rage3D Discussion Area, just in case.

bowmore · Jan 27, 2009

Ok will try the recommandation from that site. I have tried installing previous catalyst drivers. They will all install fine (without a dark screen) but after reboot I get the failure 43 as it is apparantly the wrong driver for my graphics card although it is a 2900 XT but made by Asus. Never have this problem installing in other OS. Videocard works just fine in XP Home with the catalyst 8.12 drivers.

I have 6 Gigabyte memory and further in the discussion on that link you gave me, they give the advice to only let windows use 4 Gigabyte.

Will try all tonight and report back. Thx for the patience.

sygnus21 · Jan 27, 2009

bowmore said:
after reboot I get the failure 43 as it is apparantly the wrong driver for my graphics card although it is a 2900 XT but made by Asus.

The fact that the video card is made by ASUS has no bearing on the fact that you CAN use ATI/AMD drivers. ASUS, or any other ATI card manufacturer, gets their drivers from ATI/AMD, so excuse my confusion to your meaning of "wrong" driver???

Thus you CAN use these drivers here - Drivers & Tools | GAME.AMD.COM. You can also read the release notes under “Catalyst 8.12…..” heading and look at page 3 where you will see your card listed in series (2900 series) – You have a 2900 XT

While I understand you're having a hard time getting the drivers installed, I don't understand the "wrong driver" concept.

So again, what\which driver are you trying to install???

Sorry, Just trying to help.

SgtBaxter · Jan 27, 2009

bowmore said:
So catalyst drivers don't install in Vista 64 (they do however in XP without a problem).

Catalyst does install in x64, and it works just fine as long as the Asus junk is cleared out.

Make sure you are not installing the same drivers you're installing in XP (esp if it's 32 bit XP), which it sounds like you might be doing. The drivers are different, and not interchangeable and the 32 bit drivers will not install at all.

Make sure you download and install the Vista x64 specific drivers from ATi. ->> Linky

The reason there is no entry in the registry for the video card is because it's uninstalled, and no drivers have been installed for it yet. Once the drivers are installed it will show up in the registry. However you only have to worry about the registry hack if you get the "ati driver failed to load" dialog box at startup. This is a common vista registry tweak when devices fail to load at startup.

Good luck, keep us informed!

The last resort, which I hoped to help you avoid of course is a reinstall of Vista, and then install the ATi drivers. But sounds like you're on the right track. Too bad we can't come through the website and do it for you.

Also I have read of some folks having issues with the 8.12 versions, though on the 4800 series cards. Maybe find an earlier version, like 8.09.

sygnus21 · Jan 27, 2009

sygnus21 said:
bowmore said:

after reboot I get the failure 43 as it is apparantly the wrong driver for my graphics card although it is a 2900 XT but made by Asus.

Click to expand...

... you CAN use these drivers here - Drivers & Tools | GAME.AMD.COM. You can also read the release notes under “Catalyst 8.12…..” heading and look at page 3 where you will see your card listed in series (2900 series) – You have a 2900 XT

So again, what\which driver are you trying to install???

SgtBaxter said:
bowmore said:

So catalyst drivers don't install in Vista 64 (they do however in XP without a problem).

Click to expand...

Catalyst does install in x64, and it works just fine....

Hmmm.... those statements are cause for concern

Already gave him the link for the "correct" Vista x64 (8.12) drivers. Besides...your link expired

bowmore · Jan 27, 2009

Tried everything in the book. Limiting to 4 G memory. Modifying my videocardbios so it reads like a card manufactured from ATI. Removed all ATK files in system 32 and AOWL. Installed 64 vista catalyst 8.9 8.10 8.11 812. Nothing worked. Everytime code43. Finally resorted to pulling out 2 GB of memory and left 4GB on the MB. Performed a clean install of Vista 64 SP1 and immediately put on the catalyst 8.12 drivers. This worked.
Now having all sort of troubles with the updater as he constantly fails but Im' used to that from the other installs (12 of them in total now). I keep restarting till they eventually do install.

So unplugging the 2GB maybe did the trick as I tried numerous fresh installs where the catalyst drivers weren't installed. Don't remember if I first installed them though.

Thx for all the help but what should have been a fun ride (installing a new OS) turns out to be a nightmare.

sygnus21 · Jan 27, 2009

bowmore said:
Finally resorted to pulling out 2 GB of memory and left 4GB on the MB.

So unplugging the 2GB maybe did the trick .

You know… a lot of confusion and extra steps might have been avoided if you provided your system specs as this RAM info would have been extremely useful ...especially since there’s an 8gig bug issue with the current Catalyst drivers. In fact I referenced it in earlier thread sometime ago.

As it stands right now, I still don’t know what you have for RAM, but "If" you did have more than 4gig of RAM, I certainly would have asked you to drop down to 4gig, then try to install the drivers. It may or may not have fixed your problem but that issue has been reported.

Read here - new Catalyst 8.12 Hotfix (8.561.3-081217a) - Page 2 - Rage3D Discussion Area

And here - Catalyst 8.12 + Vista64 + 3 Series + Ram = Error - Hardware Canucks

This is a perfect example of why we need system specs...and why I’m leaning towards shying away from those that don't provide them. Not having them leads to confusion, misunderstandings, and most of all, guesswork.

No disrespect to you - I should have asked/reminded you about them.

Lesson learned on both our parts.

Glad to hear you got you v-card issues sorted.

Good luck.

SgtBaxter · Jan 27, 2009

sygnus21 said:
You know… a lot of confusion and extra steps might have been avoided if you provided your system specs as this RAM info would have been extremely useful ...especially since there’s an 8gig bug issue with the current Catalyst drivers.

I wonder if this was the issue I was having with the ati driver not starting upon startup (I got the same exact error listed in that link you posted), and I simply found an easy solution to it via registry hack? I do have 8GB of RAM, however the 4 series card which they say works with 8GB.

The registry hack works like a charm. I haven't had one single hiccup since. I don't know if M$ is to blame, or ATi since what occurs behaves exactly like the Vista losing track of the CD/DVD drive bug and the fix is the same. Just blind luck I knew of that bug and the fix and figured I'd give it a try.

I'll have to register over there and post the hack and see if it works for those guys.

sygnus21 · Jan 27, 2009

SgtBaxter said:
sygnus21 said:

You know… a lot of confusion and extra steps might have been avoided if you provided your system specs as this RAM info would have been extremely useful ...especially since there’s an 8gig bug issue with the current Catalyst drivers.

Click to expand...

I wonder if this was the issue I was having with the ati driver not starting upon startup (I got the same exact error listed in that link you posted), and I simply found an easy solution to it via registry hack? I do have 8GB of RAM, however the 4 series card which they say works with 8GB.

The registry hack works like a charm. I haven't had one single hiccup since. I don't know if M$ is to blame, or ATi since what occurs behaves exactly like the Vista losing track of the CD/DVD drive bug and the fix is the same. Just blind luck I knew of that bug and the fix and figured I'd give it a try.

I'll have to register over there and post the hack and see if it works for those guys.

Yeah I remember reading about this issue in the ATI forums and could have sworn ATI put out a hotfix driver to specifically address this problem, but couldn't find it.

As to blame - that goes to ATI...remember Vista x64 is designed to take a minimum of 8gig (minimum in terms of the highest amount of RAM the lowest Version of Vista can take). LOL - Did I confuse you with that one. :D

@ bowmore - I see you did in fact mention the amount of RAM you have in one of your posts. Still need system specs though.

bowmore · Jan 28, 2009

Hello, Sygnus pointed me in the direction of the 4 GB. I have 6GB of memory in total (2x2 + 1X1). Limiting the bootup (software) to use only 4 GB didn't do the trick. Had to pull 2 GB from the MB.

It was a combination of factors. After I couldn't get the catalyst 8.12 drivers installed I installed the ASusdrivers and they obviously made matters worse. So big thx to you and Sygnus for helping me out. Posted on another forum without even one reply and you two were all over me with questions

.

You are totally correct in me having to provide more details about used hardware.

Now Vista 64 runs with all updates installed. Hopefully it will run a stable and safe environment, for that what it is bought for.

For info system specs:

Q6600 not OC
Gigabyte P35 DS 4 (rev 1.1)(latest bios)
Asus 2900XT
OCZ Platinum 1066 MHZ 2x2 GB
OCZ Platinum 800 MHZ 1x1 GB (pulled out at the moment)
Raid 5 3X 1Terra WD Black Caviar
Raid 1 2 X Samsung 166T 500GB
Ide 1x WD 150GB
Creative Labs HS 1000 USB Headset
G11 Logitech KB
MX Revolution Logitech
D-Link DWA140 Wifi
Samsung 244T

ASUS EAH 2900XT Catalyst doesn't install

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