Vista - Start up Graphics Glitch 4850

Error on startup


After a period of time


Having scoured several topics in relation to this issue, I am still none the wiser and like many pledging for some guidance, I thought it best to post here.

Some quick Background Info;

I made this computer using my old Powersupply ( Jeantech 500W) and Harddrive. I had previously used the graphics card in my old setup and had no issues. This was XP, different motherboard, processor etc. I formatted the Harddrive and installed Windows 64bit and installed all the new parts.

Drivers are all up to date except the motherboard. (Of which the CD couldn't be detected)

Specs;

Powersupply: Jeantech 500w
Motherboard: Asus P5Q SE plus
Graphics Card: Sapphire 4850 512mb
Ram: 4GB
Processor: Intel Q6600

The Issue;

When I turn on my computer, at the login screen I receive small blocks of colour that do not match the screens intended picture. On the log in screen this is normally minimal, but on my main desktop this will nearly cover the screen intermitantly. Sounds bad? But it will either fix itself in time with the "Windows has recovered the driver Atiamtag" Or, I pop open the Chess program and on load up this clears the issue.

It seems the issue is prior to the graphics card starting?

Old Issue I resolved;

I use to receive this problem AND my graphics would occasionally blackscreen for a second and say ATIAMTAG has recovered. I disabled the ATI Control Center and this has fixed this issue. (Except on startup if I don't load chess!). This has been the only working solution I could find online.

What I think
I think it's a mobo issue, however I can't think why it would be this? The motherboard works perfectly fine in all other aspects and I'm pleased with my computer as a whole. This is a small inconvience but is preventing me from overclocking my Q6600 to a higher clock speed. I am however elsewise out of ideas and how to tackle this issue.

Any help would be appreciated!

(Yes, I've uninstalled and reinstalled the graphics drivers several times whilst attempting to fix the old graphics driver issue!)

Did you try grabbing the chipset drivers from the asus site?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

Thanks for the idea, I had looked at that part and wasn't sure which option I should be looking for. Having just updated it, still no luck as the issue remains.

Hey There,

It is definatly not your power supply. I have the same exact card by HIS and it works fine. There have been some problems with there catalyst due to Vista. Go to ati and grab the drivers for the 4800 series. Make sure it is only the display driver and not the catalyst. When its done downloading run the extraction and then close out of the install. then type devmgmt.msc (Device Manager) and right click the graphics card and hit update. Once you hit update set the search for C: --ATI---SUPPORT--- 9.1--- and let it update the drivers. If it says it cant find the driver or it is up to date already back out the directory to support and try again. This process install will take about three miutes. If the problem still happens we know its not the driver. then check you catalyst, make sure it isnt overclocked and the temps are good and then post back your results.

Also, you mentioned it loading at windows and eventually going away, I will bet money it is simply a bad driver, especially with the older driver bugs

I've dried the June 08 Driver and Currently I'm on the Dec 08 Driver, unfortunately the Jan 09 driver isn't working at the moment, so I've had to go back to the Dec 08 driver. Will fully check this out tomorrow. Any other ideas?

Can you please give me info as to what you mean when you say that it is not working?

There is also an alternate install method if by not working you mean the driver isn't installing by opening an elevated command prompt and changing the directory to the extraction location which is normally by default C:/ATI/SUPPORT9.1 vista32/driver (check the exact spelling and directories though.) then once you use cd to change the directory type setup.exe and it will install through command prompt flawlessly.

At least if you have the latest driver I can help you further if the driver doesn't fix it. I have a feeling though you may have an IRQ conflict. One step at a time.

Sorry, I'd been rushed as of when I wrote the last reply.

I'll write as to what I meant by not working; I used different methods to do this, I started with;

Method 1) Using ATI latest driver;

1) Uninstalled ATI driver

2) Installed ATI driver
This went through the installation, except at the end it did not ask me to restart. I therefore restarted and it came up with the error from Windows saying;

"Display driver had not installed properlly."

Method 2) Using ATI latest driver;

1) Uninstalled ATI driver

2) Installed ATI driver
This went through the installation, except at the end it did not ask me to restart. I therefore restarted and it came up with the error from Windows saying;

"Display driver had not installed properlly."

Method 3) Using ATI latest driver;

1) Uninstalled ATI driver via Device Manager

2) Installed ATI driver
This went through the installation, except at the end it did not ask me to restart. I therefore restarted and it came up with the error from Windows saying;

"Display driver had not installed properlly."

Method 4) Using ATI latest driver;

1) Uninstalled ATI driver via Device Manager

2) Used Driver Cleaner

3) Installed via Device manager to search for the latest driver online
This searched online and found the June 08 driver.

Method 5) Using ATI latest driver;

1) Uninstalled ATI driver via Device Manager

2) Used Driver Cleaner

3) Installed via Device manager to search for the latest driver manually to the location of the newest driver folder
This came back with no driver found in this location.


Whilst doing these it has however lead to my issue being solved, but it could be a blimp.

Did you try to use the command prompt method?

This method will definatly put you to the latest version and it should verify it never happens again.

Sorry, I'm unfamiliar with the command prompt method. I've had a quick look online but to no avail. On a good note the main issue has still hidden itself. I may have by accident sorted this issue during uninstalls / installs.

I am still curious as to the command prompt method, if it would set me up for the latest driver.

Thanks for helping me so far TheWiz.