ATI Driver and Vista x64 Problems

Dragonsfang · Jan 20, 2009

Hi guys, here is my problem, I and several other guys who have an ATI Radeon 4870 X2 card and running the 64 bit Vista are having issues when running this game. Maybe I should have put this in the gaming section, but I believe it might be a driver incompatibility error and not the game error. While playing Call of Duty 5 I get this lag spike every five seconds while playing. When I had Windows XP 32 bit installed on this same computer the game ran fine. Other people running this game with different video cards and Vista 64 do not have any problems. I uninstalled and reinstalled Vista twice and I am still the same problem. Again, other people are having the same problem. I don't know if it is the 64 bit ATI drivers or the 64 bit Vista. All drivers and DirectX are updated. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Core i7 965
Asus P6T Deluxe
Corsair XM3 DDR3 1600 - 6 gigs
ATI Radeon Sapphire 4870X2
Western Digital Raptor Drives - 2 / 75 gigs in Raid 0
Silvertone 1000 Watt PSU

sygnus21 · Jan 21, 2009

Try running another game to see if you still have issues. And Which drivers are you using? You may need to try other drivers.

Let me know.

Nice system BTW. I'm jealous

MrNeeds · Jan 21, 2009

Dragonsfang said:
Hi guys, here is my problem, I and several other guys who have an ATI Radeon 4870 X2 card and running the 64 bit Vista are having issues when running this game. Maybe I should have put this in the gaming section, but I believe it might be a driver incompatibility error and not the game error. While playing Call of Duty 5 I get this lag spike every five seconds while playing. When I had Windows XP 32 bit installed on this same computer the game ran fine. Other people running this game with different video cards and Vista 64 do not have any problems. I uninstalled and reinstalled Vista twice and I am still the same problem. Again, other people are having the same problem. I don't know if it is the 64 bit ATI drivers or the 64 bit Vista. All drivers and DirectX are updated. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Core i7 965
Asus P6T Deluxe
Corsair XM3 DDR3 1600 - 6 gigs
ATI Radeon Sapphire 4870X2
Western Digital Raptor Drives - 2 / 75 gigs in Raid 0
Silvertone 1000 Watt PSU

i have the same issue, but only when online and respawning, i didnt really notice it at first until i played it with a few friends on a custom server.
i dont see it as a problem, but its not that noticable, in responce to your issue of lag spikes all the time, the solution is to run your hard drives in a non raid environment, raid is designed for 4+ hard drives in a server, or solid state drives.

Dragonsfang · Jan 21, 2009

Actually, MrNeeds my is doing the same thing as yours, it is only online, which you would think it would be a server issue, but it does not do it in Windows XP, that's why I believe it is a driver issue. It only happens in this game. My other game Call of Duty 4 just crashes, which does not happen in Windows XP. Thanks again for any help.

sygnus21 · Jan 21, 2009

Have you tried switching drivers?

Dragonsfang · Jan 21, 2009

I downloaded the 8.11 drivers from ATI, uninstalled the 8.12 drivers and tried installing the 8.11 drivers, which totally screwed up my computer to the point that I had to use system restore to get it to work properly again. I am not sure what happened to the 8.11 drivers, but they didn't install even though the installer said installation completed. So, I restarted my computer and I get an error message telling me that I did not have any video card drivers. The ATI Catalyst Control Center showed up on my program list, but it wouldn't start either. So, I tried to re-installed them again and nothing happened. So, I tried to uninstall the 8.11 drivers and the CCC, but the removal program couldn't find them even though I could see the folders with programs in them. So, I just system restored to get rid of the registry entries (I hope) and deleted the program files. Re-installed the 8.12 drivers and it works just the same, laggy. I am not sure why the 8.11 drivers didn't work. That is another mystery.

sygnus21 · Jan 21, 2009

To uninstall ATI's drivers do this

1- Go to Control Panel
2- Programs and Features
3- Click on Catalyst Install Manager
4- Click Next
5- Choose Uninstall Manager
6- Choose Custom and click next
7- Choose items to uninstall and click next.

Additional steps "before rebooting":

8- Go to either your "C" drive or Program Files and delete the "ATI" folder containing the current drivers. Do Not Delete any other folder! The current driver set will look something like image:

9- Reboot and cancel any driver installs
10- Install new drivers.

I've had no problems using this procedure to removing any ATI drivers under Vista or Vista x64, and in fact the additional steps aren't necessary, just something I like to do.

I will also add that I don't use 3rd party driver removers like "Drive Cleaner" as I feel they do more harm than good. My opinion.

Good luck

smarteyeball · Jan 21, 2009

MrNeeds said:
raid is designed for 4+ hard drives in a server, or solid state drives.

hmm, not quite true. Essentially RAID is designed to allow multiple HDD's (2+) to act as one drive. The use of RAID arrays aren't limited to just servers and RAID was around before SSD's.

Obviously more HDD's in an array is optimal and even better if they are SSD

MrNeeds · Jan 22, 2009

smarteyeball said:
MrNeeds said:

raid is designed for 4+ hard drives in a server, or solid state drives.

Click to expand...

hmm, not quite true. Essentially RAID is designed to allow multiple HDD's (2+) to act as one drive. The use of RAID arrays aren't limited to just servers and RAID was around before SSD's.

Obviously more HDD's in an array is optimal and even better if they are SSD

just trying to get the point across that raid is useless in a home system unless you plan on using it as a server, plus raid is virtually impossible to back up if your system fails unless you have another raid system in your house

Dragonsfang · Jan 22, 2009

First I would like to say thanks for taking time out to help sygnus21, I do appreciate it.
As for the uninstaller, I couldn't even get to the screen, which gave me the option to delete the drivers even though both times I tried installing the Catalyst Control Center I got the message saying it was installed. I would click on the icon and nothing would happen, except for the error message telling me over and over again that I did not have any graphics drivers installed, even though the installer said it was installed. Since I couldn't uninstall it I had to use system restore, which is part of Vista, to reset the computer back to where it was before I installed the drivers, even back to when the original drivers were install and everything works the same as it did before I tried the new (old) drivers. But, system restore will leave the program folder on the hard drive without out any of the registry's to connect it to Vista. I don't use second party uninstallers either, Vista's system restore works just fine if I can't uninstall something. Unfortunately, I still have the same old lag problem as before. I will try to install the older drivers again later this weekend, after I download them from another website, although these were direct from ATI, maybe something got corrupted on the download. Again, thanks for your time Sygnus21.

As for the raid, it is a proven fact that two hard drives, especially Raptor drives, in Raid 0 are faster than any single hard drive out there and when you are gaming speed is everything. As for the the information on a raid system, I believe it is the same information that is on a single hard drive. I have Windows Home Server, which is not raid capable, and it backs up all my information from both of my computers. I have an XP machine and a Vista machine and both have Raid 0 hard drives and I have had to use the Windows Home Server back-up before and I was able to use all of the backed-up files on a single drive machine. Also, all my information can be seen, accessed and used through Windows Home Server from my wife's computer, which is a single drive XP machine too. So, it is just my guess that information on Raid systems and regular hard drives are the same, but it is just a guess.

MrNeeds · Jan 22, 2009

Dragonsfang said:
First I would like to say thanks for taking time out to help sygnus21, I do appreciate it.
As for the uninstaller, I couldn't even get to the screen, which gave me the option to delete the drivers even though both times I tried installing the Catalyst Control Center I got the message saying it was installed. I would click on the icon and nothing would happen, except for the error message telling me over and over again that I did not have any graphics drivers installed, even though the installer said it was installed. Since I couldn't uninstall it I had to use system restore, which is part of Vista, to reset the computer back to where it was before I installed the drivers, even back to when the original drivers were install and everything works the same as it did before I tried the new (old) drivers. But, system restore will leave the program folder on the hard drive without out any of the registry's to connect it to Vista. I don't use second party uninstallers either, Vista's system restore works just fine if I can't uninstall something. Unfortunately, I still have the same old lag problem as before. I will try to install the older drivers again later this weekend, after I download them from another website, although these were direct from ATI, maybe something got corrupted on the download. Again, thanks for your time Sygnus21.

As for the raid, it is a proven fact that two hard drives, especially Raptor drives, in Raid 0 are faster than any single hard drive out there and when you are gaming speed is everything. As for the the information on a raid system, I believe it is the same information that is on a single hard drive. I have Windows Home Server, which is not raid capable, and it backs up all my information from both of my computers. I have an XP machine and a Vista machine and both have Raid 0 hard drives and I have had to use the Windows Home Server back-up before and I was able to use all of the backed-up files on a single drive machine. Also, all my information can be seen, accessed and used through Windows Home Server from my wife's computer, which is a single drive XP machine too. So, it is just my guess that information on Raid systems and regular hard drives are the same, but it is just a guess.

i have had some experience with RAID, i mainly use my computer for diagnostic purposes and getting access to a RAID drive without formatting is impossible, and i dont know where you get your information from about RAID being faster, its not, its working off the same connections with SataII, it's only faster if its compared to IDE with the old RAID interface, I have used RAID once and my system was slow and non responsive compared to SataII, so theres no advantage to using RAID on a home built gaming system.

sygnus21 · Jan 22, 2009

DO NOT GET THE DRIVERS FROM ANYONE OTHER THEN ATI!

Now, if you're still having problems getting the drivers to uninstall/install try this:

1- Go to device manager and right click on your video card
2- Click uninstall and make sure the box "Delete the driver software for this device" is checked.

3- Before rebooting, look for the folder I spoke of and delete it. Remember, it's either going to be located on "C" drive or in "Program Files". My 8.12 drivers installed on "C" drive and look like this:

9698d1232577430-ati-driver-vista-x64-problems-ati-current-drivers.jpg

If you can't find them then you probably don't have drivers installed.

Reboot and try installing drivers. Note that you might have to reboot once more before the system will let you install the drivers, that's OK. Just reboot and try again. It should work.

If not look here for some solutions - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread - Rage3D Discussion Area. Note that this thread deals with 8.12's only. This forum is also a good place to go for all things ATI. I'm also a member there as well.

Good luck

SgtBaxter · Jan 23, 2009

sygnus21 said:
DO NOT GET THE DRIVERS FROM ANYONE OTHER THEN ATI!

Hell yes, especially if the drivers come from ASUS!

sygnus21 said:
Now, if you're still having problems getting the drivers to uninstall/install try this:

1- Go to device manager and right click on your video card
2- Click uninstall and make sure the box "Delete the driver software for this device" is checked.

I would also suggest going into System32, System32/Drivers, and SysWOW64 to look for the drivers (they'll begin of course with ati). Even after checking delete driver software, the drivers often remain in those folders.

Another recommendation I have since I see he has an ASUS motherboard, is when in device manager also uninstall any ASUS devices. I had conflicts with the motherboard drivers on my P5Q Deluxe. I believe these devices are for APIC functions, but Vista has it's own. Once I removed those devices the computer runs much better. If he notices any trouble uninstalling those drivers, they could always be reinstalled.

sygnus21 · Jan 23, 2009

SgtBaxter said:
sygnus21 said:

DO NOT GET THE DRIVERS FROM ANYONE OTHER THEN ATI!

Click to expand...

Hell yes, especially if the drivers come from ASUS!

.

I'm not sure what you mean with the above statement, but I should have added ...OR THE CARD MANUFACTURER.

My point is to get safe reliable drivers from reliable sources (as in safe to download and use)....not wwwjoeblow i got drivers for you.com. :mad:

Whatever you may think about the card manufacturer's driver is another matter altogether.

Everlong · Jan 23, 2009

sygnus21 said:
DO NOT GET THE DRIVERS FROM ANYONE OTHER THEN ATI!

Now, if you're still having problems getting the drivers to uninstall/install try this:

1- Go to device manager and right click on your video card
2- Click uninstall and make sure the box "Delete the driver software for this device" is checked.

View attachment 9709

3- Before rebooting, look for the folder I spoke of and delete it. Remember, it's either going to be located on "C" drive or in "Program Files". My 8.12 drivers installed on "C" drive and look like this:

If you can't find them then you probably don't have drivers installed.

Reboot and try installing drivers. Note that you might have to reboot once more before the system will let you install the drivers, that's OK. Just reboot and try again. It should work.

If not look here for some solutions - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread - Rage3D Discussion Area. Note that this thread deals with 8.12's only. This forum is also a good place to go for all things ATI. I'm also a member there as well.

Good luck

Instead of going folder hunting, wouldn't it just be easier to use driver sweeper and search for elements of ATI driver files that are still on the PC?

sygnus21 · Jan 23, 2009

Everlong18 said:
sygnus21 said:

DO NOT GET THE DRIVERS FROM ANYONE OTHER THEN ATI!

Now, if you're still having problems getting the drivers to uninstall/install try this:

1- Go to device manager and right click on your video card
2- Click uninstall and make sure the box "Delete the driver software for this device" is checked.

View attachment 9709

3- Before rebooting, look for the folder I spoke of and delete it. Remember, it's either going to be located on "C" drive or in "Program Files". My 8.12 drivers installed on "C" drive and look like this:

If you can't find them then you probably don't have drivers installed.

Reboot and try installing drivers. Note that you might have to reboot once more before the system will let you install the drivers, that's OK. Just reboot and try again. It should work.

If not look here for some solutions - Catalyst 8.12 Discussion Thread - Rage3D Discussion Area. Note that this thread deals with 8.12's only. This forum is also a good place to go for all things ATI. I'm also a member there as well.

Good luck

Click to expand...

Instead of going folder hunting, wouldn't it just be easier to use driver sweeper and search for elements of ATI driver files that are still on the PC?

I notice you like debating everything I say, but if you read the entire thread, you would have seen that I warned against using a drive cleaner, I also stated that the procedures I use, and a great many other ATI users, and ATI, who actually wrote the procedures, not including the folder deletion, which I stated wasn't necessary, works.

In my next post, the one you quoted, I say again to look for the folder and delete it, but that if the folder wasn't there, the drivers probably weren't installed. Thus looking for the folder serves another purpose! Let's see if this works before criticizing it.

And Debating just to debate suits no one.

Later.

Everlong · Jan 23, 2009

I don't debate for the sake of it, I just didn't read the whole thread as I only came on for a few mins before I had to go out. And it was only a simple question.

And from using driver sweeper myself for quite a while, I've never had any problems with it. Drivers have always worked fine after I've used it. And the majority of other people I've seen who list steps in installing drivers have always mentioned a driver sweep.

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