Problem with Radeon 9700 Pro

[RobIII]

Hi!

I have a problem with LFS with my Radeon 9700 Pro.
Let me explain something first: I'm not a die-hard gamer, just the casual gamer. But I do know a bit about computers.

I have captured the problem in an AVi file (which you can see/download here (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=lfsproblem.avi)). As you can see I get a lot of "flicker" (artefacts?)


Anyone know what the problem might be? I am running the latest Catalyst (5.11) drivers:Driver Packaging Version 8.191-051028a1-027345C-ATI
CATALYST Version 05.11
Provider ATI Technologies Inc.
2D Driver Version 6.14.10.6583
Direct3D Version 6.14.10.0356
OpenGL Version 6.14.10.5469
CATALYST Control Center Version 1.2.2128.637
AIW/VIVO WDM Driver Version 6.14.10.6238
AIW/VIVO WDM SP Driver Version 6.14.10.6238

Graphics Card Manufacturer Built by ATI
Graphics Chipset RADEON 9700 PRO
Device ID 4E44
Vendor 1002

Subsystem ID 0002
Subsystem Vendor ID 1002

Bus Type AGP
Current Bus Setting AGP 8X

BIOS Version 008.003.007.000
BIOS Part Number 113-94206-101
BIOS Date 2002/08/02

Memory Size 128 MB
Memory Type DDR SGRAM / SDRAM

Core Clock in MHz 324 MHz
Memory Clock in MHz 311 MHz

Primary Display Yes
Also I'm running Windows XP, SP2 and completely updated. My system is a Pentium IV, 2.8Ghz HT / 1Gb RAM and nothing is overclocked or anything in any way. A complete system report can be viewed here (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=other&file=5449SystemReport.htm) (inc. DirectX information etc).

LFS version is LFS S2 Alpha 0.5P2. The problem occurs noth windowed and full screen, at all resolutions. I gave toggled all display and/or screen options on or off and nothing seemed to help. Also, resolutions of 640x480 (16bpp) up to 1280x960 (32bpp) didn't help avoiding this problem.

My config files look like this:

card.cfg:

Adapter Select 0
Adapter Name RADEON 9700 PRO
Use HVS 1
ZBD Select 2
Simple Track 2
Use Haze 0

interface.cfg:

Big Opacity 0.30
Big Col 5 0 0
Button Opacity 0.40
Button Col 200 200 200
Title Grey 218 255 87
Big Text 186 200 204
Text Unselected 0 0 0
Text Selected 255 255 255
Text Unavailable 114 114 111
Text String 48 166 236
Button Green 117 179 77
Button Red 210 98 32
Button Alt 180 180 30

cfg.txt:

Version 0.5P2
Start Windowed 1
First Time 0
Show FPS 1
Custom Textures 0
Allow Drop 1
Screen Clear 1
Mirror Mode 1
Clocks Internal 1
Clocks External 0
Car Colour 0
Control Type 0
Steer KB 2
Thr Brk Rate 4.00
KB Steer Rate 0.50
KB Return Rate 0.30
KB Fast Mul 2.00
KB Slow Mul 0.50
KB Limit Mul 0.80
Update Path 2
FF Steps 128
Dead Zone Off 0
Dual Axis 0
Button Clutch 1
Button Handbrake 1
FF Device 0
FF Shift Device 0
Use FF 1
STR Axis 0
CMB Axis 1
THR Axis 1
BRK Axis 2
LOOK Axis -1
LOOK P Axis -1
LOOK R Axis -1
CLUTCH Axis -1
HANDBRAKE Axis -1
SHIFT X Axis -1
SHIFT Y Axis -1
STR Invert 0
CMB Invert 0
THR Invert 0
BRK Invert 0
LOOK Invert 0
LOOK P Invert 0
LOOK R Invert 0
CLUTCH Invert 0
HANDBRAKE Invert 0
SHIFT X Invert 0
SHIFT Y Invert 0
FF Strength 80.00
Fuel Start 50
Fuel Pit 50
Tyre Limit 30
Strategy 0
MP Speedup Opt 1
Auto Get Skins 1
Instant Look 0
Steer Look 0
Steer Look Amount 1.00
Steer Look Reduce 0.00
VPG Tilt 1.00
VPG Right 0.000
VPG Forward 0.030
VPG Vertical 0.030
Camera Delay 1.00
MP Draw Dist 160.00
Dynamic Lod 0.50
Rubber Lay 0.60
Rubber Dark 0.80
Bias Mip -2.00
Sun Intensity 1.00
User LOD 1.0
Mirror LOD 0.2
Smoke LOD 1.0
Screen Info 0 60 1280 960
TrackEd Speed 131072
ModelEd Speed 65536
Editor Options 37
Screen Options 6658
Sun Colour 255 255 255
Sky High 150 160 200
Sky Low 210 210 180
Ground 100 100 100
Background 30 30 30
Back Texture 100 100 100
Split Text 200 200 200
Clock Text 200 200 200
Clock Needle 200 16 16
RGB Type 0
Driver FOV 90.00
Wide FOV 120.00
Editor FOV 60.00
Editor Soft 0.30
View Height 0.30
View Angle 0.26
View Distance 5.00
Selected Car XF GTI
Map Name Blackwood
Ply Name RobIII
Setup Name
Colours Name
Port 80 0
Auto Kick 3
Address Name 1
Server IP 0.0.0.0
Server Name
Server Port 63392
Server Pass
Game Name
Game IP auto
Game Port 63392
Game Pass
Game Admin
Language English
Find User
S1 Mode 0
Upload Bandwidth 128
Music Path
Setup Index 0
Colours Index 3
Default Lighting 0
Combined Non Linear 0.00
Wheel Turn 270.00
Turn Compensation 1.00
Mouse Non Linear 0.80
Steer Smooth 0.00
Speed Steer Reduction WM 0.00
Half Reduce Speed m/s WM 50.00
Speed Steer Reduction KB 1.00
Half Reduce Speed m/s KB 50.00
KAC_KBS_L -1 259
KAC_KBS_R -1 258
KAC_KBS_FAST -1 90
KAC_KBS_SLOW -1 88
KAC_ACCEL 0 256
KAC_BRAKE 1 257
KAC_LEFT 2 -1
KAC_RIGHT 3 69
KAC_REAR 4 82
KAC_CH_UP 5 81
KAC_CH_DOWN 6 65
KAC_CLUTCH 7 87
KAC_HANDBRAKE 8 32
KAC_HORN 9 66
KAC_FLASH 10 71
KAC_RESET 11 -1
KAC_PITSPEED 12 76
KAC_ZOOM_IN 13 53
KAC_ZOOM_OUT 14 54
KAC_REVERSE 15 -1
KAC_G1 16 -1
KAC_G2 17 -1
KAC_G3 18 -1
KAC_G4 19 -1
KAC_G5 20 -1
KAC_G6 21 -1
KAC_G7 22 -1
INFO_F9 1 0 640 480
INFO_F10 1 0 800 600
INFO_F11 1 0 1024 768
INFO_F12 1 0 1280 960
Disable Anim View 1
Driver Pos View 0
Show Names 0
Internal Show 0
Checkpoint Text 1
Shift Indicator 2
Digital Speedo 0
Virtual Pedals 1
Small Map 1
Race Start 1
Skill Level 0
Blob Size 3
Windowed Link 1
Low Res Wheels 0
No Trees 0
No Flags 0
No Rubber 0
Vol Music 10.00
Vol Car 10.00
Echo Boost 2.00
Skid Boost 2.00
Wind Boost 2.00
Sound Lag 0.20
Message Text 0.04
Car Shine 1.00
Music Channel 3
Enable Dither 1
Enable Mip Filter 1
Shadow Mode 2
Width Affects LOD 0
Use Track LOD 0
Vertical Sync 0
Lag Prevent 1
Min Frame Time 10
Game Limit FPS 1
Min Sleep 1
Half Tex Res 0
Log Messages 0
Dedicated Host 0
AI Use Ply Setup 0
AI Use Ply Colours 0
Music Setup 1
Music Game 0
Music Replay 0
SPR Auto Save 1
MPR Auto Save 1
MPR Message Block 0
Miles KM 1
PSI Bar 1
Options 10
Ed Char Size 1
Max Conns 5
Modem Type 3
Packs Per Sec 4
Cars In Race 5
Cars Per Guest 1
Cars Per Host 1
Min Skill 0
MP Rules 262143
MP Flags 35
Search Flags 0
Cars Y 0
Cars N 0
Conn To Master 1
OutSim Mode 0
OutSim Delay 1
OutSim IP 0.0.0.0
OutSim Port 0
OutSim ID 0

Can anyone enlighten me on what the problem might be? I have had these kind of problems before (other systems), and usually switching from OpenGL to DirectX (or the other way around) solved it. I cannot find a way (if possible at all) to switch LFS??

[MadCatX]

If you had this problem time ago, you might have damaged grapic card. I didn't see the AVI because I have slow connection, but I can imagine it. LFS is D3D game only, so there's no way how to select OpenGL mode. If you can, test your card in some other PC and let us know if there is a same problem. BTW, try to disable FAST-WRITES in BIOS if you know how...

[Stellios]

The video wont play on my PC, but by the sounds of it you have a borked GFX card. Are you getting squares or trangles in the way of atrifacts, or something else?

[SparkyDave]

Hi Rob I cant get the avi to show either maybe post a screenshot ?

is LFS the only game you get this in ? is this prob always there or only after playing for a time ?

try the other connection on your card (you may have to use the dongle) this will rule out a dogey ramdac .

have you tried using an older driver ?

SD.

[dUmAsS]

video wont load for me so here goes...

is it flickering of the actual screen or flickering of textures in 3D space. if its the later then its a driver isue (started happening with latest drivers), turn af all the way up helps reduce it

[P5YcHoM4N]

Hmmm, if your volt sensors are correct.

+12V Voltage 15.50V

That's a 3v overvolt down your 12v rail. That's bad. The card uses the 12v, so that means your card is drawing a lot of power.

What PSU have you got in there? It sounds to me like that's the source of your problem.

[edit: Just watched the video. It looks like an artifact from OC'ing. But as your card is bone stock. Try a different card, or try a different PSU. My cash is on one of those.]

[edit two: It could also be the card is getting toasty, as artifacts only show up when the card starts to get warm. If you have stock cooling try cleaning it.]

[wildwilly]

i have the same card and i also got that problem with the 5.11 drivers in many games. I just put on older drivers and that fixed the problem. I think im using 5.9 atm.

[P5YcHoM4N]

I am using cat 5.10 with my 9700pro, and no problems. I might check out the 5.11's see if they cause the same problem on here.

[RobIII]

@MadCatX: Is this "Fast-writes" a BIOS setting? Or ATI-software setting?

@Stellios, SparkyDave, dUmAsS: I guesss the problem would be the codec I used. I could point you to the correct codec (http://www.techsmith.com/products/studio/codec.asp), but I have converted the .avi to .mpg so it should show (http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=video&file=lfsproblem.mpg) at your computers now.

I am not experiencing this problem with other games, just LFS2.

@P5YcHoM4N: My guees is that the "voltage problem" is just a bug/glitch in the software, my BIOS is showing a nice voltage closely around 12V.
About trying 5.11: Keep me posted! I am curious.

The problem occurred with a 4.XX version of the ATI drivers, so I upgraded to 5.11 to see if it helped. It didn't. I could try older drivers... But I would like to know if there may be another way to fix it? (Is it even possible to switch from/to DirectX/OpenGL for LFS2?)

[P5YcHoM4N]

@P5YcHoM4N: My guees is that the "voltage problem" is just a bug/glitch in the software, my BIOS is showing a nice voltage closely around 12V.
About trying 5.11: Keep me posted! I am curious.
That program takes the readings from the same places BIOS does. But running voltages and temps are different to in BIOS. The best way to check would be with a voltmeter. Though most people would just say loan a friends PSU and try that.

5.11v is in the ballpark. Most people I talked to about PSU rails said -/+ 5-15% and there shouldn't be any problems. Though it does depend on the PSU.

From memory the game is made in DirectX, so no. There is no option to change to OpenGL.

[MadCatX]

@MadCatX: Is this "Fast-writes" a BIOS setting? Or ATI-software setting?

Yup, FW is BIOS setting:nod:, you should be able to find it there. But I think the ATI-SmartGart can disable them too. As many people beforme me said, try to downgrade your drivers.

Also trz to download program called "MotherBoard monitor", it can check a lot of things about your MoBo. 15.50V is HIGH!!! voltage which can pretty damage your card... so check the voltage by MotherBoard Monitor to get correct information.