Problem with my mobility radeon 9700

azn1963 · Dec 10, 2004, 01:13 AM

While playing the old 2d version of Worms like 2 days ago, my computer suddenly decided to die on me. I tried restarting but windows apparently was messed up, therefore I tried reinstalling windows. That worked until I installed the display drivers(omega 4.12beta), which caused my windows to either load and get all glitchy(lines across screen, text messed up) then restart, or just not load. I thought it was a virus at first, but after various tests I decided that it was not the case, so, as a last resort I reformatted my HD. Now, same problem again, even after reformatting. I'm starting to think that the video card is fried or something, since windows will work if I uninstall the display adapter, but no version of catalyst will work for me(I've tried omega 4.12 beta, 4.8 modded, and stock drivers.

If anyone could provide me with some insight to my problem, it would be greatly appreciated!

swimtech · Dec 12, 2004, 12:15 PM

Now that you have reformatted and installed Windows and drivers for your laptops components as necessary, try using the manufacturer's latest video driver for your laptop and see how that does. Be sure to uninstall any driver (and Control Panel software) that shows ATI in the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel, and any ATI named Display Adapter from the Hardware list of the System Control Panel.

If your manufacturer's driver works ok, your hardware is fine and you can re-embark on the adventure of installing an Omegadriver or other modded driver of your choice.

I suspect that when your "computer started to die" on you Windows was somehow corrupted at that moment or your hard drive may have been experiencing a problem. Formatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows should have taken care of any corrupt files.

azn1963 · Dec 14, 2004, 02:35 PM

I've already tried using the drivers that my computer came with, the manufacturer's drivers as u call them, and it doesn't seem to help.

swimtech · Dec 14, 2004, 05:08 PM

To isolate the problem, try restoring the original software/OS that came with your laptop - or a clean installation of Windows - and only the stock/manufacturer's version of the video driver and see if it still gives problems.

If you aren't very thorough about uninstalling previous video drivers you can have problems that look like a hardware failure but really are not. I suspect you tried to install a modded driver before the original stock driver on your last reformat and are having a software conflict.

What make and model of laptop is it, what video chip is in it, and how old is the unit?

azn1963 · Dec 14, 2004, 07:45 PM

I'm pretty sure that I thoroughly uninstalled everything that I was supposed to, and I also ran drivercleaner as well to make sure everything was gone. But, I'll try anyways.

My laptop is a CL56, with mobility radeon 9700 128 mb, 1gig of ram, 1.7 ghz pentium m. It's around 4.5 months old, I ordered it at the end of July.

swimtech · Dec 15, 2004, 08:16 AM

I just checked at Fosa's site this am. Looks like you can't download the latest drivers for your unit - it must be really new...

If a clean install of the OS and stock video driver (no doubt supplied with your laptop) doesn't solve your problem I would highly recommend contacting Fosa for warranty service.

azn1963 · Dec 15, 2004, 03:47 PM

FOSA? CL56's are made by a Taiwan company named Compal. I ordered mine from a small company by the name of RJTech. I already sent them an email with my problem and will probably have to send this laptop back to get it fixed.

swimtech · Dec 15, 2004, 05:25 PM

Sorry for the confusion, I did a Google search with the model CL56 you provided and it came up with Fosa in the first couple hits. You didn't mention the name of the company so I did what I could...

Glad to hear you were able to contact the company and get a reply - and glad it's still under warranty.