ati2mtag: "CRT invalid display type"

LongShot Freeman · Jun 29, 2008, 02:37 PM

Got a HP b2040br:
Pentium D915 (2.8Ghz) /1GB / ATI Radeon X200 (128mb) / WIN XP - SP3
Samsung 17" - 740n
Also recently reformated the computer...so its up to date on all drivers inc. Screen.

Evry time i try and play a espcific game (Lineage II - Kamael) it just goes into a reboot, done evrything i could witht he drivers and the game... (used to play Lineage II - C5 previous version to Kamael)

So from the computer log i know itas the video card as shows bellow:

Error from system log: ati2mtag (CRT invalid display type)

The problem whats the solution... really have ran out of ideas...

O. B. Server · Jul 5, 2008, 06:17 AM

Hi,

I just registered to inform a strange pattern when this "CRT invalid display type" event happens in my PC.

I get the ati2mtag event EVERY TIME just couple of seconds (1-4) before I get this event:

Code:

Event Type:	Information
Event Source:	Service Control Manager
Event Category:	None
Event ID:	7036
Date:		5.7.2008
Time:		12:50:28
User:		N/A
Computer:	WINGS
Description:
The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service entered the running state.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Really strange. I have 84 events currently in my System event viewer from the past 3 weeks. Only one reboot. About 90% of the events are the above WIA or the mysterious ati2mtag error.

I can't understand what these two got in common, but clearly these are related. I hope this information gets spread out and one genious would have a "slap in the forehead" moment.. and our ati2mtag errors would be history.

Amanai · Jul 6, 2008, 03:45 PM

I have the same error. here are the details;

Event Type: Error
Event Source: ati2mtag
Event Category: CRT
Event ID: 45062
Date: 7/6/2008
Time: 1:27:47 PM
User: N/A
Computer: Z4779
Description:
CRT invalid display type

I think I've come to realize that it could possibly be linked to widescreens that use ATI products. I have the same exact video card, with the same resolution, with the same drivers in another comp, and it has never restarted or froze in any game. On my other computer, I have a 19' monitor, none widescreen. So does anyone think that the error could be that since it's a weird size on this computer, it could possibly be conflicting with in game graphics? Since it only does mostly in mmorpgs. I have a westington house 22` widescreen.

pkruppert · Jul 13, 2008, 11:07 AM

I have this oft-quoted problem with CRT invalid display type. I've looked through numerous forums, made numerour changes, and have yet to find a solution that sticks. I'm assuming this issue, though old as it may be, is unresolvable. Interestingly, however, this crashing/restarting issue does not only occur during games (FSW: Ten Hammers in the most recent case,) but also when the computer boots up again... Also, I have a wide-screen LCD monitor, which may have something to do with the situation, as I've read.

Anyway...seems to me this is a problem of multiple working components unable to work together. Wish I could have forcasted this issue before spending the $500 or so on my widescreen LCD monitor and ATI Radeon X800 GTO...

Any new status on this issue?

Amanai · Jul 15, 2008, 10:22 PM

The problem is linked to the ATI card. It's a problem that they've been working on for almost 2 years. It has to do with the new catalyst program and wide screens. Just go and buy a geforce. It'll save you time and also a head ache.

O. B. Server · Jul 16, 2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanai

The problem is linked to the ATI card. It's a problem that they've been working on for almost 2 years. It has to do with the new catalyst program and wide screens. Just go and buy a geforce. It'll save you time and also a head ache.

Do you mean the CCC (Catalyst control center)? If yes, I say bullshit. I haven't used that since I first tried it out when it came out (piece of shit program).. I only use the driver. AND, I don't have wide screen display!

I don't experience any crashes, I only get the "ati2mtag error" in my Event viewer. And the error occurs almost every time (99,99%) just seconds before Event viewer gets the following entry: "The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service entered the running state."

That's pretty strange coincidence don't you think? They MUST be related.. it's so consistent.

alpha_omega · Jul 17, 2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O. B. Server

That's pretty strange coincidence don't you think? They MUST be related.. it's so consistent.

Highly unlikely. Disable the WIA service, reboot and see what happens.
I bet the ati2mtag error's gonna pop up again...

mrjking · Jul 18, 2008, 03:04 AM

I bought a Dell refurbished with an ATI Radeon 1900x card. I only bought NVDIA in the past. I have had nothing but problems with it. The images on all the Half Life II's episodes would spin often, same with Bioshock, then I played a game called Overclocked which crashed 3 times - a game.exe error and then I played Culpta Innata and it literally crashes all the time even with their own patch. It plays perfectly on my other PC with an older NVDIA card. My event log shows the famous ati2mtag error. I called Dell since it came with it and they reloaded the Chipsets, Bios (I had heard this could be a conflict with the Motherboard), and ATI drivers. I worked with them three times. It actually worked for 3 days- no errors etc and then it reverted back to the same behavior. I am running

Dell XPS 400 Desktop
Daewoo 17 inch flat panel
Pentium D 940 Dual Core
Windows XP Media Edition
Extreme High Fi Soundblaster card
ATI 1900 card
Catalyst 8.6

I have read a lot all over about this and it looks like it is a terminal case. My biggest problem is whether to sink $500 into a high end NVDIA card or to get a console as I am rather fed up with PC games and these types of problems. ATI blames Dell, Dell blames ATI. Go figure.

Any other ideas? Thanks

Amanai · Jul 20, 2008, 02:12 PM

You don't need to buy a high end NVdia card. go buy like a cheap 512mb pny and you'll be set. AGP, AGP Slot Card, AGP Video Cards, 4x 8x AGP Graphic Cards at TigerDirect.com

go there and get the 49.99 one. It's a nice card for super cheap. ATI is just crap.

alpha_omega · Jul 21, 2008, 01:51 PM

Finally fixed after 12 months with the 8.7 CATs...

inshead · Jul 21, 2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha_omega

Finally fixed after 12 months with the 8.7 CATs...

Did they just recently come out with the 8.7s? I have been having this similar problem, same error occuring more frequently lately, have attempted different monitors, keyboards and mice and just last week updated to the 8.6 drivers that still didnt work.

Ive heard that the problem began after 6.6 or 6.8 update.

wangyunphat · Jul 21, 2008, 09:41 PM

i just tried 8.7 on my x800xt aiw but it didn't work..

CPU: P4 2.66ghz
gra: x800xt aiw
driver: cat 8.7
os: win xp sp2
display: scaleoview L19W-2 19" widescreen
board: gigabyte ga 8ik1100 rev.1 +F13

inshead · Jul 21, 2008, 09:56 PM

I will try the 8.7 update tomorrow and repost with my results.

wangyunphat · Jul 22, 2008, 12:49 PM

ok,i think i just solved the problem with my graphics card. it wasn't the fault of the catalyst driver but the overheating.i checked my fan and heat sink and took out a couple dust bunnies. the heat dropped from 63°c to 45°c and in game 105,2°c (max temp, where i got the error) to 76°c

alpha_omega · Jul 23, 2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wangyunphat

ok,i think i just solved the problem with my graphics card. it wasn't the fault of the catalyst driver but the overheating.i checked my fan and heat sink and took out a couple dust bunnies. the heat dropped from 63°c to 45°c and in game 105,2°c (max temp, where i got the error) to 76°c

Hint: Remove the cover plate of the cooler. That way the dust can't collect itself and block the airflow.

vanburner · Jul 24, 2008, 06:49 PM

Installed the 8.7 package last night.

So far only had 1 freeze then a refresh which is better than a freeze & must reboot. Usually have 1/2 dozen a freeze & must reboot a day.

No error message w/ 8.7

The error message I use to get was -

ati2mag

CRT invalid display type

Driver Packaging Version 8.512-080703a-066900C-ATI
Catalyst® Version 08.7
Provider ATI Technologies Inc.
2D Driver Version 6.14.10.6833
2D Driver File Path System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Video/{CE4C4226-334F-48F4-9145-8606A1A2D4B2}/0000
Direct3D Version 6.14.10.0597
OpenGL Version 6.14.10.7769
Catalyst® Control Center Version 2008.0703.2236.38526
AIW/VIVO WDM Driver Version 6.14.10.6238
AIW/VIVO WDM SP Driver Version 6.14.10.6238

Sduibek · Sep 12, 2008, 12:19 PM

Hello,

So I know we have the workaround. Based on some info above, it appears as though this was resolved in the latest Catalyst driver(s) build. Can anyone confirm this? Getting a response from the ATI gentleman above on this would be grand

Also, I am wondering if he received my SysInfo file? I never heard back on that. CATALYSTCATCHER , please let us know if you see this post.

Thanks!

EDIT-- I would like to mention that I don't think this has anything to do with any crashes, hangs, Windows errors, etc., that you may be experiencing. I have been receiving this message in Event Viewer for almost a year, and I have not noticed any correlation between this and actual problems or failures with games or apps. Please follow standard Windows gfx troubleshooting, followed by troubleshooting for the specific game in question. As CATALYSTCATCHER said, this error is a red herring and it is very unlikely to be causing your woes. Don't point the finger at a harmless error report to blame for your faulty system or faulty setup

Best of luck in resolving those failures.

Also, saying you will be switching to Nvidia/GeForce over this message, or other failures, is flat-out ridiculous. I am by no means an ATI fanboy, but I think using your head and troubleshooting without flipping out like a baby is effective in these situations. Don't blame ATI for your lack of computer knowledge and troubleshooting knowledge, and/or a lack of understanding of the situation WRT hardware and software issues. Thank you.

*CATALYSTCATCHER* · Sep 12, 2008, 12:49 PM

[quote=Sduibek;1178205]Hello,

Getting a response from the ATI gentleman above on this would be grand

Also, I am wondering if he received my SysInfo file? I never heard back on that. CATALYSTCATCHER , please let us know if you see this post.
quote]

I think it may be fixed. Although, I am not sure. During my investigation I quizzed the developer on exactly what the message meant. Nobody seemed to know but it was definately a CRT type thing. They also told me that some newer VBIOS should prevent the message but wern't certain if there were updated bios for all cards affected.

Unfortunately this all took place in an email thread and my final comment was, "if we don't know what it means, why don't we just turn it off". I did not get an answer but I think they may have heard me and scheduled a low priority action.

It would be nice if a few others could confirm that 8.7 seems to fix the problem. I would also like to re-iterate, that the message was a nuisance but not certainly not valid. Although it seems "wangyunphat" found (and fixed) a way to invoke the message that would indicate that a GPU failure or instability may be the real source of the message for some.

Sorry I don't recall if I got a sysinfo file. however I have a vague feeling that is what prompted me to quizz a developer on the meaning of the message. (You know , when everything looks fine, you want to know why a message is being logged.) But I guess that sums up the feeling of anyone here :-) Sorry. Sometimes stuff slips thru.