Radeon 9800 graphics problem

G

geraldhyder

New Member
My 13-year old son has had increasing problems with the graphics on his games to the extent that they are unplayable. This started a month or so ago for no obvious reason. It starts with small flashes on the screen after the game has been playing for a minute or two. This develops into a line of dots beneath the cursor, then to increasing pixilation all over the screen. Sometimes complete blocks of activity disintegrate into their component colours.

I’ve tried the advice from the games manufactures helpline – reinstalled the drivers, reinstalled the games. I’ve run the DX Diagnostic Tool – interestingly it loads about 80% and then says that there ‘may have been a problem accessing DirectShow the last time this programme was used.’ It allows me to override the warning – none of the DirectX files show as corrupted.

The processor is an Athlon 64 3200+ with 512mb of memory (which I am about to double). The graphics card is a Radeon Pro 9800. The computer was well able to run these games a month or so ago, why not now?? I’m hoping it’s not a DirectX problem as that seems to entail a complete reinstall. Any ideas??
 
It's probably overheating and creating artifacts. I don't think the 9800 has a temp sensor on it so good luck finding out the temp. You could buy a PCI fan and that will blow air onto the video card to keep it cooler.
 
Sounds about like a failing video card, or possibly just overheating. I suppose you don't have access to another one you could try?
 
Thanks for all your advice - I've checked the fan (working properly) and the graphics board (very dusty, carefully cleaned)...but despite all this the graphics are still problematic. I also ran the computer with the side panel off, which I guess would have allowed the card not to heat up if that was the issue....

Have decided to bite the bullet and get a new card - it has had fairly solid use for two years.

Have ordered an ATI Radeon 9600XT 256mb which will hopefully last a few more years until the computer needs replacement.

Thanks anyway....
 
Thanks for all your advice - I've checked the fan (working properly) and the graphics board (very dusty, carefully cleaned)...but despite all this the graphics are still problematic. I also ran the computer with the side panel off, which I guess would have allowed the card not to heat up if that was the issue....
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Actually in many cases leaving the side off of your case will cause heating issues. This happens because air no longer circulates correctly. With a clean case with proper cable management and well placed fans, a PC will stay cooler with the sides left on.

I also think that is sounds like an overheating or failing video card.

Have ordered an ATI Radeon 9600XT 256mb which will hopefully last a few more years until the computer needs replacement.
Click to expand...

Now of course that is a downgrade so hopefully it will still run those games well. As for lasting a few more years I would say as long as your not planning on running newer games. The 9600XT is already very outdated.
 
When having to rebuild a case here on short notice I grabbed the Radeon X1300 Pro 256mb to replace the former AGP type Radeon 9550 256mb model that has the 9600 chip on it. After the the Catalyst 5.11 update you can forget anything but the drivers there. The updated Catalyst about version 6.8 is geared for newer models starting the X1300 Pro. About the top model for AGP now with 16 pixel pipelines also costs a bundle as seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102487

If you want an older model good for gaming the ATI Radeon X850 Pro is a good one with 12 pixel pipelines seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102606
 
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