heres' the scenario

Install GTA3 again.Intro runs fine then a blank screen and no go.Can't do anything.

suspect-new radeon 7000 video card installed with latest signed driver.

what to try on my own before bothering the so called experts at tech support?

Name RADEON 7000
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5159&SUBSYS_003A1002&REV_00\4&12FA89B4&0&0008
Adapter Type Radeon 7000 (QY), ATI Technologies Inc. compatible
Adapter Description RADEON 7000
Adapter RAM 64.00 MB (67,108,864 bytes)
Installed Drivers ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version 5.1.2600.0
INF File oem5.inf (ati2mtag_RV100 section)
Color Planes 1
Color Table Entries 4294967296
Resolution 1024 x 768 x 75 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32
Memory Address 0xF0000000-0xF7FFFFFF
I/O Port 0x0000EC00-0x0000ECFF
Memory Address 0xFF9F0000-0xFF9FFFFF
IRQ Channel IRQ 16
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\ati2mtag.sys (6.13.10.6166, 475.13 KB (486,528 bytes), 8/15/2002 9:30 PM)

First and only thing that comes to mind is to search the net for any known issues with the game and your card if you haven't already.

Hmm, the 6166 XP drivers is actually older. It is only v2.3, not latest Catalyst drivers for the whole Radeon series.

Catalyst v2.5 is out since beginning of December:
http://mirror.ati.com/support/drivers/winxp/radeonnowdm-xp.html?cboOS=Windows+XP&cboProducts=RADEON+7000&eula=&choice=agree&cmdNext=Next

Probably the best resource for help and alternative drivers is Rage3D:
http://www.rage3d.com/
There you´ll find more info than you need, especially in their forum. They probably already have a solution to your problem in there.
:D

I'm gonna try the 2.5.Hopefully.

Reading thru their forums and other manufacturer's forums I can't help but think that my gaming dollars are best spent on consoles.There are just too many problems.And it seems to be getting worse as games are getting huge and what not.If isn't video,then sound.If isn't sound,its this etc.

Life would sure be simpler if there was only 1 of everything available.Competition ruins it.Too many different configs possible.

It worked, thank the computer Gods.

Fixed some font problems in another app as well.

I thought it was up to date as I got the driver from windows update.Kinda thought the date was funny though.All is well in the world..for now :ack:

aha...nothing on PC is easy.2.5 fixed some problems but caused some new major ones resulting in system freeze or total crash.Not good.

So,out it went and back in goes old stuff from install cd.

Now what?...wait for 2.6 or just return the damn thing?

oh now they have cat 3.0 which seems to need directx9 which opens up a whole new can of worms.:rolleyes: