Video Graphics Problem

[Kayr]

I have been reading other threads to see if I could fix my problem but anything I've done so far has fixed it.

Problem: The Screen is choppy when I play. Everything else seems to be working fine.

System Information:

Dell Inspiron 9100,
Microsoft Windows XP Home
Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHz
512 MB of RAM

Display information:

ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
128 MB memory

I can't update my ATI driver to the catalyst version since it is not compatible with DELL. Therefore, my drivers are up to date according to DELL tech support (which the latest video driver is from 2005). One thing I should mention is that the BIOS update of R75495.EXE did not complete since it keeps giving me an Error: resources file missing (Could this be the problem?)

I am running the Complete version of Civ4 which includes both Warlords and Beyond the Sword, hence I haven't downloaded any patches.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm up fot it!

 

[MarkJohnson]

I have been reading other threads to see if I could fix my problem but anything I've done so far has fixed it.

Problem: The Screen is choppy when I play. Everything else seems to be working fine.

System Information:

Dell Inspiron 9100,
Microsoft Windows XP Home
Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHz
512 MB of RAM

Display information:

ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
128 MB memory

I can't update my ATI driver to the catalyst version since it is not compatible with DELL. Therefore, my drivers are up to date according to DELL tech support (which the latest video driver is from 2005). One thing I should mention is that the BIOS update of R75495.EXE did not complete since it keeps giving me an Error: resources file missing (Could this be the problem?)

I am running the Complete version of Civ4 which includes both Warlords and Beyond the Sword, hence I haven't downloaded any patches.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm up fot it!

well, first off can you install the Catalyst drivers from ATI? what error does it say.

you do need to uninstall your old drivers first then download Driver Cleaner Pro to clean up any settings it leaves behind.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745

also, do you have an AGP video card? If so then you may need the AGP version of the Catalyst driver.

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=xp/radeonx-xp

Try the driver only first. then if everything is fine then try the Catalyst Control Center, just make sure you install with custom mode and uncheck the driver so it doesn't try to install it a second time if possible.

also, what BIOS update is that for? The motherboard or the video card? t can be very dangerous updating a BIOS from windows as there are lots of possiblities for problems. Try a floppy or USB drive version for saftey.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

 

[Kayr]

Hi,

Thanks for replying. The Bios that gives me the error is for the ATI-BIOS, not the motherboard. Catalyst isn't compatible with DELL PCs so I can't install on my laptop. I've have spoken to a dell person to make sure I had all the updated drivers but I think they're useless...

The error for setting up catalyst is that "the setup can not find the driver compatible with the hardware or current system" (or something similar). I was hoping someone with a dell could tell me how they were able to play the game??

Thank for the help!

Bruna

 

[Kayr]

So I finally found a way to get around the fact that Dell isn't compatible with Catalyst. I used driverheaven mobility modder

http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php

Check that for more information if yout think you're having the same problem.

I updated my driver to the 4.12 catalyst since it is suggested to be the best one for playing th game with an ATI card. I still have the choppy graphics, so now I'm looking into something else but will keep you posted to just what changes I'll be making. I still don't know how to fix my ATI-BIOS, but unsure if that is my problem!!

Bruna

 

[MarkJohnson]

when updating the video BIOS are you using the floppy disk version?

The choppiness could be from a variety of reasons. You RAM is a little low, but that kind of error usually means the choppiness is random and usually later in the game when memory is getting full. does your hard drive run a lot during game play?

also, it can mean your system may have spyware, virus, or sometype of malware. They can cause choppiness and slow down all your programs. If this is the case you may need to reinstall windows and all should be fine. at least reinstall is usually faster than trying to figure out the cause and most times it just isn't possible to remove it all.

as for you system not being compatible with Catalyst, it sounds more like Dell couldn't help or knew it would be a long process and just passed the buck onto ATI and just say it's not compatible. I'm very possitive Dell doesn't use propreitary video cards and Catalyst will work fine on your Dell.

I forget you're running a laptop. I checked on ATI again as the link I gave you before was for desktop video cards. Have you ran their compaibility software to see if it passes the ATI test?

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=xp/mobility-xp

Maybe Dell does use a different standard on laptops. I know laptops are not too standard with anything yet and is why I haven't bought one before.

Good Luck