new Radeon not functioning

[godlesswonder]

With intensive video editing and a new game (Oblivion) taxing my system, I recently bumped my all-in-wonder 7500 for a new card. I tried a nvidia card (I'm afraid I forget what that one was) and the results were not good - crashing, etc. until finally a BSOD. I thought maybe I hadn't upgraded 'enough', so I got another; ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT (AGP slot, 512 MB).

There's been nothing but trouble, and I've no clue why. After 'numerous' attempts, I managed to get the card set at 8x. It fought through several attempts, insisting the AGP was 'off'. THe BIOS indicated it was on. This BIOS doesn't appear to have a way to manually disable the onboard video - I'm assuming it does so automatically when AGP card is installed (?).

After downloading the SIS AGP drviers, some of the problems seem to have cleared up (no more lines through the screen while running Premiere for example). That's also when it allowed me to set the card to 8x. But the game is still not good. Graphics are clunky, discolored, extra colored blocks where they don't belong, etc.

The old drivers were uninstalled first. I then obtained the latest drivers for the ATI, but during installation the set-up tells me there is no such hardware on my machine! Device manager disagrees (as do my eyes :) ). I had to use what came on the disc (though they appear quite recent as well).

I've no idea what else to try. My specs follow...

XP Pro, SP2

ASUS P4S8X
BIOS (Award Software) -
version; ASUS P4S8X ACPI BIOS Revision 1004
SiS® 648 North Bridge / SiS® 963 South Bridge

P4 2.4 GHz

1.5 GB RAM (3x512)

120 GB HD

ATI Raeon HD 2600 XT AGP (512 MB)
Catalyst® Version 8.41 RC3, Aug 20, 2007

M-Audio Delta 44

450w PS

 

[gazaway]

Some of the manufactorers actually force you to use their manufactor drivers. What is the name brand of your card? If it is something like Powercolor then go to the Powercolor website and download their drivers. I really, really do not recommend any of the last three Catalyst driver updates, get the 7/07 version.

 

[Wildcard]

Have you disabled the onboard video card in the device manager?

 

[godlesswonder]

Some of the manufactorers actually force you to use their manufactor drivers.

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. It's Visiontek - I can give that a try as well (gotten a few tips I'm attempting). Thanks a lot.

 

[godlesswonder]

I actually don't see a reference to it in the device manager (?). Also, no option to disable in the BIOS - I sort of assumed it did so upon installation of a new card (the last one I had seemed to have no issues). Thanks.