ATI Radon 7500 Installation Problems

[frankandjoan]

I’m having a bit of trouble with my new Radeon 7500 installation. I hoped that someone might have a few words of advice, or a hint as to what I might have done wrong.

I have followed the installation instructions provided with the board EXPLICITLY. Perhaps excessively. When it described removing the old hardware and software, I went beyond the instructions. After using the Add/Remove Programs Utility to remove any ATI Software in my machine, (I was removing a Radeon 7000), I went to the file directory and deleted all directories from ATI, including Hydravision. Then I opened the device manager and removed any display adapter drivers that were remaining there. It was just a default driver at that point. I then shut down and removed the old card, and installed the new card.

Then I restarted the machine, and all went well, except for a blue screen in the middle of installation. Something about a fatal exception at a specific address. Blue screens are never good, but all I could do is press a key, and everything went on normally after that.

Then I did the express install off the CD-ROM. Smooth as silk. Then I hooked up the rest of the external cables, including a the local cable through the coaxial jack on the back of the card. Then I restarted.

At that point, the computer found four new, unknown devices attached to the computer, and I had no idea where to find any drivers for them. I tried the CD-ROM, still in the drive, but that wasn’t it. So I cancelled my way through each of the four dialog boxes.

Some introductory help screens came up, concerning how to set up and use my new hardware, and through them, I found a problem. I selected the option of enabling the TV, and the dialog directed me to the settings to enable it. When I got there, it said that the device was not connected, and when I tried to enable it, there is no response. The cables, including the remote control receiver are connected, and the device manager does register the remote control receiver, and the Radeon 7500. What do I need to connect that I am missing?

Deciding that the blue screen had ruined the installation, I again removed everything having to do with ATI on the hard drive, and repeated the same installation sequence again. The entire process, including the blue screen, the unknown devices, and the failure to enable the TV, repeated exactly.

So I went online and downloaded the latest CATALYST software, and the new control panel for Windows 98 SE from the ATI website. Then I installed them and restarted the computer. Still cannot enable the TV, and the computer still sees four or five unknown devices at startup.

What’s wrong. Am I having operator problems again?

[frankandjoan]

My, my, my, the silence is deafening! Makes me believe that either the problem is so simple that I'm missing something obvious, or the problem is so strange it's scaring everyone off!

[frankandjoan]

Trying this again. I'm going to try to keep my post from falling off the front page at least for the rest of this day. If I can't figure this out I will be forced to dump the ATI AIW Radeon 7500 and hopefully buy something else.

While I hate to be too strident, I have to express my profound disappointment. There were a lot of folks ready to talk me into buying this card, and yet, now that I have one and I have problems (As some had predicted) there is no one home. Look, it's my problem, and no one elses, but if I can't solve it, I have to move forward.

[vivisimonvi]

Did you follow the instructions using the updated drivers on the website? I use the 8500DV card though it might be the same installation method...

Uninstall ALL previous versions first, then install in this order:

1. Install WDM Capture Drivers (DO NOT RESTART even when asked to!!)
2. Install Display Driver (restart)
3. Install Control Panel (restart)

I had the same problem with my 8500DV getting unknown device message errors. This method I used solved that issue...

BTW, I'd avoid using MMC 8.1... if you're having problems with the TV feature, you may want to try another version, I use 7.7, TV feature works fine (the ATI website has other MMC versions you can d/l)

[ckdexterhn1]

I have the ATI 7500 card and it's great!

What operating system are you using?

What I did before I brought the card was read up on it. I downloaded the latest drivers and software for the card from the ATI website and installed them BEFORE I installed the card. Then I shut down the computer and plugged in the card, and Windows 2000 was able to use all the software I already installed to complete the installation.

At this point I don't use any of the ATI software. I capture with VirtualDub, as the filters can give me a top quality capture from my cable.

[Guidoo]

Take a look over at driverheaven.net . You will find a guide there for complete install of ATI products. They even have a tool to clean your system of unwanted window's drivers that try to install for ATI products.


good luck.

[frankandjoan]

Thank you all. Although I'm running a Windows 98 SE system, the driver advice looks like it may apply anyway. The installation sequencing idea may apply, and it's worth a try. And I'll look up the guide before I do anything at all.

I must apoligize for my tone, but I am in the midst of a long struggle with this DV project. If anyone really cares, the story is contained in my posts. Just to sum up, I am approaching the point of dispair with digital video, and I really need to make it work.

[Foochey]

What is your 'puter configuration? ATI boards are known to have problems with VIA chipsets...which are normally found on many Duron/Athlon/Thunderbird configurations.

Some more info may get you more help. I've used ATI cards since the first AIW and I LOVE them. They have had their share of driver issues, but most of their newer drivers seem to be better. ATI could do a much better job of making it easier to do driver updates, however.

-F

[presto]

I'll add that it is normal for the computer to find new devices as yours did durring the installation. What you should see is something like "located new device...searching for drivers for new device...installing new device..." I think windows sees the card as several separate devices. Any way it is normal.

I have the ATI AIW radeon and am generally happy with it. If you install the latest software and direct X 9 you may run into a capture issue. If you try to capture with MMC or another program and get crashes right away you may want to do a search for AVBIsurf.ax and rename it to AVBIsurf.bak . That will force your program to use direct X 9 instead of AVBIsurf.ax

If that doesn't help just rename AVBIsurf.bak to AVBIsurf.ax and look elsewhere for answers.

[txpharoah]

Use the new drivers:
http://mirror.ati.com/support/drivers/win98/radeonnowdm-98.html?cboOS=Windows+98&cboPr...e&cmdNext=Next

Use MMC 7.7
http://mirror.ati.com/support/products/radeonwin98previousdrivers.html

The unknown devices is due to faulty drivers or improper install order. Yes, faulty, as in ATI has released bad drivers on their discs before. Get the new ones online.

Follow the installation book to the letter. Same for online instructions. This card has an install process very similar to a professional card, so it's a bit harder than what most people are used to.

Avoid the DirectX9, NIMO codec pack, and MMC 8.0+ (8.1, 8.5, etc)

Also, have a bit of patience on these boards. This place is a hobby, and it may take a day or two to get your answer. We aren't paid to be here, we are here because we like to help and sometimes even learn a bit ourselves.

[Nelson37]

The four unsupported devices is normal, at least in some installations. Just put that card in an XP machine with no issues, though I had the unsupported device thing happen with my AIW 128 pro. Essentially, you pick each one and point to the ATI device driver directory. Suggest you browse Rage3d.com, they have VERY DETAILED driver install instructions for ATI cards.

The blue screen error is bothersome, however. Suggest remove and re-insert card, double check you are installing the correct drivers, etc. That should not be occurring. Have you disabled all other running software?

[frankandjoan]

Just wanted to thank you for your suggestions. The thing WORKS. I feel like Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstien shouting “It’s Alive”.

I have to save copies of these instruction sets and downloaded drivers so that, if necessary, I can repeat the process.

I still may not be out of the woods yet. The computer seems a bit unstable, it has locked up twice and gives me a blue screen when I try to power down. The computer may settle in, or I may be fighting again. At least it works. The new drivers, the complete removal of the old files, and the proper sequence of installation did the trick.

I have to apologize for my tone again. I am just really desperate to get something going. Please overlook my boorishness, I’ll be better.

Thanks

[Will Hay]

Stick with it Frank, it will come good
I've no idea how well you know your system but I felt the best way (but not the only way) to ensure a trouble-free video editing system was to format my machine before I installed my ATI Card.
Very drastic I know but it was at a point where, like you, I regularly saw the blue screen of death and it really needed a new start anyway.
With Win98 I've always found that the found new device installation process never really works properly, and they only way I ever solved it was to maually browse for the driver on the cd. I got quite good at knowing in which folder to look but in the early stages I'd basically open each folder on the cd and dig around for it!
Recently I upgarded to WinXP and I have to say it's the best thing I did, although I know this isn't an option for you, what with the budget and all.
If you do decide to go the extreme route and start with a clean system by formatting, a couple of tips.
1) Backup your data obviously!
2) Remove every internal card except your video card, and install your video setup first, get it all working fine and then add your second card, a sound card perhaps.
3) Reboot each time you add a peice of hardware, even if you're not prompted.
4) Make sure you're happy with your system and then install your software, and then only install software you really need.
For instance, you could just install everything you need for capturing etc. and try it out, see what results you get.
5) If you have the option, make a ghost copy of your OS in case you have any problems in the future.
Let's hope you get it sorted and, if you've posted a message and some sixteen minutes later no-one has replied drop me a line, I'll take a look at your post
Will

[frankandjoan]

Thanks Will, I'm still working on it. I got the video to capture just fine, but I'm having trouble getting the audio out to work. The website said something about a setting I hope I have overlooked, and I'm about to try it right now. Believe me, reformating is a possibability and it hasn't been ruled out yet at all. Of course, I won't do that unless it's the only way to go, but I'm actually quite good at it. I become really spoiled with the clean way my machines run after they have been "done", and I actually end up reformatting about six times a year, between the two machines.

Nonetheless, I am hoping that this will not be nescessary. By the way, I'm thrilled with the output on this board, it will be more then adaquate for my needs.

Love the Radeon 7500, and I'm glad I got the TV tuner along with the board. This system, if I can work out the instability, will be magnificent. I have already seen that it can be, and should be, so if it's not, I WILL REFORMAT.

Thriilled about the quality for price tradeoff, as well. This is excellent preformance for the buck.

Thanks for keeping me in mind, and I'm sure Ill have plenty of stupid questions in the near future, so don't worry. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. In fact, I feel a stupid question coming on tomorrow!

[frankandjoan]

Big progress last night. When I turned my machine on last night, it was a nightmare. Display problems made the computer nearly unusable. I decuided that reformatting would be the way to go, and it's still in progress, but now. I am now able to make recordings on VHS tape!!

Oh Joy

Oh Bliss!

Still a minor sound problem, and I have to finish reinstalling everything, but so far, so good. I owe it all to the handholding I have been able to receive here on this website. Thanks to everyone, and I'll keep you posted.

[frankandjoan]

Yes, I was right. Solved the sound problem last night, then I moved forward to continue reinastalling the entire software suite on my wife's computer, and then put in some new video editing tools, such as VirtualDub, TMPGenc, and Zoom Player. Tested several times along the way and I could capture, edit and playback to the outboard VCR or to the desktop at will.

The complete format and reinstall did the trick. Sad that I had to go to that length to get it right, but I LOVE the results. The ATI AIW Radeon 7500 is simply incredible, and it's easy to use, once it gets working. I love the limited TIVO capabilities, and the TV on computer feature. I'm a big fan now. On my wifes machine, at least, the dropped frame problem is non-existant. On a typical VirtualDub capture, I lose one frame only right at the start of capture. No problem.

I have a long learning curve ahead of me now, so I'm sure I'll be back soon. For the moment, if I seem absent, it's because everything is working, and so am I.