Monitor error "Out of Range" with ATI Catalyst 4.12 driver running GTAVC

[miken]

I updated my ATI Catalyst driver from version 4.09 to 4.12. Then when I
launch Grand Theft Auto Vice City I get a monitor error, "Out of
Range." The only other game I have is Far Cry and it runs without any
problem. I did not notice any other video problems. If I reinstall
driver 4.09 the problem goes away. Reinstall 4.12 again and the problem
recurs. My display setting refresh rate is, and always has been since I
got the monitor a year ago, 60 hz, 1280x1024, 32 bit color. GTAVC runs
at 1024x768x32.

System: P4 2.8ghz, 1gb RAM, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128, Planar PX191 LCD
monitor, Windows XP Pro SP2.

 

[NightSky 421]

I updated my ATI Catalyst driver from version 4.09 to 4.12. Then when I
launch Grand Theft Auto Vice City I get a monitor error, "Out of
Range." The only other game I have is Far Cry and it runs without any
problem. I did not notice any other video problems. If I reinstall
driver 4.09 the problem goes away. Reinstall 4.12 again and the problem
recurs. My display setting refresh rate is, and always has been since I
got the monitor a year ago, 60 hz, 1280x1024, 32 bit color. GTAVC runs
at 1024x768x32.

System: P4 2.8ghz, 1gb RAM, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128, Planar PX191 LCD
monitor, Windows XP Pro SP2.

In the ATI control panel, did you set the refresh rate override to "same as
desktop" or 60Hz under the monitor settings? Please post a follow-up if
this works or not.

 

[miken]

I am not sure understand the question. In the ATI contol panel, as
well as basic display settings, the refresh rate is set at 60 hz. I
don't see an option for refresh rate override. I am looking at the
control panel for Catalyst driver version 4.09, which is what is
currently installed. Is there a refresh rate override in version 4.12
that is not in versions 4.09? If so, I will reinstalll 4.12 and take a
look. When I had 4.12 installed (as well as 4.09), I did not change any
of the ATI control panel defaults. I left everything as it was right
after installation.

 

[NightSky 421]

I am not sure understand the question. In the ATI contol panel, as
well as basic display settings, the refresh rate is set at 60 hz. I
don't see an option for refresh rate override. I am looking at the
control panel for Catalyst driver version 4.09, which is what is
currently installed. Is there a refresh rate override in version 4.12
that is not in versions 4.09? If so, I will reinstalll 4.12 and take a
look. When I had 4.12 installed (as well as 4.09), I did not change any
of the ATI control panel defaults. I left everything as it was right
after installation.

I cannot be sure if the refresh rate override option was in the 4.09
drivers. My big computer is not handy at the moment, but I believe off-hand
that the tab in the ATI Control Panel is under "Displays". There should be
a button in there you can click on (probably FPD in your case) and there
should be an option where you can force the refresh rate when running
programs. I always use the "same as desktop" option.

I hope this helps. Again, I'm not sure if this feature was yet implemented
with the 4.09's. Prior to this, I was using a program called RefreshLock,
although it's not as good as the ATI option for forcing refresh rates. If
need be, I can probably come up with more detailed instructions later on
today.

 

[JLC]

I cannot be sure if the refresh rate override option was in the 4.09
drivers. My big computer is not handy at the moment, but I believe
off-hand that the tab in the ATI Control Panel is under "Displays". There
should be a button in there you can click on (probably FPD in your case)
and there should be an option where you can force the refresh rate when
running programs. I always use the "same as desktop" option.

I hope this helps. Again, I'm not sure if this feature was yet
implemented with the 4.09's. Prior to this, I was using a program called
RefreshLock, although it's not as good as the ATI option for forcing
refresh rates. If need be, I can probably come up with more detailed
instructions later on today.

Thanks for that info NightSky. I'm still using Refresh Lock, have been for
years. I've always just used it because it's always worked great for me. I'm
not up on what ATI has been up to when it comes to this issue. I'll have to
check it out. Can you tell me why it works better then Refresh Lock? Thanks,
JLC

 

[NightSky 421]

Thanks for that info NightSky. I'm still using Refresh Lock, have been for
years. I've always just used it because it's always worked great for me.
I'm not up on what ATI has been up to when it comes to this issue. I'll
have to check it out. Can you tell me why it works better then Refresh
Lock? Thanks, JLC

RefreshLock is generally very good, but I found that some games gave me
funny errors or simply dumped me to the desktop when using it. With certain
games, like Grand Theft Auto 3 (for example), it was a hit-and-miss affair
getting the game to work. With the ATI option to force refresh rates in
games, I never have problems. I know you can tweak RefreshLock, and I did
to some degree, but I could never quite get perfection from it. Still, for
a while, it was a Godsend since playing games at 60Hz refresh on a CRT is
brutal!

 

[miken]

Thanks NightSky. I did find that setting in Version 4.09. Now that I
know where to look, I will reload Version 4.12 later this week and see
if using the "same as desktop" option resolves the problem I had with
4.12. I will let you know what happens.

 

[miken]

Thanks NightSky. I confirmed that the version 4.09 driver has the
refresh rate override option.

So I uninstalled 4.09 and reinstalled 4.12. In the ATI display options
under Monitor Properties the DDC Information says my monitor can
support a maximum resolution of 1920x1280 at 75 hz. So I unchecked "Use
DDC Information" and set the maximum resolution at 1280x1024 and
maximum refresh at 70 hz (If I set the maximum refresh rate to 60 hz
the maximum resolution reverts to 1920x1024). I then set the refresh
rate override to "same as desktop," which is 60 hz. I also tried
setting the refresh rate override to 60 hz. So it should not be running
above 1280x1024 and 60 hz. Still, I get the monitor error, "Out of
Range" when I try to run GTA Vice City.

Should I give up on the version 4.12 drivers or are there other
settings I might be missing?

 

[NightSky 421]

Thanks NightSky. I confirmed that the version 4.09 driver has the
refresh rate override option.

So I uninstalled 4.09 and reinstalled 4.12. In the ATI display options
under Monitor Properties the DDC Information says my monitor can
support a maximum resolution of 1920x1280 at 75 hz. So I unchecked "Use
DDC Information" and set the maximum resolution at 1280x1024 and
maximum refresh at 70 hz (If I set the maximum refresh rate to 60 hz
the maximum resolution reverts to 1920x1024). I then set the refresh
rate override to "same as desktop," which is 60 hz. I also tried
setting the refresh rate override to 60 hz. So it should not be running
above 1280x1024 and 60 hz. Still, I get the monitor error, "Out of
Range" when I try to run GTA Vice City.

Should I give up on the version 4.12 drivers or are there other
settings I might be missing?

It sucks to hear that my suggestion didn't work, but thanks for reporting
back with your findings anyway. I don't know what else to suggest at this
point. Did you check for updates for the game? You might also consider
going to ATI's website and reporting the problem to them. They have a form
on there where you can send them feedback on their drivers.

I have Vice City myself, but I'm using a Viewsonic A90 CRT display on the
analog plug of my 9800 Pro. I don't have the game installed right now
because I'm still working my way through GTA 3, but I may decide to try out
Vice City as a result of your post. I also went and installed the 4.12
drivers on my system when someone I know asked me about something else!

Stay tuned. I may try installing and running Vice City later today. I'll
let you know my findings.

 

[NightSky 421]

Should I give up on the version 4.12 drivers or are there other
settings I might be missing?

OK, I've had a chance to try out Vice City (see my previous post today for
further details). In a nutshell, it works 100% fine on my system and
ViewSonic A90 monitor. I tried running it at 85Hz refresh and 60Hz refresh
and had no problems getting it to start or run. Of course, this is with the
4.12 drivers.

This sucks for you, but you're lucky that you don't play many games and that
this issue isn't as critical for you as it might be for those of us with a
number of games. Still, I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties with Vice
City. I just thought I should post my findings with my system. Good luck
to you.