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Updating the video drivers in the 8104

post #1 of 36
3/8/05 at 11:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

This feels like a stupid question, but how do I update the graphics driver for the ATi X700 in my Travelmate 8104? I've tried the regular catalyst drivers found on ATI's homepage, but that doesn't really work.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

/P
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post #2 of 36
3/9/05 at 1:23am
I'd hang back for now. People have been having mixed results when it comes to new x700 drivers, for they're all hacked because ATI doesn't update their drivers for notebooks. I tried the DNA ones and completely failed, I had to wipe all things ATI from my system and break out the Acer system CD to reinstall the stock drviers. Apparently Omega drivers are alright, but there's no need to update right now. Games like Half-Life 2 run just fine with the stock ones.

If you really want a little extra power though I'd recommend downloading ATI Tool to overclock your GPU. Again, it's not necessary, and the jury's still out on how safe it is, but most of us were able to overclock it a bit without artifacting or lock ups. I brought the core to about 370 and the memory to about 330 and while it ran a bit hotter, there was noticeable improvement in framerate. Again, it's your call, but if you want to experiment go right ahead.
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post #3 of 36
3/9/05 at 4:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by airscottie
I'd hang back for now. People have been having mixed results when it comes to new x700 drivers, for they're all hacked because ATI doesn't update their drivers for notebooks. I tried the DNA ones and completely failed, I had to wipe all things ATI from my system and break out the Acer system CD to reinstall the stock drviers. Apparently Omega drivers are alright, but there's no need to update right now. Games like Half-Life 2 run just fine with the stock ones.

If you really want a little extra power though I'd recommend downloading ATI Tool to overclock your GPU. Again, it's not necessary, and the jury's still out on how safe it is, but most of us were able to overclock it a bit without artifacting or lock ups. I brought the core to about 370 and the memory to about 330 and while it ran a bit hotter, there was noticeable improvement in framerate. Again, it's your call, but if you want to experiment go right ahead.

I am also looking for a ATI tool to overclock the GPU, can you tell me the exact name of this tool? Thanks a lot!!
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post #4 of 36
3/9/05 at 6:54am
Yeah, sure. It's called ATITool and you can find it here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/

Are you working with the 8103 or 8104? If so, I can give you some numbers to start off with. The tool is pretty intuitive, but if you need some help just ask.

If you just want to experiment, be careful: make sure you use the tools provided with the program, don't just crank up the meter by itself. You can stop the tool anytime, and it will stop where you tell it to.
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post #5 of 36
3/9/05 at 6:56am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply, its true that I dont really need better performance, but I'm just a little anal when it comes to having the latest drivers in my pc. Anyway, thanks for your time.

/P
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post #6 of 36
3/9/05 at 7:15am
Sure, no problem. There are other drivers out there have have been recommended to me, but I'm reluctant to try them becuase the stock drivers are now working fine and the fact that the DNA drivers so royally screwed up my system.
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post #7 of 36
3/9/05 at 10:23am
guys, I know Patje from driverheaven (through mail) and he has supplied me with a beta version of the Ati mod tool which allows the latest drivers to be installed for the X600/X700 mobile cards. I'm testing it right now so I guess it'll be uploaded pretty soon now.
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post #8 of 36
3/9/05 at 2:23pm
A fix that allows you to install the real catalyst drivers? Interesting...let us know what you find out. Thanks dude.
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post #9 of 36
3/9/05 at 3:41pm
will do!
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post #10 of 36
3/9/05 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by airscottie
Yeah, sure. It's called ATITool and you can find it here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/

Are you working with the 8103 or 8104? If so, I can give you some numbers to start off with. The tool is pretty intuitive, but if you need some help just ask.

If you just want to experiment, be careful: make sure you use the tools provided with the program, don't just crank up the meter by itself. You can stop the tool anytime, and it will stop where you tell it to.
Thanks a lot!! I am working with 8103, so what's your recommended numbers?
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post #11 of 36
3/9/05 at 11:26pm
The default set seems to be around core at 358 and memory at 300. If you click on "find max core" or "find max mem" that will slowly increase the speed while checking for artifacting (by analyzing the spinning fur-object thing) and allowing time for the machine to cool. My max settings so far are: core @ 382 and memory @ 330, but I bet you could go higher than that. To start off, I'd go to about 365 for the core and 310-315 memory and start from there. Let your machine run a game that's going to test your processor's limits for awhile there, and if you're not having any problems run the tools to bump it up a little more. Be careful though, you don't want to get too hot.
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post #12 of 36
3/9/05 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by airscottie
The default set seems to be around core at 358 and memory at 300. If you click on "find max core" or "find max mem" that will slowly increase the speed while checking for artifacting (by analyzing the spinning fur-object thing) and allowing time for the machine to cool. My max settings so far are: core @ 382 and memory @ 330, but I bet you could go higher than that. To start off, I'd go to about 365 for the core and 310-315 memory and start from there. Let your machine run a game that's going to test your processor's limits for awhile there, and if you're not having any problems run the tools to bump it up a little more. Be careful though, you don't want to get too hot.
thanks for your detailed guide
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post #13 of 36
3/10/05 at 4:00pm
Hey guys...just got my 8104 and figured I should contirbute if I could. I'm currently running the Catalyst 5.2...custom hacked It's not too complicated...just 2 ini files that need a couple lines added, (the ones regarding m26 which is the ATI codename for the X700), and if I remember correctly, one of the install.ini or something. I'll check again to see. Basically, I have no DNA/Omega/UniAN tweaks or anything, just the good ole basic ATI drivers. Oh, and did I mention this is with the Catalyst Control Center Working?

Since ATI just posted the 5.3 drivers, I'll get the files patched and post em on...uh, Saturday night or so.

Oliver
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post #14 of 36
3/10/05 at 4:27pm
modded the cat5.2 too with the beta tool from patje. works fine.
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post #15 of 36
3/10/05 at 5:22pm
Are you guys seeing any noticeable (i.e. benchmark provable) improvements after installing the updated ATI drivers?

I'm sure overclocking is showing some positive changes, but I'm unsure I'm willing to take that particular plunge with my 3 day old baby. Hacking some ATI driver .ini files is a whole different story...
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post #16 of 36
3/11/05 at 12:37am
I just experienced my first Acer 8104 graphics lockup...happened in Half-Life 2 at the very end of the game. I'm pretty sure (like 98%) that it's because of my overclocking, which had been boosted for the entire gaming session of about 2 hours at core: 386 and memory: 345. I restarted the computer, turned off the overclocking, and beat the game for the first time (such a kickass game, by the way).

GPU overclocking isn't that risky...the worst you could probably do is cause a lockup or see some artifcating, which means you've probably gone too far.

In terms of graphics quality, I played almost the entire game with the stock drivers and with no overclocking. That being said, I ran the entire game at 1680x1050 resolution, texture and shading at high, anti-aliasing at 2x and anisotropic filtering at 4x. Even with those high settings, it only dipped below 30fps in some huge outdoor areas and firefights, and was always playable. What a beast this x700 is.
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post #17 of 36
3/11/05 at 6:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lapino
modded the cat5.2 too with the beta tool from patje. works fine.
Where you find his Beta Tool? That'll save me from needing to do any more work. Yay...

Oliver
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post #18 of 36
3/12/05 at 12:16am
OK...done with the editing of the inf files BUT...I can't post attachments. Is this something I should talk to the admins about? Or does someone wanna host em? Lemme see...it's 4 files if I remember correctly. All tiny. And yes, I have them installed right now and they are working just fine.

Oliver
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post #19 of 36
3/12/05 at 3:41am
host them on your webspace? if you don't have any, plenty of free hosts around
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post #20 of 36
3/12/05 at 3:45am
double post
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