Where to find a Driver update for an ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 Graphics card

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Where to find a Driver update for an ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 Graphics card

twad007

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#8414 28-Jun-2006 00:59

I have a Toshiba Satellite and ATI Mobiity Radeon 9000 Graphics card. (I think)
I can't seem to find the right driver update for it.
Suggesting to visit either the Toshiba or ATI websites doesn't help me. They both suck.
ATI has a Radeon Catalyst update but I don't think it works for my Radeon Mobility card.
And my Toshiba A70 is ancient and a NZ Model, so it seems to be incompatible with ANY kind of update on the US Toshiba website.

I'm new and uncomputer saavy, forgive me if my posts seem stupid, I just want to fix my computer right now, so I can play The Sims without it crashing.

lokinz

298 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#39873 28-Jun-2006 07:36

Try here

Mattnzl

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#39874 28-Jun-2006 07:48

I've run into this problem for other laptops as well - generic drivers from ATI don't work, and the vendor never up dates them :-(
Now I just use the Omega drivers http://www.omegadrivers.net/ati.php which have worked in all laptops I've tried (HP/Compaq & Fujitsu - don't have any toshibas)
Cheers...

jpwise

590 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#39892 28-Jun-2006 10:21

Just be aware that the cooling capacity of a laptop is going to be a lot less than a desktop. So you don't want to overclock the chip any higher. It's also an onboard chip, so if you blow it you're looking at a new system pcb (motherboard).

Jp.

Working for Service Plus - www.serviceplus.co.nz

Authorised Service Agent for Apple, BenQ, Sony, and Toshiba - warranty & non-warranty repairs.

twad007

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#39923 28-Jun-2006 12:07

Really. What do you mean don't overclock?
I've been told a couple of times to get a better graphics card. Any suggestions?

jpwise

590 posts

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#39925 28-Jun-2006 12:16

twad007: Really. What do you mean don't overclock?
I've been told a couple of times to get a better graphics card. Any suggestions?

Overclocking is where you run hardware at above it's specifications - ie: over it's specified clock speed.
You can get better performance, but running it over specification will generally void your warranty, and has the side affect of higher temperatures (usually over it's specified cooling capacity - even more so in a laptop which is quite confined for space). It can also damage the hardware if you do it for too long. On a desktop if you do damage the card you can always replace it. On a laptop if the video is on a separate pcb you 'can' replace it although it's generally more expensive than a desktop equivalent. On the Toshiba Satellite A70 the vga chip is on the main system pcb - ie: if you blow it you have to replace the entire system pcb - ~$645+GST (+labour).

Also as it's onboard, you can't upgrade it.

Jp.

Working for Service Plus - www.serviceplus.co.nz

Authorised Service Agent for Apple, BenQ, Sony, and Toshiba - warranty & non-warranty repairs.

twad007

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#39931 28-Jun-2006 12:36

Kewl, Thanks for the info, its really helping me out.

The Omega Driver. It looks like its what I'm after, and seems pretty good and all. But again, I still have reservations as to whether its compatible with my card, as it doesn't say whether it suits the 'Mobility', version ATI cards.
I'm going to try it anyway, and if it doesn't work, or I'm worse off with it, I can just roll back to the previously installed driver, right?

chiefie

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#39933 28-Jun-2006 13:06

Sorry to bust the bubble for you guys... sad to say, there won't be any up to date driver for MR 9000 series card. This said because a few of us are looking at driver for Vista beta 2 using XP's driver.

ATI doesn''t list MR9000 anymore and rumour has it that the best driver is still Catalyst 5.6 which support MR9000.

You can get a patcher to patch the latest Catalyst but it is proven unstable and highly not recommended.

So bottom line is, stay updated with Windows Update and use what is offered through there, and don't excpect the manufacturer to supply new driver as MR9000 is pretty much "driver-dead"

I have been search for new driver for my Presario x1030ap and gave up ultimately as nothing out there works and stayed with Windows Update's recommended version.

And it functions well enough, no need to update.

Just my advice... you can try all other 3rd party driver if you want, but i won't recommend them.

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lokinz

298 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#39937 28-Jun-2006 13:27

You can get the Omega drivers based on Catalyst 5.6 from here.

I used these on Windows Vista to get "some" 3D Support, they work fine for XP too.

I tend to use Omega drivers instead of the actual manufacturers ones, and have no problems.

chiefie

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#39939 28-Jun-2006 13:36

lokinz: You can get the Omega drivers based on Catalyst 5.6 from here.

I used these on Windows Vista to get "some" 3D Support, they work fine for XP too.

I tend to use Omega drivers instead of the actual manufacturers ones, and have no problems.

What 3D support do you get? I'd be interested to see what my MR9200 can do with Omega on Vista then... would hope to see a bit of glass.

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twad007

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#39942 28-Jun-2006 13:38

Thank You Chiefie for the kill.
I'm gonna try the Omega Driver anyway, see how it goes. Yeah, if it doesn't work then I'll stick with the Windows Updates.
My problem is, that it my comp keeps crashing on me when playing The Sims. It's the only thing I want to do on my computer and surprise surprise, the only thing my computer won't do.
You seem to know what you're talking about so what other suggestions would you have. Is there nothing else, bar buying anothe PC that I could do.

lokinz

298 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#39944 28-Jun-2006 13:42

chiefie: What 3D support do you get? I'd be interested to see what my MR9200 can do with Omega on Vista then... would hope to see a bit of glass.

Sorry my freind you won't see glass with that, I got the pre-installed games (Chess) to look alot nicer and actually fuction at a normal speed. The whole OS generaly looks nicer too.

chiefie

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#39945 28-Jun-2006 13:43

well i don't necessary hold all possible solution but from what i have read and researched... it's not a great news other than if you want to get ready for future, you do need to consider getting a better graphic card/computer...

i know MR9000 is an IGP solution and isn't a great chip, it does alright... MR9200 is a GPU for laptop which performs a bit better... though the new laptops these days (ATI MR X600+) looks great and i am sure you can use a new computer upgrade from that toshiba too anytime soon.

OT: I am looking at getting new laptop too. perhaps the HP's dv8000 series with 17" and core duo.... otherwise, the Dell's m2010 :-)

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chiefie

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#39946 28-Jun-2006 13:47

Meh... that's cool. i knew my MR9200 won't be a Vista AERO-compliant anyway.. LOL

it works great with Windows Classic theme. And i'm looking at upgrading it anyway... and been eyeing (as mentioned above) HP dv8123... :-) (that or HP nw9440/nx9420)

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