ATI Catalyst 13.1 Black Screen/ BSOD

[ezekiel2517]

Hello, and thanks for your help. I recently upgraded my computer to Windows 8 (a clean install), and was updating all of my drivers. Everything was going fine until I got to the drivers for my Crossfire 6870/6850 graphics cards. During the installation of the latest (13.1) catalyst drivers, my screen flashes as normal during a driver update, but then freezes on a black screen. On a hard restart I get a BSOD on atikmpag.sys. This issue also occurred on windows 7 with anything past the 12.11 drivers. I tried manually installing the drivers in safe mode, which works but still BSODs on a restart. The most progress I've made was getting to my desktop with the 13.1 drivers manually installed, but the BSOD occurred after a restart. I'm not overclocking anything. Thanks in advance.

Specs:
Windows 8
AMD Phenom II x6 1075T (stock)
Crossfire HD6870/6850
128gb Crucial M4 SSD
Asus M5A97

Current drivers:
Catalyst 12.10
All other drivers (chipset, SATA etc) all up to date

 

[cjw32]

Now I have run the system image restore, it still doesnt work.

I cant boot to Windows without the BSOD with both cards plugged in.

Works fine on 13.1 with just the one card, but with both, no chance.

I dont understand how trying to install 13.3 has corrupted my Windows install, and my image restore?

**edit**
Have now run system image restore again, this time chose the format C: option instead of overwrite files.

Works fine. Im now running Win 8 with driver 13.1 and HDMI audio working fine and both cards installed. CCC has X fire enabled and it is working.

Very strange. Im not going to try and install 13.3 again in case it corrupts my install.

 

[Yaki]

Now I have run the system image restore, it still doesnt work.

I cant boot to Windows without the BSOD with both cards plugged in.

Works fine on 13.1 with just the one card, but with both, no chance.

I dont understand how trying to install 13.3 has corrupted my Windows install, and my image restore?

**edit**
Have now run system image restore again, this time chose the format C: option instead of overwrite files.

Works fine. Im now running Win 8 with driver 13.1 and HDMI audio working fine and both cards installed. CCC has X fire enabled and it is working.

Very strange. Im not going to try and install 13.3 again in case it corrupts my install.

Can you tell us if it worked for you ?
I have the same trouble with the 13.1 or superior drivers, BSOD with a Crossfire of 6850.
I went back to 12.10 and it worked but i do want to update.
Is a new installation of Windows solved the issue ? New windows and then install 13.1 or 13.3 drivers should work ?

system spec :
FX-8120
2x 6850
Asus M5A97Pro

 

[M3TAl]

He is using an intel system and was experiencing a different issue from the rest of us (most likely corrupted registry).

For those of use with crossfire and 970 chipset boards there currently isn't a solution. The only choice is to use 12.10 drivers.

 

[Yaki]

Thanks for your answer, it's a shame to have to stay in 12.10 since so long now.

 

[pbjenkins]

Same issue for me since trying to upgrade from 12.10. I have the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 board (yes, another 970) with two PowerColor 6870s (Win7 64, AMD 965 x4, 2x4GB GSKILL 1866, blah, blah). Install seems to work, but upon first reboot, BSOD (atimpag.sys is listed in the BS, event log references atieclxx.exe). Rebooting after that works, but it's using the default windows drivers and CCC can't recognize the cards. I attempted the registry suggestion mentioned earlier and it did not fix the problem for me.

I submitted a bug report and have received two responses, the last on Feb. 2nd. The first suggested trying 13.2 betas after using the AMD driver removal thinger (had used it previously with 13.1, too). Same result. The second recommendation was to try 13.1 again, but with nothing but the driver and CCC checked doing a custom install. Same result. Also tried installing the driver by itself. Also tried 13.2.5 beta. Same result for both. Install and reboot works fine if I remove the crossfire cable, so I could use 13.1 and later with a single card just fine, probably (and eliminate microstuttering issues at the loss of horsepower). 12.10 continues to reinstall flawlessly with crossfire, so that's what I'm using for now.

I'm glad their customer service is acknowledging the problem. Hopefully, they'll identify what this latest release broke for some of us and fix it. 13.1 is the first AMD driver with which I've had any problems over the years, but this was the first time I decided to try crossfire rather than upgrade to the newest generation.

Same motherboard and GPUs as you. Same problem, and I have tried the same things. I hope they fix this SOON!!

 

[M3TAl]

The list of 970 chipset and crossfire users continues to grow... I wonder how many of us there is out there? I assume most people with crossfire are on 990fx or intel board.

How many 970's are out there with crossfire that just haven't attempted to update their drivers?

 

[pbjenkins]

I decided to contact AMD not hoping for a fix, but to let them know this is not a small issue. I outlined and detailed every single thing I tried, giving specific steps to reproduce. The response I got back was to contact XFX and if that didn't work to try Driver Sweeper and then install the 13.1. I let them know that was an unacceptable response.

 

[kickthedamcat]

When you guys plug in a second display via hdmi that supports audio do you have to restart your pc to get audio to work through hdmi when using dual displays? I know its a bit off topic but I just want to know if you guys with the crossfire problem like me are having this minor audio problem, it happens on all driver versions and its annoying having to restart my pc every time I plug in the tv.

 

[NdMSnIpEz]

Well, I have a similar problem. What happens to me is that even though my laptop can resume from sleep, the brightness turns down to 5% so I can barely see anything. So, I decide to install the newest drivers with the catalyst. Done. System needs to be restarted? Ok, *restarts*.

Then, I come to nothing but a black screen. Emptiness. A system restore can rarely fix this (I was lucky not to had of formatted this laptop) because 'Computer says no' or 'Computer says system restore failed' which is just bs...

Here are some specs. If you need any more, then feel free to ask.

Laptop: Acer Aspire 5943G
Processor: Intel Core i5-460M processor
Cache: 2.53GHz, 3Mb L3 cache
Graphics card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD5650 (Integrated)
Memory: 500GB HDD
Operating System: Windows 7 64bit

 

[loprojoe]

Been keeping an eye on this thread since it was posted. I had the same problem on a pc that I sold to a friend. I believe it was running catalyst 12.10 when he got it...auto update pushed it to 13.1, and problems ensued. Black screen, pretty much all the problems other users have had here.

Amd phenom x4
radeon 5770 1gb
8gb ddr2
windows 8 pro
Single display

The friend that has the pc isn't very computer literate. We all know how hard it is to fix a pc problem when we aren't in front of it. So I ended up finding this thread and it helped me fix his issue. PC was unable to boot, and got hung up in system restore...many different tweaks finally got it to boot in safe mode, disabled the video card to onboard video...uninstalled 13.1 and then installed 12.10 that I had saved to an SD card. Then worked like a charm. I was quick to make sure auto-update was turned off, else we would be back to square one.

Anywho, just wanted to let everyone know this thread is helping people (at least me!). I will be checking in to see how this gets resolved...and keeping my fingers crossed for bug free catalyst update.

What motherboard does your friend have?

Not sure. Older gateway pc. dx4300-03 was the model number. This is the only thing I can find on the board.

http://www.codemicro.com/store/product/MBG0409005/Refurbished

 

[M3TAl]

When you guys plug in a second display via hdmi that supports audio do you have to restart your pc to get audio to work through hdmi when using dual displays? I know its a bit off topic but I just want to know if you guys with the crossfire problem like me are having this minor audio problem, it happens on all driver versions and its annoying having to restart my pc every time I plug in the tv.

Never used the hdmi and I don't have anything to test it. Sorry.

 

[kickthedamcat]

Been keeping an eye on this thread since it was posted. I had the same problem on a pc that I sold to a friend. I believe it was running catalyst 12.10 when he got it...auto update pushed it to 13.1, and problems ensued. Black screen, pretty much all the problems other users have had here.

Amd phenom x4
radeon 5770 1gb
8gb ddr2
windows 8 pro
Single display

The friend that has the pc isn't very computer literate. We all know how hard it is to fix a pc problem when we aren't in front of it. So I ended up finding this thread and it helped me fix his issue. PC was unable to boot, and got hung up in system restore...many different tweaks finally got it to boot in safe mode, disabled the video card to onboard video...uninstalled 13.1 and then installed 12.10 that I had saved to an SD card. Then worked like a charm. I was quick to make sure auto-update was turned off, else we would be back to square one.

Anywho, just wanted to let everyone know this thread is helping people (at least me!). I will be checking in to see how this gets resolved...and keeping my fingers crossed for bug free catalyst update.

What motherboard does your friend have?

Not sure. Older gateway pc. dx4300-03 was the model number. This is the only thing I can find on the board.

http://www.codemicro.com/store/product/MBG0409005/Refurbished

mmmmm that has a AMD 780G chip, you must be the only one with this problem that does not have a 970 chip, cause I was thinking of getting in touch with asus but I wont now and xfire works with 12.10 fine. dam it amd driver team need to pull there thumbs out. that board does have HD 3200 Graphics and I think every one here has the HD line of gpu.

 

[nicobonis]

Hi, people. Im Nicolás

Im From argentina, sorry for my english i will try to do my best.

Well.. i have the EXACT same probleme as you guys.

Everything after 12.1 DONT WORK for me, y get a black screen and boom, nothing else works, y have to restart.. go to safe modo.. unistall everything... and try again.. Im stuck at 12.1

This are my specs.

Amd 8120 (8 Core)
970A-D3
x2 R7750 Black Edition (CrossFire)
16Gb Ram
Ssd Disk.

So... i will try your solutions.

See ya.

Nico

 

[elroy71]

Same problem here

Phenom II X4 965
Asus M5A970 Evo
Crossfired 6850's
Windows 8 Pro
Cat 13.3 beta

System fails if i use crossfire. Works fine with one card only. Very annoying as i have a perfectly good 6850 sitting on my desk instead of inside my pc because of driver issues.

 

[kickthedamcat]

Same problem here

Phenom II X4 965
Asus M5A970 Evo
Crossfired 6850's
Windows 8 Pro
Cat 13.3 beta

System fails if i use crossfire. Works fine with one card only. Very annoying as i have a perfectly good 6850 sitting on my desk instead of inside my pc because of driver issues.

Are you guys letting amd know? http://www.amdsurveys.com/se.ashx?s=5A1E27D20B2F3ECF also http://emailcustomercare.amd.com/ more people knocking at there door they might be more inclined to answer

 

[M3TAl]

Seriously though how hard is it for them to recreate this in the lab? All they need is any of their CPU for AM3+ and a 970 chipset. Oh, and two AMD gpu's. They have access to all these things.

 

[Guest]

Same problem here

Phenom II X4 965
Asus M5A970 Evo
Crossfired 6850's
Windows 8 Pro
Cat 13.3 beta

System fails if i use crossfire. Works fine with one card only. Very annoying as i have a perfectly good 6850 sitting on my desk instead of inside my pc because of driver issues.

Are you guys letting amd know? http://www.amdsurveys.com/se.ashx?s=5A1E27D20B2F3ECF also http://emailcustomercare.amd.com/ more people knocking at there door they might be more inclined to answer

Yeah ive let them know and submitted both forms. I encourage as many people to do this as possible.

 

[kickthedamcat]

It will be very interesting to find out what is actually happening with these drivers, all I know is when the amd installer is at the part of installing the graphic drivers all hell breaks lose, also what the hold up is.
I did get a reply from them saying they are working on a new driver to fix this bug but that was a wile ago now.
I recently got Biohock infinite and while it is possible to play at high settings with resolution 1920x1080 I want to throw crossfire at this game and see what performance gains I can get, the game should be good on amd gpu's as I see the amd gaming evolved logo thing when I start it, but it also uses PhysX from NVidia

 

[antony209494]

Exact same problem. Check out this post I made on TPU:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181610

Also noticed that a lot of users (but not all) who have this problem have the Gigabyte GA-970A or the UD3 model. Just to let you know I already contacted Gigabyte cause I thought it may be a problem with the 970 chipset on their boards and they said they couldn't duplicate the problem with their GPUs on this board with 13.1 installed. Hopes on AMD now! I sent them two reports about this and I think anyone who has this problem should do it too. It is a shame being unable to take advantage of the improvements on 13.+ drivers or choose not to have crossfire.

 

[Justin Rahme]

Same issue here...well kind of. I am another M5A97 mobo user. Had no issues at all running a single 6850 on windows 8 with the newest drivers. worked great.

Picked up a second 6850, identical to my other one. And Got the black screen's/ bsod's...

I have uninstalled and installed drivers soo many times in the last 24 hours i can't count.

I am able to get the system running with both cards in and on 12.1, but i do not have the crossfire option under Performance in CCC. If i try the newer drivers either with the ULPS tweak, or the uncheck audio driver tweak, neither work, i get the black screen and it crashes. I have to physically unplug power from the second card for it to boot back into windows. where i can then remove drivers and programs related to AMD, then shutdown and plug the card back in. This is a BIG issue if i now see soo many others dealing with it.

 

[Justin Rahme]

Just got a reply e-mail from AMD, looks like we need to wait.

Dear Justin,

Your service request : SR #{ticketno:[8200539460]} has been reviewed and updated.

Response and Service Request History:

This is an issue that we have seen reported a few times and are always related to having 2 cards installed, in CrossFire, during the 13.1/13.2/13.3 installation on a 970-chipset motherboard. I would recommend sticking with the 12.11Beta suite for the time being (available at www.amd.com/beta), and we would appreciate if you would go to www.amd.com/betareport and report this issue through the Error reporting form, and monitor the 13.3 Beta page to see when an update occurs that addresses this issue. We are currently investigating the root cause of the problem (which seems limited to 970-chipset motherboards, predominantly by ASUS), but there is currently no official timeframe for resolution at this time. You can also try an installation with just 1 card installed, and when the system boots up successfully try to install the 2nd card at that time, as this has proven to be a viable option in the mean time for some users.

The issue only occurs during installation when two cards are present in CrossFire mode on the 970-chipset, and this should be resolved with the 13.4 release coming later this month. The link above will be very helpful in our investigation, if you would be willing to provide that information to us.

In order to update this service request, please respond, leaving the service request reference intact.

Best regards,

AMD Global Customer Care

 

[Andrzej Wosik]

Any new information??

 

[Justin Rahme]

Any new information??

Only what I posted yesterday!

 

[Andrzej Wosik]

Any new information??

Only what I posted yesterday!

So we need to wait for 13.4. Hope they release it soon.

 

[Justin Rahme]

So, in the e-mail AMD had sent me it mentioned the driver version 12.11 which i was not running. I was able to get 12.10 working, but with some issues. But it was working enough that i knew xfire was enabled and i could play BF3 on Ultra.

So Today, i tried 12.11... annnd got the black screen and crash again. So my way to fix this was.

Shut down
Unplug the power for the secondary GPU
boot into windows.
Remove all AMD software
Uninstall device from device manager
Run CCleaner and Driver Sweeper to remove anything else that may have been left behind.
Shut down
plug in secondary card power plug
Boot into windows and re-install 12.10

After drivers are installed I run GPU-Z to see if CrossFire is enabled. It usually is not until i boot into SafeMode and change the enableULPS variation to 0.

What a fricken headache!

I hope this get fixed ASAP.