I have a strange problem that I am unable to resolve.
My system:
Windows XP Home SP3 with all updates
AMD Athlon 2100+
ATI All in Wonder 8500 graphics
Prior to the ATI graphics drivers being loaded, my display looks "snowy". i.e. similar to an old analog TV broadcast from a weak distant station. I can still read the display but it is "snowy".
I see this:
- during POST
- on the preliminary Windows splash screen (prior to the ATI drivers being loaded)
- all the time when I boot into safe mode.
- When re-installing Windows, I saw it all the time until the ATI drivers were installed and loaded.
Once the ATI graphics drivers are loaded, the display is perfect.
This has been the case for about a year but I didn't do anything to fix it because everything seemed to work after the drivers were loaded.
For another reason, I just formatted the HD and did a clean install of Windows XP. I had hoped that this would fix the issue but it didn't.
Since the problem persists after a clean Win install, I'm assuming that I have a hardware issue. However, I have no idea what drives the display prior to the ATI drivers being loaded.
Can anyone provide a hint as to where I might start looking?
My system:
Windows XP Home SP3 with all updates
AMD Athlon 2100+
ATI All in Wonder 8500 graphics
Prior to the ATI graphics drivers being loaded, my display looks "snowy". i.e. similar to an old analog TV broadcast from a weak distant station. I can still read the display but it is "snowy".
I see this:
- during POST
- on the preliminary Windows splash screen (prior to the ATI drivers being loaded)
- all the time when I boot into safe mode.
- When re-installing Windows, I saw it all the time until the ATI drivers were installed and loaded.
Once the ATI graphics drivers are loaded, the display is perfect.
This has been the case for about a year but I didn't do anything to fix it because everything seemed to work after the drivers were loaded.
For another reason, I just formatted the HD and did a clean install of Windows XP. I had hoped that this would fix the issue but it didn't.
Since the problem persists after a clean Win install, I'm assuming that I have a hardware issue. However, I have no idea what drives the display prior to the ATI drivers being loaded.
Can anyone provide a hint as to where I might start looking?