Computer Display Problem - Images Attached!

[ryanwain]

Hi,
 
I own an Acer Ferrari 4002wlmi with the following spec:
General
 
System Type: Notebook
 
Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial, Bluetooth aerial
 
Width: 36.3 cm
 
Depth: 26.6 cm
 
Height: 3.5 cm
 
Weight: 2.9 kg
 
Localisation: English / United Kingdom
Processor
 
Processor: AMD Turion 64 mobile technology ML-30 / 1.6 GHz
 
64-bit Computing: Yes
 
Features: 3DNow! Professional technology, PowerNow! technology, HyperTransport technology, Enhanced Virus Protection
 
Chipset Type: ATI Radeon Xpress 200
Cache Memory
 
Type: L2 Cache
 
Installed Size: 1 MB
RAM
 
Installed Size: 512 MB / 2 GB (max)
 
Technology: DDR SDRAM - 333 MHz
 
Memory Specification Compliance: PC2700
 
Configuration Features: 2 x 256 MB
Storage Controller
 
Type: IDE
Storage
 
Hard Drive: 80 GB - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage
 
Type: DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM - integrated
Card Reader
 
Type: 5 in 1 card reader
 
Supported Flash Memory Cards: SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard, xD-Picture Card
Display
 
Display Type: 15.4" TFT active matrix
 
Max Resolution: 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
 
Widescreen Display: Yes
 
Colour support: 24-bit (16.7 million colours)
 
Features: CrystalBrite
Video
 
Graphics Processor / Vendor: ATI Mobility Radeon X700 - PCI Express
 
Video Memory: DDR SDRAM - 128 MB
 
Max Resolution (external): 2048 x 1536
Audio
 
Audio Output: Sound card
 
Compliant Standards: AC '97
 
Audio Input: Microphone
Input Device(s)
 
Type: Keyboard, touchpad, 4-way scroll button
 
 
 
The problems arise when I run Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. Often the game will open and run fine and I'll be able to play a full game with little problems. However, when I try to exit the game and return to windows, my graphics get messed up, as can be seen in the attached file. This is also the case if I try and switch between the game and my desktop or another program mid game. Further still, on some occasions the screen may also get messed up whilst the game is loading. Unfortunately, the only soluton I have found is to turn my laptop off and restart it.
 
I also noted that the same problem occurred when I tried to increase my screens resolution; I did not have Age of Empires on at that time.  
 
This is an extremely frustrating problem, and any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
 
Many thanks,
 
Ryan Wain

[GX1_Man]

Hopefully that machine is still under warranty. I think it is heading to the shop. You can try installing your video drivers again, but it looks like a hardware issue. Have you checked your temps also?

[Calum]

What he said.
And, don't try switching between full-screen programs, especially games, it can cause that sort of problem.
If there are patches available for the game, get them, it may help.
Does the game support your GPU?
And don't change your resolution, all LCD screens have a native resolution and they don't look good at different ones.

[ryanwain]

i originally had the latest omega drivers. i uninstalled them, and replaced them with the official ATI drivers.

still the same problem...


Any suggestions?

Thanks for your rapid responses...

[Calum]

So the problem still occurs with the latest official ATI Mobility drivers?
What are your temps like?
Are there any patches for the game?
Is your GPU supported by the game?
Do other games work OK?

[ryanwain]

i updated the game to the latest version, 1.0c.

i'm not sure what you mean about the GPU, but it is a pretty universal card (Ati Mobility x700) so i'd imagine it would be supported.

I have my suspicions about the temps, but there is no program on my laptop to check it...

and other, higher end games work fine (such as pro evo 6)

[Calum]

Yeah, I guess it would be supported, it's just that some older games don't support notebook cards.
They usually work fine anyway, but sometimes odd things can happen.
As for the temperature . . . how does your laptop feel when gaming, and when idle?
Warm?
Hot?
Cold?
Especially the GPU area - it'll be where the video outputs are, so near the DVI or VGA ports or similar.
Also, Everest may be able to give you some info about the temps.

[ryanwain]

Thanks you so much for your assistance so far. I just downloaded everest and did a report, which is attached.

As for my temperatures, the computer is very warm on the left hand side, however, in the area by the tv output etc. it is not warm at all.

ryan.

[Calum]

Seems that Everest won't tell you your GPU temps, it may not do that after all, I thought it did but I could be wrong.
Those temps seem strange to me - cool for the CPU and warm for the HDD - what were you doing prior to making the report?
Could you do some gaming (where it doesn't crash) and then make another report?
I'll look up your laptop and see where the GPU is.
It may be on the left where the warm bit is.
Just a thought - is it labelled underneath?
With my laptop, there are 2 compartments, labelled System door and HDD door, yours may be similar or it may not.
Just a thought.

[Neil]

Look in your ATI overdrive utility for temperature.

[patio]

Or DLoad speedfan...

[Calum]

Look in your ATI overdrive utility for temperature.

Where's that?

[Spoiler]

Too me it looks like the video settings for the game has been jacked up to a point where your machine can't handle it. Do you have a way to edit the screen settings without opening the game? Try to set them way down and than move them back up one step at a time until you can get the best picture without it going bad.