Refresh rate locked at 60hz - some help please

[Warbie]

I just replaced my 4850 with a 5850 and cannot use a refresh rate higher than 60hz. I use a CRT btw. I had no trouble before the upgrade but neither the advanced option in Windows (Windows 7) or the Catylyst control desktop properties allow me to use a refresh rate higher than 60hz! Any suggestions as my eyes are currently bleeding

 

[marc512]

What monitor is it? because its the monitor that controls the refresh rate not the graphics card.

 

[Warbie]

Sony FW900. The only change i've made is adding the new card and dling the latest Catalyst drivers.

 

[FrenchTart]

Try a graphics driver reinstall perhaps?

edit: just saw your second post.

Hmm. Try powerstrip and force the refresh rate?

 

[Warbie]

Anything I need to know about powerstrip before jumping in?

I checked the available resolutions and refresh rates in the 5850's adapter properties and it seems some resolutions will allow 85hz, just not the ones I use - has anyone tried adding to or adjusting these modes?

I can play games at 2304*1440 at 80hz but not 1440*900 at 85hz

 

[mame]

It's been years since I used a CRT so I might be way off the mark here but: Thinking back to when I did use one, I had to install the monitor drivers for the extra refresh rates and resoultions to be available. Because you are connecting by an analogue VGA, the PC doesn't know what monitor you have and what it can do.

 

[Warbie]

Thing is - it did this morning with my 4850 and slightly older catalyst drivers. I seems that the latest cat driver don't support certain resolutions at a refresh rate higher than 60. Lazy gits.

 

[bobert50]

I started a thread asking a similar question when the 5xxx was first released.

Amazing card, very fast, really quiet too i thought BUT i couldn't get it to do above 85hz on either my compaq P1220 or my FW900 and was told its just not possible. I believe some people with 120hz lcd's have got lucky and found work-arounds.

I had to return the card under the distance goods act and i was absolutely gutted.

Card in question was a 5870 but i've heard its the same with the 5850 etc.

Btw, 1600x900@120hz is totally where its at on the FW900

 

[Warbie]

That sucks mate. What did you replace it with?

I'd be happy with 85hz on the resolutions I play on and it's ridiculous that that hz works for some resolutions and not on others. At the moment it seems that ATI as a brand are out if you use a crt.

//update

I finally got it working. For anyone interested, you have to unpack the driver to a folder and add the resolution/frequency you want to a .inf file. Then uninstall the current driver, reboot, reinstall from the setup.exe in the folder you unpacked to, ignore windows moaning about the driver being suspect, and job done. Doing ATIs work is not the most fun way to spend half your saturday!