Need to replace an ATI Radeon HD 4600, for use with two DVI monitors

I need to replace my ATI Radeon HD 4600 graphics card. Although Windows 10 worked OK with the card for about a year, the card is apparently no longer compatible. (I attribute the problem to a Windows Update within the past six months, but I can't be sure. The thread "When attempting to unlock console, just seeing movable mouse cursor" describes the gory details.)

After reading various reviews, I'm favoring a GeForce GTX 1050. My needs are modest. :)

The ATI has two DVI-D ports; I'm using them to drive two Dell 27" UltraSharp monitors (2007WFP and 2009W, each has just a DVI-D port and a VGA port). Most cards (including the GeForce GTX 1050) seem to have one each of the following ports: Dual-Link DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort; i.e., one, not *two*, DVI-D ports. I'm planning to attach one monitor to the replacement card's DVI-D interface (I'm unsure if Dual-Link will cause any issues) and the other monitor to the replacement card's HDMI interface or DisplayPort interface, via a conversion DVI-D cable (I'm not sure which interface to use).

Will the above configuration be reliable? Or will I be swapping one problem for another? I ask because this configuration is more complicated than the one with my ATI; i.e., two DVI-D ports connected directly to two monitors.

Appreciate any comments!

dmholt57 said:

You mention updates from Windows maybe being the fault point. They have a bad habit of replacing AMD display adapter drivers with their own branded driver, in other words if you check the driver for the display adapter and it says signed by Microsoft, change the driver to one from AMD, even if you have to install it in Compatibility mode for Windows 8.

Thanks for the information! I'll check that tonight.

ATI's site shows the card as being not compatible with Windows 10. Not sure when it was designated such--perhaps it was from the start--but it worked great with my Windows 10 PC until about six months ago.

Are you suggesting I download the Windows 8 driver and then attempt to install it in Windows 10's compatibility mode?

dmholt57 said:

I have the original driver that shipped with my machine, after every update from Microsoft, the driver put in place says its for my adapter but, it is a driver from Microsoft. I have to install the original driver in Compatibility Mode for Windows 8. No good reason your cards should not work in Windows 10.

Good to know; thanks. The card had been working great until about six months ago. It was only then when I went to ATI's site and noticed there weren't any updated/native Windows 10 drivers ... and the statement that the card is not compatible with Windows 10. I'm encountering a few other foibles with Windows 10 such that I'm planning to perform and re-install. I had wondered if that, in itself, would resolve the issue with the ATI -- that is, until I came across the message on ATI's site. Installing a driver for an earlier version of Windows is something I hadn't considered.

The card came with a (Dell) PC that I purchased perhaps seven or eight years ago; I think the PC came with Windows Vista. I probably still have the original driver on CD ... but I figure it better to download a more recent driver from ATI's site and use that, instead.

ChrisWaters said:

When I left home this morning, I could not access the Windows unlock prompt. Although the screen was black, Windows hadn't locked up; the cursor was moveable, shares could be accessed. It was like that the night before. This is the issue I described in my original thread, referenced above--the issue that's causing me to want to replace the ATI graphics card.

When I arrived home tonight, the unlock prompt was accessible again! This has happened before; if I don't have to gain immediate access to the PC and, therefore, do not perform a hard reset, the unlock prompt is oftentimes accessible (sometimes many) hours later.

I notice tonight the unlock prompt background image is different than it was yesterday. Could it be that the automated changing of the background image somehow forces the graphics card driver to 'reset' (i.e., fix) itself?

Edit: I've also noticed that if I disable autolock...and if I don't effort a manual lock...the problem doesn't seem to occur.

Hi there, Chris. I see you started another thread to search for a new card. That may be a choice, but then again depending on how important it is you may work around it with dmholt57's suggestion. But with what you just stated, it may be a different problem. Sounds like you have the Lock screen set to Windows Spotlight which will change the Lock screen pic daily.

Try Settings app > Personalization > Lock screen >Change it to Picture and choose one from your collection. See if that works.

HippsieGypsie said:

Hi there, Chris. I see you started another thread to search for a new card. That may be a choice, but then again depending on how important it is you may work around it with dmholt57's suggestion. But with what you just stated, it may be a different problem. Sounds like you have the Lock screen set to Windows Spotlight which will change the Lock screen pic daily.

Try Settings app > Personalization > Lock screen >Change it to Picture and choose one from your collection. See if that works.

Thanks for following me here. :) I've downloaded the Windows 8 ATI Radeon 4xxx driver ... and plan to install it tonight, in Windows 8 compatibility mode, using the EXE Properties' Compatibility tab. It appears the EXE will create many directories/files and then launch ATI's Catalyst installer.

Yes, the lock screen is set to Windows Spotlight. I'm a bit reluctant to change it because the automated daily changing of the picture might be the only thing that restores my ability to access the unlock prompt!

Even though I've reached the point of being ready to re-install Windows 10 (whether with the ATI or a replacement card), my curiosity is raised once again; i.e., I'd love to find out what is causing this issue!

dmholt57 said:

I don't think your hardware likes the hybrid hibernation used when setting machine to use Fast Start in the Power options. Doesn't shut down, hibernates, so what u expect to be a cold start is in effect coming out of hibernation. Turn it off, not enough advantage to worry with it, disabling hibernation also disables Fast Start...

Not sure I understand. I never place this PC (a desktop) into hibernation or standby -- and it's not entering such. Even when the display prevents me from accessing the unlock prompt, the PC is continuing to function; i.e., the mouse cursor is movable, shares are still accessible, etc.