x800xt on Win2k MMC (tv tuner) issue

After years of satellite TV, I recently switched back to cable, and decided
to try the TV Tuner on this card. It worked fine on both monitors connected
to this card. Having a new hard drive sitting here, I figured it was a good
time for a fresh install of Win2k. Now, I can't get the TV tuner to
initialize. It returns the following:

| Unable to start TV
|
| The TV player failed to initialize the video.
|
| Check the Windows Device Manager to ensure that the correct video driver has been installed and is working properly before attempting to restart TV.
|
| PC Check may help diagnose this problem.
| Start PC Check utility after pressing OK

If I run the PC Check utility, when it gets to the DX section (Graphics,
more specifically: "Checks capture driver installation"), Windows returns
another popup:

| Application popup: mmccfg.exe - Application Error :
|
| The instruction at "0x0040fa12" referenced memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be "read".
| Click on OK to terminate the program

After clicking OK, the config utility window closes, but atimmc.exe is left
running (taskmanager to kill).


Thinking that maybe I installed a different set of drivers than I had on
the earlier install of Windows, I checked the old hdd (slaved) to see what
was listed in the old C:\ATI\Support folder:

| --ATI--
| --SUPPORT--
| --3-03_rw_enu--
| --6-2_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_30152--
| --9-08_mmc_enu--
| --9-08_mmc_uci--

Those are the same versions that I'm currently trying to install. =/

I tried re-installing using the following method:

Using the Add/Remove applet in Control panel, I uninstalled (in order):

ATI Remote Wonder
ATI MMC
ATI Display driver (primary and secondary)
ATI Catalyst Control Center
ATI Software Uninstall Utility

I then reboot to Safe Mode and run Driver Cleaner Pro to remove any
remaining ATI software (twice, just in case).

Reboot to Normal, and install:

6-2_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_30152
9-08_mmc_enu
9-08_mmc_uci
3-03_rw_enu


Finally, to the questions. =)

I've most recently been looking for other versions of the software to
install, but have had no luck. The AMD/ATI site is absolutely useless now.
They only offer the same versions I have. The older versions are nowhere to
be found on that site. Any external links to their site are blocked, and
that's where most pages point. I found a lot of the older Catalyst drivers
on oldapps.com, but finding any older MMC versions is difficult. Is there
an archive anywhere?

Is there a site that lists which versions of the Catalyst and MMC are
actually compatable?

Is this a case of "pilot error" and my install/uninstall methods are
flawed?

This isn't *that* big of a deal. I've done without that feature since I got
the card, until very recently. But, when something works, and then all of a
sudden doesn't, I like to get it working again. =) Sorry if this was
long-winded, but I wanted to give as much detail as I thought was necessary
to begin resolving this. If any other info is required, I'll try and
provide it.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
--

Eggs

-If a cow laughs hard, does milk come out its nose?

You may not have the proper and required versions of "DirectX" and/or
"dot net framework" installed. Install DirectX 9 and all versions of
dot net (different dot net versions are not replacements or upgrades of
each other, they are totally different environments; e.g. for many
applications you may need dot net version 1,2 and 3 all installed).


Eggs Zachtly wrote:
After years of satellite TV, I recently switched back to cable, and decided
to try the TV Tuner on this card. It worked fine on both monitors connected
to this card. Having a new hard drive sitting here, I figured it was a good
time for a fresh install of Win2k. Now, I can't get the TV tuner to
initialize. It returns the following:

| Unable to start TV
|
| The TV player failed to initialize the video.
|
| Check the Windows Device Manager to ensure that the correct video driver has been installed and is working properly before attempting to restart TV.
|
| PC Check may help diagnose this problem.
| Start PC Check utility after pressing OK

If I run the PC Check utility, when it gets to the DX section (Graphics,
more specifically: "Checks capture driver installation"), Windows returns
another popup:

| Application popup: mmccfg.exe - Application Error :
|
| The instruction at "0x0040fa12" referenced memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be "read".
| Click on OK to terminate the program

After clicking OK, the config utility window closes, but atimmc.exe is left
running (taskmanager to kill).


Thinking that maybe I installed a different set of drivers than I had on
the earlier install of Windows, I checked the old hdd (slaved) to see what
was listed in the old C:\ATI\Support folder:

| --ATI--
| --SUPPORT--
| --3-03_rw_enu--
| --6-2_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_30152--
| --9-08_mmc_enu--
| --9-08_mmc_uci--

Those are the same versions that I'm currently trying to install. =/

I tried re-installing using the following method:

Using the Add/Remove applet in Control panel, I uninstalled (in order):

ATI Remote Wonder
ATI MMC
ATI Display driver (primary and secondary)
ATI Catalyst Control Center
ATI Software Uninstall Utility

I then reboot to Safe Mode and run Driver Cleaner Pro to remove any
remaining ATI software (twice, just in case).

Reboot to Normal, and install:

6-2_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_30152
9-08_mmc_enu
9-08_mmc_uci
3-03_rw_enu


Finally, to the questions. =)

I've most recently been looking for other versions of the software to
install, but have had no luck. The AMD/ATI site is absolutely useless now.
They only offer the same versions I have. The older versions are nowhere to
be found on that site. Any external links to their site are blocked, and
that's where most pages point. I found a lot of the older Catalyst drivers
on oldapps.com, but finding any older MMC versions is difficult. Is there
an archive anywhere?

Is there a site that lists which versions of the Catalyst and MMC are
actually compatable?

Is this a case of "pilot error" and my install/uninstall methods are
flawed?

This isn't *that* big of a deal. I've done without that feature since I got
the card, until very recently. But, when something works, and then all of a
sudden doesn't, I like to get it working again. =) Sorry if this was
long-winded, but I wanted to give as much detail as I thought was necessary
to begin resolving this. If any other info is required, I'll try and
provide it.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Barry Watzman said:

You may not have the proper and required versions of "DirectX" and/or
"dot net framework" installed. Install DirectX 9 and all versions of
dot net (different dot net versions are not replacements or upgrades of
each other, they are totally different environments; e.g. for many
applications you may need dot net version 1,2 and 3 all installed).


DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Microsoft .NET Framework v1.0
Directory c:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\

Microsoft .NET Framework v1.1
Directory c:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\

Microsoft .NET Framework v2.0
Directory c:\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\

..NET Framework 3.0 doesn't run on Win2k.

--

Eggs

-A tree never hits an automobile except in self-defence.

Hi!

| Unable to start TV
| The TV player failed to initialize the video.

This usually indicates a problem with the video overlay functionality.
Sometimes it can indicate that the video card has run out of video memory.
Have you tried running at a lower resolution and adjusting the color depth
(16 or 32 bit)?

I'm surprised to hear that you are using Windows 2000 for this. Is the
operating system up to date with all service packs, hotfixes, rollups, etc?
(Don't get me wrong, I love Windows 2000. It's just odd to find others who
are still running it as well.)

What CPU is in this system? (I ask because Windows 2000 at least has a flaw
in the stream.sys driver. This flaw shows up on Pentium 4 HT microprocessors
(with hyperthreading enabled) and manifests itself by causing any
application that tries to use the TV tuner to lock up at some point, usually
before you get any video. Quitting the application will not work, a "zombie"
will be left behind in Task Manager.)

Microsoft only ever released the hotfix to correct this issue for Windows
XP, probably because it is suggested that you disable hyperthreading support
on any other Windows operating system. It will work on Windows 2000 if you
can get ahold of the file:

I detailed the process I had to go through here with an ATI TV Wonder and a
Dell Dimension 8300 (nVidia AGP graphics):
http://greyghost.mooo.com/streamsys/

Disclaimer: the above worked for me to solve the odd problems I encountered.
I couldn't use the card at all beforehand. It may not work for you, might
cause oodles of purple smoke to emanate from your computer and may very well
insult your mother for no good reason at all. Seriously, if it works, that's
great. If not, that's the chance you take and you are entirely responsible
for whatever may happen. This advice is presented in good faith but with NO
guarantee.

You could just turn hyperthreading off in your system's BIOS configuration
utility as well.

William

William R. Walsh said:

Hi!

| Unable to start TV
| The TV player failed to initialize the video.

This usually indicates a problem with the video overlay functionality.
Sometimes it can indicate that the video card has run out of video memory.
Have you tried running at a lower resolution and adjusting the color depth
(16 or 32 bit)?

The card has 256MB and the machine has 2048MB. I don't think it's a RAM issue. I
don't have any issues with any apps or games.


I'm surprised to hear that you are using Windows 2000 for this. Is the
operating system up to date with all service packs, hotfixes, rollups, etc?
(Don't get me wrong, I love Windows 2000. It's just odd to find others who
are still running it as well.)

Fresh install with all available critical updates (and most other updates, save
for ATI drivers). I had no reason to go to XP, over Win2kSP4. I had absolutely
no desire to go to Vista. I'd like to run Win7, but I'm not sure I have a
machine capable, and building a new one right now isn't possible. 2k is rock
solid stable on this machine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, eh? =)


What CPU is in this system? (I ask because Windows 2000 at least has a flaw
in the stream.sys driver. This flaw shows up on Pentium 4 HT microprocessors
(with hyperthreading enabled) and manifests itself by causing any
application that tries to use the TV tuner to lock up at some point, usually
before you get any video. Quitting the application will not work, a "zombie"
will be left behind in Task Manager.)

AMD Athlon XP 2800+



[snipped.. hyperthreding's not possible]

Thanks for the attempt, William. =)

--

Eggs

-A tree never hits an automobile except in self-defence.

Hi!

The card has 256MB and the machine has 2048MB. I don't think it's a RAM
issue. I don't have any issues with any apps or games.

I guess that's a by-product of my using some older-but-still-viable video
adapters with limited video RAM, such as the good old Matrox MGA family of
adapters. Sometimes you could run them up to their limits, to the point
where no video memory was left to hold the overlay. The Intel 810/815 would
fall victim to that problem as well in some early implementations. (Both of
those support dedicated video memory, although it only shows up rarely. When
the dedicated memory is used, the Intel graphics will use it instead of
stealing from the system RAM in most cases. That is always nice, but it does
mean that the 81x GPU can run out of memory more easily instead of having an
essentially limitless pool to pull from.)

I'd like to run Win7, but I'm not sure I have a machine capable

Today's word is "astounding".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxf3PWwIqew

(yes, it's my video -- and yes I just had to try it)

I'm going to face a very hard decision when Windows 2000 finally loses
support, but I think I already know how I will go with that. I'll probably
keep using it for quite a while. So far as I'm concerned, it's still the
absolute best version of Windows ever to come from Microsoft. It works, it
isn't broken and I see no need to "fix" it.

AMD Athlon XP 2800+

How'd I know it wouldn't be that easy?

I saw a few other suggestions as produced by a web search against the error
message. Microsoft has a KB article that states any software providing
remote desktop services on Windows 2000 (such as NetMeeting) can cause this
failure. The solution is to quit the program while you want to use the TV
tuner.

Another person in a forum somewhere found that they could watch digital
(most likely ATSC/over the air) TV with their ATI TV tuner while they could
not watch analog TV. They claimed that installing the DVD decoder software
bundled with the card got it working. What an idea! (I could even see how it
might be true.)

William

On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:13:30 -0600, "William R. Walsh"
m wrote:

Hi!

| Unable to start TV
| The TV player failed to initialize the video.

This usually indicates a problem with the video overlay functionality.
Sometimes it can indicate that the video card has run out of video memory.
Have you tried running at a lower resolution and adjusting the color depth
(16 or 32 bit)?

I'm surprised to hear that you are using Windows 2000 for this. Is the
operating system up to date with all service packs, hotfixes, rollups, etc?
(Don't get me wrong, I love Windows 2000. It's just odd to find others who
are still running it as well.)

What CPU is in this system? (I ask because Windows 2000 at least has a flaw
in the stream.sys driver. This flaw shows up on Pentium 4 HT microprocessors
(with hyperthreading enabled) and manifests itself by causing any
application that tries to use the TV tuner to lock up at some point, usually
before you get any video. Quitting the application will not work, a "zombie"
will be left behind in Task Manager.)

Microsoft only ever released the hotfix to correct this issue for Windows
XP, probably because it is suggested that you disable hyperthreading support
on any other Windows operating system. It will work on Windows 2000 if you
can get ahold of the file:

I detailed the process I had to go through here with an ATI TV Wonder and a
Dell Dimension 8300 (nVidia AGP graphics):
http://greyghost.mooo.com/streamsys/

Disclaimer: the above worked for me to solve the odd problems I encountered.
I couldn't use the card at all beforehand. It may not work for you, might
cause oodles of purple smoke to emanate from your computer and may very well
insult your mother for no good reason at all. Seriously, if it works, that's
great. If not, that's the chance you take and you are entirely responsible
for whatever may happen. This advice is presented in good faith but with NO
guarantee.

You could just turn hyperthreading off in your system's BIOS configuration
utility as well.

William