Problems with ArcadeVGA Version 2 PCI-E

[smackiex]

My brother and I have been building our arcade cabinet for awhile, and we managed to wait long enough for the PCI-E version of the ArcadeVGA, since our machine uses PCI-E and the W-G D9200 monitor.  We've installed the ATI drivers and did NOT let windows install its generic drivers, but anytime I've tried to install the ATI control panel the D9200 kinda "splits" into two very fuzzy images after a reboot following installation. Also, even before I installed the CPanel, the quickres utility never showed the amount of resolution modes that are listed in the installation guide for the ArcadeVGA card, it's probably only a third of the listed resolutions with absolutely none below a level of 500 x anything.

On to trying games to see if they look correct at all, I noticed that many games did NOT go to their native resolutions and NONE ever filled the screen.  We're using the latest MAME 32 (108u3), but I was using .95 before and still had the same problems.

Has anyone had similar problems with this card or the AGP version?  I've followed the install guide to a T, but to no avail.  I've scoured many posts and I think this is the first one concerning this... HELP!  let me know if you need more info, though I think I've mentioned anything worth mentioning.

[rlemmon]

Hi. Did you remove any existing ATI drivers before you installed the avga ones ?

[squirrellydw]

I would suggest contacting Andy, he is very helpful with his products.

[smackiex]

Yeah, there were no ATI drivers previously installed and I uninstalled the Nvidia ones anyway.  I think I shall e-mail andy as per the suggestion.

[smackiex]

I should also note that I installed the tri-sync utility, and that before I had the AVGA2 card, the monitor displayed a near perfect picture just running through an NVidia PCI-E graphics cards going through I standard monitor port.  Games just don't look quite arcade perfect (and refresh rates can flicker, some go over range) as they should with the AVGA2.

[miles2912]

You still have to set all the resolutions using the mame res tool.  The card can display all of them but mame does not know what resolutions you need to use untill you tell it.  Grab the mame res tool and it will become pretty apparent what you need to do.

D-

[smackiex]

eh, I forgot to mention i tried that already, but the card still won't display a resolution lower than 512 x 384, never full screen, always off-center, no matter the amount of fine tuning done on the monitor controls.

Before I isntalled the AVGA2, we used an NVidia card, and the picture was always centered and crystal clear, it just didn't run MAME in native resolutions or refresh rates, which is why we got the AVGA2 but it seems to not want to work.

I'm especially surprised by all of this considering that we have the "perfect combo" of an AVGA card and D9200 monitor.

[RayB]

AFAIK Windows doesn't support chunky low resolutions, so why would it list them in the available resolutions?

As for the screen not being filled, adjust the sizing.

[smackiex]

I don't mean that the resolutions would be displayed in Windows Display Manager, only in quickres.  If the Installation guided is correct, there should be about twice the available resolutions displayed when i click on quickres, but there is nothing under 512 x 384.  I've set up all my MAME versions just like in the installation guide, but it refuses to fill screen unless I do adjust the sizing, but then it is not of the right color (very blurry), which i'm pretty sure is a result of hardware stretching, which is not supposed to be turned on (I've turned on DirectDraw, but not Direct3d, turned off hardware stretch, etc..).

Also because quickres only shows the lowest res to be 512 x 384, that's the lowest any MAME will go, even if I try and manual select the resolution in MAME the lowest one is still 512x384, much higher than almost all MAME roms.

[AndyWarne]

Hopefully can resolve this via email.
Andy

[smackiex]

cheers to andy for the help, I know it's not the Ultimarc appretiation forum, but I'd still like to thank him too for the immediate help!

[Lutus]

Well, what was the final verdict on the problem?

[smackiex]

well still no final verdict on the actual problem, BUT, I'm just glad it wasn't me being an idiot this time  It's nice to have direct connection to the product maker because they actually care.  Like I said Andy has been helpful and responsive, allowing me to still have a full head of hair 

[rlemmon]

The pcie avga cards are being recalled oy sould be getting an email from ultimarc.

See this post

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=58071.0