radeon 9600 pro + call of duty demo = lockup?

here's the original post:
http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=509 0326#post5090326

on a sort of related but not related note, i'm having probs with my friend's 9600 pro.

http://www.driverheaven.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28906 (need login, but here's the cut and paste... no responses so far)

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum, but I'm hoping some of you may be able to give me a hand with this problem. I recently built a system for a friend, everything runs great except Call of Duty, both demos do not work for long. The system hard locks and I have to hit reset to get out. The 3-fingered salute doesn't even break out. With the Cat 3.8s, sometimes the VPU Recover thing will kick in and I can break out. But more often than not, it's a total hard lock.

Anyone experience this? Specs of system are as follows:

Hardware: (I'll list only relevant components, will provide more details if requested)
Abit IS7 (Intel i865 chipset) flashed to latest BIOS
P4 2.6GHz 800FSB
512MB (2 x 256MB) PC3200 CAS2 3-3-6 Geil DDR
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (purchased from Newegg)

Software:
WinXP Pro + SP1a + all updates available as of 10/17
Cat 3.8s (also tried the 3.7s, same result, but seems to last a little longer before freezing)
All drivers are the latest.
Using onboard audio. (Realtek ALC650 I believe)

Nothing is overclocked. I even tried reducing memory timings, lowering speed from 200MHz FSB and DRAM to 166MHz.

This appears to be the only game to do it. I've Prime95ed the system on end for hours with no stability problems. CPU and system temperatures are excellent (55C CPU under full load, don't recall what system is but it was in the 30s). 3dMark2k1 and 2k3 both run without a hitch, no artifacting or anything. Freelancer, Halflife/Counterstrke, Enemy Territory, StarCraft , those all run fine.

Any input/leads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

edit: He told me today that Freelancer hardlocked on him once after about 15 minutes so hmm... more to come on this. Kind of strange that Freelancer locked but 3dMark2k1 and 2k3 ran through to completion.


and before people start blaming 'shitty ATI', don't bother.

any ideas?
any ideas?

The same thing happens with me and the "Dawnville" demo.

i shut off fast write, seemed to work

ATI AWI 9600 Pro 8.6 cats, I set the 3D adjustment to "balanced". I guess the demo doesn't like AA perhaps, or the texture filtering.

Hope the retail version works better.