Windows 7: Radeon HD 2600XT (AGP) - freezes at 'Starting Windows'

Hey Guys,

Well, as the title suggests - I have an AGP HD2600, and whenever I install the ATI Display Driver (any version, from 7.10 right through to the Windows 7 Preview Drivers).

The install process itself proceeds fine without any issues (although Device Manager never recognizes my card - always calls it a VGA Adapter) but whenever I reboot after installing said drivers, it freezes at the Starting Windows section - right at the part where the desktop should load up.



I've tried compatibility mode, I've tried disabling enforced driver signatures, but the only thing that lets me boot after installing the ATI Drivers is to system restore back to the crappy VGA Adapter generic driver....

Any ideas? Please? I'm desperate

further info: using the leaked version of Build 7000 (assumin there is a diff. etween the leaked and the genuine Beta...)

Does it freeze at boot screen, or you get a black screen ?

Hey Mate,
I get a permanent freeze of the 'Starting Windows' screen. The logo animation freezes as well.

Hmm...strange, I'm afraid I have never heard of this error...

are all of your motherboard drivers updated? esp Chipset driver?

Hmm... I can't find any *new* drivers for my chipset, they only go as far as XP.... I'm assuming they must be catered for Vista by using included drivers with the OS...

I managed to get Windows 7 to recognise my card by force installing the INF file that comes with the card - but same problem will occur when rebooting the system...

I am having this same problem with my Radeon 4800 and windows 7. Every time I upgrade the drivers that ATI provides my PC freezes at the splash screen...

You mention you tried each driver from 7.1 to 9.3. Try reformatting and reinstalling; the drivers don't always uninstall completely and may conflict with each other.

I have the same problem, i have a also a ati radeon hd2600 xt agp, but my windows 7 rtm 7600 works normaly, after a few reboot's he freezes at starting windows, it's driving me crazy. i cant do nothing, not even in safe mode he boots , and i dont update the ati drivers

unsupported card getting sick of saying this some sticky the ATI link I posted like 3 time