2010-04-28 Update:
Using 10.3a (and presumably later drivers) multiple monitor flashing in 2D mode has been fixed - UNLESS you enable ATI Overdrive, which apparently doesn't work well in 2D mode using multiple monitors.
Problem: Using multiple monitors, Radeon 5xxx series video cards, and with only 2D applications running, one or more of your monitors is exhibiting horitizontal flashing lines, particularly when moving windows around.
Cause: If you are using 10.3a or later drivers with ATI Overdrive enabled, this apparently sets your 2D clocks too low to properly drive multiple monitors.
If you are using earlier versions of the CCC then your 2D clocks are too low by default, and I recommend updating to 10.3a or later.
Solution: If you are using 10.3a or later (I have not tested the WHQL 10.3, perhaps someone could provide feedback?), then the fix appears to be simple: go to the ATI Overdrive tab in the CCC, and untick the 'Enable ATI Overdrive' option. Make sure to update any user-created profiles with this option unticked.
If you are using earlier versions of the CCC, I recommend installing 10.3a or later; 10.3a reportedly has some improvements not released in the 10.3 WHQL version. Try a 'cleanout' and install:
Now your multiple-monitor 2D flashing should be resolved; do NOT enable ATI Overdrive, or it will come back to haunt you. You should be able to use Overdrive with a single monitor without issue, or use Overdrive with multiple monitors and 3D applications.
Original workaround is listed below - this does NOT work using 10.3a and later drivers any longer:
Using 10.3a (and presumably later drivers) multiple monitor flashing in 2D mode has been fixed - UNLESS you enable ATI Overdrive, which apparently doesn't work well in 2D mode using multiple monitors.
Problem: Using multiple monitors, Radeon 5xxx series video cards, and with only 2D applications running, one or more of your monitors is exhibiting horitizontal flashing lines, particularly when moving windows around.
Cause: If you are using 10.3a or later drivers with ATI Overdrive enabled, this apparently sets your 2D clocks too low to properly drive multiple monitors.
If you are using earlier versions of the CCC then your 2D clocks are too low by default, and I recommend updating to 10.3a or later.
Solution: If you are using 10.3a or later (I have not tested the WHQL 10.3, perhaps someone could provide feedback?), then the fix appears to be simple: go to the ATI Overdrive tab in the CCC, and untick the 'Enable ATI Overdrive' option. Make sure to update any user-created profiles with this option unticked.
If you are using earlier versions of the CCC, I recommend installing 10.3a or later; 10.3a reportedly has some improvements not released in the 10.3 WHQL version. Try a 'cleanout' and install:
- In Programs and Features, uninstall any ATI software, including application profiles. Restart if necessary.
- Go to Device Manager, expand the Display adapters, right click your Radeon GPU, and Uninstall. Check the option to 'delete driver software.' This should require a restart.
- Optionally use a third party driver cleaner and/or registry cleaner at this point.
- Install CCC, and then the latest application profiles.
Now your multiple-monitor 2D flashing should be resolved; do NOT enable ATI Overdrive, or it will come back to haunt you. You should be able to use Overdrive with a single monitor without issue, or use Overdrive with multiple monitors and 3D applications.
Original workaround is listed below - this does NOT work using 10.3a and later drivers any longer:
Update: Please note that I found that using your stock 3D memory clock speeds is usually required to eliminate the 'flashing.' My Sapphire 5970 has a stock 3D memory clock speed of 1010 MHz, so that is what I'm using here; your card may require different clock speeds for multiple monitor stability.
Problem: When using multiple monitors on the Radeon 5970 and a 2D desktop environment, one or more monitors exhibit flashing and artifacts, especially when moving windows around. This problem may affect other 5xxx series cards.
This specific problem goes away if you run a 3D application in a window. If so, the below fix should solve your issue.
1. Open CCC
2. Unlock and Enable Overdrive if they arent already.
3. Go to Options/Profiles/Profiles Manager. Create a new profile. Under composition make sure ATI Overdrive is checked. Save and Close, DO NOT ACTIVATE.
4. In windows go to: C:\Users\{yourusername}\AppData\Local\ATI\ACE\Profiles (you will need to have show hidden files turned on for this)
5. Open the xml document with the name of the profile you just created (notepad is fine)
6. Change the values of the Clock and Memory speeds to look like this (these specific values are what worked for me and my card, use judgment) EDIT ONLY THE BOLD VALUES. Please note that if you have multiple GPUs, there will be one entry per GPU that needs to be altered. (Target_1, Target_2, and so on.)
Feature name="CoreClockTarget_0"
Property name="Want_0" value="40000"
Feature name="MemoryClockTarget_0"
Property name="Want_0" value="101000"
7. Save and close. Go back to CCC and activate the profile you just created.
*I'm finding that, after a restart, I'm having to switch to a single-display profile, then back to my working multi-display profile. Just a heads up.
This will make the card idle at 400core, 1010 memory. (2D clocks are the "Want_0" values.) This solution was originally posted on the AMD Game forums by user eventhorizon.
I found that I had to increase my memory clock to 1010 (1010 MHz) to get the 2D desktop stable, but that 400 MHz core clock was sufficient. Your mileage may vary. You can test if your new 2D clock speeds are activated by opening CCC and going to ATI overdrive; it will show you your GPU's current clock speeds. If your desktop still suffers from flashing using multiple monitors try upping the memory speed a bit until it goes away.
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