How to Solve "Out of Frequency" with Catalyst/Vista

[metaphysician]

I have found a way to sucessfully work around a devastating problem I had after installing Catalyst while running Vista.

The Problem
As I indicated in a previous thread, every time I installed Catalyst and rebooted my computer, I would get an Out of Frequency Error. It would also say that the frequency (refresh rate) was set at 90Hz, which is well above the allowed maximum.

I tried using Safe Mode, but in safe mode Catalyst and any other ATI-based programs cannot start. The few that can cannot detect the hardware, because in Safe Mode only generic drivers are loaded. I could not fix the problem this way.

Using System Restore to get rid of Catalyst would solve the problem. This led me to believe that it was a software problem, not a hardware problem as suggested. I wanted to run Oblivion with HDR and anti-aliasing, so I didn't want to just use the driver. I needed Catalyst

The Solution
On startup, press F8 to access Advanced Startup Options.

Select Enable Low Resolution Video (640 x 480). This, as Microsoft states "starts Windows using your current video driver and using low resolution and refresh rate settings." The main benefit of starting in this way is that it loads the video drive. Meaning, ATI programs will be able to detect the card, while at the same time the card is forced into running at a low frequency (60 Hz).

Start Vista and try not to cringe at the way it looks.

Access the Catalyst Control Centre (Advanced Mode) and select Monitor Properties. Find the section that says Monitor Attributes. Uncheck the box labelled Use Extended Display Identification Data. Now, even if it says "not supported", set your maximum refresh rate to a rate within the acceptable range, and the resolution to your maximum preferred resolution. Click Apply. NB: This step may seem odd, but it did not work until I did this, even though it says "not supported" for me.

Find the tab which says Displays Manager on the left. Set your desktop to whatever you want. Click Apply, and then OK.

Restart your computer for good measure, and bask in the glory of victory. At this point it worked for me (though, as each system is different, it may not work for someone else, but I don't see why not).

I hope this helps someone! It should, it seems like a fairly common error.

--metaphysician
P4 3.0 GHz @ 800 MHz w/2MB cache; ASUS P5GD1 Mobo; 4x512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM; 2x80 GB WD SATA HD; Sapphire Radeon X1600 256MB DDR2; LG DVD-RW; LG CD-RW; 17" Daewoo LCD Monitor. Running Windows Vista Ultimate, build 6000.