Windows crashes whilst playing a game.
Windows freezes every 5 seconds or so, then comes back again saying that the Display Driver has stopped responding and has recovered.
All drivers are up to date and the correct versions.
Uninstalled and reinstalled drivers- didn't work.
Card is brand new, but that doesn't rule out error there.

Any suggestions?

From some searching, try:

1) Disabling Catalyst AI
2) Uninstalling windows update KB952287

Source:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/pag ... _15_0.html


Also, apparently this 'Display driver has recovered' thing is an alternative to what older versions of Windows would do if they encountered an issue to cause that. Which was to blue-screen.

If playing a game, it does blue screen after 10 seconds then restarts the system.
I don't have that Windows Update installed on my computer anyways and I did uninstall the CCC, it didn't do anything.

Most likely to work;

1) Make sure integrated graphics are turned off in the BIOS.
2) Reinstall Windows 7 completely (full reinstall).
3) Install the latest drivers with CCC from ATi's website.

I'm thinking driver conflict.

I thought very much the same thing Skillers.
The Intergrated GPU is set as enabled ONLY if another GPU isn't detected- I can't permanently disable it in BIOS unless I find out which chip it is then disable that chip.
I shall try and freshly install Windows 7 then install everything over again, which will take (1 hour for Windows 7 installation, 2 hours for backing up data already on my HDD, 2 hours to reinstall backed up data and drivers, 3 hours maximum for my steam games and programs) 8 hours total.
If that doesn't work, I'll try the same thing with XP.
If the same thing happens with XP, I'll just rage.

Integrated graphics are usually built into the northbridge, IIRC, I wouldn't recommend "disabling" that.

I wasn't going to disable the chip anyway:
1. I can't be bothered to find out which chip it is.
2. I wouldn't trust whoever said it was X chip.
3. I doubted it wouldn't have very serious side effects from disabling that chip.

I had the same problem with windows 7 32 and 64 bit, have no idea what it was. I tried the 7 drivers vista drivers, default windows drivers. And it would not work. That was with a 8800gt btw.

Tried on Vista, new install of 7 and on XP- the same problem.
I've put an RMA order in and am requesting a refund to get a different graphics card.

Case closed.

That is really weird, as I have a 4850, yet have had no problems with Vista.

I am just unlucky, nothing more.

Case solved- my system hated Windows Aero- by disabling it, I haven't crashed at all so it seems to just be a bug with Aero or something.
I'm 100% ready to pwn you all!

This is a sign that your PSU isnt high-wattage enough to power your GPU to do intesive tasks. Push a game anywhere and you will experience fail

Plausible idea Si, but only testing shall tell.

Si was right- my PSU is completely knackered and is not providing enough power.
I cannot bring my computer to the LAN as it now has no PSU to actually run any games. Unless someone has a spare PSU above 500W I can borrow for the day, I shall not bring my PSU.

Might bring my 1100W to be honest, as I may not be able to get the PC transport for the day.

More testing shows my PSU is fine.
It appears to happen to some other people as well and it turned out for them to be the card, so it seems ATI sent me ANOTHER faulty card.
It doesn't respond to any drivers whatsoever, it can't run games except CSS and other old games (TF2 and the rest crash the graphics card).
RMAing it now- I'm asking for a refund and am going to purchase a different card (according to ebuyer, it cost £130... the same price now as a 4870... I'll try one of them and may have more luck with it).

Oh and this means I won't be bringing a computer to the LAN.

How many is that now?

2 4850s that they've given me that have been faulty in some way.
Getting refund- buying a 4870.

I has 4870: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169208
Recommended by... our mutual awesome friend... £120 total including next day delivery, should arrive tomorrow sometime.

God help ebuyer if they send me ANOTHER faulty card... *evil glare*

If it's another faulty card I'd consider something else to be the problem.

Watch this video on Youtube.

Good news: 130fps on the CSS stress test, no crashing every 2 f-ing seconds, everything works perfectly.
Bad news: only 20-30fps in TF2 when in intense action, but rises up to 60-90 when no action is happening (ie walking to points with few people around) but does drop to 30-50 when walking in wide open areas.

Cause of bad news: CPU problem most likely.

Recommendations: try a spare CPU and see what it does.

End of report.

Tip for anybody who has the same problem as me: re-install TF2 and your fps will return to normal.