Photoshop redrawing

[mrapoc]

Just got this email off a friend. Would be glad if you could aid him, cheers.

Hi Sam

If you could chuck this to your tech friends for any thoughts, I'd appreciate it. I might get around to joining one day, but this next week or two seems to have me full tilt writing here and getting the new machine on stream as my main desktop unit.

I've tried reducing the caching level to 1 in Photoshop 6.01 (I'm stuck with this version as it's the last one I got from the States, and my serial numbers are not recognised for UK upgrades), but images still produce the screen 'flicker' within the image window, but not the entire Photoshop window (which is maximised). Re-installation does not help, and there are no later updates.

The spec on the machine (let me know if I've left anything out) is:

Intel Core Duo E6700 processor 2.66GHz

2GB 'Corsair' DDR-RAM, 800MHz

nVidia GeForce 7950GT PCI-X graphics, 512MB

2 x 320GB WD Caviar SATAII HDs, 7200rpm

Foxconn P9657AA mobo, Intel P965 Northbridge chipset, ICH8R South

XP Pro SP2 fully patched

Viewsonic 2030b 20" monitor, 1600x1200, 60Hz, DVDI-D connection

On my older desktop machine:

Intel P4D 3.44HGz

2GB DDR-RAM, 567MHz

ATI Radeon X1600 PCI-X graphics, 256MB

2 x 200GB WD Caviar SATAII HDs, 7200rpm

Foxconn P975X7AB mobo, Intel P975X Northbridge chipset, ICH7R South

XP Pro SP2 fully patched.

Viewsonic VP201s 20" monitor, 1600x1200, 60Hz, DVI-D connection

Software installations between the two are identical. The problems only show on the new machine. It didn't show on the previous incarnation of the older machine which was a P4 3.4GHz HT, with an Intel mobo, 128MB ATI card, nor does it show on the lappy, Core Duo 1.66 (can't remember the number, 1GB RAM, 128MB ATI graphics, XP Home.

I've tried three different video driver versions, I've tried stepping down the hardware acceleration to nil, a step at a time, no change. I've tried compatibility mode for Win 98SE, no change.

The exact behaviour is peculiar. If I load a PSD file, the flicker does not occur on loading, but any other type of file, eg JPEG or TIFF will produce it. Any type of file when worked on, eg a filter is applied, will produce the effect. The screen re-draws normally, then again, twice more at about 0.5 second intervals, producing a flicker effect.

Anything you can come up with would be a boon.

Thanks.

 

[SuB]

please paste ALL photoshop settings

Each seperate section of the preferences as screenshots and i'll see what i can do

 

[mrapoc]

Ok he'll post up tomorrow

 

[rikbean]

Ok he'll post up tomorrow

And here I am!

Settings uploaded:

The first scratch disk is on the second hard drive in the machine, Photoshop is installed on D, the first drive being partitioned C - OS, D - Apps, E - Data (old habits).

As I could only upload six files, I've left out the 'Saving' options (Previews - always save, File extensions - always use lower case, No backwards compatibility, No advanced TIFF options), and Units & Rulers (Inches, points, 15 picas , 1 pica, Postscript points).

Any help gratefully received.

 

[rikbean]

Update: I've been speaking to another Photoshop user (CS2) with a GeForce card, he sees the same flickering...

 

[mrapoc]

You can use the

tag around those screenshots to make it easier for peeps to view

 

[nathan]

update your gfx drivers to the latest?

 

[rikbean]

You can use the

tag around those screenshots to make it easier for peeps to view

Sorry, new set of markup to learn.

 

[rikbean]

update your gfx drivers to the latest?

I've tried the latest (93.71), with no difference. I was advised elsewhere to go 'down' to an earlier release to avoid memory leaks. Not sure how sound the advice was, but currently I'm running 91.74. Both exhibit the same symptoms.

 

[FarFarAway]

Hmm tried updating the chipset drivers?

 

[SuB]

could you slightly better explain the redraw error?

i'm not sure i get this error, i'm on an nVidia card currently but i might get the same thing?

what size documents is he working with? DPI and pixel size etc..

i can't see any option there that would cause a problem?

I see he has 2GB of ram? that should be ample for 6

what sort of space is available on the scratch discs?

 

[rikbean]

Hi Kempez

Sorry to be so naive, but how would I do that?

 

[rikbean]

could you slightly better explain the redraw error?

i'm not sure i get this error, i'm on an nVidia card currently but i might get the same thing?

what size documents is he working with? DPI and pixel size etc..

i can't see any option there that would cause a problem?

I see he has 2GB of ram? that should be ample for 6

what sort of space is available on the scratch discs?

Average size of image would be about 20MB in PSD format, maybe 60-70 peak. Screen is at 96dpi, images tend to be in the 300dpi range, 2832 x 2128 would be typical. The scratch disk has 150GB free.

Describing the issue is always the hard part.

On loading an image, the screen (image window) will generally draw normally, ie it just appears. However, when working on an image, eg applying a filter, the screen will refresh immediately as normal, then again after 0.5-1.0 seconds (haven't timed it, just my judgement), then a third time about 0.5 seconds later. This produces a kind of 'slow', but irritating, flicker. On my ATI-powered machines, there has never been a problem.

 

[rikbean]

UPDATE

Evesham tell me they think the problem is caused by the BIOS, so are sending me a new image to flash. I'll report back with the results!

 

[mrapoc]

Cool - Evesham have made some F UPs lately - ask scott on the idnetters forum

 

[rikbean]

ask scott on the idnetters forum

Ask me on the IDNetters forum.

The latest twist? The 18x DVD burners only run at 1x. Evesham are waiting on a driver to fix the problem...

 

[rikbean]

UPDATE

Rather than trying to fix the machine, Evesham have decided to give me a refund. I think they just want to get rid of me...

Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[mrapoc]

Good luck with the new machine

 

[rikbean]

Thanks. First thing is to get my money back from Evesham!