screen flickering (LCD)

[xappie]

Hi all

I haven't really seen anyone post these 2 problems, so I am not sure it is just me or what is going on...

First Problem.
I have a problem where once in a while when I load the game, the screen begins to flicker as if I was watching an old film on a reel to reel projector. Initially I thought this was part of the retro game design, but after it didn't consistently happen I now think this is a bug. I can usually remove the screen flicker by one of these methods:

1) Alt-tab in and out of the game
2) Change one of the video settings that causes the game to reset the screen
3) Close the game and open it again.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have a fix?

2nd Problem.
When I launch the game, I see the Bioshock splash logo, then a black screen, then the game minimizes to my taskbar. I then click on the flashing Bioshock in the taskbar and the game loads up. Sometimes it loads up and then immediately minimizes again, and sometimes it is ok.

Here are my system specs:

-Operating System: XP SP2 with MCE 2005
-Processor Type: AMD X2 6000+
-Amount of Ram: 2GB OCZ
-Video Card Manufacturer and Model: 2 x X1950pro in PCIE crossfire mode
-Audio Card: Creative x-Fi Extrememusic
-Which Sku (Retail Box, Steam, Direct2Drive, etc.): Retail Box

I have the latest mobo/video/sound card drivers installed, all windows updates, and August 2007 DirectX installed.


Any help is appreciated!

[xappie]

Edit: I should mention that the screen flickering also sort of looks like what you would see on a CRT at a low refresh rate, but as mentioned I am using an LCD.

[Bioshafted]

Shimmering, You LCD should have a control panel menu (buttons on front) and in there an option for Phasing, adjust Phasing.

If that is the the issue, you may need to turn up the refresh rate (default is 60) Your monitor may support higher such as 70 or 75. Check and see what support modes it has. Set to 70 or 75 if it supports and should take care of the issue.

[Bioshafted]

And im funble fingers today.. cannot type worth beans.

[xappie]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't seem to have an option for that on my LCD, and I am already on the highest refresh rate.

Thing is, this is ONLY an issue in Bioshock, and even then only SOME OF THE TIME. It doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes the issue is resolved while the game is on the loading screens - it just stops about 5-10 seconds into the loadup. Othertimes it goes away the first time I die and respawn at the vita chamber.

[Bioshafted]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't seem to have an option for that on my LCD, and I am already on the highest refresh rate.

Thing is, this is ONLY an issue in Bioshock, and even then only SOME OF THE TIME. It doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes the issue is resolved while the game is on the loading screens - it just stops about 5-10 seconds into the loadup. Othertimes it goes away the first time I die and respawn at the vita chamber.

hmm, could be driver issue then. I am not very saavy with ATI so I won't be a whole lot of help there. Someone else I am sure will be around to help.

[xappie]

hmm, could be driver issue then. I am not very saavy with ATI so I won't be a whole lot of help there. Someone else I am sure will be around to help.

Right. Thanks anyhow. I have a sneaking suspicion this is a crossfire issue... i don't think the 2 video cards are staying synched up properly. Just a guess though.

[Bioshafted]

Right. Thanks anyhow. I have a sneaking suspicion this is a crossfire issue... i don't think the 2 video cards are staying synched up properly. Just a guess though.

np, I just threw out there the first couple of things that are common causes of this, but since it happens only in Bioshock and not something like even just browsing webpages (more noticable with dark backgrounds) then, you may be right.

[Stuntman_Mike]

Could you try and describe the flickering in a little more detail? is it on/off flickering or does it look like the frames "tear" for a bit.

Since you have quite a powerfull video setup i'm thinking it might be good ol' regular frame tearing that happens when fps > refresh rate. Now most ''refresh rate issues" don't apply to LCD screens but i think frame tearing does.

It can easily be fixed by turning on V-sync.

If this isn't it, sorry, but i have no idea what could be the issue other than standard driver issues.

[xappie]

Could you try and describe the flickering in a little more detail? is it on/off flickering or does it look like the frames "tear" for a bit.

Since you have quite a powerfull video setup i'm thinking it might be good ol' regular frame tearing that happens when fps > refresh rate. Now most ''refresh rate issues" don't apply to LCD screens but i think frame tearing does.

It can easily be fixed by turning on V-sync.

If this isn't it, sorry, but i have no idea what could be the issue other than standard driver issues.

I though of that, and I always keep v-sync forced on in my ATI settings. However, I have tried various combinations of havig it on/off in ATI and in the game, with no difference.

It doesn't appear like tearing, it just appears like flickering. The example I used of watching an old movie projector, or using a CRT at a low refresh rate is the best I can think of to describe it.

[Nova87]

Hey, im having a very similar problem. Im getting flickering that looks like low refresh rate problems, im using an LCD also at am already up at 75 Hz, V Sync on, tried off of course.

Flickering is most obvious in darker areas,doubt that makes a difference but just makes it easier to see.

Im not running a dual GPU set up though, on a Geforce 8800 GTS, practically new and i don't get this problem in my other games.

Don't wanna hijack your post but sounds like the same issue, don't wanna clog the forum