computer locks up

[kervala]

Could you try OpenGL renderer and verify if you computer still locks ?

[gcaldani]

I would try to remove the shared memory of your graphic card and use only the dedicated video memory.
Another test would be to disable the sound completely and see if it still locks up without it.

[gcaldani]

false alarm - the problem has returned.

I don't know if you read the amd (ati) official forums, but as far as I know latest drivers have some problem, in fact ati released a couple of hotfix (tho one should be related only to the latest card HD5xxx).

Personally i had some problem when i upgraded the drivers and decided to go back to Cat 9.3. Unless drivers have some feature (or improvement) that you really need, you can try that version.

I play almost everything pretty well with my HD4350.

Anyway, the problem seems more related to overlapping memory but due the fact you are using a 64 bit OS, you should be ok. I'm using XP 32 so it's a bit different.

I don't know actually how Windows 7 manages XP 32 compatibility mode but, if the OS restrict the memory addressess to emulate a full 32 bit OS, you will sure have problems with overlapping memory.

To be more clear: I have XP 32 with 2GB ram. If I wanted to use 4GB ram in my system i will sure get problems and locks up, because my HD 4350 has 1GB vram onboard and simply the maximum available addressess, considering all other devices i have, would not be enough to avoid overlapping (i tried and it didn't worked). In this situation many if not the most drivers are not able to work correctly (even if they should work as the memory address extensions should be transparent).

Is your video card a HM type or, better, why you have shared video memory instead of just onboard video memory (btw 1GB onboard is plenty of memory to run every game smooth)

Anyway, because I don't know how Win 7 manages XP 32 compatibilty mode, there could be something else causing the problem.

Do you play other MMOs, old enough to be compared to ryzom, without any problem?

[gcaldani]

Well, I think the problem is related to the video card.

The point is that speaking about hardware, doesn't means necessarily an hardware failure on your card, but it can be caused by many factors (other than a specific broken card).

Other things to check:
PSU: what's the power of your system? I think you need at least 500W and a stable 3.3 line.

RAM: download memtest image, create a bootable cd and use it to test your ram. You must create a bootable cd because memtest runs in a linux environment and will not work under windows.

Anyway, if the locks up happens *always and only* when you use alt-tab from ryzom (logging out at char selection is similar as the client chanhe the graphic environment during that operation) or when you start a program (such as FurMark) that clearly goes in 3D mode, then the problem is related to the videocard subsystem.

I would be not so sure about using shared memory, that always caused problems. Anyway, if you run applications in a full 64 bit OS there is no overlapping memory problems (there are plenty of memory addresses available in the system).
But, for my experience, if you can find a way to disable it and test the card would be better.

Final note: the "instant" lockup could means a power failure of the videocard, so first thing i would check is the PSU and if it has a good and stable 3.3 line.

Last thing: download and use GPU-z, an utility useful to check your videocard that can also monitor various aspects.

Let me know if your videocard is OC or use default clocks, if you use the overdrive features, etc...