Artist: Saved Documents Are Black with ATI Mach 64 (127913)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.1a
  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.0
  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.1
This article was previously published under Q127913

SYMPTOMS

When you open a previously saved document in Fine Artist, it may appear on the screen as solid black if you are using a computer with an ATI Mach 64 card or STB Vision Meta driver.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the video display driver is set for 32,000 colors or more, and/or when the WinSwitch utility is turned on (enabled)

RESOLUTION

To resolve the problem, use the following steps:

Check to see that the video display driver is set to 256 colors:
  1. In Program Manager, open the ATI DeskTop program group.
  2. Run ATI DeskTop, then click ATI FlexDesk.
  3. If 256 Colors is not already selected, select 256 Colors.
  4. Choose the Advanced button.
  5. Choose Color Palette, then choose OK.
  6. Choose OK to close FlexDesk.
  7. When you receive the message to restart Windows, choose Continue instead.
Once 256-color video mode has been selected, do the following to turn off (disable) ATI's WinSwitch (if installed):
  1. In Program Manager, go to the ATI DeskTop group.
  2. Run ATI DeskTop, then click ATI FlexDesk.
  3. Choose the WinSwitch button. WinSwitch is turned on (enabled) if the WinSwitch Enable box is selected.
  4. Turn off WinSwitch by clearing the WinSwitch Enable check box.
  5. Choose OK to close WinSwitch.
  6. Restart Windows when prompted to do so.
After following these steps, you should be able to save Fine Artist documents in color successfully. Previously saved documents still appear as solid black and are not recoverable.

For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120546 Artist: Saved Documents Are Black

MORE INFORMATION

WinSwitch is an ATI utility that allows you to use keyboard commands to dynamically change the number of colors available on the screen in Windows. To do this, however, it loads all 64,000 colors so they can be made available as needed.

When the 256-color option is selected in combination with WinSwitch, the color palette is not in use.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/3/2003
Keywords:KB127913
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.