SL won't run: Can't make GL context

I just installed a Radeon 9600 Pro. Now when I try to run SL on my DP 1.8 G5, it shows a dialog that says "Can't make GL context" and then closes, with the crash reporer popping up.

Everything worked fine with my GeForce FX 5200. Any thoughts?

edit: btw, I have tried trashing my Second Life folder in Application Support.

This is all OpenGL-based apps, I've discovered. I've got the drivers installed. Not sure why it's not, er, drivin'.

I would try removing the drivers fully using a driver removal tool, then installing Omega drivers (they are better than the ATI drivers from ATI).

Go to http://www.omegadrivers.net/ and get the drivers there. Also, I think they have a driver removal tool on their site as well.

Good luck!

EDIT: Looks like they recommend Driver Cleaner to remove old drivers cleanly. The Omega drivers come with a version of it, or you can download from here: http://www.drivercleaner.net/

Dang, forget everything I said. Didn't realize this was in the Mac forum!

Are you running 10.4.x ( Tiger ) ? I guess you are on a G5, I'm sure I read once it's needed for 9600 but I could be wrong there. Also ATI released a new version of ATI displays recently, it's on Macupdate and probably Version Tracker too.

The new version supports these ATI Retail Products

RADEON X800 XT MAC EDITION
RADEON 9800 PRO MAC SPECIAL EDITION
RADEON 9800 PRO MAC EDITION
RADEON 9600 PRO PC MAC EDITION
RADEON 9200 MAC EDITION
RADEON 9000 PRO MAC EDITION
RADEON 8500 MAC EDITION
RADEON 7000 MAC EDITION
RADEON MAC EDITION (AGP & PCI)


[edit]
Someone just told me they heard of people needing to reseat the card several times before it worked, but that doesn't sound like your problem to me. I'd try the new driver above first if you haven't already.

Have tried installing that version of the software. No dice, I'm afraid. Incidentally, I have reseated the card at least a dozen times, as for a little while, I couldn't even get OS X to boot past Login with the Radeon installed, so I had to bounce back to my stock GeForce FX 5200 when I wanted to try changing things on the software level. Thanks for the guidance... I fear only God can save me now.

Don't feel bad, man. ATI's first (and so far, only) response to my trouble ticket was to ask me if I was using an Alienware PC and then recommend I download their latest Catalyst software, despite my making explicit that I was using OS X.

Here's more info from my post at Apple Discussions. Man, I haven't been this stumped by a hardware problem in years.

Hi there,

Just replaced my GeForce FX 5200 (OEM) with a Radeon 9600 PC & Mac Edition last night. Initially, OS X would not boot past login, hanging at a bright blue screen, just before the startup status bar would have appeared, and just after the Apple-logoed startup screen.

I was able to boot from OS X install DVD and installed a new copy of OS X onto a seperate partition. Rebooted into the new install and hung in the same place as before. I discovered that I could boot safely with the Radeon by holding shift on boot and starting in "Safe Boot" mode. Knowing this was disabling kernel extensions, I narrowed down the issue to some ATI drivers in System/Libary/Extensions. Removing ATIRage128 and ATIRagePro driver sets allowed me to boot normally, but now I cannot use OpenGL-based apps or anything else that requires 3D. Even the "flurry" screensaver preview will immediate crash System Prefs if I try to view it.

I have tried accessing Open Firmware, with the commands reset-nvram, set-defaults, reset-all. I have also tried zapping the PRAM via keyboard and by pressing th small button on the lower left of the G5's motherboard. All to no avail.

I have installed the supplied drivers from the ATI CD, as well as the ATI Displays update issued in December 2005.

Any suggestions?