Windows 7 16-bit Color Depth Problem on iMac

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Level 1

8 points

Windows 7 16-bit Color Depth Problem on iMac

I have a new iMac with Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit) and an ATI Radeon 4850. I'm experiencing an issue with color quality. Gradients appear banded, photos don't look as good, and color depth looks more like 16-bit than 32-bit.

Windows reports the current color depth is 32-bit and that the driver is the most up-to-date version.

I spoke with Microsoft and AMD. It's probably not a Windows issue. It's probably something with the BIOS or display driver. AMD doesn't make the driver's for the iMac onboard Radeon card, instead Apple makes that driver as OEM according to AMD. Does anyone have experience fixing this problem???

iMac i5 30", Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Apr 28, 2010 9:31 AM

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Answer 1

GiPapaG

Level 1

5 points

Jun 9, 2010 7:51 AM in response to thompsrr

I do not have a solution, but I can say I notice the same problem. I also have an iMac 27" I tried updating the videocard drivers but it did not help at all. I agree with the AMD rep: its probably not a windows issue but rather an issue with the drivers made by apple. Im not an expert tho; it's just speculation.

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Answer 2

Jun 20, 2010 11:22 AM in response to thompsrr

I am having the same problem too. How do we fix this!?! my games color does not look very good...

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Answer 3

thompsrr Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 12, 2010 8:23 PM in response to Oblivion2500

I found the following discussion very useful. Rolling back to the 8.661 driver fixed the 16-bit color banding for me!! Hopefully this driver has no other problems.

Screen resolution > Advanced Settings > Properties > Driver tab >
Update driver > Browse > Let me pick > (find 8.661)

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=843992

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Answer 4

Sep 3, 2010 8:00 AM in response to thompsrr

Likewise - thanks for the tip, rolling back to 8.641.1 worked for me.

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