Well, after many, many attempts to get Rage to work a second time (worked once, crappy but playable) I finally found the workaround.

machine specs in a nutshell here.

Time of this report: 8/19/2010, 22:28:27
Machine name: WORKGROUP-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: EP45-UD3P
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel? Core?2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8190MB RAM
Page File: 2888MB used, 13489MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

So, what I wound up doing was accessing the side panel and INSTALLING A NEW ATI 7970!

I can't believe I've spent three months trying to get my ATI 5970 to work again. All those beta drivers and goofy end runs.


I am going to log Rage in as the MOST EXPENSIVE GAME EVER!

If I worked as bassackwards as this game does, I'd be unemployed.