Best way to update ATI drivers?

[teddyv]

Hi Folks - I need to update my Catalyst drivers for my MSI x800 to see if that is what is causing the card to melt down. I did NOT install the Catalyst Control Center, just the Catalyst display driver package.

I've heard it is as easy as doing the windows uninstall from the control panel, rebooting and installing the new driver package (then rebooting again - hah!) I originally skipped the big Catalyst Control Center and plan on skipping it again and just going with the updated driver package (6-3_xp-2k_dd_30895.exe).

That said, the ATi site recommends using their own "Catalyst Uninstaller" - is it really necessary? Should I do the update as described above?

Any help much appreciated!

 

[rbV5]

I rarely use the ATI uninstaller just for drivers because it removes all the ATI software off the system. Removing them via Control Panel should be fine, however you may get whatever WHQL ATI drivers you may have in the ATI/support folder or Driver.cab/SP2cab files if you haven't used cab cleaner, or even the internet if you leave your net connection live.

 

[teddyv]

Thanks for the reply..

What are WHGL ATi drivers? I probably already have them? Also what is Cab Cleaner? I didn't even think about disconnecting from my cable modem - this always a good thing when updating drivers?

Hey, I'm learning

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: teddyv
Thanks for the reply..

What are WHGL ATi drivers? I probably already have them? Also what is Cab Cleaner? I didn't even think about disconnecting from my cable modem - this always a good thing when updating drivers?

Hey, I'm learning

*WHQL means the drivers passed "Windows Hardware Quality Labs" testing.
*Cab Cleaner is a part of the popular Drivercleaner driver removal tool. It removes the drivers from the Microsoft Driver.cab/SP2.cab files which are used to install missing or damaged driver files automatically. It only needs to run once unless you reinstall the OS or service packs.
*Its not always a good thing to disconnect the network access when updating drivers, it stops the system from searching the net for updated drivers. Normally you would leave it pluggged in unless you are an advanced user trying to force a driver install with a specific driver, like you may want to do with a graphics card driver.

Normally, just removing them from Control Panel and installing after the reboot is fine. Even if drivers install automatically, installing the new drivers over the top of them is also usually fine.

You have to be cautious with driver removal tools like DriverCleaner, using them without reading the documentation can lead to serious problems with your system. Normally, I wouldn't recommend using it unless you run into driver issues, or are switching from say Nvidia to ATI or vice versa.

 

[teddyv]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Now the problem (of course!) is I cannot find the new ATi Catalyst Driver & ATi Control Panel download, only the whole ATi Catalyst Control Center package (which requires MS NET d/l and install) or the naked driver.

I am almost ready to chuck it and buy an nVidia.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Originally posted by: teddyv
Thanks for the detailed explanation. Now the problem (of course!) is I cannot find the new ATi Catalyst Driver & ATi Control Panel download, only the whole ATi Catalyst Control Center package (which requires MS NET d/l and install) or the naked driver.

I am almost ready to chuck it and buy an nVidia.

ATI no longer releases the Control Panel. All driver releases after 5.12 are CCC only. If you don't like CCC, then just use ATI Tray Tools.

 

[Shaved Ape]

ATI only offer the Catalyst Control Center and base display driver nowadays. The Control Panel option has been dropped (although you may still find it somewhere, it's just not "officially" supported anymore). It's annoying, I know.

 

[teddyv]

Again, thanks for the info.

What about MS .NET? Any problems with this? Will CCC run on .NET 2.0 or do I need .NET 1.1?

Is it worth ditching the current driver/control panel and replacing with the Catalyst Control Center?

Thanks