Can't Delete Driver Files in XP

[GoodRevrnd]

Why does Windows XP automatically put back my ATI driver files after I delete them? First I uninstall the drivers, then reboot. Then I delete the registry keys. After that I delete the ATI folders, then I delete the driver files out of c:\windows\system32 and c:\windows\system32\drivers. However, after I delete them they "respawn"--windows recreates them or something. There are also ATI drivers showing in the SP1 folder and in cab file in the c:\windows\system32\drivercache\i386 folder. My guess is it's recreating them from the driver cache... but how do I stop that? I'm pretty sure deleting the cab file is a bad idea. Help!

 

[NogginBoink]

It's called Windows File Protection, and it's there to protect users like you from doing stupid things like you're trying to do here.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I'm trying to completely remove the ATI drivers... it's a fairly straightforward process. I don't need a lot of grief.

Now instead of sitting there with the soapbox up your ass why don't you try to be more helpful or stay out. :|

Now for all the other lovely forum members, I'd be more than happy to listen to your advice on how to disable this 'feature.' I never had this active in my previous XP install and I don't ever remember disabling it.

 

[Doh!]

You have to delete the default drivers provided by XP. It's installed by a file named oem#(any number).inf. Go to windows/system32 and delete the oem#.inf file. Any there are numerous oem.inf files just open each oem#.inf file and delete the one pertaining to ATI. At the top of the opened file, you'll see the description of the driver.