If you want the most bulletproof way to uninstall/reinstall new ATi drivers, try the following:
* Download the driver and control panel you want to install from
ATi.
* Download Driver Cleaner from
DriverHeaven. This allows you to clean out driver remnants both ATi, nV, and Creative drivers. Install Driver Cleaner on your machine.
* Download this link locally if you are running Windows XP: .
Genius' Driver Installation Guide for n00bs. This was more necessary prior to Catalyst 3.0. I did not have to use this link for upgrading to 3.5, but if you want this to be fullproof/bulletproof, then download this link as well.
* To start the uninstallation process, uninstall the Control Panel through Add/Remove Programs. When asked to restart, say no. Technically, you can reboot here but I have never had problems after uninstalling both driver and panel before a single reboot. If feeling anal, then reboot here.
* Now uninstall the Display Driver. When asked to restart, say yes. Reboot in safe mode. This is where you have no choice but to reboot or things can go wrong unlike the previous step.
* Once in safe mode, run Driver Cleaner. At the top should be a listbox. Select each one starting with ATi and select Clean. Once it says "Finished Cleaning", choose the next ATi listing until none are left. Then close the app.
* Now run the Driver Installation Guide for n00bs. You have already done a significant portion of that guide during the uninstallation process here. You can probably start where the directions go into safe mode and change the registry, but read it over one time in case I didn't mention something from there.
* Once done with the registry in the guide, reboot. Again, you have no choice here.
* Upon startup, close any Add New Hardware dialog boxes.
* Go find the new display driver. Run it so it expands itself so you can install the driver. Install the driver. You technically do not have to reboot (I never do), but it you wish to be fullproof, do so.
* Run the installation for the control panel. Reboot after installing the control panel.
After that, you should have a successful, foolproof install. This is about as bulletproof as I can make it or find barring user error. I hope this helps.
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