Consider me gone from the 8500, never to return to ATI again. Windows XP and radeon go together like oil and water, and I'm tired of being a beta tester for ATI's crappy products.
I just ordered a CARDEXPERT GEFORCE3 POWERPAK GOLDEN SAMPLE for $169 at newegg, hopefully it will rock. I recommend anyone else who hates their ATI to keep an eye on newegg's refurb section, then flip your 8500 for a bit of a profit on fleabay.
Sorry for the rant, but I got tired of waiting for drivers that will ultimately disappoint everyone.