ATI hardware and updates

I owe someone, can't remember who but I think it's either Mattman, Rockster2u, or PeteC, an appoligy!

A while ago there was an issue that delt with ATI hardware and the statement was made that you should not download updates and install, they caused a lot of trouble and you were better off with just the straight CD install. I argued that I had done updates and had no trouble.

Welllllll, I guess my luck ran out! I did an update on both my ATI Radeon 9200 and my ATI TV Wonder Pro.

After having to pull the TV Wonder out just to get to safe mode to remove everything, I finally got it all working again with the origional install CD.

To who ever it actually was I disagreed with, I'm sorry! Seems you were right.

Bottom line and a warning to all... If your ATI hardware is working, DO NOT update it!!!!!!

 

Wow, if it was me then...appology accepted

Yes, I too have found any changes to your ATI (Catalyst drivers) will result in a Safe Mode uninstall. Very fussy.

I don't think nVidia drivers are much different.

PS When someone describes graphics driver problems, I know it's going to be "fun and games"

Matt

 

If you're saying that you shouldn't try out each new successive driver version that ATI releases I think your statement will fall upon alot of deaf ears. I never "jumped" on new drivers but eventually, maybe after I got behind one or two releases, updated my drivers to the latest version. Let someone else cut their teeth on them for a few months at least.

At least that's my approach (and many others I'm sure) toward regular ATI video cards. When you're talking about TV tuners and All-in-Wonder cards then I think you may have a point. I never used one but have heard that yeah, once they're working, don't mess with them.

I now have an Nvidia 6600GT and it's giving me great performance. When it gets a bit older and starts to struggle a bit with the latest games, I may look for a newer driver. My impression (or my bias) is that ATI's drivers are constantly being improved whereas Nvidia's are pretty great as is and I don't have that urge to upgrade them.

Gary

 

You don't say what OS you are running, but this could be caused by not having the latest OSservice pack/updates. Did you check the requirements before installing the new driver? That should e a given.

DRD

P.S. With NT/2K/XP you have an option to back out of this update. If when you reboot the video is all messed up do NOT login. Instead reboot, press F8 and choose "Last Known Good Configuration ". This will back out the driver updates. This only works if you have NOT logged in. Once you login the changes require more work to undo.

 

For the record I run win 2000 and know about last known good...

Trust me, I tried it.

The tv tuner downloaded update also messed with my ati video as it redid the video capture which affects the video card. I tried everything I could think of to solve the problem and the only thing that worked was to physically remove the tunner to be able to get to safe mode and then remove everything ATI and reinstall straight from the CDs.

 

Some thoughts ( good or bad ) on my part.

I have XP Pro and a Nvidia GeForce FX 5500.

I TRIED updating the drivers JUST ONCE. I will not attempt it again.

I did not have to use the Safe mode but I had to remove the card from DM. Power down, restart and repeat the steps using the default Windows drivers.

Then I could install the updated drivers. And after all the work I saw NO DIFFERENCE.

I have the same card in a 98SE machine. I used the same steps there and the updated drivers worked OK. We did see a difference there. A bit faster and sharper.

But if my memory serves me correctly ( which is questionable ) this is the ANCIENT ( and apparently the better ) way of updating drivers. ( at least the Video )

Also I wonder if some of the problems may be Windows itself. At times files that are inuse may not get overwritten and we wind up with a Mix-N-Match of old and new.

BillyBob

 

Addition to my previous reply.

I agree 100% with others that say 'If it is working, it may be better to leave it alone. "

Like jaylach I also a problem back in 98SE with updating ( supposedly ) one thing and had it mess up the Video.

BillyBob

 

This is not, or at least, should not be the typical driver update experience. I've been doing this for years with no problems.

That's quite understandable. The majority of the work and changes behind new driver releases is for game compatibility. It can also be for enhanced gaming performance and added functionality. So unless you're running 3D benchmarks, chances are you won't notice a thing.

The assumption here is that when you update drivers, you completely uninstall the old ones first and put in a "fresh" set. I'm fairly sure that Nvidia drivers will uninstall completely by removing them through the Add/Remove Programs function. ATI drivers do not uninstall correctly when you do the same thing with them.

In order to uninstall ATI drivers, you need to get the utility called Driver Cleaner from here. And honestly, the directions are a bit complex - more than you'd think they should be. Especially since Nvidia seems to have mastered the "uninstall ".

Gary

 

You have to understand that I'm not talking about downloading updates in general but only ATI. It would seem that their downloadable updates attempt to flash the hardware bios. I don't care what type of hardware it is ya just don't do a flash of a bios through windows.