Is installing over an older Catalyst driver OK?

oakfed · Jan 24, 2007, 01:48 AM

I'm just trying out Omega 3.8.252 + WDM from Catalyst 6.5 + MMC 9.03 on my AIW9000 Pro (so I can get widescreen resolutions for my new flat panel). Previously I had Catalyst4.10; I figured out the Omega driver corresponded to Catalyst 6.5 and installed it's WDM (after finding out that my old WDM didn't work).

Are there any problems installing the 6.5-Catalyst-equivalent Omega driver on top of Catalyst 4.10? Everything seems to be working at the moment, but this is only my first boot .

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jan 25, 2007, 12:17 PM

If it works I don't see why there would be a problem, its just installing over drivers usually causes problems you get right away (doesn't work or boot stuff like that).

But if you've got it working just ride it and see how it goes.

Judas · Jan 25, 2007, 12:20 PM

it's generally not advised to do it.. but if it's working i wouldn't change anything.

if you plan to use the officials though, i'd advise using the add and remove programs to uninstall in the following order WITHOUT rebooting (imo this is my method)

First uninstall the ati drivers (select all when it asks then hit ok).. it'll ask to reboot, say no
second, uninstall the Catalyst CCC if it's there. Don't reboot
third, uninstall other drivers/programs related to the drivers from 3rd party sets (like the omegas) if they are listed,

LAST

Use the ATI Uninstall utility, this will then do a cleanup of all the ATI related stuff. Then reboot. after the reboot, you can install new drivers.

This is just a suggestion WHEN you decide you want to upgrade to a newer driver or to install a different one.

oakfed · Jan 25, 2007, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the info. Everything seems fine, so I'll keep it as is, but will use the suggested steps if I ever update (not likely, now that the AIW9000 Pro is abandoned).

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Jan 25, 2007, 10:46 PM

I prefer to use the built-in ATI UNINSTALL from the Control Panel. Works very well for me.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jan 30, 2007, 04:38 PM

All that does is just batch uninstall all the stuff that's listed in the Add/Remove programs list you know.

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Jan 30, 2007, 07:53 PM

It does seem to get the job done.

Dyre Straits · Jan 31, 2007, 09:13 AM

I've been following Omega's instructions for years. If installing newer Omega drivers over older Catalyst drivers, simply make sure to say YES if prompted to Overwrite files. It really is that simple.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jan 31, 2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeBoyz

It does seem to get the job done.

Yeah but so would a little less lazyness... plus if you've got all the cool ATI demos that don't ever really need uninstalling or reinstalling, it junks those with it. And the screensavers.

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Jan 31, 2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H3X4D3C1M4L

Yeah but so would a little less lazyness... plus if you've got all the cool ATI demos that don't ever really need uninstalling or reinstalling, it junks those with it. And the screensavers.

So I'm lazy for using the built-in uninstall that works just as well as anything else?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Feb 6, 2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudeBoyz

So I'm lazy for using the built-in uninstall that works just as well as anything else?

No. It doesn't work the same way... it wipes out all the ATI demos and screensavers too and those don't need uninstalling and reinstalling every time you upgrade video drivers