So this post only applies to pre-Crimson drivers.
My method below is a simple and tested instruction to remove all traces that matter, of the current AMD Catalyst drivers, from the PC, so that you can install any other AMD Catalyst driver.
In the first place make sure you have automatic driver update by Windows disabled.
Right click Computer (in start menu) ---> Properties---> "Advanced system settings" on the left side menu ---> Hardware ---> Device Installation Settings.
Select "No, let me choose what to do" and select second option "Never install driver software from Windows Update."
After the procedure of this post (installing the AMD Radeon drivers of your choice), put that option back to "Yes, do this automatically (recommended)".
The method i use for ATI Radeon cleansing from the PC running Windows 7.
The AMD Clean uninstall utility normally should do the trick, but it is bugged, so don't use it!
It uninstalls too much and may corrupt your system (it corrupts my Creative X-Fi drivers manager, saying i have no drivers installed)...
So forget about that tool for now!
Instead use the manual method; control in your own hands!
The endresult of each of these methods, makes the system run in Standard VGA mode.
This may be necessary between beta and WHQL installation, especially when going to an earlier version .
The method
It's easiest for those who use an Intel based machine with ATI videocards.
(Those with an AMD CPU based machine have to be careful with the AMD related software uninstalling, not to uninstall any CPU related parts).
- via Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> AMD Catalyst Install Manager:
- Intel CPU based PC's: Express uninstall all AMD/ATI software.
- AMD CPU based PC's: select Custom uninstall, and select to only uninstall the display drivers and the Control Center.
- Reboot the PC
- Make sure that "view hidden files and folders" is enabled:
Control Panel > Folder Options > "View" tab > enable "Show hidden files folders and drives" and untick "hide protected operating system files" - Delete (Shift+Del) the AMD/ATI folders that you find in
C:/Users/*You*/AppData/Local
and
C:/Users/*You*/AppData/Roaming
and
Program Files, Program Files (x86) and Program Data - In the search bar above the Windows Start orb, type msconfig and hit enter (or click msconfig.exe). On the "Boot" tab check on "Safe boot" and restart the PC
- In Safe Mode,
- go to Control Panel -> Device Manager. In "View" select to show hidden devices
- Right-click on (each of) your Radeon videocard -> Properties -> "Uninstall", check the checkbox to remove the drivers
- under non-plug and play drivers uninstall amdkmdag
- In the search bar above the Windows Start orb, type msconfig and hit enter (or click msconfig.exe). This time at the "Boot" tab uncheck "Safe boot"
- and now reboot at the prompt
- In the search bar above the Windows Start orb, type regedit
- Right-click regedit.exe -> Run as administrator
- In Registry find
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ATI\ACE\
and delete that key.
- Install (run as admin!) the Catalyst version of your choice.
- Crossfire users always have to reboot. I'd recommend single card users reboot as well.
- That's it.