ATI Radeon Mobility 7000 IGP driver update from MS fails

[Guest]

My wife's laptop runs XP Prof, SP2 with all upgrades--except one. For
several weeks MS has been telling us that we need to download upgrade for
subject driver dated 11-3-04. It downloads, but fails to install, constantly.

This morning when her computer was started there was a failure of the
existing ATI driver, for reasons unkown, and I could not install anything
that would work. Luckily I had a complete image of the HDD through Acronis
True Image and I was able to get the disk restored complete with driver and
all the graphics working right.

Tried to download and install the upgrade from MS again--failed again. When
I check for critical updates I always get the same message--download this
puppy and install. But it won't.

I know absolutely zilch about drivers, much less graphics/display drivers.
Her machine seems to run fine, with the exception of the near disaster this
AM. Anyone have any ideas about what's going on here? I tried to call ATI
but the 877 number is unresponsive.

 

[peterk]

From the XP Update site download only the Microsoft XP High Priority
Updates,Software Updates are optional and Hardware updates for non microsoft
hardware...like the ATI Video card..... should be downloaded from the
Manufacturers website.
MS is always a little behind in their Hardware drivers whereas the manufact.
is right up to date.
You will of course need to know the type/model of hardware in order to
download the right drivers.
In the case of your ATI drivers for a laptop right clicking an empty spot on
the desktop,then properties will bring up a window where by clicking
settings and then advanced will bring you to a window where by clicking the
various tabs at the top you can determine your video card.
The manufacturer of your laptop would also have this specific info on their
website as well as the drivers for it.
Sometimes getting the latest and greatest drivers is not all that its
cracked up to be.....if it works well why bother with the hassle??
good luck
peterk

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

NEVER ever update a notebook graphics chipset from ANYWHERE other than the
notebook manufacturer's webisite. Each notebook manufacturer customizes
their chipsets by each model of notebook. To download the drivers from
anywhere else is simply asking for problems.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

You might be able to use the default "referrence" drivers from ATi but it
would be safer from the notebook manufacturer.

Also, NEVER rely on any driver updates from Windows Update. These tend to
be very old and can screw up Windows (personal experience!)