Windows 7: The ATI Driver Upgrade Debate

This is a topic hotly debated on other forums, so I figured I'd ask here. For those of you with ATI graphics cards, what is your process for upgrading the drivers?

Option A: Remove through Control Panel, reboot, then install new Catalyst version

Option B: Install new Catalyst drivers overtop the old version

Option C: Remove drivers, reboot to Safe Mode, Run Driver Sweeper, then reboot and install new Catalyst drivers.

A isn't needed as B does that automatically (that is why the screen flashes 3 times and drops to a lower resolution during the install when using B). C is only neededwhen troubleshooting or going back to an older driver version, or if you have a bad case of OCD.

P.S. regardless of which method is used, always select Custom when you get to it and unselect any parts you don't want or need (the LOTR shortcut for starters).

I chose A... Never ever had a problem doing it that way

Good question BTW.

I would modify slighty.

Step 1: Run my imaging tool of choice and image my box
Step 2: Install new GFX driver over top of old one.

I haven't had an ATI card in awhile, but it seems like there is quite a bit more effort with their drivers compared to Nvidia.

I just do a inplace upgrade. Ive never had a issue with it personally and all has been flawless.

Normally I update every month when released, but on occasion I do not.

If Im going to upgrade the GPU, I uninstall, reboot Safe mode, Driver Sweeper .
Install new card and re-install latest CCC.

if I decide to roll back to a previous version because it performed better or whatever reason, I just re-image the drive with Acronis.

Having said that, I choose B for this poll. As that would be normal for my practices unless changing hardware.

Im on my 4th generation of ATI cards and really havent had any issues with drivers or the CCC.
Perhaps Im just lucky, or maybe just because I run single cards. I don't know.

i'm lazy - i just install over the top, and it seems to work ok.

just downloading 10.7 now, and plan to do the same.

i never bother with CCC, just the plain old driver.

I didn't add my choice in my OP, but I normally just uninstall, reboot, run CCleaner, and then install the latest version. No safe mode, and no other apps.

"Option B: Install new Catalyst drivers overtop the old version"...

I do option B, but not for a while. Since my bad experience with 10.6, I'm going to stay at 10.5 and let everyone be the lab rats this time.

What happened with you in 10.6? i also had a problem but it was a sleep mode/brightness problem