BSOD When (un)installing ATI Graphics Driver

[ericweb2]

Ok. I'm trying to upgrade my ATI Catalyst Driver to the latest version. When I try to do so, the installer causes a BSOD when on "Detecting Graphics Hardware...". The code is 0x0000001E, with no driver stated.

I've also tried to uninstall the graphics driver through the Add/Remove Programs and get the same BSOD.

My graphics card is the ATI Mobility Radeon HD5450.

What should I do?

 

[1Bowtie]

If your sure you have the right driver for your card, install it right over the top of the old driver

 

[ericweb2]

That's exactly what I'm trying to do, but it BSODs during the install.

 

[stormy13]

The driver from Dell or AMD? With the laptop listed in your specs and the card being switchable with the integrated Intel graphics I doubt that the driver from AMD would even work with it, that and reference video drivers (AMD, Intel or Nvidia) are hit and miss at the best of times on laptops.

Edit: Forget the above with regards to it being switchable, that 720QM doesn't have integrated graphics. That said unless you're up to modding the INF so it will install properly (and whatever Dell may have added/modded to it with regards to the display and any power options/settings). stick with the Dell driver.

 

[ericweb2]

These are drivers directly from ATI/AMD, but are classified as working with the hardware. I've also tried Dell drivers and got the same BSOD.

 

[stormy13]

In theory yes the AMD driver should work, but it also has this to say in the release notes,

AMD Mobility Product Family Compatibility

AMD Catalyst™ Mobility is a notebook reference graphics driver with limited support for system vendor specific features. When used with Windows Vista or Windows 7, users may have unwanted experiences.

The Installation Verification Software will prevent driver download on certain notebook products. This is to protect against the installing of drivers that may disable features or functionality provided by the system manufacturer. If unwanted experiences occur using AMD Catalyst™ Mobility, it is recommended to revert back to the driver provided by your system vendor for your specific platform. Please contact your system vendor for the most recent drivers for your notebook.

If even the Dell driver is causing it, I would start with doing a system restore to before you uninstalled the driver the first time. If that solves the BSOD problem then leave well enough alone or only get an updated driver from Dell. If it doesn't fix it I would then contact Dell and see what they have to say.

 

[ericweb2]

I was never able to uninstall the driver. Attempting to run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs caused the BSOD.

 

[yowanvista]

I was never able to uninstall the driver. Attempting to run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs caused the BSOD.

Then use driver sweeper to remove the driver
Guru3D - Driver Sweeper

 

[erica647]

If you can't even get the system to start, you might want to try booting to safe mode.

 

[ericweb2]

Ok. I've successfully uninstalled them. But, trying to install the drivers still gives me the BSOD.

 

[ericweb2]

I've gone ahead and done a check for corrupt system files (sfc /scannow). It found some corrupt files, but could not fix them. I've attached the log (in rar format since it exceeded 2.00MB).