Updating AMD/ATI cards, 'drivers only'.

satrow · Apr 12, 2012

Apologies in advance: I can't test this out currently, I've been waiting 6+ weeks for the return from temporary loan of my HD5770!

Recently, AMD seem to have pulled the 'drivers only' pack from their Support site. This can be a problem if the installer forces an install of 'features' that might cause instability or are simply not needed, or if a user has problems uninstalling drivers flagged up in debug logs.

My old method was to run the installer past the extraction to folder then cancel the AMD installer, then point Device Manager to the location of the driver files (current default location (for my drivers): C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc\Packages\Drivers\Display\W76A_INF) and allow DevMan to install.

I'd be obliged if someone could checkout whether this still works; if they could also put together a simple walk-through or help out with one, I'm pretty sure many of us could put the boilerplate to good use in troubleshooting BSODs.

Thanks for the great new forum, got to be the best staffed one around with so many highly respected and expert helpers :thumbsup2:

Wrench97 · Apr 12, 2012

I don't have an ATI system handy at the moment(too big a battle to kick Jr off in the evening :)), but looking at the download it appears it'll work the same the drivers are in a separate folder with a .inf file.

GZ · Apr 12, 2012

You could also try a program that can extract executable files... I have had much luck with 7zip and UniversalExtractor.

If I get the chance when I get home, I will download an installer package and see if I can extract the files from them.

satrow · Apr 12, 2012

I was hoping to stick to a Windows native method that would be more familiar to non-tech users (and make an easier write-up), as the AMD extractor seems to do a decent job and extracts to a default folder; I'd prefer not to ask them to download another tool, install it, run it, open x file, extract it to y location, etc. etc.

Nothing personal against 7-Zip or UE, I have 7x 7-Zip file managers open now :wink11a:

GZ · Apr 12, 2012

Well, then... If I get a chance I will dig out my NES project and update the video drivers! :1grin:

Wrench97 · Apr 13, 2012

Another thing to watch out for, in the past CCC has been tied to driver updates, update the driver and not ccc and ccc didn't work any more, seems they updated ccc to go with the newer driver.

GZ · Apr 13, 2012

I have to admit, I completely forgot about checking on this when I got home from work... Delved right into upgrading an old Athlon XP system... It's too late now to dig out the NES, but I did download the driver package from AMD and extract it...

Everything looks intact... the Cabinet, INF and .sys files are all there... I see no reason why Windows wouldn't be able to install from the directory...

I will try and remember to test it out tomorrow evening...

usasma · Apr 14, 2012

I just recently installed the ATI drivers (I refuse to say "AMD" for video drivers!).
The Catalyst Install Manager did a fine job for me on the Custom install. It allowed me to remove a bunch of stuff that I didn't want (for example, I never install CCC).

Didn't know about cancelling the install and then getting the drivers from that. Thanks! I'll give it a try on the next installation.

FWIW, I tend to think that the Catalyst Install Manager is the best solution for OP's.
It doesn't require any advanced knowledge and it allows them to uninstall any components that aren't needed.
The drawback is that the helper has to know what to tell them to remove and what not to remove - and this is difficult with them changing the contents of the package every other day (or so it seems)

GZ · Apr 16, 2012

Sorry about the late reply... I was able to extract the files from the Catalyst Installer via the method you described and update the drivers by pointing windows to the extracted folder.

satrow · Apr 16, 2012

gavinzach said:
Sorry about the late reply... I was able to extract the files from the Catalyst Installer via the method you described and update the drivers by pointing windows to the extracted folder.

No worries about time, at least it still works for updating the way I remember it. That's a promising start, thanks!

I had a message early yesterday evening that my ATI card would be returned in a few hours; it's 09:00 now and still no card so I guess it might be a couple more days before I can try out a clean install from scratch.

satrow · Apr 25, 2012

My HD5770 finally returned yesterday!

On refitting the card and booting, Windows 7 loaded the earlier drivers from the secret stash somewhere in the depths of the Windows folder maze, if I'd used DriverSweeper earlier, I think these would have been removed and W7 would have loaded the vanilla drivers.

From Device Manager I did > Update driver > Browse my computer ... > browsed to C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc\Packages\Drivers\Display\W76A_INF (the recently extracted new drivers), and DevMan installed drivers only.

No sign of any CCC components or other ATI utilities anywhere, no AMD/ATI folders in Program files or Program files(x86), no reboot required, no extra processes set to autorun, no new Windows services loaded.

So, for anyone experiencing problems that may be linked to buggy graphics drivers/utilities on an ATI/AMD card, it's not too difficult to remove the old drivers, using DriverSweeper to be sure all traces are removed, then installing bare drivers to test stability. I'm pretty sure this method would also be applicable to Vista and XP.

For users with a small SSD boot drive, this method may save 100MB (or more) of unnecessary bloat. The AMD extraction folder can be safely (re)moved, freeing up a further 225MB of valuable drive space.

usasma · Apr 25, 2012

Instructions are for Win7 (I used my 64 bit version when writing this procedure). Instructions for Vista (and even XP) are similar.
These are for AMD cards, we could probably use a similar setup for nVidia (?and Intel?)- I'll check the wife's system after my shower (32 bit Win7 w/nVidia 7600 GT card)!

ATI "Driver Only" installation procedure
(Instructions developed on a 64 bit Win7 system - 32 bit Win7, Vista, and even XP should be similar.)

NOTE: Laptop (Mobility Radeon) users please read the following by clicking on the "Show" link. It pertains to the compatibility of generic ATI drivers on your systems:

Read More:

While the procedure may appear daunting, just follow it one step at a time and it'll work for you. If you have any questions, just post them in the forums and we'll be glad to provide assistance.

Download the latest version of the Catalyst Software Suite from http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx .
Double click on the downloaded executable file (it's name will look something like this: 12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe ).
The installation will first stop at a screen which notes where the installation folder is (in my case it's: C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc ). Please make a note where this folder is located as you'll use it later on to install the drivers.
The installer extracts the files to that folder and then launches the AMD Catalyst Install Manager. Click on "Cancel", then click on "Yes" to exit the AMD Catalyst Install Manager.
Go to Start and type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) and then press Enter when devmgmt.msc shows up at the top of the search box.
In Device Manager, click on the +/> sign next to Display adapters.
Right click on the display adapter and select "Update Driver Software".
Select "Browse my computer for driver software. Locate and install driver software manually."
Type (or paste) the location of the installation folder that you remembered from Step 3 (in my case it's: C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc ) into the search box and ensure that "Include subfolders" is checked - then click on "Next" in the lower right corner.
Drivers will install (and screen may go black temporarily). System will then show a window that states "Windows has successfully updated your driver software" Click on "Close" in the lower right corner of the window (Screen may again go black temporarily).
And you're done!!!

NOTE: If it says that the most current drivers are already installed - go back and uninstall all ATI video stuff (be careful as you may uninstall AMD chipset drivers also - which will then require reinstalling them!). Then run the procedure from Step 5 again.

And you're done!!!

satrow · Apr 25, 2012

Excellent work as usual John!

I'm unsure as to how much would be gained, or bloat lost, by trying a similar tactic with Intel drivers but a nVidia method will be worth adding (I don't have a suitable card, without trying to reflow a 9800GT). The nVidia drivers extract much the same way, cancel as the 'Detecting' window comes up and the current (x64) drivers are extracted to C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\296.10\WinVista_Win7_64\English\Display.Driver. They'll be useful for SSD installs and, perhaps, borderline TDR cases?

I think it should be noted (somewhere) that there may be complications involved when updating drivers for certain laptop types, Alienware (according to some reports) and Sony spring to mind, there are probably others. nVidia's current laptop notes:

Notes:

Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release.
The following Sony VAIO notebooks are included in the Verde notebook program: Sony VAIO F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M, GeForce GT 330M, GeForce GT 425M, GeForce GT 520M or GeForce GT 540M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not included at this time (please contact Sony for driver support).
Fujitsu notebooks are not included this release (Fujitsu Siemens notebooks are included).

ATI/AMD:

If you experience difficulty while using the generic AMD Catalyst Mobility drivers, we recommend reverting to the driver provided by your notebook vendor. Please contact your notebook vendor for their most recent graphics drivers.

The following notebooks are not compatible with this tool:
Notebooks equipped with switchable graphics
Toshiba® notebooks
Sony® VAIO® notebooks
Panasonic® notebooks

Andy.

usasma · Apr 25, 2012

Could you provide links for the quotes? Or a description of where they come from? That way we can include them in the caveat about laptops.

I'll get around to the nVidia drivers shortly (but I'm going away from Friday to Sunday).

satrow · Apr 26, 2012

nVidia quote: http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win7-winvista-64bit-296.10-whql-driver.html Supported products tab, comments at the foot of the page.

ATI/AMD quote: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx Further link at the bottom to laptop makers support sites page.

usasma · Apr 30, 2012

FINAL DRAFT
Any suggestions before I make it a pinned topic???

ATI "Driver Only" installation procedure
(Instructions developed on a 64 bit Win7 system - 32 bit Win7, Vista, and even XP should be similar.)

NOTE: Laptop (Mobility Radeon) users please read the following by clicking on the "Show" link. It pertains to the compatibility of generic ATI drivers on your systems:

Read More:

While the procedure below may appear daunting, just follow it one step at a time and it'll work for you. If you have any questions, just post them in the forums and we'll be glad to provide assistance.

NOTE: If you already have the ATI drivers installed, please use the Catalyst Uninstall Manager (in Control Panel...Programs...Uninstall a program) to remove all of the ATI video driver components. Be careful as you may uninstall AMD chipset drivers also - which will then require reinstalling them!.

Download the latest version of the Catalyst Software Suite from http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx .
Double click on the downloaded executable file (it's name will look something like this: 12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe ).
The installation will first stop at a screen which notes where the installation folder is (in my case it's: C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc ). Please make a note where this folder is located as you'll use it later on to install the drivers. Then click on Next/Install to continue with the installation.
The installer then extracts the files to that folder and then launches the AMD Catalyst Install Manager. Click on "Cancel", then click on "Yes" to exit the AMD Catalyst Install Manager.
Go to Start and type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) and then press Enter when devmgmt.msc shows up at the top of the search box.
In Device Manager, click on the +/> sign next to Display adapters.
Right click on the display adapter and select "Update Driver Software".
Select "Browse my computer for driver software. Locate and install driver software manually."
Type (or paste) the location of the installation folder that you remembered from Step 3 (in my case it's: C:\AMD\Support\12-3_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc ) into the search box and ensure that "Include subfolders" is checked - then click on "Next" in the lower right corner.
Drivers will install (and screen may go black temporarily). System will then show a window that states "Windows has successfully updated your driver software" Click on "Close" in the lower right corner of the window (Screen may again go black temporarily).
And you're done!!!

NOTE: If it says that the most current drivers are already installed - go back and uninstall all ATI video stuff (be careful as you may uninstall AMD chipset drivers also - which will then require reinstalling them!). Then run the procedure from Step 5 again (the new directory from Step 3 should still be there).

usasma · May 2, 2012

Sticky located here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/sh...ideo-cards-DRIVER-ONLY-installation-procedure

Still gotta work on the one for nVidia cards

satrow · Jul 12, 2013

An update that may be a useful addition to the Sticky: AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility

AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility
AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility 2 MB 1.2.1.0 1/17/2013
Description:
This standalone uninstallation utility will clean your system of any existing AMD Catalyst™ drivers to prepare your PC for the clean installation of a new driver version. Currently supports Windows 7 at this time.
After running the utility, a restart of the computer is required to fully remove driver files that may be in use during the uninstall process. Installing a new driver prior to a system restart may cause the operating system to not function properly.

Untested as yet, I'm waiting for the next ATI driver release.

satrow · Dec 15, 2013

I never did get around to testing it.

Looks like the removal tool has been pulled, at least, it now needs a login to access that area, and I see no sign of it elsewhere on AMD's Support site.

Many download sites still have it (some hotlink so will fail) I just used the second (Secure/US) download link at Softpedia: Download AMD Catalyst Un-install Utility 1.2.1.0 for Windows Vista, Windows Vista 64 bit, Windows 7, Windows 7 64 bit, Windows 8, Windows 8 64 bit

The current AMD/ATI uninstall method is outlined here: AMD Support and Game Forums - How-To Uninstall & Install AMD Catalyst Drivers Basically, use Add/Remove Programs then, if there are still problems:

Part 2
The following additional steps are recommended to advanced users, and only if the Catalyst Driver installation was not successful after attempting the uninstall steps provided in Part 1.

After completing the uninstall steps provided in Part 1, restart the system into Safe-Mode.
Log in as the Administrator.
Navigate to the folder, "C:\Windows\assembly"
Sort the entries by, "Public Key Token"
Locate entries with the public key token, "90ba9c70f846762e"
Delete or uninstall (by right-clicking) all entries associated with that public key token only.
Restart the computer into Normal-Mode.

satrow · May 11, 2014

Another update.

There's now an "AMD Clean Uninstall Utility" utility available from the main drivers page: Download Drivers

It would be useful if someone could modify the Sticky to suit.

Updating AMD/ATI cards, 'drivers only'.

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