Hey everyone, I need some help. I have an ATI HD4850 on vista64 and every time I try upgrading to the newest drivers, the ATI install manager loads and then there is a crash (stops responding and quits). Its happened for the past 3 driver releases. I really dont want to reformat, would anyone have any suggestions?

Have you tried manually uninstalling the previous version first restarting and then installing the new updated version ?

Yup, tried uninstalling using ATI install manager and also tried removing the display drivers from device manager. Those 2 methods werent able to fully remove the drivers, so I had to do a system restore to 1 day before. Problem is that the ATI install manager can't even open - just crashes every time.

You could try the Drive sweeper from Guru3D, I don't know if it will help but its good to have anyway to completely remove any traces of the old driver.

It might be a good idea to try installing them in 'safe mode'

and also try re downloading them, just incase the download was currupt.

so i would suggest,

1, re download drivers
2, boot into safe mode
3, unistall previouse drivers
4, reboot back into safe mode
5, install new drivers
6, reboot

I have a nVidia SLi laptop, and I always install my drivers in safe mode.
Yu know there isnt any external factor affecting the install that way.

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the help. I used driver sweeper and the safe mode boot to update the drivers. Only weird thing is that the ATI Install manager would always crash after I clicked on "install". I had to update just the drivers via device manager, but at least it worked this time, unlike before. You guys just saved me from reformatting!!

OMFG this is why I gave up PC gaming thank you 360. Matter of fact I downloaded new nvidia drivers yesterday. And my PC crashed this moring. FUCK PC gaming. This is why I left it.

Anyway go download Tune Up Utilities 2009 very nice program get the 30 day free version it will clean your PC and also give you a great unistall manager. This should help

Man, everyone seems to have a utility for this problem but no real fix.  The problem is most likely manufacturer based.  OP, Who made your card?  Saphire? HIS?  Chances are good that if you go to the manufacturers website you will find the correct driver for that card.  Also look in ATIs forums for people having the same problems.  Chances are there is a hotfix the will allow you to use ATI's Drivers.