How to Install ATI Drivers for Vista

Your computer monitor plugs into your computer's video card.

ATI cards are video cards that accelerate a computer's 3D graphics and video playback performance. The ATI card in your computer also manages the video output in general. If no ATI drivers are installed, the computer's display output is low quality and 3D graphics and video playback are not accelerated. New games also often require updated ATI drivers. Install ATI drivers for Vista by downloading them from ATI's official website and installing them.

Instructions

1. Verify you are running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or later by clicking "Start," right-clicking "My Computer" and clicking "Properties." If you don't see any references to "Service Pack" in the "System" window, install it using Windows Update by clicking "Start," clicking "All Programs," clicking "Windows Update" and following the instructions on your screen.

2. Download the latest ATI driver installer for Windows Vista from the official website.

3. Open the Programs and Features window by clicking "Start," "Control Panel" and "Programs and Features."

4. Uninstall the currently installed ATI drivers by clicking "ATI Catalyst Install Manager" if you see it in the Uninstall or Change a Program list, clicking "Change" on the toolbar; clicking "Express Uninstall ATI Software" in the window that appears; clicking "Next" and following the uninstaller's instructions. Restart your computer when prompted.

5. Run the ATI driver installer with administrator privileges by right-clicking the downloaded ATI driver installer file and clicking "Run as Administrator." Authenticate yourself by typing your password or clicking "Continue" when prompted.

6. Read the ATI end user license agreement in the window that appears and click "Accept" and "Next" if you accept.

7. Install the ATI files to the default installation location by clicking "Install."

8. Click "Next" in the ATI Catalyst Install Manager window.

9. Perform an express or custom installation by clicking "Express" or "Custom" in the ATI Catalyst Install Manager window and clicking "Next."

10. Confirm the creation of a new installation folder by clicking "Yes" when prompted.

11. Customize your ATI driver installation by clicking the checkboxes to the left of the items in the Component Selection list and clicking "Next."

12. Complete the ATI driver installation and restart your computer by clicking "Finish" when prompted.

References

• AMD: ATI Catalyst Suite Driver Installation Instructions under Windows Vista
• Microsoft Support: How to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista

Resources

• AMD: Graphics Drivers & Software