ATI driver update problems - thoughts?

I got my envy 14 this morning and I really like it. I removed all the bloatware and put most of my software and files on it and was updating it and everything was fine. It had been running silently, cool, and without any problems for a few hours like this.

Then I decided I should upgrade the drivers and so I downloaded the latest ATI driver. First I uninstalled the current one and restarted the computer and everything was fine and then I started to install the new one (I did the express settings for both the uninstall of the old and the install of the new) and midway through installing it the screen just turns black. I left it for over an hour and then just decided to shut the computer down by holding the power button. I rebooted and it seemed fine; but I'm not sure how to check if the new driver actually installed correctly (it says the device is working properly in device manager) or if I should reinstall it or what. Has this happened to anybody else? I backed up my drivers so I could always restore them if that's the best thought too.

Thanks.

[EDIT] I just did windows update and then restarted my computer and it froze on the "configuring windows updates" screen. It of course says "do not turn off your computer;" hopefully that's an empty threat...

 

I've noticed that I can't even install the drivers.

I hit custom and it says the 8.713 drivers (10.3b catalyst) are up to date.

 

I did the express mode both for install and uninstall. I reverted the changes from windows update and restored my drivers and things seem to be working for the most part. I'm still a little concerned though since I've never had problems with updating drivers or with windows update before.

 

I don't think you can use the basic catalyst drivers (provided by windows update)- you have to use the custom intel-ati package that HP has going. The switchable graphics make the driver situation rather unique.

 

where do we get those? on the ATI website?

 

the ati and intel ones?

apparently only available on hp's site for us for now.

those are at 10.3b

we'll see what happens later.

maybe someone can do some laptopvideo2go stuff for ati (haven't seen that happen since omegadrivers and those are defunct now I think)

 

This was one of the reasons I didn't go for the i5 because of the HP driver dependency. They're not good at keeping up with the latest video drivers so you'll have to live with what they give you. I haven't tested the latest ATI drivers because the release notes state that you should not install on new notebooks that were introduced after the release date. Maybe on the next update.

 

If you are not a gamer is there really any reason you need to have the latest and greatest? (I'm looking at the Evny 14 for photo work)