Did you remove the DAO as well as Catalyst drivers as outlined at http://support.ati.com/ics/support/d...stionID=20870?

I wasn't clear on if you had gone back to an older version of the ATI drivers, or you were "reinstalling" the latest drivers.

Here are some good generic checklist items from AMD/ATI too (apologies for the length, no way I could discern to link the javascript output):

Crashing and Lockups

Based on our experience, lockups and hangs issues are usually due to improper system configuration, driver issues, faulty hardware, or a known issue between a given application, driver and hardware in use.

There are several things you can check:
Please keep in mind that you may have already done some of the following suggestions and you DO NOT need to try each one.



1. Please check with your motherboard or PC manufacturer to ensure that you have the latest Chipset driver.



2. Please check with your motherboard or PC manufacturer to ensure that you have the latest Bios flash.



3. Ensure that you have installed any patches or updates for the game or application. You will find these on the developer’s website.

4. Ensure that the latest DirectX version is correctly installed and functioning. For Microsoft’s instructions visit: www.microsoft.com/directx. To access the DirectX Diagnostic Utility do the following:

* Click Start > Choose Run > type “dxdiag” (without quotes) > Press OK

Ensure all three (3) DirectX features are enabled:
From the Display tab, under DirectX Features, ensure that each feature (DirectDraw Acceleration, Direct3D Acceleration, and AGP Acceleration) are enabled.
Ensure that under Notes it states, “No Problem(s) Detected”.


Verify that all DirectX files are installed:
From the DirectX Files tab.
Ensure that under Notes it states, “No Problem(s) Detected”.
Try to force a different refresh rate:


From the More Help tab, click Override.
Enter an override value that is compatible with both your video card and your monitor.
Click OK, and then Exit.
5. Ensure your power supply has the required wattage output for the video card.

6. For AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) cards ensure:

Ensure that Fastwrite is disabled in BIOS, and in the SMARTGART section of ATI’s Catalyst Control Center
Try adjusting the AGP speed from (8X to 4X) (4X to 2X) or vise versa.
Increase the AGP Aperture in the BIOS. We recommend a 128MB minimum.
Disable any Shadowing settings in the BIOS.
Disable any Cache Video BIOS settings in the BIOS.
7. Ensure that hardware acceleration set to full under the Troubleshoot tab in Display Properties, under advanced

8. Try turning off write combining in the display properties under advanced then the ATI Troubleshoot tab

9. Ensure that you have adequate Power

300 watts for ATI Radeon™ 9700, ATI Radeon™ 9800, ATI Radeon™ X300, ATI Radeon™ X600 and ATI Radeon™ X700.
350 watts for ATI Radeon™ X800, ATI Radeon™ X850, ATI Radeon™ X1300, and ATI Radeon™ X1600.
ATI Radeon™ X1800, ATI Radeon™ X1900, ATI Radeon™ X1950 require special power supply:
450 Watt capacity with 30A on a +/- 12 volt rail (connection) for single graphics configuration.
550 Watt capacity with 38A on a +/- 12 volt rail (connection) for dual graphics configuration for Crossfire (for a list of certified power supplies click here).
10. Ensure that your computer case has good air circulation.



11. Check the system memory (RAM) for errors. A link from Microsoft will help you test your memory: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp



12. If you have multiple memory sticks in your computer, swap the memory sticks or try one at a time



13. Empty the Windows temporary folder, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type %temp% in the Open box, and then click OK.
On the Edit menu, click Select All.
On the File menu, click Delete.
Click Yes when you receive the following message: Are you sure you want to send these items to the Recycle Bin?
14. Restart your computer by using a clean boot procedure:


Note: You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may result in the return of the original error message or behavior.


Click Start, and then click Run.
Type “Msconfig” (without Quotes)
Click On the General tab.
Click Selective Startup.
Under Startup tab, click to clear "Load Startup Items"
On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
Click APPLY, and then click Restart. Test the computer
NOTE: To return your system to a normal startup, start the MSCONFIG utility again and on the General Tab, click "Normal Startup" and apply the settings.



15. Disable a file or service using the System Configuration Utility

Click Start, and then click Run.
Type “Msconfig” (without Quotes), Click OK.
Click Selective Startup and clear the Load System Services check box.
Click OK.
Restart your computer, and see if the problem persists.

16. Adjust graphics hardware acceleration:

Click Start, point to Settings.
Click Control Panel.
Double-click Display.
On the Settings tab, click Advanced.
Click the Troubleshoot tab.
Move the Hardware Acceleration slider two notches to the left of Full (the Disable all cursor and advanced drawing accelerations setting).
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Test the computer
17. Try the video card in another computer or another video card in your Computer.

If your video card works in another Computer, then the video card is good and you should check your computer for the cause of the issue.
If another video card exhibits the same behavior then the video card is good and you should check your computer for the cause of the issue.
If your video card exhibits the same behavior in another computer then the card is defective.
If the other video card works fine in your computer, then your video card is defective
If the card is proven to be defective then the issue that you are facing can only be resolved by a repairing your video card. Please apply for an RMA for your video card so that you can get a replacement for it.



Please note for an RMA authorization you need to have a “Built by ATI/AMD” product bought in a Shrink-wrapped box and your product must be under warranty. If you have a “Graphics by ATI/AMD” or “Powered by ATI/AMD” product, please contact the respective manufacturer of your video card. If your video card came with your computer system please contact your respective computer manufacturer in order to get your video card replaced.



If the card is a "Built by ATI/AMD" product you can apply for an RMA as follow:

Visit http://ati.amd.com/rma.
Read the terms and conditions
Scroll to the end of the page, and click on "Online Returns Materials Authorization (RMA) Form".
Fill out the form and submit it.
Please wait for a reply containing details to the RMA and the shipping instructions.
The response may take up to 48 hours.