ATI Radeon/Catalyst users: Beware WinXP SP2 autoupdate

This morning, I discovered my Windows XP SP2 installation had run another autoupdate. This happens from time to time-- as of SP2, it reboots my computer without asking me, damn the torpedos (or at least, damn my processes and uptime). In previous versions of XP and Windows, it was possible to instruct windows only to update on demand, preventing spontaneous reboots. I looked after the XP SP2
update and didn't see anything obvious, then forgot about it, but, this is the last straw. Anyone know how to disable this on XP SP2? Even if I have to beat it into submission by manually editing the registry or something equally excessive, at this point, it's apparently necessary.

Anyway, the point of this message is that last night, or recently, the autoupdate did something strange. Instead of updating a component of the OS like Internet Explorer, or maybe the TCP/IP stack, it updated my ATI Catalyst driver from 4.5 to 4.9. I knew this could spell trouble, and, sure enough, when I ran SecondLife, I crashed out within a few minutes of connecting. I reconnected, crashed quickly. I reconnected again, crashed quickly again.

Fortunately, there's a relatively simple option to roll back the driver:
Display Properties -> Settings -> Advanced -> Adapter -> Properties -> Driver (tab) -> Rollback

As far as I know, to this day, Catalyst 4.5 remains the latest version of the ATI Radeon drivers that works stably with Second Life. 4.9 certainly crashes out quickly on my system.

The option is blatently shoved into My Computer's Properties. Right click My Computer. Hit Properties.

Ah, excellent. Yeah, that is pretty blatant. It'd be nice if they would pick one UI for regulating updates and stick with it.

Agreed.

I run the 5.1 Catalyst drivers with 0 issues, have not locked up in SL in ages on my Saphire9600XT (ATI)..

And for autoupdate I have it set to just notify me, I will download and install it, as this way I have total control, if you select download and install, well it will do strange things or steal resources to install just when you need them, so again just select notify only.

Stop using ATI's version of the drivers and use OMEGA drivers instead....not only are they tweaked for max performance but ATI endorses them....a side benefit is that windows won't auto update these drivers.

You may find this useful for cleaning your ATI Drivers >> http://www.drivercleaner.net/ and only install drivers from the ATI website >> http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html


Also this program will shut alot of the Windows "Call Home" crap off >> http://www.xp-antispy.org/

I've been using 4.12 with my 9600pro since it was released mid-December. It has worked so well without a single crash that I haven't upgraded to 5.1 for fear that I'll jinx my luck.

im running an nvidia 5700 ultra with no problems and no hint of problems...with an ati 9600, i froze up immediately upon loggin in all the time