So, I have the ATI 4850 iMac and am currently running ATI Catalyst Control Center 10.6, and planning to update the Control Center software and the video card driver.
However, I know that versions of the Control Center prior to 10.4 (I believe) caused problems with bootcamp iMacs (visual banding, limited to 256 colors etc); and that one of the more recent video card drivers (I forget which) caused other issues.
Because 10.6 + whatever driver I have installed now work perfectly well, I'm cautious about messing with things. But I can't help myself. Thing is I want to do it safely, to ensure I can return to my present state if necessary.
Here is my update plan for the extra-paranoid. Anyone who knows about Windows, please tell me if I am in error in any of this.
1) Back up bootcamp partition with WinClone.
2) Create a System Restore point in Windows.
3) Install the latest control center/drivers.
4) See if everything works.
5) If issues, use "roll back to previous driver" option. If it seems necessary, also downgrade the control center software. (From what I have read, if you don't uninstall the prev video drivers before installing new ones, the "roll back" option remains available.) If roll back doesn't work, use System Restore Point. If System Restore Point doesn't work, use WinClone image.
6) If everything works, uninstall video drivers, and (re)install drivers (as ATI recommends you install new drivers on a "clean" system").
Any advice/obvious problems?
However, I know that versions of the Control Center prior to 10.4 (I believe) caused problems with bootcamp iMacs (visual banding, limited to 256 colors etc); and that one of the more recent video card drivers (I forget which) caused other issues.
Because 10.6 + whatever driver I have installed now work perfectly well, I'm cautious about messing with things. But I can't help myself. Thing is I want to do it safely, to ensure I can return to my present state if necessary.
Here is my update plan for the extra-paranoid. Anyone who knows about Windows, please tell me if I am in error in any of this.
1) Back up bootcamp partition with WinClone.
2) Create a System Restore point in Windows.
3) Install the latest control center/drivers.
4) See if everything works.
5) If issues, use "roll back to previous driver" option. If it seems necessary, also downgrade the control center software. (From what I have read, if you don't uninstall the prev video drivers before installing new ones, the "roll back" option remains available.) If roll back doesn't work, use System Restore Point. If System Restore Point doesn't work, use WinClone image.
6) If everything works, uninstall video drivers, and (re)install drivers (as ATI recommends you install new drivers on a "clean" system").
Any advice/obvious problems?