if I am rightJimmy, wish I knew about you when I tried to update my ATI
drivers. But I'm not sure even now if your advice would have helped me
because xp was doing something annoying. After I removed the old software
and drivers, xp insisted on installing original drivers, not giving me a
chance to click "cancel". Does your method prevent this, by using safe mode?

And hey, MB, the other advice is great but also consider lowering your video
settings to a point where the graphics are acceptable to you and it will
increase your frame rate. Maybe fewer lag kills if I am right about this.