Well after installing the ATI drivers instead of the Microsoft ones, it all seemed well and good, till my computer rebooted after Automatic updates, then after the Windows XP loading screen with the loading bar, my two monitors (I have a dual monitor setup) go black, after a couple of reboots, and no luck, I booted into safe Mode no prob, googled the problem, it seemed like a fairly big problem, they said it was the drivers, so Installed the Radeon 8500 Microsoft drivers, boots up normal again.
So I tried playing some Half-life 2:Ep One (Got a message saying my drivers were out of date before the game started, tried clicking on the link they provided just to be told "Unknown vendor"), noticed the intro movie wasn't being displayed but I could hear it, after the part DOG digs you out of the rubble, it all look very nice since most of the Video settings were on high, only some minor graphical glitches with the rock walls.
So I figured the Microsoft drivers were to blame, tried installing the ATI drivers and BAM, wouldn't boot XP again.
Now I am back to the Microsoft Drivers.
Any clue why Windows XP is throwing a fit over the ATI drivers?
Any clue on a fix for this? (Nothing along the lines of Re-installing XP)