Drivers and Catalyst 'package failure'

Question

Greetings,

after 2 days wandering the net looking for a solution, I finally chose to ask my question directly.

Next to a failed Windows update, my drivers went missing, forcing me to install new ones. My PC is a Win 7 Alienware laptop made by Dell. My Radeon HD 6990M isnt detected anymore.

I tried countless manips, and everytime I try to install the official driver from Dell support site, and through it the Catalyst software, I end up with the message "installation: install package failure".

Now I saw many other topics from people with the same problem. But I just cant get any thing to work. I hesitate: should I format? Would it at least restore the old drivers? How can I get a clean system to start a new and effective install?

Please, any advice is welcome, I'm starting to think about throwing my laptop through the window. I'm so frustrated, since it's all Microsoft's fault.

Thanks in advance. Really.

Karel Svoboda · Answer

Hello, do you have Service Pack 1 and updates installed? Its very important. Also install Chipset and Intel HD Graphics drivers first, then reboot and install AMD GPU drivers.

You can also try generic AMD drivers from their website: http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

maverick_2010 · Answer

Hi, thanks for replying so quickly.

I tried drivers from Dell, AMD, and "Touslesdrivers.com". No dice so far, always the same problem when Catalyst starts installing. Either the installation ends up incomplete, or I get the "package failure" error.

But is Catalyst really necessary? I guess so...

Also, could you tell me where I can find Chipset and Intel HD Graphics drivers? I'm a complete newbie to all this. All I have so far is a file from Dell named "Video_Driver_4NYM5_WN_9.003_A00", that I got by looking for new drivers. It weignts 460 mb but doesnt seem to do much, although it's supposed to be compatible with my card.

And I do have Win 7 SP1.

Karel Svoboda · Answer

Hi, your Alienware i assume it has Sandy Bridge generation processor? These usually have small graphics in CPU. These laptops can use AMD Enduro aka switching graphics or you should be able to set it manually in BIOS.

Best thing would be going to Dell Support website, enter service tag of your laptop and you autodetect tool for drivers.

Also do you have two SSHD drives in your laptops? My friend has Alienware 17" laptop with two 1TB HDDs which are SSHD, its HDD with 8GB SSD cache. Howewer these are quite faulty, so the package might be damaged due to damaged SSD cache on drive.

maverick_2010 · Answer

I already used Dell support detection: it says there is no problem, so I assume it doesnt really work.

I have only one hard drive, of 250 Gb.

Things are getting messy: my computer cant even recover from "sleep mode" without rebooting. I intend to use the DVDs provided by Aleinware to get a clean install, but I dont know how to do.

I paid my computer 1.800 €, so I dont really like the idea of seeing it get all broken up after only three years of use just because of some up update.

Any idea?

maverick_2010 · Answer

Would Windows 7 reinstallation solve the problem?

Also, Dell proposes me 14 drivers, but 13 of them are for Nvidia or older than my card.

Btw, my graphic card is only detected in the device manager when in safe mode. Otherwise, in normal mode, it shows an Intel Graphics 3000.

No more warranty.

I appreciate the help so far, I cant seem to get anything working myself and forums are full of empty solutions.

Catalyst installation (13.9 mobility) doesnt work at all, it doesnt even propose me to install drivers, only a "manager" of some sort. Despite I uninstalled it and erased all registry lines (with Ccleaner and Driver cleaner) multiple times.

I thought about getting back to factory condition, but it would mean losing my Office and antivirus licenses. Quite a waste.

Karel Svoboda · Answer

Okay and when you are trying to download drivers from Dell website, under Video you see only one driver? If you have original discs containing Windows 7, reinstallation is quite easy.

Is your laptop still under warranty? Also check health of your HDD with CrystalDiskInfo utility.

You can use these guides for instance: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-reinstall-windows-7-easily-step-by-step-guide/

Karel Svoboda · Answer

How is the settings in BIOS? Also you have to install Intel Graphics, then Radeon.

maverick_2010 · Answer

There's been some updates.

After tearing my system upside down, trying everything I could think of, and attempting to reseat my graphic card, it looks like everything is back to normal.

I cant explain it. I had installed Intel drivers at the beginning of the problem with my experiments (drivers I found on the Dell support site), afterwards I manually installed AMD drivers in safe mode, and it is only after lots of reboots and physical computer surgery that my drivers got updated and my graphics card recognized anew.

So somehow, my problem is solved. If anyone has the same one, try what I did, and dont give up: it took me three complete days to get it figured out.

Anyway, thank you for your help, Karel, I still needed it.

Karel Svoboda · Answer

This is weird. Mostly installing drivers should be fine in normal mode, not in safe mode.

I have experienced on many graphics cards issues caused by some movement in PCI-E slot. Reseating card and cleaning contacts helps. In laptops, cards are soldered or held by screws on place though.

Everything works fine now? Glad to hear that.

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Drivers and Catalyst "package failure"

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