ATI Universal Installer issues

Regarding the newly released ATI Universal Installer :

ATI Desktop Video extension causes crashes? Other bugs reported Several readers have reported problems with this update. In all cases, the problems disappear after reverting back to the previous version of the ATI software. For example, Gary Ross found that the color of the display had a pink hue. Mark MacKenzie found a high level of "noise" when recording video or still pictures. Two readers (including Bob Finkstein) had startup crashes due to the ATI Desktop Video extension. Bob solved the problem by having the extension load before his SAM Intercept (4.5.3) extension.

Update: TV Tuner problem fixed Jerry Douglas writes: "I installed the ATI drivers and got the 'pink screen' on the ATI Video Player. But I found that the Installer did not replace the Video Player with the new version but simply placed it in a new folder. I was unintentionally using the old Video Player. Once I discovered that and used the updated version that comes with the install, the pink screen and sound problems were gone." Angelo Bonaventura also confirms this.

Drivers not for "built-in" controllers? Just in case you missed it, the following note is posted on the ATI updater page: "The drivers supplied here are designed for the specific ATI products listed. If your ATI graphics controller is built into your Macintosh system (i.e. on the main logic board), consult with the system manufacturer before updating the drivers. Some systems may require special versions of ATI software. Installing ATI's universal drivers may disable some of the special features of your computer."

Update: Eric Westby notes that the above statement is a bit misleading. He writes: "The only issue is that the installer does not recognize the built-in hardware and so 'custom installs' the full extension set, leaving the end user to fish some items out manually. (e.g., the ATI Displays control panel, the ATI Extension, etc.) It is my understanding that the message you quoted refers more generally to PC compatibles with ATI chips.

I can confirm, and this was relayed to me directly by Mr. Todd Hart of Apple, that the new drivers work wonderfully with built-in ATI chipsets (at least on the G3 series), and indeed are required for some games such as Nanosaur. Mr. Hart also recommended I find a copy of the ATI Driver Update (v.1.3.4) and install it on my G3 Rev. 1. (I was able to find it on a Rev. 2 G3.)"