ATI driver trouble

WinXP Pro SP2
Brand new PowerColor X1950Pro 256mb PCI Express video card.
The included driver disk was blank. Yes, blank. I tried it in 3 other PCs and none read it, so I figured it was blank. So I downloaded the newest Catalyst from ATIs web site (v7.12 I think). It gets just past the first or second 'OK' or 'Next' prompt, starts to load files, then says "No supported ATI device installed" or something real close to that. So, then I tried a CD from a Sapphire X1650Pro. When the CD launches, it lists several cards that are supported by the included driver, and the X1950Pro is listed. Again it gets to a certain point and copies some files, and again it errors out saying that no ATI device is installed. So, I went to the PowerColor website, and started to download their driver. It maxed out at 8k and would have taken about 4.5 hours, so I cancelled it. I rebooted, and let the Hardware Wizard prompt me for the drivers. I went thru it, clicked on "Have disk" and pointed it to the drivers. It started to install, then errored out with "The specified file could not be located." I clicked 'Cancel' and then 2nd wizard promptly opened (ATI cards have the main driver, and a secondary driver). I went thru the same thing with that, "Have disk", etc... again it errored out. So I rebooted. And whuddayaknow!!! The driver appears to have installed! I went to Display Properties, changed resolution several times, set various themes, all seemed OK. So I ran Video Card Stability Test (downloaded from MajorGeeks http://www.majorgeeks.com/Video_Card_Stability_Test_d5404.html) and ran it for only 5 minutes, but it ran fine, and I ran the Benchmark too, and it ran fine (scored 2008!). So far, everything seems OK. So, what's the deal?!?!?! Why didn't any drivers take normally? I had to force a driver in thru the Device Manager/Hardware Wizard, and it didn't install smoothly, but after a reboot, it seems fine. Any thoughts?

(I know it's a long post, but it's long story )

 

Problem solved.... turns out the XP Pro install was slightly 'off' and was also a pirated VLK... once this was discovered, a quick format and reload of a legit OS fixed everything.... the ATI driver installed perfectly (but the CD that came with the video card is still blank)...