upgraded to 6990m, driver issues

[crashfive]

System: m17x R2

Original config:

Proc: i5 520m

Video: AMD 5870m

RAM: 4GB

HDD: 320 x 2 - RAID 0

PS: < 240w

Upgraded Components:

Proc: i7 920xm

Video: AMD 6990m

RAM: 8GB

SSD: 128 GB x 2 - RAID 0

PS: 240w

I recently (yesterday) upgraded my video card to the 6990m. I bought the video card on eBay. Its a Dell (subvendor, per HWinfo64).

Well, I transferred the heat sink over, which is operating at about 40 degrees celsius, which is fine, however, I can't get AMD CCC 13.251 drivers to operate effectively or older ones either. When I install the latest drivers and reboot into windows, the video doesnt make it past the windows logo, the system still boots into windows, but the video fails. It glitches then suddenly blacks out.

I have to boot into safe mode, uninstall/delete drivers from device manager, reboot into normal windows, uninstall CCC to ensure the drivers dont re-install themselves, and use standard VGA drivers. I tried installing 6990m drivers from support.dell.com - they didnt install at all for some reason? I read on another forum about installing 7970m drivers from support.dell.com - same thing, they didnt install at all. I've tried installing old versions of CCC 11.10, they didnt install either.

Also, I read that Alienware AMD graphics card drivers cant use drivers directly from AMD because Dell modifies them. Is this true?

Research from some forums are suggesting reinstalling Windows. There has got to be a better solution to this and I've spent over 12 hours researching and troubleshooting and have finally resorted to reaching out for help personally through this forum.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I really do not want to re-install Windows and all my applications.

Also, because its a "Dell video card" do I really need to flash the vBios? Reading in other forums, the only purpose to flash the bios is if its NOT a Dell video card or you want to unlock features, is this correct?

I'm lost at this point and need help.