I have a P4 2.4 and the 9200 in an AGP slot.

When I used the installation CD, after the reboot it required the system loaded up a black screen with the mouse pointer in the middle, and promptly froze up.

It was due for a spring clean anyway, so I reformatted and reinstalled everything. Now it works. BUT I get a flickering unstable image. Only a tiny flicker, but enough to drive you mad.

I went to ATI and downloaded their config/driver package, and it won't install - says it's preparing the installsheild wizard, then disappears and does nothing.

Any ideas?

I was having the same problem with my son's computer, I experimented with putting a fan on the heatsink, which I could hardly touch, I have not had an issue with my ATI 9200 AGP card since

Hi,
After a lot of research on this type of card, this might be a "shot in the dark", but most of it points to DirectX.
Have you downloaded/installed the latest DirectX updates? I am not sure that will solve the "flicker" problem, but it is mentioned in many searches.
Best of luck.