I am having a similar issue. I got the error message about the kernel driver once. I removed atitool, rebooted, and reinstalled it. Now when I launch it I get no error message but it show 0,0 for the speeds. I am using Vista 32bit.
Are you right clicking & selecting "Run as Administrator" ?
Or turn off that shitty UAC (User Account Control)
The UAC is the thing that when you go to run a little harmless program it say “are you sure you want to run that?” (click yes) “hmm....so you’re really sure?” (click yes) “well M$ advice you not run it!” (click the “run anyway” button) FSS! Just run the bloody thing!
Also even though you have an admin account with UAC on you still have to tell some programs to “run as administrator” , then other programs that you didn’t tell to “run as administrator” won’t work with the ones you have! that’s why my mouse buttons would not work in R6 Vegas!
And once you have run a program as “run as administrator” you can’t change things like the affinity (which CPU core it uses) because it says you don’t have permission because you’re not the administrator!
In short, If you have Vista turn the bloody UAC off! Then turn the frigging warning off that kepts telling you that the UAC is off!