Novice needs help

[NoStateofMind]

I just installed my new PSU and RAM without a hitch. What I need now is directoins on uninstalling video drivers and then installing new one's. I need a driver cleaner right? where can I find one? Do I just run the driver cleaner, shut down, remove card , insert new card, boot, install new drivers? Or do I use device manager to uninstall then driver cleaner?

Thanks for your patience.

 

[CKXP]

Driver cleaner pro

 

[NoStateofMind]

So I just run that with 'ATI' selected as the guide, shut down, install new card, boot up, tell windows not to look for the driver, insert driver CD, install and reboot? that sound right?

 

[the cobbler]

run DC Pro precisely as the instructions indicate, in safe mode. Do not deviate one iota from those instructions.

DC Pro is a very powerful driver-removal utility. The flip side is that if you use it improperly, you'll be reinstalling Windows.

 

[NoStateofMind]

other than that is the process correct that I have stated before?

 

[the cobbler]

I don't know, as the process is slightly different for ATI cards versus nVidia cards.

here are the precise instructions for ATI driver removal from DC Pro's readme file:

ATI:
1. Unplug nic card or modem from net or disconnect
2. Remove ATI driver from add/remove programs then remove the control panel from add/remove programs
3. Reboot into safe mode (F8 during boot up)
4. On reboot into safe mode WinXP SP1/SP2 will auto detect and install drivers. Just let it do its thing. If you can cancel out of the auto install hardware wizard then skip the rest and run Driver Cleaner! If you can NOT cancel out of auto detect wizard then...
5. Navigate to device manager->display adapter->uninstall and/or remove ATI display adapter but do not reboot
6. Disable any AntiVirus Software (If you don't disable is than it could give trouble)
7. Run Cab Cleaner (not needed, but recommended)
8. Run Driver Cleaner
9. Empty recycle bin and reboot
10. Install the new drivers and control panel

do that...EXACTLY

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
So I just run that with 'ATI' selected as the guide, shut down, install new card, boot up, tell windows not to look for the driver, insert driver CD, install and reboot? that sound right?

also, no, you actually should uninstall the drivers and run DC Pro before you install the new card. Particularly if you are replacing an nVidia or other-brand card.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Also- DL the latest drivers- don't use the ones on the CD. Installation CD drivers are usually several versions older then the latest and in the case of the x1x00 parts the drivers that shipped on the CDs regularly don't recognize the board properly(drivers were too old).

If you go to ATi's driver site they have a utility that will uninstall all of their components for you and then you can install their driver package(or one of the non CCC ones if you rather). Using ATi's tools you don't need to boot to safe mode or anything else, run the uninstall program, shut down, install new vid card, boot and then install new drivers from the directory you downloaded them to.