Stupid question regarding drivers

BlueElite06

Member
Dec 11, 2005
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So I got my 7800GT today. So my question is:

After reading many posts about how people have to use a driver cleaner to make their systems work correctly... I was just wondering if it was ok to just bypass the cd install, and go ahead with downloading the new Nvidia drivers right off the bat. Of course that is after one downloads the Windows Service packs (im dual core so ill need SP2)

Stupid question, and i hope for an eays answer :p..

Thanks
~Blue
 

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
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I did it with my ATI card a while ago when i had to format and install alot of stuff because of hardware issues but it didnt crap out on me.

but since it's a 300+ card...it can't hurt to do it cd then drivers. I know i'd be pissed if mine crapped out because of that. ;)
 

moonboy403

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2004
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i never had any trouble installing newer drivers over older ones

that's until i went to sli

i had to uninstall the drivers first, then install the new ones
 

BlueElite06

Member
Dec 11, 2005
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I am going SLI, i want to avoid all the BS...I guess ill go CD -> Drivers via a driver cleaner, seems like a waste of time.
 

moonboy403

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2004
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just uninstall the previous drivers then install the new ones
that's what i did

no need to use driver cleaner and goin to safe mode
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
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Originally posted by: BlueElite06
Well, anyone else know if this is alright...?

Yes, it is OK. However, if its done after a fresh install you won't have DX9.0c and AFAIK you won't get it from nVidia's site. Likely then the new driver will refuse to install.

So, on a new install I use the disk first, then update from the nVidia site.

Fern
 

Woofmeister

Golden Member
Jul 18, 2004
1,385
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Originally posted by: Fern
Originally posted by: BlueElite06
Well, anyone else know if this is alright...?

Yes, it is OK. However, if its done after a fresh install you won't have DX9.0c and AFAIK you won't get it from nVidia's site. Likely then the new driver will refuse to install.

So, on a new install I use the disk first, then update from the nVidia site.

Fern


What are you talking about? I always download and install the latest Nvidia drivers after a fresh OS install rather than using the drivers on the CD-ROM that came with my graphics card. Doesn't Windows Update automatically install DX9.0c? I've never had a problem.

Even with my old ASUS cards, which have additional software and drivers, I still would download and install the latest Nvidia drivers before installing the ASUS enhanced driver and the ASUS overclock utility.

Just make sure you finish updating Windows before installing your graphics drivers and you should be golden.
 

VIAN

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2003
6,575
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Yeah.

I don't install my drivers until all my windows security is up and running. Then all I do is download and install, no driver cleaner.
 

ub3rnewb

Member
Nov 2, 2005
170
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Drivers on the original CD that comes with the product, unless brand new will 99% of the time be outdated, or whatever. Always get the latest ones off the website if possible.
 

supastar1568

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
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everytime i reinstall windows, I burn the latest chipset drivers and video card drivers to a CD.

Then, when windows first boots up i install the chipset drivers and then the vid card drivers.
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: Woofmeister
Originally posted by: Fern
Originally posted by: BlueElite06
Well, anyone else know if this is alright...?

Yes, it is OK. However, if its done after a fresh install you won't have DX9.0c and AFAIK you won't get it from nVidia's site. Likely then the new driver will refuse to install.

So, on a new install I use the disk first, then update from the nVidia site.

Fern


Doesn't Windows Update automatically install DX9.0c? I've never had a problem.

.

Hmmm. Must be OS thingy. I don't use XP. I've got a dual boot system with win2k pro (sp4) and 98se.

So I don't get the DX install automatically. Plus, seems to me at least on 98se you can't even do the updates w/o a driver etc.

Fern
 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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I don't think Windows Update automatically installs the latest DirectX, but you can get it through Windows Update (or download the binary separately). You can definitely install it without having your graphics card's drivers installed (although you may need your chipset drivers on there).

There's no need to install the (old) drivers off the bundled CD, then uninstall them and upgrade. Just install your chipset drivers and DX9.0c, then install the latest NVIDIA or ATI drivers from the web.