upgrade card = reinstall windows?

[LiquidLithium]

Hi all,

I am hooking up my x1900xt this weekend. I was wondering, since I am switching chipsets from nvidia to ati, should I just do a fresh install of windows?

I have already uninstalled the nvidia drivers and then I ran the driver cleaner utility.
http://www.drivercleaner.net/

I dont have to backup any files or anything. I have 2 HDD's, one for files one for OS and apps. This makes a reinstall much quicker because I dont have to back up.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[aplefka]

It's extra work and while you may think that reformatting your OS drive won't affect your storage drive, shit happens. I can tell you from firsthand experience just about a month ago. I may just be acting cautious after what happened last time, but I'd say no. Windows may make you reactivate though, it used to do that if you made a major hardware change (what deems a major hardware change, I don't know... I just added some RAM and it made me reactivate).

 

[xtknight]

It will be fine if the NVIDIA drivers are uninstalled, unless Windows wants you to reactivate which is possible, but that doesn't require a reinstall. Besides, you're just going to have to activate after the reinstall anyway right?

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: gersson
Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

:thumbsup:

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: gersson
Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

:thumbsup:

I did the above when I switched from sli 6800GTs to an XTX and saw some performance degredation. I don't think DC killed off all the nV junk totally. I'm lazy, so I didn't want to reformat and reinstall everything, so I attempted a repair install. Worked like a charm. Performance increased immediately, it only took like 30mins, and all I had to reinstall were windows updates.

I'd keep it as a "Plan B" if the steps above don't work for you, with reformatting as a last-ditch.

 

[Griswold]

Originally posted by: gersson
Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

What he said.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Originally posted by: aplefka
It's extra work and while you may think that reformatting your OS drive won't affect your storage drive, ****** happens. I can tell you from firsthand experience just about a month ago. I may just be acting cautious after what happened last time, but I'd say no. Windows may make you reactivate though, it used to do that if you made a major hardware change (what deems a major hardware change, I don't know... I just added some RAM and it made me reactivate).

that is really weird , the activation should only have to be done on an install if your new hardware exeeds the "point system" that microsoft has assigned. A "Major Change" is anything over 15 points. Processor= 1pt Harddrive=1pt RAM=1pt. Network Adapter 3=pts....so on , so on with all of your hardware. You shouldn't need to "re-activate" unless you've done more than the allowed changes. Where microsoft could consider it a whole new system.
You will be fine by uninstalling your video card and drivers. and then installing your new hardware. I've never had a problem in doing this. Some people recomend running software like "driver cleaner" to remove traces of the drivers when jumping from ATI to Nvidia , or vice versa.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: gersson
Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

always done it this way: gf4 to 9800 to fx 5900 to x800 to 6800gt to 7800 to x1800, all on same install using this basic method (even changing a couple mainboards i've only done a "repair").

running same basic installation since '01.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: gersson
Uninstall Nvidia drivers. Reboot into safe mode (F5) and use Driver Cleaner Professional (free) to clean out nvidia drivers. Reboot into normal windows, install ATI drivers 6.6. Reboot. All done.

always done it this way: gf4 to 9800 to fx 5900 to x800 to 6800gt to 7800 to x1800, all on same install using this basic method (even changing a couple mainboards i've only done a "repair").

running same basic installation since '01.

Actually, isn't it F8 to get to menu?

Anyway this is what I always do, NO MATTER WHAT driver i'm installing. Even Nvidia to newer Nvidia:
1.) Install Driver Cleaner Pro
2.) Uninstall old drivers from device manager
3.) Reboot into safe mode (F8)
4.) Use Driver Cleaner Pro (with ATI/Nvidia Setting)
5.) Reboot into Windows (regular)
6.) Install new drivers
7.) Reboot
8.) Enjoy