Does anybody have a foolproof list of steps to replacing a graphics card, starting from handling drivers all the way up to the finish? What I normally do (while the pc's off of course) is just remove the old one, put in the new one, install the included drivers, then look for updates. I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong there, because it kinda seems too easy.
Step 1: download the drivers needed for your new card (from nvidia website or ati depending on the card), and save it somewhere so its easy to find after you put in your new card and start your computer. Step 2: uninstall your current video drivers. step 3: turn off your computer step 4: take out the old video card. step 5: replace with your new one. step 6: plug in the power for it from your psu, the red tipped cable. step 7: turn on the computer step 8: install your new drivers that you had downloaded before
in case you have agp graphics you will need to disable that
Good guess, unfortunately I still do use AGP graphics. So okay, two things: I don't exactly remove the previous driver, I just install the new one over it, thinking that the later one would just overwrite the old one. Maybe that's what I'm doingwrong? But how do you remove theold drive anyway? I downloadedDriver Cleanup Pro but I'm not sure how to use it.And second, how do you disable the onboard graphics? I thought it would be automatically disabled if you install a separate gpu?
well you can uninstall your current drivers through "device manager" in the control panel, under display adapters. Right click it, and select uninstall. Secondly disable the onboard graphics after installing your new card, do this by selecting "device manager" same place as before in the control panel, again under display adapters, right click it and select disable.
about the onboard graphics...it may or may not automatically be disabled after installing the new card. But just to make sure, follow the steps on my last post.
If you still have trouble after following Darkfire6247's directions (which should work), you may have to manually disable the onboard graphics in your BIOS. The exact method is different for every motherboard, but essentially you enter the BIOS by tapping either delete or F8 (or sometimes a different F key...you'll have to experiment). Somewhere in your BIOS will be an option to choose where your video comes from, either onboard or AGP.
Alright so what exactly would I see after I uninstall the old driver? Would there be a warning of some sort? And then when I switch the pc back on would it just revert back to the onboard gfx and show the desktop in the lowest resolution and colour quality until I install the new driver and change the settings?
Alright so what exactly would I see after I uninstall the old driver? Would there be a warning of some sort? And then when I switch the pc back on would it just revert back to the onboard gfx and show the desktop in the lowest resolution and colour quality until I install the new driver and change the settings?Amidamaru_01
when you uninstall the old driver, it will switch to lowest settings, as you said, right then and there. its ok though, no warnings. then just turn off the pc, unplug it, open the case, ground yourself, and get to installing. :D
[QUOTE="Amidamaru_01"]Alright so what exactly would I see after I uninstall the old driver? Would there be a warning of some sort? And then when I switch the pc back on would it just revert back to the onboard gfx and show the desktop in the lowest resolution and colour quality until I install the new driver and change the settings?Darkfire6247
when you uninstall the old driver, it will switch to lowest settings, as you said, right then and there. its ok though, no warnings. then just turn off the pc, unplug it, open the case, ground yourself, and get to installing. :D
Awesome that was a ton of help right there! Thanks a lot!
This will not help with the software section of the install, but will walk you through the hardware aspect. Installing a graphics card is that easy. More tips on building a new PC in my blog. Best of luck with your own build.
Log in to comment