Replacing ATI Graphics card, driver issues?

[Eric Draven]

Have some questions on replacing a graphics which I would appreciate some advice on...

Currently, I have an ATI 9800 Pro which is being changed out due to it being fried and thus showing quite spectacular artifacts.

I am putting an ATI X1600 Pro in its place. Both are AGP since the PC is a bit dated.

I was wondering what the driver issues would be? I of course want to uninstall the old drivers and then install the new ones for the new card.

However I have heard some places that ATI have issues with uninstalling old drivers and then installing new ones, and that a full format is the best way forward(?) Is there any way around this? Is there a tool that can be used to circumvent this as I would really like to avoid formatting and reinstalling the entire system for the time being?

In advance, thanks for the advice...

 

[vanandjuanunited]

I wouldnt think you would need to do anything. Both ati cards so should be fine to swap them over.

 

[Eric Draven]

So basically the card will be recognized even though newer?

So basically the drivers for the old card will work even though the card i'm putting in is newer?

That would indeed save a lot of hassle...

Thanks for the help

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Best to reinstall the drivers for a new card even if its another ATi, one as the drivers wil be set-up for the 9800pro, just add/remove the drivers, reboot and run drivercleaner in safe mode to rid the left over traces, then reboot and load normally, cancel the found new hardware jobs, then just install the drivers again, or the latest ones, or you could just run the CAT uninstaller, then reboot and install drivers.

 

[Eric Draven]

Drivercleaner

Thanks for the advice. Just wondering about drivercleaner. I haven't used it yet.

Where can I get a hold of it?

so the order is:

uninstall old drivers (with old card in place)
reboot machine in safe mode (with new card instaled?) and then run drivercleaner?
reboot machine normally and install the new drivers (with new card in place)

Just wondering if having the old or new card in place while doing this has any bearing on the process.

Thanks again - Eric Draven

 

[BillytheImpaler]

You can get the free version here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Driver-Cleaner.shtml

 

[titaniumx3]

Thanks for the advice. Just wondering about drivercleaner. I haven't used it yet.

Where can I get a hold of it?

so the order is:

uninstall old drivers (with old card in place)
reboot machine in safe mode (with new card instaled?) and then run drivercleaner?
reboot machine normally and install the new drivers (with new card in place)

Just wondering if having the old or new card in place while doing this has any bearing on the process.

Thanks again - Eric Draven

What I'd do is:

- Run Catalyst Uninstaller.
- Reboot but go into safemode.
- Run Driver Cleaner Pro.
- Switch computer off.
- Install the new card.
- Install latest drivers.

When running driver cleaner pro you just need to select the main ati drivers and possibly the WDM drivers. In fact, running driver cleaner pro isn't even required if you use catalyst uninstaller, but I still do it just to be on the safe side.

 

[Eric Draven]

Excellent, thanks!

Thanks so much for the advice!

Graphics card has arrived in the mail and will install it this evening using the advice given...

 

[J.D]

Thanks so much for the advice!

Graphics card has arrived in the mail and will install it this evening using the advice given...

Good luck. Please report back .