Replace old video card

Just a quick query this is about Win7, and the way it handles installs.

I currently have an nVidia 6600 APG video card, I am replacing it with a
HIS Radeon HD 4670 PCIe card.

So I believe the steps should be like normal

1. reboot system to safe mode.
2. un-install nVidia drivers and software. (should this include Nvidia physix
software I beieve it installed with a game ?)
3. power down PC
4. remove old card
5. install new card
6. reboot PC to safe mode
7. Install drivers from CD. (here is the first question, with Win7 do you skip this
step and let it find/install drivers from internet?)
8. reboot PC normal
9. Have fun
Second question, will this cause Win7 to ask to be re-activated?

I think that covers it, feel free to add steps if neccessary.

why do you need to boot into safe mode? Also, you won't be able to install that card's driver in safe mode.

uninstall anything that says nvidia in the control panel (if physx is listed, then uninstall. if not, it is coupled with the driver). power off, remove card, insert new card. power on, install new drivers from the manufacterer's website (This is not a windows driver install). Windows will normally select an older, trusted version of the driver. If you want the latest, most updated version, see below V

According to your specs, this is what you need to download: http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloa...n_win7-32.aspx

ps. now have fun

DustSailor said:

why do you need to boot into safe mode? Also, you won't be able to install that card's driver in safe mode.

This was tried and true method with all systems up to XP. Very clean.

uninstall anything that says nvidia in the control panel (if physx is listed, then uninstall. if not, it is coupled with the driver). power off, remove card, insert new card. power on, install new drivers from the manufacterer's website (This is not a windows driver install). Windows will normally select an older, trusted version of the driver. If you want the latest, most updated version, see below V

According to your specs, this is what you need to download: ATI Radeon

ps. now have fun

Thanks for reply, this is why i ask.
Wait, What?
ok so just
uninstall all nVidia drivers and software
power down
remove old
install new
power up
install new drivers if needed
have fun?

seavixen32 said:

Initially, let Windows find and install drivers for your new card. You can then, if you want to, install NVDIA drivers.

However, if you do, please choose the Custom install method, which uninstalls the old drivers first, and then installs the new ones.

You shouldn't have to reactivate Windows as what you are doing does not constitute a major hardware change. If was motherboard, hard drive and graphics card then you would probably need to reactivate.

Other than that and the fact that Safe Mode is not needed, you've got it covered. :)

Please post back and let us know how it goes.

new card is NOT nVidia. Thanks for activation info though. Heard it somewhere it might ask. I'll use custom if drivers are lame/old.
I plan on doing it tommorrow. I'l repost then.

Thanks for replies.

No, you don't need to activate windows in this particular instance. Any major hardware change (like motherboard, removing harddrive, cpu, etc) will usually require a complete reinstall, not just a reactivation. You can change RAM, any card that fits into one of those many slots for different types of cards, or add harddrives (or remove non-system harddrives) all to your heart's content. Could even change the powersupply.

justmey2k said:

DustSailor said:

why do you need to boot into safe mode? Also, you won't be able to install that card's driver in safe mode.

This was tried and true method with all systems up to XP. Very clean.

Not any longer

justmey2k said:

I'll use custom if drivers are lame/old.

I promise you only need to download from the manufacturer's website OR windows. I recommend the manufacturer if you know how to do just a basic download and install. In that case, you would not even need to use the 'custom' option, only the regular install method. This will be a clean and complete install, and you won't have to worry about a thing.

I've changed my graphics card on my computer at least 4 times now, and have worked on (and changed graphics cards on) many computers throughout my life.

Thanks for all the reply's

Not good news yet. after installing the new card, I got a page_fault BSOD, and several BSOD's after that. I suspect it was switching from AGP to PCIe that caused it. Yes I did make the neccessary changes in BIOS and all appears fine until windows starts to load.

Now it is stuck in a "repair startup files" loop. I can't seem to hit F8 quick enough to get to the menu to choose SAFE mode. It sometimes makes it farther than others during the "repair" process, but BSOD every time.

Sometimes nothing but the standard hardware message, "if you have changed hardware or software, ETC"
but everything from page fault to IRQL to WIN32K.sys has popped up. This is looking like only a new install will save me but, I'll take the weekend to see if I can get any further.

Anybody ever get thru "startup files mat be corrupt" message? I tried, once, to boot from CD but it started the repair process too, and failed. Thoughts?

justmey2k said:

Thanks for all the reply's

Not good news yet. after installing the new card, I got a page_fault BSOD, and several BSOD's after that. I suspect it was switching from AGP to PCIe that caused it. Yes I did make the neccessary changes in BIOS and all appears fine until windows starts to load.

Now it is stuck in a "repair startup files" loop. I can't seem to hit F8 quick enough to get to the menu to choose SAFE mode. It sometimes makes it farther than others during the "repair" process, but BSOD every time.

Sometimes nothing but the standard hardware message, "if you have changed hardware or software, ETC"
but everything from page fault to IRQL to WIN32K.sys has popped up. This is looking like only a new install will save me but, I'll take the weekend to see if I can get any further.

Anybody ever get thru "startup files mat be corrupt" message? I tried, once, to boot from CD but it started the repair process too, and failed. Thoughts?

This is curious indeed. Could you try switching the cards again (old card) and see if it loads without error (would have to put bios back)? Is the newer card brand new? Are you sure it is completely functional?

Do you have the right amount of power connected to the newer card (it might need extra power cables hooked up to its side, if there are slots for it).

What kind of power supply do you have, and how many watts are coming out of it?
Does your motherboard support PCIe 1.0 or 2.0, and same question for your new graphics card

?[/QUOTE]
This is curious indeed. Could you try switching the cards again (old card) and see if it loads without error (would have to put bios back)? Is the newer card brand new? Are you sure it is completely functional?

yes it is Dusty, very curious. I plan to switch back in the AM. I got all weekend to figure this out. Yes the card is brand new, and yes I have to switch in BIOS from AGP to PCIe, and visa-versa. It came from newegg, so I trust it. It is working because I can see BIOS.

Do you have the right amount of power connected to the newer card (it might need extra power cables hooked up to its side, if there are slots for it).
One of the reasons I got it is low power consumption. It does NOT require a separate cable and draws power from the BUS



What kind of power supply do you have, and how many watts are coming out of it?
Does your motherboard support PCIe 1.0 or 2.0, and same question for your new graphics card[/QUOTE] board is 1.0 4x card is 2.0 16x

Its 600 watts not sure of brand but will update siggy