Drivers Updating Questions

[Robert11]

Hello,

Really know nothing re Drivers, except that it is apparently a good idea, always, to use the latest.

Anyway, was thinking of possibly downloading the latest drivers for my Radeon graphics card from the ATI site.
(But my questiosn really relates to any drivers, not just those for my graphics card)

My understanding is that one is supposed to delete the present drivers from the control panel prior to downloading and installing the new ones.

BTW: I looked in "Control Panel," but it is not clear to me how one deletes, safely, the present drivers for a particular program. How is this done, please ?

So, what happens immediately after the deletion of the present drivers before any new ones are installed ?

Will my graphics card (or any other program where I have removed them) still function even without "any" drivers at this point ? How is it possible ?

If someone could explain this for me, would be appreciative.

Also, I read that one should use in addition a "driver cleaner".
Why is this (also) necessary ?

What would be your recommendation for a good free or inexpensive one that is
also safe ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[nate42nd]

You un-install drivers from the "device manager". Do a search and you will see it.

With Nvidia drivers you simply download and run. It installs "over" the old one.

I have to assume the ATI ones are the same. you should be able to download and run.

You'll be fine. It not hard. I was looking for the same information about 18 months ago.

I understand your concerns. It will be okay after the first time. Good luck.

BTW - make SURE it's the correct one for your exact card and OS (64bit/32bit).....that's the main thing.

 

[aem]

My understanding is that one is supposed to delete the present drivers from the control panel prior to downloading and installing the new ones.

So, what happens immediately after the deletion of the present drivers before any new ones are installed ?

- It's advisable to do this as, the system will automatically re-locate the driver on the system and attempt to re-install it if you removed the driver from the Properties box.

BTW: I looked in "Control Panel," but it is not clear to me how one deletes, safely, the present drivers for a particular program. How is this done, please ?

- Sometimes it's not listed in Control panel. If you installed the driver, the files could be sitting in a directory, eg C:\Drivers folder. Every system is different so you might have to try and locate this repository folder.

Will my graphics card (or any other program where I have removed them) still function even without "any" drivers at this point ? How is it possible ?

Depend on the device, some can use what they call, compatible drivers, BUT i would not rest till i get the correc driver. Things can go wrong later down the tract when it comes to using certain properties of the device. This is am 100% sure.

 

[skunksmash]

ATI drivers will install over the old ones, but they corrupt VERY easily.... Nvidia drivers are a lot more rugged.

if you uninstall your GFX drivers the card will still work generically, which basically means it'll give you an 800x600 display to work off of & nothing more.

if you have an ATI card i'd definitely recommend you use the ''driver sweeper'' after uninstall to be sure of a clean slate.

in my experience chipset drivers have always been overlayed.

 

[Robert11]

From OP:

Hello,

Just a quick thanks to all.

Certainly the info I needed.

Thank you all very much; appreciate the time and trouble it took to help me out.

Bob