Replace old video card

[justmey2k]

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.

 

[DustSailor]

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/downloads/Pages/radeon_win7-32.aspx

ps. now have fun

 

[seavixen32]

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.

 

[justmey2k]

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?

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.

 

[seavixen32]

You're welcome.

Look forward to hearing of a succesfull upgrade.

 

[DustSailor]

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.

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

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.

 

[justmey2k]

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?

 

[seavixen32]

You need to run the Startup Repair three times with a reboot after each one.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

Rather than a clean install you could try a Repair Install first.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[DustSailor]

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

 

[justmey2k]

?[/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

 

[DustSailor]

From what I know, There shouldn't be a compatability issue, but in special cases there may be one. But as I don't know, I cannot comment on it. Perhaps a way to find out is if you have a spare (somewhat similar) card that worked for your motherboard. But don't go out and buy anything. 600watts power supply is fine for what you got.

I'm not sure I really know whats going on with your stuff man. Maybe it is compatability issues after all. Have you looked all throughout the BIOS for anything and EVERYTHING that has to do with pcie and agp? check for multiple locations.
I think I've come to the end of my knowledge in this area. Perhaps someone else may know a bit more specific to your problem, as your board is a little older and I've only studied a bit on the newer stuff. sorry mate

 

[seavixen32]

If you can get your computer running again, you might want to check the Windows Compatibility Center for any compatibility issues between Windows 7 and the new graphics card.

Windows 7 Compatible Hardware, Device Drivers & Downloads

 

[justmey2k]

If you can get your computer running again, you might want to check the Windows Compatibility Center for any compatibility issues between Windows 7 and the new graphics card.

Windows 7 Compatible Hardware, Device Drivers & Downloads

This board is listed but....not quite H467QR1GH doesn't match the ones on the list EXCATLLY,


I keep the story short, this has not gone well, I've seen BSOD's never seen before, Some are:

FLTMGR.SYS - PAGE_FAULT
APC_INDEX_MISMATCH
MEMORY_MANAGEMENT STOP 01A
NVLDDMKM.SYS STOP 0D1
CDFS_FILE_SYSTEM
DXGKRNL.SYS

The list goes on, but the main problem, IMHO, is finding the correct driver, all the BSOD have come from attempting to use the browser, or update/change the driver. At some point all the restarts have corrupted main system files, which was evident after changing back to the old card, and running SFC.

So until I find someone with this MB who has the same card and Win7, it's trial and error, but at this point i'm thinking nothing short of a re-install is going to clean up this mess. SFC could not fix some issues, and put out a huge report, but i'm not sure how to use it,

Question, is there a way to replace all system files without a re-install?

As for now i'm up on the old card with the knowledge that some problems still exists, but it's running.

Side note another first, Windows update failed to install new drivers for the card! I've never had that. the first drivers it installed: 8.801.0.0 caused graphics tears, and BSOD. I the tried to update and it failed. I then tried the CD which failed during install BUT, installed 8.56.1.16, these caused the same if not worse BSOD problems.

I wanted to try the most current, but could not stay up long enough to install them.
The bad part is HIS gives you a full page of drivers to choose from for this card.

 

[DustSailor]

justmey2k,

Question, is there a way to replace all system files without a re-install?

Yes, Andrew (seavixen32) has already given it to you:

You need to run the Startup Repair three times with a reboot after each one.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

Rather than a clean install you could try a Repair Install first.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Side note another first, Windows update failed to install new drivers for the card! I've never had that. the first drivers it installed: 8.801.0.0 caused graphics tears, and BSOD. I the tried to update and it failed. I then tried the CD which failed during install BUT, installed 8.56.1.16, these caused the same if not worse BSOD problems.

I wanted to try the most current, but could not stay up long enough to install them.
The bad part is HIS gives you a full page of drivers to choose from for this card.

You can't tell what the most recent version is for that card? Try this to autodetect:
Old Nvidia Card: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Scan.aspx
New AMD Card: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/auto_detect.aspx

PS are you sure that card is compatable with that old motherboard??There has got to be a list somewhere....

 

[justmey2k]

Thanks for reply

Yes, Andrew (seavixen32) has already given it to you:
Quote: Originally Posted by seavixen32
You need to run the Startup Repair three times with a reboot after each one.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S

Rather than a clean install you could try a Repair Install first.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

I'll try this

You can't tell what the most recent version is for that card? Try this to autodetect:
Old Nvidia Card: NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Automatically Detect NVIDIA Products
New AMD Card: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownloa...to_detect.aspx

The problem is it won't stay up long enough to run the autodetect. As soon as the browser starts, BSOD.

PS are you sure that card is compatable with that old motherboard??There has got to be a list somewhere....

Here's the thing, it's so old it won't be on a list, HOWEVER i'm going by ppl who have the board and card running but they did not post the driver they used. Plus not sure if they had XP or 7 running. Much more google searches in my future i'm thinking.

 

[justmey2k]

Whoopee!! well sort of, I am currently running the new card BUT, the driver I chose, because it was the closest release to what I found when searching for someone with this exact MOBO and video card combo, is 8.56.1.16, which apparently does not have Open GL support. Now I have to decide to upgrade to current or go step by step until I find one with Open GL.

Not looking forward to more BSOD's

 

[DustSailor]

Hope it turns out for the best for you. Good luck again!