Correct Way to Update Graphics Card?

[IbramGaunt]

Hey guys. Whats the correct way to install updates for graphics cards. I'm not sure if I'm even phrasing it correctley. I get this computer games mag every month that has updates for graphics cards on its disc.

Now I have a radeon 9800 pro graphics card. Do I have to uninstall the drivers or whatever they're called first then install the new ones or do I install over them? And I also have a secondary one it seems when I check device manager it says the graphics card twice, one with secondary after it. Would I have to uninstall both?

Thanks

[BadDriver]

Unistall the the catalyst drivers. ATI has a driver cleaner or you can use driver cleaner pro to clean up after the uninstall.

http://www.drivercleaner.net/

Then install the new drivers. I have learned one thing about graphics drivers. If you have a good set that are giving you no problems, keep them.

[krazefinn]

Also might try to to restart in safe mode to uninstall any "ghost" drivers that sometimes show up. And then you power down, change cards, start up, install standard windows vga driver, restart and update with the OS specific driver.

And as suggested, some cards very fussy, or if switching from nvidia to ati, vice versa, then often need to either manually edit registry or use a program.

[Midknyte]

Moved to video forum. DC is pretty solid. run the uninstall from windows, boot to safe mode, run DC, boot to windows and installed the new set.

[IbramGaunt]

Thanks for the help guys.

Oh, and do you know can new drivers cause problems with some computer games? I heard this could happen.

[Midknyte]

sometimes. that's why you need to read the release notes.

as the saying goes; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Strawbs]

I get this computer games mag every month that has updates for graphics cards on its disc.

...

Curious: why wait for a magazine release when you can get the drivers from ATi directly?

do you have a dial-up connection?

[Crashman]

I've had my best results with Catalyst 5.6, I only update AFTER confirming that a new version adds performance or functionality WITHOUT adding problems.

[IbramGaunt]

Yes I do have dial-up *sigh*. The drivers I am using at the mo' I haven't updated since I got it, a year ago. A couple games are acting up when they shoudln't be.