Moving a PCI card

The followng is for a system running Win 98SE:
Let's say you have a sound card installed with drivers and you need to move the card to another PCI slot, would you have to
1. reinstall the drivers
or
2. would windows detect the drivers and take care of it?

What would be the more likely situation 1 or 2?

 

Moving your PCI card should have no affect on your drivers. The drivers will match up to the card no matter where it is. May I ask why you need to move the card?

 

It WAS causing a slight problem which seems to have cleared up.

 

Glad to hear it cleared up. If it acts up again, try changing slots. Sometimes, all it take is a little change to get things going again.

 

Moving a PCI card without uninstalling it and reinstalling it can cause major problems - sometimes as serious as Windows not booting (of course, you could take care of that by deleting the device in Safe Mode). To move a PCI card, uninstall it in Windows, move it, and then reinstall it. If the device is extremely simple, Windows might automatically reinstall the drivers for you but chances are it will prompt you for drivers. Stick to this method - it's the right way to do it.

 

I agree with Chiles4

Anytime a card ( ISA OR PCI ) is moved or removed it is better to REMOVE it from the Device Manager first when in the Safe Mode.

And when moving or installing a new card it has been my experience that allowing Windows to use the default drivers for the initial setup is the better way. Then update with Vender drivers after restarting Windows a couple of times.

BillyBob

 

Am I correct in saying the the PC must be turned off before removing any card??

 

100% correct

 

Not only off but with the power plug removed from the back of the case - but I've violated that one many a times.

 

Yes, definitely unplug the power cord too. There is still juice running through the board as long as its plugged in. My ASUS MoBo has a little light on it to remind you that its still hot. But most boards do not.

Hex92

 

As long as the PC is plugged in, it's grounded and can eliminate a static electricity spark if you touch an unpainted part of the tower or wearing a "strap ". Does this make sense??