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Driver update

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Reilly, 2006/11/11.

  1. 2006/11/11
    Reilly

    Reilly Inactive Thread Starter

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    I went to update my NVidia GeForce FX Go5200 and they now want you to install some kind of unified/do-all driver thing. OK, whatever, but what I don't get is they said to uninstall the existing driver before installing this new one. My questions:
    1.. It seems like if you uninstall the existing driver how are you going to see what you are doing after that in order to install the new one?

    2. If something goes haywire with the new install then what are you left with?

    Thanks
     
    Reilly,
    #1
  2. 2006/11/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Reilly - Welcome to the Board :)
    When you uninstall the existing driver and reboot Windows loads a default (generic) driver with screen resolution of 800 x 600 - so you can see the screen :). The Found New Hardware Wizard pops up as the graphics card is recognised - close it and run the .exe file you downloaded with the updated driver.
    In the unlikely event that the driver installation fouls up you will still have a screen image when you reboot and should be able to rollback to the previous driver or try the new one again.

    Uninstalling existing drivers rather than installing over the top is commonplace and much safer.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2006/11/11
    Reilly

    Reilly Inactive Thread Starter

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    Pete,
    Thanks, I sort of figured that but being Irish you know....
     
    Reilly,
    #3
  5. 2006/11/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    :) :) :)
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2006/11/11
    Reilly

    Reilly Inactive Thread Starter

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    I knew this was going to happen. The NVidia Install Wizard said there was nothing it could do for me, so to speak. Everything appears normal so I guess it is a case of no harm/no foul. It seems like a bass ackwards way to find out there is no driver update available. :confused:
     
    Reilly,
    #5
  7. 2006/11/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Was there any particular reason that you wanted to update the driver? It would seem that there is not a later driver than the one you have.
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2006/11/11
    Reilly

    Reilly Inactive Thread Starter

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    Well, I haven't updated it since I got the 'puter 3 years ago so I figured it was due. I'm always reading about 'updating your drivers' so I thought it was the thing to do. That's what I get for thinking, or trying to...:confused:
     
    Reilly,
    #7
  9. 2006/11/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Your thinking is correct, but as, in this case, graphics chips get updated so quickly and so often that no further driver development is done for the older chips. The lack of an update generally indicates that there were no issues with the existing driver.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2006/11/11
    Reilly

    Reilly Inactive Thread Starter

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    It would have been nice to find that out before my travails; bloody well almost worked up a new ulcer!
     
    Reilly,
    #9

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