Changing Video Drivers

[Guest]

When I swithched from 2KPro to XP, the video card driver automatically
installed by XP does not support D3D which I need for my 3d program. I have a
downloaded .exe file for an xp-suited driver which does support D3d. How do I
switch them? Can I run the .exe for installing the new driver while the other
one is installed? Is there a video card dialogue box where I can chose from
installed drivers?

Thanks,
Janet

 

[Malke]

When I swithched from 2KPro to XP, the video card driver automatically
installed by XP does not support D3D which I need for my 3d program. I have a
downloaded .exe file for an xp-suited driver which does support D3d. How do I
switch them? Can I run the .exe for installing the new driver while the other
one is installed? Is there a video card dialogue box where I can chose from
installed drivers?

Usually there are installation instructions on the video card mftr.'s
website (such as ATI or Nvidia). If there are no instructions, the safe
thing to do is uninstall the video drivers from Control Panel, reboot
the machine, and then install the new drivers.


Malke

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

When I swithched from 2KPro to XP, the video card driver automatically
installed by XP does not support D3D which I need for my 3d program. I have a
downloaded .exe file for an xp-suited driver which does support D3d. How do I
switch them? Can I run the .exe for installing the new driver while the other
one is installed?

Yes, this works in most cases. Some video driver installations require
to turn any anti-virus software off (temporarily) prior to install. Note
that downloaded video drivers are always third-party, so nobody can know
all of them. Usually, the install instructions can be found at the
manufacturer's download site.

Is there a video card dialogue box where I can chose from
installed drivers?

Not really. However, you may revert to the previous driver. See also
"HOW TO: Use the Driver Roll Back Feature to Restore a Previous Version
of a Device Driver in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306546/en-us

 

[Guest]

To Malke and Detlev:

1. When you install a driver, does it automatically replace the old one? If
so, that would be a safe and easy way to try the new one, given that Roll
Back Driver feature.
2. If I start by uninstalling the present driver, as Malke suggests, will
the monitor be able to function at all?? Uninstalling it from the Control
Panel says "(Advanced)" and starts with a warning.....
3. So should I just run the .exe for the new driver? Without uninstalling
the present one?

Thanks for the help!
Janet

 

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

When I swithched from 2KPro to XP, the video card driver automatically
installed by XP does not support D3D which I need for my 3d program. I
have a
downloaded .exe file for an xp-suited driver which does support D3d. How
do I
switch them? Can I run the .exe for installing the new driver while the
other
one is installed? Is there a video card dialogue box where I can chose
from
installed drivers?

Thanks,
Janet

The obvious thing is to uninstall the old driver via Add-Remove Programs,
reboot & then install the new one.
Most video card manufacturers tell you to uninstall before installing a new
version.
You can't have two drivers installed & switch between them, Windows doesn't
work like that.
Regards Mike.

 

[Guest]

My Matrox Millenium G450 Dual Head does not appear in the CP's Add-Remove
Programs list.

If I could find it and remove it, how will my display work?? Don't you need
a video card driver?

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

To Malke and Detlev:

1. When you install a driver, does it automatically replace the old one?

Usually, yes. If the driver doesn't match the hardware and if the driver
installation fails, this is not the case of course.

If so, that would be a safe and easy way to try the new one, given that
Roll Back Driver feature.

Well, I remember a video driver update (NVidia in this case) winding up
with a Blue Screen right after reboot. That's not funny and therefore,
there is no safe driver installation in general.

2. If I start by uninstalling the present driver, as Malke suggests, will
the monitor be able to function at all?

Yes, however running at low resolution since using the standard VGA driver
which may or may not be the case at present anyway.

3. So should I just run the .exe for the new driver? Without uninstalling
the present one?

Although I second Malke's advice (safe thing), I do not recommend this
in general because you cannot revert to the previous driver as mentioned
unless you have the original installation media. However, since you're
running the standard VGA driver anyway (I guess), there is no difference.

 

[Malke]

To Malke and Detlev:

1. When you install a driver, does it automatically replace the old one? If
so, that would be a safe and easy way to try the new one, given that Roll
Back Driver feature.
2. If I start by uninstalling the present driver, as Malke suggests, will
the monitor be able to function at all?? Uninstalling it from the Control
Panel says "(Advanced)" and starts with a warning.....
3. So should I just run the .exe for the new driver? Without uninstalling
the present one?

When you uninstall the old driver, Windows will revert to the built-in
basic VGA driver so yes, you will still have your display. The answer to
your first question is - it depends. Look on the page where you got the
drivers for installation instructions as previously suggested. The
normal way to install a new driver is to uninstall first and then
install the new one as I already told you.


Malke

 

[Brian A.]

My Matrox Millenium G450 Dual Head does not appear in the CP's Add-Remove
Programs list.

If I could find it and remove it, how will my display work?? Don't you need
a video card driver?

You uninstall the device drivers in Device Manager > Display Adapters.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375