Author Topic: Installing new video card question (Read 466 times)

SloStick · « **on:** February 16, 2006, 11:03:57 PM »

I'm installing a new upgraded video card and have a quick question in regards to AH. When AH is first installed, does it set any of the video setting based on the system, or is the default setting always the same? In other words, should I uninstall and reinstall AH after installing and setting up my new video card?

Old card NVidia FX5200 AGP 128 M
New Card BFG NVidia 6800 GS 256 M

Thanks for your help,
Scott
SloStick

ramzey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2006, 11:29:11 PM »

no, you dont have to, its gonna works without any changes

but i strongly recommend uninstall old drivers first
Not sure you should reinstall DX9

Krusty · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2006, 12:29:14 AM »

No need to uninstall DX9,as.. well, you can't! It's not possible without a reformat

[EDIT: You said "reinstall" not "uninstall" -- no need to. I've swapped out cards before and left DX as-is. It's totally separate anyways, so you should be good!]

The settings in AH are independent of your card. You might want to turn them up, once inside AH, if the card can handle more than your old one.

Be sure to install the proper drivers for the new card, and as long as everything is hunky-dory in Windows, AH should be slicker'n snot.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2006, 01:06:03 AM »

Its best to run Dxdiag and go thru all the tests after installing the new card and drivers ...

along with deleating the video.cfg file in your AH2 settings folder . it will ask for your info again when you start AH

Kev367th · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2006, 06:55:46 AM »

Dont forget to get Rivatuner ( http://www.guru3d.com/rivatuner ) and try unlocking the hidden pipes/vertex shaders.
If you can and get no artifacts when playing games you have just changed it from a 6800GS to a 6800GT for free.

Krusty - You can uninstall DirectX, theres a utility out there just for that purpose, although a reinstall is usually all that is done if problems occur.

What I would suggest is the following -
1) Uninstall the old drivers using the device manager, do no reboot.
2) Run Drivercleaner (free here http://www.drivercleaner.net ), then reboot.
3) Re-install new drivers.

SloStick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2006, 02:13:57 PM »

Thanks to all for your advice!! I'll be doing the swap this weekend. Can't wait...

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2006, 02:45:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
No need to uninstall DX9,as.. well, you can't! It's not possible without a reformat [EDIT: You said "reinstall" not "uninstall" -- no need to. I've swapped out cards before and left DX as-is. It's totally separate anyways, so you should be good!]

The settings in AH are independent of your card. You might want to turn them up, once inside AH, if the card can handle more than your old one.

Be sure to install the proper drivers for the new card, and as long as everything is hunky-dory in Windows, AH should be slicker'n snot.

Actually thats not entirely true Krusty. While it SHOULD be, Direct X has a history of getting screwed up when changing video cards. Files can point to outdated or even deleted drivers, things that are supposed to be updated are not always. Best to do a reinstall of Direct X (its harmless and takes very little time, and can save you alot of headaches). That way you are certain it picks up the correct settings, hardware and drivers. What does it hurt?

SloStick · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2006, 03:46:19 PM »

Might be a silly question but how do I reinstall DirectX then??

Thanks,

Verbal · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2006, 04:00:34 PM »

most nvidia driver disks have it on there, and do it automaticaly, or as an option.

ramzey · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2006, 04:01:51 PM »

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Browse.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=2

download and install, thats lastes version

Silat · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:26:58 PM »

Instructions for proper install of video drivers.

Pick 1 driver:

Nvidea - http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp - go here and download the drivers to your desktop.

ATI - http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/....x=5&submit.y=4 - go here and download the drivers to your desktop.

Omega tweaked drivers. Recommended by Nvidea and ATI - http://www.omegadrivers.net/main.php - go here and download the drivers to your desktop.

Now get DriverCleaner:
http://www.drivercleaner.net/ - Put it on your desktop

Now install DRIVER CLEANER

Go to add and remove programs and remove all references to ATI or Nvidea.

Restart in safe mode. Usually by clicking the f8 button during reboot.

DO NOT INSTALL ANYTHING if windows asks.

.

Run DRIVER CLEANER. Pick the appropriate filter in the scroll down box AND CLICK THE CLEAN button.

Then restart. DO NOT INSTALL ANYTHING once again. It's ok, all will be well

When you reach your desktop click on the driver you downloaded and follow prompts.

Restart..

If you have any problems read the helpfile that comes with DRIVE CLEANER.

Lew/+Silat

Krusty · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:33:07 PM »

Strange, I've swapped out 2-3, maybe even 4 different vid cards out of my PC before and never had to do a thing with DX. I've updated drivers hundreds of times (trying to find the right ones), but never had problems with DX itself.

I'll file that away in my "Wierd tech stuff" file

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:45:07 PM »

It doesnt happen every time Krusty. But I've seen it too many times to ignore. Call it "preventative medicine".

It doesnt hurt it to reinstall, and doesnt take much time, so why not add it as a step? Saves soooo much headache for those times when it does happen.

SloStick · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2006, 05:54:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Silat
Instructions for proper install of video drivers.

Pick 1 driver:

Nvidea - http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp - go here and download the drivers to your desktop.

Omega tweaked drivers. Recommended by Nvidea and ATI - http://www.omegadrivers.net/main.php - go here and download the drivers to your desktop.

Lew/+Silat

Thanks Silat and everyone else for all of the detailed help. The AH community is great!! Which driver set do you recommend, the NVidia, the Omega, or the NVidia set that came with my BFG card??

Brooke · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2006, 03:30:34 AM »

I always use the latest drivers from nVidia or ATI and not the ones that come with the OEM cards that I tend to buy.