New video card install questions...

[cardcrash]

I'm going to receive my new X1800XL tomorrow and just had a couple of questions.

1) When removing my 6600GT should I first uninstall the nVidia drivers and then remove the card, or do it the other way round? Or doesn't it really matter?

2) Will the regular uninstall process do the job or do I need a specialist third party driver removal utility?

3) I have .NET 1.1 and am about to download the service pack... is this fine or should I get .NET 2.0 (or whichever the latest version is)? I'm sure I read somewhere something about 1.1 being better than 2.0, though that could just be my head messing me about!

er.. I think that's it, thanks!

 

[Anoobis]

Uninstall the old nVidia drivers first. I've read a few posts that the best way to do this is in Safe Mode. Then put in your new card and install the new drivers as usual through your regular Windows user account.

EDIT: ATI has their own driver uninstall utility but nVidia does not. Just follow the above method and you should be good.

I cannot comment on the .NET issue, but I'm sure someone else will chime in on it.

 

[cardcrash]

Ok, just got my new card. Thanks for the advice Anoobis!

Could anyone else shed any more light on how should conduct my new install / things I should know or do????

 

[Vokofpolisiekar]

I'd recommend using Driver Cleaner Pro after removing Nvidia drivers. This must be done in safe mode, and it basically insures that ALL traces of a driver is removed.

You then have two choices for ATI driver.

A.) Install .Net and the Catalyst Control Center driver (nice interface, but causes flickering when opening the CCC and it consumes certain amount of system RAM)

B.) Modified ATi driver like Omega (very trustworthy) still use the old Catalyst Control Panel, and hence no .Net is required. Down side is that when CAT 6.x is released by ATI in CCC only format, it will take some time before Omega brings out his driver based on CCC (2-3weeks).

Hope this helps!