The 7600 GS will be an improvement over the ATI X600, but for your system, I would invest in at least the 7600 GT PCI-Express video card for even more graphic power for the games for just a little more cash.
Download the most current driver for the video card, and have it placed on the desktop for later install. Try not to use the video card driver from the cd that comes with the card, since they are some what out of date. ( If it’s a nVidia card, go to
www.nvidia.com . If it’s a ATI card, than go to www.ati.com for the driver download.
Going from an ATI card to NVIDIA or vs. versa, one should uninstall the old driver first, from Add/Remove program, than use a driver cleaner, to get all the old driver code completely off the system. Use the driver cleaner twice. If you are going from a nVidia card to another nVidia card ( Same for the ATI card ), you may not have to use the driver cleaner, but I do to be on the safe side, but many, including me, have not seen any issues with this procedure. Others may have.
1. Turn off the system, unplug the power cord, and push in on the systems power button for about 5 seconds to discharge the system further.
2. Remove the old card, and install the new card, firmly. Attach, if required, any power cable to the card, and to a power connector on your system. ( Some video cards, but not all, may need a either a power connector or Molex Y power cable connected to the rear of the video card, and the other end to a power connector, to get the video card to work )
3. Plug the power cable back in, and reboot the system. You may notice that the monitor screen is larger now. Not to worry if this happens, since you are now using Microsoft’s Generic video driver, prior to installing the one you downloaded.
4. Now disable your anti virus software, and disconnect the modem at this time..
5. Install the newer video card driver from the desktop, than if necessary, go into the Display Properties to reset the monitor resolution after it reboots. You are almost done. Now restart the anti virus program, and connect the modem. ( It has been noted from time to time, that the anti virus program may cause problems with the install of some drivers, and some games, so it’s best to disable this during the driver install to eliminate that possibility )
Display Properties.... Right click your mouse on an empty part of the monitor ( desktop ), click on Properties next, than click on Settings on top. Now look at the screen resolution bar on the left side. Move it to the proper resolution to the monitor you have. Click on Apply, than OK. The monitor will go blank for a second of two, than another box will appear in the upper left side asking you if you wish to keep the new settings. Click OK. Do so before the second counter goes down, and you have to start over.... Now you are done
SR45
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12138 Posts
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Posted September 20th, 2006 08:00
Step One....
Download the most current driver for the video card, and have it placed on the desktop for later install. Try not to use the video card driver from the cd that comes with the card, since they are some what out of date. ( If it’s a nVidia card, go to www.nvidia.com . If it’s a ATI card, than go to www.ati.com for the driver download.
Going from an ATI card to NVIDIA or vs. versa, one should uninstall the old driver first, from Add/Remove program, than use a driver cleaner, to get all the old driver code completely off the system. Use the driver cleaner twice. If you are going from a nVidia card to another nVidia card ( Same for the ATI card ), you may not have to use the driver cleaner, but I do to be on the safe side, but many, including me, have not seen any issues with this procedure. Others may have.
http://www.drivercleaner.net/ Driver Cleaner Pro download site.
1. Turn off the system, unplug the power cord, and push in on the systems power button for about 5 seconds to discharge the system further.
2. Remove the old card, and install the new card, firmly. Attach, if required, any power cable to the card, and to a power connector on your system. ( Some video cards, but not all, may need a either a power connector or Molex Y power cable connected to the rear of the video card, and the other end to a power connector, to get the video card to work )
3. Plug the power cable back in, and reboot the system. You may notice that the monitor screen is larger now. Not to worry if this happens, since you are now using Microsoft’s Generic video driver, prior to installing the one you downloaded.
4. Now disable your anti virus software, and disconnect the modem at this time..
5. Install the newer video card driver from the desktop, than if necessary, go into the Display Properties to reset the monitor resolution after it reboots. You are almost done. Now restart the anti virus program, and connect the modem. ( It has been noted from time to time, that the anti virus program may cause problems with the install of some drivers, and some games, so it’s best to disable this during the driver install to eliminate that possibility )
Display Properties.... Right click your mouse on an empty part of the monitor ( desktop ), click on Properties next, than click on Settings on top. Now look at the screen resolution bar on the left side. Move it to the proper resolution to the monitor you have. Click on Apply, than OK. The monitor will go blank for a second of two, than another box will appear in the upper left side asking you if you wish to keep the new settings. Click OK. Do so before the second counter goes down, and you have to start over.... Now you are done
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=437&card2=370 Video card comparison guide......
Message Edited by SR45 on 09-20-2006 05:37 AM