Switching from Nvidia card to ATI - Help!

Winchester70 · Nov 8, 2004, 02:10 PM

I recently purchased a 128MB 256-Bit Radeon 9800 Pro in anticipation of HL2. My current card is a Nvidia FX5200 128MB.

I have installed a video card before, but the old card was attached to the motherboard, so it only required snapping a card into place and installing the drivers.

This switch will be much more difficult because I am taking one card out, putting a new one in, and switching from Nvidia drivers to ATI drivers.

I have been working on the problem is my favorite gaming site's forums. Here is some advice I received:

Quote:

I have one question that remains unanswered. At what point during this whole process do I uninstall my old Nvidia drivers and install the new ATI drivers I downloaded? I don't want to be having any software problems....

Uninstal your drivers before you even pull your old card out.

Follow this.

Uninstall drivers.

Turn system off.

Uninstall old Vid card.

Install new vid card.

Start up system.

Install new drivers.

Pray like hell the ATI drivers like your configuration.

Just a suggestion I like to have the new driver .exe waiting for me on the desktop before I do anything. I find it just makes stuff easier on me.

1. Do a restore point first. You can go back to that if the install hoses.

2. You are going from Nvidia to ATI. More complicated. I have jacked up ATI to ATI so make sure you have a gameplan.

3. There is a sequence of when to restart (XP will recognize new hardware and will try to get you to restart/install before you should). Make sure you have a good checklist and all software available BEFORE you start. You can get some good FAQ/Advice at Omegadrivers.net

4. Use a driver cleaner and registry cleaner before you install. They can be obtained at driverheaven.net. It is also a good forum for advice if you run into trouble. They also have a driver install FAQ.

5. To be really sure, do the Control Add/Remove first for the Nvidia. Empty trash. Do not restart. Go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager. Click on Display Adapters..if they are not already uninstalled, uninstall each Nvidia driver listed. Empty trash.

6. Run the driver cleaner stuff and the registry cleaner. Do not restart and cancel any Windows attempts to install drivers.

7. Powerdown your computer. Install video card.

8. Power up in safe mode and cancel any Windows attempt to install drivers for the new hardware.

9. Run the CD that came with your video card to install the ATI enviroment.

Again, there are variations on this. I would encourage you to do a little research first on the sites I mentioned.

Can anyone here explain to me just what I need to do to make sure the process runs smoothly? - as in what order should I complete the steps, what software I need besides the ATI drivers....

Thanks!

dipstick · Nov 8, 2004, 05:33 PM

I recently tested a nVidia card in my ATi sys and it worked fine. This is what I did step by step:

-Download and install DriverCleaner from http://www.drivercleaner.net/
-Download the latest drivers from www.ati.com
-Uninstall nVidia drivers from Add/Remove Programs
-Shutdown PC and change cards
-Enter SafeMode upon bootup and run drivercleaner(instructions are in the ReadMe file that came with it)
-Reboot, install ATi drivers and all should be well

Good luck

Falstaff · Nov 8, 2004, 08:31 PM

Just curious, I am a big ATI fan, devoted my efforts to enjoy the most for the best that ATI can offer...but. Why did you switch? I am not against a good card, Nvidia offers quality, some drivers that have bells and whistles, and of course...the hype.
But I am curious...what drew you to ATI...I want to know why you would trade good performance from the Nvidia product for the ATI..what was the hook, the selling point, the salient point you reached..you know the threshold, the final straw, why did you switch to ATI.....I know why I did, and believe it or not, I still have the old TNT 2 card, cause it kicks ass, even in these times...I love ATI..but want to hear it form a new user...please indulge me...

bug77 · Nov 8, 2004, 09:04 PM

I think it's because the 9800PRO/128MB is the only good card at aroud 200USD at the moment. I want to upgrade as well, and I see no better option.

Nacht · Nov 8, 2004, 10:45 PM

Jeff...you have to understand..the Fx5200 is probably one of the worst GPUs NVidia has EVER made. That, and NVidia cant really compete in that price range right now...they're pretty much left with their 6 series to bring in money, as the FX line wasnt that popular with the public.

Winchester70 · Nov 9, 2004, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bug77

I think it's because the 9800PRO/128MB is the only good card at aroud 200USD at the moment. I want to upgrade as well, and I see no better option.

Exactly.

TJ- · Nov 9, 2004, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nacht

Jeff...you have to understand..the Fx5200 is probably one of the worst GPUs NVidia has EVER made. That, and NVidia cant really compete in that price range right now...they're pretty much left with their 6 series to bring in money, as the FX line wasnt that popular with the public.

i have read many reviews and they all say the fx5200 is a good card,,,, what card to you reccomend for the same price range...?

Falstaff · Nov 9, 2004, 07:47 PM

I dont buy Nvidia because I believe there is design obselesence in all the cards and Nvidia seems to get to that faster...lol.