Uninstall graphics drivers before changing video cards? What do you think is this an important step?

Question

Just upgrading my video card and wondering if i should uninstall the old drivers before i plug in the new card. Thnx

Answer 1

to avoid any conflicts you must uninstall your old drivers.

and it doesn't cost anything to uninstall the OLD drivers

Answer 2

as long as you are going to upgrade your video card to a newer one from the same chip set manufacturer, you don't have to uninstall the old driver. Nvidia and ATI don't play nice together and will cause problems if you don't uninstall the old drivers first. if for example you have an nvidia card now with the latest driver, when you put the new nvidia card in, the driver you have now will probably be newer then the one that comes on the disc. the same goes for ATI.

Answer 3

Keeping the old driver may not be a problem. But its always good to uninstalla device before you unplug it from the PC. Have found various weired probs when not done. I suggest you to uninstall the old VGA card.

Answer 4

Keeping the old drivers will not hurt. When you install your new video card and run the install CD, installing the new drivers will overlay what you already have. It it possible some of the driver could be shareware and as such, you would want to keep what you already have.

Answer 5

i must say.....leaving such things installed can create one heck of a mess in your registry :P

remove them if not going to be needed, otherwise, http://google.com
search for a driver backup software, back it up then uninstall in case you don't have a copy of the old driver and do not want to lose them for good :)

Answer 6

Safest option is to keep old driver. If it becomes a problem, then delete. Your new device may not work, then you won't have any options if the old driver is gone.