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General discussion (archive)NVIDIA video drivers...(14 posts)(14 posts)
(14 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted January 28, 2011
Is it really necessary to delete all traces of the previous NVIDIA video driver after a uninstall if you want to install an older or newer NVIDIA video driver?
Posted January 28, 2011
Generally I believe it's best practice to uninstall the old ones first (via Control Panel) then the new, though just installing over top can be fine too. I know one of the AMD guys does the latter and recommends that. But I think it's best to clean them out with Driver Sweeper every few installs or so or in special circumstances (like if you've switched between a few sets in a short period) to ensure no issues.
Post edited January 28, 2011 by chautemoc
Posted January 28, 2011
It's good housekeeping nothing more. It shouldn't have any effect on a new driver install but it's good to start with a clean slate. Hell I re-install Windows completely every 4 months.
Posted January 28, 2011
The newest drivers from nvidia have a clean install option. Choose custom install then the clean install option will be on the next dialogue.
Posted January 28, 2011
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Delixe: It's good housekeeping nothing more. It shouldn't have any effect on a new driver install but it's good to start with a clean slate. Hell I re-install Windows completely every 4 months.
It depends, as long as the install goes properly it shouldn't make any difference. However if something goes wrong and you're left with vestiges of the old driver left you can end up with instability.

It's not something I generally worry about as it tends not to cause me any trouble.
Posted January 28, 2011
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rcgamer: The newest drivers from nvidia have a clean install option. Choose custom install then the clean install option will be on the next dialogue.
Didn't know that, how nice. Wish AMD would implement that.
Posted January 29, 2011
What I do is uninstall my NVIDIA video drivers, restart and then install newer or older ones. So far, this process has never given me a problem. That is why I'm wondering why many people on the internet say, you have to delete all traces of the previous NVIDIA video driver after the uninstall if you don't want problems. Maybe many people are being paranoid?
Posted January 29, 2011
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macuahuitlgog: Is it really necessary to delete all traces of the previous NVIDIA video driver after a uninstall if you want to install an older or newer NVIDIA video driver?
You don't need to bother with any tools other than the official installer. The new installer has a "clean install" feature that removes all previous preferences and installed files.
Posted January 29, 2011
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macuahuitlgog: Is it really necessary to delete all traces of the previous NVIDIA video driver after a uninstall if you want to install an older or newer NVIDIA video driver?
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KavazovAngel: You don't need to bother with any tools other than the official installer. The new installer has a "clean install" feature that removes all previous preferences and installed files.
I'm not interested in the really new drivers with this feature. I do not think they are good for my old laptop video card, the 8600M GT. :(
Posted January 29, 2011
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macuahuitlgog: I'm not interested in the really new drivers with this feature. I do not think they are good for my old laptop video card, the 8600M GT. :(
Lolwut? What do you mean they are not good? :D

Install the 266.58 version, nao!
Posted January 29, 2011
Sometimes nvidia drivers like to do weird stuff when not installed in the uninstall/then install new method. Me, for example, i had to switch to some old drivers [pre 200] for Mass Effect, after which i switched back to 260, and now, every time i plug in anything USB i get a momentary black screen [monitor turns off and on again]. Usually i only get that on the login screen, but now, when i plug in the phone i get it about 4 times. Pretty annoying.
So yeah, it's not such a dumb idea to uninstall the old ones before updating.
Posted January 29, 2011
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Arteveld: Sometimes nvidia drivers like to do weird stuff when not installed in the uninstall/then install new method. Me, for example, i had to switch to some old drivers [pre 200] for Mass Effect, after which i switched back to 260, and now, every time i plug in anything USB i get a momentary black screen [monitor turns off and on again]. Usually i only get that on the login screen, but now, when i plug in the phone i get it about 4 times. Pretty annoying.
So yeah, it's not such a dumb idea to uninstall the old ones before updating.
Uninstall all video drivers. Run Driver Sweeper to remove some leftover files and registry keys. Install the newest version of the drivers.

If the problem was not fixed by the above, then the drivers aren't the problem. :p
Posted January 29, 2011
In 15 years of quite frequent and driver/graphics card exchanges and upgrades on many machines i've rarely had any problems with leftover driver files. You should just uninstall the old drivers every time you remove an old piece of hardware. If you know what you're doing Driver Sweeper is not a very neccessary utility in my opinion. Your mileage my vary of course.
Post edited January 29, 2011 by tolknaz
Posted January 29, 2011
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KavazovAngel: Uninstall all video drivers. Run Driver Sweeper to remove some leftover files and registry keys. Install the newest version of the drivers.

If the problem was not fixed by the above, then the drivers aren't the problem. :p
I'll check out how the new driver installer "clean install" option works, before i go for that kind of software.;)
I usually did it by hand. And yes, the drivers are the problem, i'm pretty sure of that.;)
[that, or a secret windows update]
Post edited January 29, 2011 by Arteveld
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General discussion (archive)NVIDIA video drivers...(14 posts)(14 posts)
(14 posts)