OK, now video drivers--x1950pro

[sean126]

I read Tyreal's article about how to un-install and in-stall drivers. And what program to use to clean . I can pretty much understand it.

question-----If I go ahead and down load the latest drivers from ATI on a CD from my other computer and have it ready....I can use that without having to use the CD I got with my Sapphire card and thus eliminating the need to uninstall any video drivers and clean the registry....yes? or am I missing something? I don't know if Windows xp will automatically put a driver in for me or not. (remember....this is a new build)

The ones I figured out I needed were: Catalyst™ 7.5 Display Driver for Windows XP Professional/Home Edition

The Catalyst driver suite and the Catalyst™ 7.5 Software Component Downloads for Windows XP Professional/Home Edition
WDM Driver catalyst.

I heard it's best to install the WDM first and then run the "suite" and do a custom install with the WDM in that unchecked.

Have I got the right drivers that I need and am I on the right track or even in the ballpark with my reasoning about my cd install instead of Sapphire's CD ?

Don't worry....all this isn't going to waste. I'm going to make a "post-build for dummies" thread once I'm done and have mine built.

[qazwsx]

is this on a fresh install of XP? if so just shove in the CD and install the drivers from there OR on onto ATi's site and go for the full works. Ive never had any driver problems that way.

Dont worry about it, the CD's there to be used.

[polobunny]

I personally never use the CD that comes with the hardware. Most often then not they are either "hacked" drivers (those that come with video cards often are hacked drivers) or dated drivers. You get much better performance and/or compatibility by getting the latest drivers available for your hardware from the manufacturer website.

Also, I never bother to install the Catalyst Control Center. It's not a very useful application, that is far from being lightweight and that loads at the startup of your computer. I prefer to choose the seperate installation files and only download the display driver and WDM driver if needed.
You can do that by clicking the link here.

Oh and to answer your question about whether or not you can do that, yes you can and I recommend it. You don't need to install the CD first, go straight for the downloaded drivers from the manufacturer website. :)

[sean126]

Thanks Polobunny and qazwsx.

Yes, it's a fresh xp install...I seen the drivers you were refering to Polobunny and a question....

I noticed they were zip files, but I can click on it and click "open" to see what's in it and it's showing me one "exe." thing-a-majig. I'm opening right aren't I?

Also, I'm going to burn it to a CD (from my old computer).....I've never installed a driver or an OS before so I don't know, but when Its time to put the graphics card driver in...I can put in the CD I made and I am assuming at some point I will be asked..."install driver from xyz or look in other location" I can just get it to look on the cd drive or do I have to put it in "my documents" or on my desktop beforehand? Like I said, I've never done this before so I thought it'd be better to get the info now rather than be right in the middle of it and have to leave the computer on for several hours waiting for a response.

Windows will not install any drivers that I will have to remove are they or are they?

(I assume I can follow the same instructions for my dvd burner's firmware also.)
Thanks for the patience.