GPU driver removal/installation directions please!

Dennis Phelan · Oct 25, 2009

I have done a simple remove/install of one driver but thatwas my first and I'm still a bit stupid about these things. Since I have a GTX285 and experience the freezing problems, I'd like to do a good job of removing before installing a driver and pray that it helps.

Simple instructions leave me wondering, I need a step by step:
example:
1 download new driver and save to a folder
2 shut down computer
3 start PC in safe mode
4 remove old driver
5 run driver cleaner software
6 install new driver
7 restart PC.

Can you remove, then install, then clean?
How much work has to be done while in safe mode, when?
etc....

Thanks!

Oliver Amos · Oct 25, 2009

For a thorough clean I do it like this:

1) Download new drivers and save them somewhere
2) Go to add/remove programs and uninstall nvidia display drivers
3) Restart into safe mode
4) Run Driver Sweeper
5) Select Nvidia Display and clean.
6) Once complete restart back into normal windows
7) Install new drivers.

Dennis Phelan · Oct 25, 2009

Thanks! The PC can run without drivers while doing steps 6,7?

Rob Goldthorpe · Oct 25, 2009

yeah, just that your screen resolution will be small. you can set your resolution again once your new drivers are installed

Dennis Phelan · Oct 25, 2009

Ok, confused already!
Downloaded the drivers.
Do I just save them or "Run" and save the files that Installshield will open from that download?

Richard Kay · Oct 25, 2009

Save them and run the exe when you've properly cleaned the drivers out.

Dennis Phelan · Oct 26, 2009

After three hours and the help of three friends[as well as three gin n tonics and cooking dinner for the wife and I], I, ah can say, I think that the removal/installation is complete!

Thanks to you all!

I believe I did the driver install while still in safe mode and completed it after a reboot[?] but a check shows that the latest driver is installed.

You must be wondering how I can drive if I can't even manage a PC!
Have you checked my lap times?

Now, lets see if that Porsche mod causes as many freezes as it did yesterday!
Well, I'll check that tomorrow, I can't prove anythingtonight!

Dennis Phelan · Oct 27, 2009

I had to go back and write a set of instrictions on this, just to make it easier for myself next time.

Take a look at this procedure and make it better for me. I know something has to be wrong. It's not what I did during my install but in writing it I found more confusion and I'd like you to improve it.

Download ZIPped file to PC, do not extract.
Shut down PC.
Start PC in Safe mode[tapping f8 during startup].
Remove driver using Control Panel[Add/Remove programs].
Remove driver using Control Panel[System/Hardware/Device Manager/Display Adapters/GTX285/Uninstall].
Delete files in C:\NVIDEA\Display Driver\XXX.xxx.
Run Driver Cleaning software.
Install new driver using Control Panel[Hardware....].
Restart PC

BTW, I still get freezes! AAargh!