How To Install A Graphics Card
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It is very easy to install a graphics card, all it needs is only 15 mins of
your time and you can get your gaming computer booting up with the new graphics
card. AGP slot was the standard for graphics card interface with the
motherboard. As technology advances, the newer PCI-Express has taken over and
many graphics card nowadays use PCI-E slot as its interface with the
motherboard.
Before you can install the graphics card, you need to identify which type of
slot does your graphics card uses.
If you are not sure which slot does your graphics card use, check out the
user manual that comes with the graphics card.
Once you are ready to install your graphics card, follow these four steps...
Step 1: Uninstall the current graphics card drivers
Before you install your new card, you have to uninstall your current card
driver. This is because the current driver might not be compatible with the new
graphics card and it might result in hardware conflict.
On your Windows desktop, click 'Start' -> 'Control Panel'. In the new window
that pops up, search for the 'System' icon and double click on it. Look for the
'hardware' tab. Click on the 'Device Manager'. This will pop up a new window
showing your entire hardware configuration. Your graphics card should be listed
under the 'Display Adapter' heading. Double-click the name of your graphics
card. In the next window, go to 'Driver' tab and right below, there is an
'Uninstall' button. Click the Uninstall button. Once it is done, close all the
windows and shut down your computer.
Step 2: Remove old graphics card
Now, unplug the power socket from the wall and remove the casing of your
computer. Locate the AGP slot (short brown color slot above the rows of long
white PCI slot) with your old graphics card. To prevent static charge from
damaging your computer parts, touch a metal part of the case to ground yourself.
Remove the screw on the back plate of the graphics card and unplug the graphics
card from the slot.
Step 3: Install new card.
Align the new card correctly with the AGP slot (align with the PCI-e slot if
your graphics card is of the PCI express type). Applying even forces on both end
of the card, slowly push the new graphics card into the slot. Secure it to the
back plate with a screw.
Step 4: Install new drivers.
Plug in all cables and boot up your Windows. Your operating system should now
automatically recognize the new hardware and walk you through the installation
wizard. Most of the time, you will need to insert the driver CD that come with
the graphics card into the CD-ROM. Locate the 'setup.exe' file in the driver CD
and double click on it. It will then walk you through the installation process.
If your graphics card is not the latest model, then most probably there is a
newer version of the driver on the Internet. Check out the manufacturer's
website and download the latest drivers. Install it. Once done, reboot your PC.
Now, you're ready to start gaming.
About the Author
Damien Oh has great passion in building gaming computer. You can find tons of
information and resources on building gaming computer, hardware reviews and
many more in his website. To find out more secrets and free information on
gaming computer, check out
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2007-09-13 11:59:44 in Computer Articles
