question regarding updating video card drivers?

[bhome83]

So I need to update my videocard drivers for my radeon 9600 series video card. My question though is, is this safe to do? Is it possible my computer hit a blue screen or go blank after updating the video card driver? I think i have had problems in the past but can't remember what i did to resolve it. I assume i should create a restore pt. in winxp pro first. That is the only thing that makes sense to me, so just wanted to verify.

also, in my device manager tab it lists 2 video cards separatly (see attachment). any reason for this?

driver details show that the driver is from 9/28/07 and is version 8.421.0.0.

on website to download the new driver it lists its release date as 7/5/2009 version 9.3.1


Is there really any noticeable improvements when updated my driver to a current version that is 2 years old? Mainly doing it just so a GUI in foobar2k (music player) will load correctly.


thanks for the help guys!

[pam123]

If you have an older AGP card then yes it shows 2 display adapters, that's correct.

What you need to check, while you're at the ATI site, it what the latest driver is that they recommend for AGP cards.
Get the driver by using this page : http://driver-pro.com/related/englis...od3hWFkw&hit=1

After that just follow the regular drill, remove the old driver first then install the new ones that you downloaded and saved.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by bhome83 also, in my device manager tab it lists 2 video cards separatly (see attachment). any reason for this?

As Pam noted, that is normal. Each connector is treated as a separate device. Your card probably has an AGP and DVI connector, right?

[glc]

You mean VGA and DVI..........

Many, but not all dual head cards will show up as 2 devices.

The 9600 falls under "legacy" products, and the latest driver is 9.3. I'd recommend driver ONLY and do NOT mess with the Catalyst Control Center.

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownloa...4&lang=English

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by glc You mean VGA and DVI..........

Yup, that's what I meant. Shoulda had more coffee before posting I guess.

[bhome83]

so when i uninstall my old drivers first, wont my computer be inoperable because i dont have any video card drivers installed? As you can see, haven't done this in a while. hehe.

thanks guys

ps - is the driver robot utility safe to use? it scanned my computer and found 13 "critical updates" (2 being for my video card drivers). My feeling is that if i try to update all the 'critical update' drivers something could go wrong and wont know where to start to fix.

do you guys just suggest i download the individial driver for my video card?

[glc]

It will work fine, it will start up in standard VGA mode. Just get the video card driver.

[flanzig1]

I generally don't use the Microsoft Update hardware drivers, just ones from the maker of the particular product.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 I generally don't use the Microsoft Update hardware drivers, just ones from the maker of the particular product.

Amen to that! My rule is absolutely NO Graphics drivers from MS WU. They have caused me nothing but trouble - both nVidia and ATI.