Video and Audio Drivers

[mrmister1]

I was just installing Windows XP today, and reading through my manuals for my Radeon 9800 Pro and Live! 5.1 which said to not allow Windows to install drivers for either of them. But, since its a new build doesn't Windows setup automatically install them without asking? Should I just wait and then uninstall them from Windows and install the new ones? And to uninstall then from Windows, I just go to the "add/remove programs" list, right?

[Xayd]

Windows will install a standard VGA driver, the SB Live will probably be listed as an unknown device.

My recommendations:

1) ATI has a driver installer that comes with the drivers, simply run it and it should install the drivers just fine.

2) Download and unzip the SB Live drivers, and install them via the device manager, "update driver" after going to properties on the sound card. The creative software that installs with the driver is a pain, you'll be better off with the drivers only on the sound card.

[mrmister1]

I have the CDs for the both of them, and I was planning on using them...I can right?

Also, I have to uninstall the original drivers for the video card and sound card (if they install) before installing the new ones, right?

[mrmister1]

I went into the device manager to see if the drivers were installed automatically but I'm not sure which ones to look at. Should I look at the "sound, video, snd game controllers" or under "other devices" (all the "other devices" have exclamation points next to them, and say no drivers were installed for them). Does this mean the drivers for the 9800 Pro and the Live! 5.1 haven't been installed yet?

[kissfan]

The other devices tab is like that because it is waiting for the SB drivers to be installed, just run the CD and choose custom setup to only installthe drivers for the SB and not the other POS software that they bundle.

For your graphics card do the same, just pop the CD in and run setup. If XP grumbles about WHQL certification just ignore it.

[mrmister1]

Alright, I installed the drivers and the exclamation point went away. I also installed some of the packaged stuff that came with the CDs that I thought would help, but some of the audio stuff isn't really doing much so I can just uninstall it from the "add/Remove Programs" list, right?

Also, how do I know if the drivers for USB 2.0 are installed. The mother board CD said that it came with Service Pack 1, but I just want to make sure.

[kissfan]

If your using W2K or XP you need to upgrade the SP3 / SP1 respectively for the USB2 drivers.

[Furius92]

I wish you the best of luck on removing anything from Creative. I have always had a tough time installing their drivers and getting the card to work, but I have NEVER been able to fully delete all of the files I installed from them.

Updating the sound drivers isn't such a big deal, but you should definitely download the latest Catalyst 3.2 drivers from ATI for your card. They should offer significant increases in performance and stability compared to anything on the CD. To update ATI drivers, do the following:

1. Remove "ATI Display Driver" from Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel
2. Restart the computer, DO NOT do it in Safe Mode as you will not be able to install the drivers - DirectX must be enabled and Safe Mode disables it
3. Install the drivers, and if you can, delete any old files, although it isn't necessary
4. Restart computer, change Display Settings as needed