Install a Graphics Card
Introduction:
After you've decided what graphics card to install, you're ready to go. You'll have to open up your PC, take out your old graphics card, and then put in a new one.
Step 1: Change Your Video Driver
Before installing a new video card, change the driver to a standard VGA driver. Right-click My Computer, choose Properties, click the Device Manager tab, click the + sign next to Display Adapters, and click your video card. Next, click the Properties button and then the Driver tab. Click Update Driver. When the screen appears asking "What do you want Windows to do?" click the bottom button, to display a list of all the drivers available on your computer. On the next screen that appears, choose Show All Hardware. Scroll to the top of the screen on the left and choose Standard Display Types. Then from the right side, choose Standard Display Adapter.
Step 2: Take the Case Off Your PC
Turn off your PC, remove the power cable, wear an antistatic wrist strap or ground yourself, and take the case off your PC. It's important to get rid of any static electricity by touching the power supply, because you don't want to harm any of your computer's internal components.
Step 3: Remove the Existing Card
Your graphics card is secured to the computer by a screw attaching it to the backplate. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the screw. After you remove the screw, remove the card. With one hand on either side of the card, pull it up firmly but carefully. If it won't budge, rock the back and then the front end to free it, and then pull it up.
Step 4: Disable Any Embedded Graphics
Some computers don't have graphics cards, but instead use a graphics chip embedded on the motherboard. If you have one like this, you have to disable the graphics chip before you can install a graphics card. You might have to disable it with DIP switches or jumpers, or it might be in the BIOS (in which case you'd have to disable the chip before you turn off your computer). Check your system documentation on how to do it.
Step 5: Install the Graphics Card
Carefully position the card over the slot and push it down with even force. Press it down all the way. When the card is fully in the slot, screw it into the backplate using a Phillips screwdriver. If you're installing a board into a PCI slot, always install the graphics card in one of the first two slots. The slots are numbered on the motherboard.
Step 6: Install Any Drivers
When you turn your computer back on, a dialog box should appear, walking you through installing drivers for your new graphics card. If Windows doesn't detect the card, go to the Windows Control Panel and double-click Add New Hardware. A wizard guides you through the installation process. If you have a disk from the manufacturer with drivers on it, insert it when prompted, and choose the driver from there. Restart Windows. If your graphics cards came with custom utilities and software, install them after you restart your computer.
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