Fx-ati

[devilscow22]

when switching from a FX card to and ati will i need to reformat my HD?

[Evnas]

First try Driver Cleaner (http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745) and see how that goes. If you still have problems, then format the HDD.

Personally, I would format the HDD anyways because its always fun to start off with a fresh system not cluttered by reg entries and garbage

[ZachM]

Uninstalling the drivers normally then using driver cleaner should work fine. If you want to format go ahead. There is not a need to though.

[devilscow22]

thanks i was hoping i didnt need to, just reformated a lil why ago and just got everything teh way i like it

[LogRus]

Originally posted by Evnas
First try Driver Cleaner (http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745) and see how that goes. If you still have problems, then format the HDD.

Personally, I would format the HDD anyways because its always fun to start off with a fresh system not cluttered by reg entries and garbage

True :D, especialy if you're using XP. Because each and every 3 times you change your hardware in your pc, XP wants you to "reactive" windows because it "thinks" you've installed it on somethings else :mad:. .. Theoreticaly...

[TUK101]

There shouldnt be any "need" to. Just uninstall the old drivers before installing the new card and then shutdown and install the new card. Install the most recent drivers from ATI and you "should" be good to go. If after that you have any problems, or the card isnt performing as it should then try one of the driver uninstall utilities and that should help to clean up any old registry clutter from any old drivers. I have personally never any problems with driver conflicts graphics card wise using that method, but others might insist otherwise.

[Th0r]

I like the format option... Its always fun installing XP... LoL.. i know the CD-Key off the top of my head...haha

[Yuriman]

I love installing xp, because I can do it in 10 minutes or less. I too have memorised the cd key, and even though ive used it, all you have to do is call up M$ and they will activate it over the phone for you. I have done this at least 6 times.

[Black_Paladin]

Originally posted by Yuriman
I love installing xp, because I can do it in 10 minutes or less. I too have memorised the cd key, and even though ive used it, all you have to do is call up M$ and they will activate it over the phone for you. I have done this at least 6 times.

The only caveat is that if you have tons of programs installed like me, you have to reinstall all of them as well. That can usually take a while.

I then like to organize things. I hate the fact that every program puts a folder under the start menu. What I do is create folders of my own under the Start menu and then either move the programs there or have them installed there (not every program asks you where you want the shortcuts installed under the start menu). The way I have it, I have Utilities, Accessories, Apps, Misc, etc. This kind of organizing with all the programs and XP takes a while.

IF you can keep your XP clean, it's preferable not to re-format. That's just my opinion though.