Update Video Card Drivers

[Montana]

I'm not a gamer, but I could no longer stomach my onboard video (3 secs from desktop right-click until menu opened), so I installed this card. (http://www.amamax.com/inno3da130.html) I also needed OpenGL support for 2 games and various screensavers (I like 'em, PC is in living room, stare at it all the time even when not using it). No, I do not have an AGP slot (nor does my PC :) ).

I realize you should always go online to d/l the latest drivers for a product but I always end up confused & skip the process. Hey, if it's working...

In short, I need a driver d/l tutorial. I go here (http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=drivers) from Display Properties ETC, but where/how do I know I'm d/ling the correct drivers? What is DetonatorXP, is it relevant?

I saw on another thread at BBF, references to various driver sets(?) such as "Atm, I have: 21.83; 21.85; 21.88 & 23.11. I was going to have a mess about to see which ones work best, " Huh, where is he finding these numbers?

WinXP Home
LCD

[floppybootstomp]

You have an Nvidia Georce 2 PCI MX400 32MB. I'm assuming XP detected the card when you installed it and loaded it's own drivers and that you're up and running.

Installing later drivers can help, but are you actually having problems?

Whatever, with WIN XP you can install different drivers from Nvidia then if you're not happy, XP has the 'roll-back' facility so you can go back to your previous drivers.

All those numbers are just different releases of Nvidia drivers.

OK, go to here (this link is actually on the Forum's 'Downloads Factory' section) and select 'Downloads' on the left.Guru3D (http://www.guru3d.com/)

Select Video Card drivers and download a few different versions, starting with the newest. Make sure you only select those suitable for XP. They're called 'Detonator' drivers, btw.

Now, click right on the desktop >> properties >> settings >> advanced >> (it may be a little different from here, I have an ATI card) >> adapter >> driver.

Now select update driver and point to where you've downloaded your file. And install.

Alternatively, many of the newer Nvidia drivers will self-install just by double clicking on them. You could try that first.

Any probs, get back to me.

And don't be nervous, remember, you have that 'roll-back' facility.

[TheHeretic]

The Detonator drivers are the reference drivers as released by Nvidia (teh maker or the GeForce2 chipset) They would take the place of the drivers that the video card supplier sent with the card. Many times especially with the off brand cards they are the Detonator drivers anyway but simply renamed.

The reason for the updating of your vid drivers is taht the odds are very good that the disc that came with the card is very outdated. There used to be a new Detonator driver release about every 2-3 months. Now if the manufacturer wanted to save a bit of cash they had x millions of discs pressed at the start of the run and than never changed it.

The use of the Detonator drivers is probably the best way to get the most out of your "generic" vid card. (I dont say this to take away from the card. Inno3d is a good offbrand card maker) The Chipsets that are on the card are the ones that Nvidia has liscensed. Nvidia just has more of a vested interest to make sure they can get all they can out of the chipset that drives your card.

There are a variety of places to get the Detonator drivers. I honestly dont recall where I get mine from as I havent done it in a long time. (hmmmm maybe I should). When I last did it though I went for one less than the newest. I would think now though you could use the latest "certified" drivers. There is a process known as WHQL that allows for a certain peace of mind.

(ok went and checked here is a page for XP drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=windows2000) . Simply click on the driver download link and save it to where you would normally save internet files. Upon saving it you can than simply double click on it and it is a self installing driver. I notice also that they are at version 30.82.

These are also WHQL certified, so MS has checked them to work.

Good luck.

Its really not all that hard. if ya have any further questions feel free to ask.


TheHeretic

[Montana]

Originally posted by floppybootstomp
[B]You have an Nvidia Georce 2 PCI MX400 32MB. I'm assuming XP detected the card when you installed it and loaded it's own drivers and that you're up and running.
XP did detect new hardware, but did not install its own drivers. Instead I recv'd the error message that card was not XP Logo certified. I already verified via email that card was XP compatible so went for it anyway. Everything seems OK thus far (over 48hrs).


Installing later drivers can help, but are you actually having problems?
No problems, but I thought it was about time I figured this driver d/l thing out. Never too sure if I'm finding/d/ling the correct drivers.


All those numbers are just different releases of Nvidia drivers.
So, where are you finding those release numbers at? How do you know which ones you're currently using? I know how to find the version numbers, right-click properties, blah, blah, but can't find similar numbers as you mentioned before... 21.83, 21.85. Hehe, did you recognize ur quote?

I'm no stranger to rollback ETC, just don't know how to figure out if what I'm d/ling are the correct drivers. Seems to be pretty generic for all cards so far. I thought there would be more to it.

I've not yet checked out the links u guys sent. Sounds like I'll just have to do some playing around b4 it all makes sense to me.



I dont say this to take away from the card. Inno3d is a good offbrand card maker)
That's OK Heretic, I wasn't going for top of the line brand. I emailed them with a slew of Q's to make sure that what I got was what I wanted & they delivered.

[floppybootstomp]

If you check out the Guru 3D link you'll see those driver numbers listed. That's where I'm finding them at. They're the numbers Nvidia assign to them, is all.

You should be able to see your driver number in the advanced section of 'Settings' as described in my post above.

Ah, hang on, I'll grab a pic. Blimey, it's about time I updated mine, looking at that :D That's the driver that came with my card.

[Montana]

*sigh* OK I'm kinda tired. Maybe it'll make more sense tomorrow.

[James]

I want to know more about that AGP slot :dev:

[Dramen]

2cents on drivers

Mons, drivers can definitly make a big difference in performance and stability, but newer is not always better, or what works well for another, it really comes down to experimentation.

[Alakazam]

Mons, you've got what we refer to as the 27.20 driver set, anything lower in number would be older, higher is newer.

[ImaginAsian]

another way to find out driver version is to

right click desktop->properties->settings->advanced->"Video Card Make" tab

Since you have an Nvidia like me, you will see the Nvidia Tab there. Click that and you will see something very similar to his:

I like this screen better because it shows me more deatails on the driver set.

The most recent WHQL certified Detonator drivers is version 30.82 as shown in my screen shot.

You can always pick up the lastest WHQL drivers from here:

http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=windows2000

I use to try out different drivers and dl the latest Beta ones, but now I am sick of being a guinea pig and stick with the WHQL certified ones. I may lose out a bit in performance for games but I'll live hehe

[Montana]

Thx to all of you, I do believe I have a handle on this now. Yes, even ur comment was helpful James :D .


Originally posted by Alakazam
Mons, you've got what we refer to as the 27.20 driver set.

2720=2.7.2.0=27.20 Well no wonder I wasn't sure of the version number. Depending on who's doing the referring, it can be listed in several different ways. Nowhere is it listed as 27.20 on my PC that I find, so I had nothing to compare to the numbers u guys were mentioning. Yes, I've been known to sweat the small stuff. Periods especially have always been of interest to me ;) .

Detonator XP. Another who knew. I have an Nvidia Georce 2 PCI MX400 32MB card, no mention of any Detonators.

IA, I see they have a 31.00 version at
guru3d (http://www.guru3d.com/files/detonator/) but it's not followed by the WHQL designation. I assume that's a beta version then?

Yes, I'll be updating to V30.82. I finally found the drivers, so damn rights I'm installing them. :}

[Alakazam]

How did the install go Montana? The 31.00 are leaked drivers from somewhere and are most likely beta.

[Montana]

grrr, haven't done it yet, found another problem. Will post another Q abt it later.

[Montana]

OK I figured out that problem. It boiled down to RTFM for monitor (OSD auto-set to center desktop). As far as my eyes are concerned 1024 X 768 sucks. After 1 hr *twitch*twitch*twitch* in both orbs. I had such hopes. :(

Installed the updated drivers, pretty much did it on its own, no problems thus far.

Thx again.

[floppybootstomp]

Good to hear Mons :thumbsup:

[Tuffie]

I have a question on this also,I have just got the XP so not sure about anything now :lol: I have the Geforce2 MX400 64 MB card,and right now it has whatever XP installed.Should I change and get the 3.0.8.2 WHQL drivers,or just leave it as is?Thanks for any info :D

[floppybootstomp]

I'd upgrade, Tuff. Just download the file, double click on it and it will self-install. You'll probably notice some improvement, especially with Games if you're into them.

And if there's any probs, XP has the 'rollback' facility so you can then change back to the standard XP drivers with one click.

It's a fairly risk free procedure, so I'd go for it.

[Tuffie]

Thanks Flop's :D,I already downloaded them as I thought that would be correct.So will do the install,appreciate the reply :hat:

[muckshifter]

... as Flopps says, just D/L the XP Det' drivers and run 'em ... should be no need to uninstall your other drivers. ;)

[Tuffie]

Thanks guys :D,got them installed and all adjusted.I think the pic is a bit brighter,and it is very clear.Thanks :D

[RacerX]

With Nvidia chipset video cards you can goto www.nvidia.com and download their drivers, i have yet to see a vid card that would not work with Nvidia's drivers.
The vid card may be made by Visiontek, Inno3D or Hercules or a dozen other card makers but the graphics processor chip is made by Nvidia, so it is generally safe to goto Nvidia for the newest drivers.

Just my 2 cents worth.

John T.

[Jizzy]

Latest Beta Drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=winxp-2k_40.41)

Latest WHQL Certified Drivers (http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=winxp-2k_30.82)