Replacing a GPU - reinstall windows

[GodWarner]

Hey everyone!

I was sad to find that my fairly new 6870 has died for some reason and im currently awaiting a replacement. In the mean time I fitted my old 5770 to use until it arrives however it prompted a windows reinstallation due to the old drivers remaining. Now this isnt a problem as I can wait until my new one arrives but it raised the question of will the drivers I installed previously allow me to seamlessly fit the new GPU and boot asif nothing had changed?

Hope this makes sense!

Cheers
Mike

 

[Twoboxer]

I've not experienced that message before, but I'd uninstall the drivers and reboot. Windows will be able to use the card in low-res mode. Download the latest drivers for your old card and install.

Reverse the process when the new card arrives.

Changing vid cards should not in itself necessitate a re-installation of WIndows.

 

[purple stain]

I agree.I have never heard of that either.You should never have to reinstall windows just because of video drivers.

Make sure that you've deleted the 6870 drivers then reinstall the 5770 drivers.

 

[pacioli]

Sometimes Windows will require you to re-validate your copy of Windows with hardware changes. But you should not have to reinstall Windows.

 

[GodWarner]

Well for some reason my pc wont POST boot without a graphics card installed but when I insert the old 5770 it tells me it has detected a change of hardware and requires a reinstallation of windows. The pc wont boot without a GPU fitted so i cant even uninstall the relevant drivers

 

[purple stain]

Do you have a intergreated GPU?

 

[GodWarner]

Errmmm im not sure my motherboard is the P8P67 r3 but either way it wont POST boot

 

[purple stain]

No it doesn't so you are right theirs no way to use the PC without a GPU.

Can you get to the desktop or does it display that message before you can?

 

[GodWarner]

Is it only the z68's that have integrated? No it gets to a black screen and white text like when your preparing to put into safe mode....but the message reads (sorry i cant quote from memory) that it detected a change in hardware and as a result needs to repair windows through re-installation. I find it very strange.

 

[purple stain]

Do you have the Windows CD? If you do use it to boot from and select the repair.It won't do a reinstall of windows but it will try to repair anything that's damaged in the core files.

 

[GodWarner]

Yes I do! Okies thanks for the tip ill give it a try! Once begin the process ill post the actual message!

 

[purple stain]

Remember that when you use the CD you gotta boot from it.Then select the Repair Utility.Don't boot from the HDD.

 

[RetiredChief]

Have you tried.
Uninstall ATI CCC suite. Uninstall will not be affective until reboot. Reboot that should select a default driver. The default drive may have your resolution and if so can simply wait untill replacement card arrives. If that does not work then try the above mentiond alternatives, if not reinstall the ATI suite - should detect the 5770.

I feel somewhat vendicated as this is one of the reasons I recommend the Z68 over the P67.

 

[purple stain]

That might be a good idea.
Boot into Safe Mode and Uninstall ATI CCC.

 

[GodWarner]

Cheers for all the adivce guys. This does make me wish I had a Z68 now

I managed to boot from the disk and get to the repair option. I had a choice to do a repair startup or boot normally...the repair startup option kept bringing me back to the original message however the normal startup worked. I was greeted with a message regarding the drivers which was expected due to them not being compatible with my makeshift card. In the process now of uninstalling them and installin 5700 series drivers. See how it goes

 

[purple stain]

Nice to hear you got it working.If you've gotten into the desktop then you pretty much have it.

 

[GodWarner]

Shame im goign to have to do it all again when my new card arrives Although I felt it neccessary to test it myself to make sure the system is ok! Thanks again for all your advice!

 

[purple stain]

Well this time you know what to do so it shouldn't be nearly as hard.Just make sure you uninstall the 5770 drivers before you take it out to install the 6870.

It also might be a good idea to pre-download the 6870 drivers so that you can boot into safe mode and you have them if that error message pops up again.

Welcome
Happy Gaming

 

[GodWarner]

Good call ill get on it now My short time on these forums have been helpful so I think ill be hanging around!!

 

[purple stain]

Be sure to not install them just download it and save it to a folder or something.