Replacing a graphics card shouldn't take more than half an hour and requires only a Phillips head screwdriver.
BEFORE YOU BUY
Before you spend a lot of money on a fancy graphics card, make sure it will work in your computer.
What kind of slot does your computer have? Most computers made in the last few years have an AGP slot for connecting graphics cards. If your computer doesn't have an AGP slot, you may be able to add a graphics card that uses an open PCI slot (see Figure 1). Some new, high-end computers now come equipped with a new kind of slot for graphics cards called PCI Express. If you have a new computer with a PCI Express slot, you need a PCI Express graphics card; AGP graphics cards won't work.
Figure 1: Does your computer have an open AGP slot?
- Will your computer accept a graphics card? If you don't see an AGP slot on your motherboard, it may not. In order to save money, some computers have graphics chips integrated into the motherboard. Sometimes this on-board graphics capability can't be disabled, so you can't upgrade to any graphics card. Check your computer's user manual.
- Got power connectors? Some of the newest high-end graphics cards need to be connected directly to the power supply. Make sure you have the proper connectors available.
UNINSTALL THE OLD GRAPHICS DRIVER IN WINDOWS XP
- Uninstall any utility software associated with your graphics card. First, go to Start | All Programs, look for any software, and uninstall it if possible.
- If not, go to Start | Control Panel | Add Or Remove Programs and look there for software to uninstall.
- Next, uninstall your graphics card in Device Manager. Go to Start, right-click My Computer and select Properties. Click the Device Manager button on the Hardware tab.
Open the listing for Display Adapters (see Figure 2), right-click the listing for your current display adapter, and click Uninstall (see Figure 3). Click OK, and when prompted, shut down your computer.
Figure 2: Click Display Adapters in Device Manager.
Figure 3: Remove your display adapter by clicking Uninstall.
INSTALL THE CARD IN YOUR COMPUTER
- Open your computer's case and ground yourself with a grounding strap and unplug any cord or cable that can bring electricity into your PC.
- Remove the screw holding the old graphics card to the computer chassis.
Remove the old graphics card by pulling it directly upward out of the slot (see Figure 4). Never wiggle the card from side to side.
Figure 4: Remove your old graphics card from the computer.
- Insert the new graphics card in the AGP or PCI slot and gently press down until it's fully seated.
- Fasten the new graphics card to the computer chassis with the screw.
- Attach any power connectors required by your graphics card.
Connect your monitor to the graphics card port.
Secure the monitor connector to the graphics card with its built-in screws; a partially seated connector can damage the graphics card.
INSTALL THE NEW DRIVERS IN WINDOWS XP
Restart your computer. Windows should detect the new card and start the Found New Hardware Wizard. Check your graphics card's user manual for any special procedures and then follow the on-screen directions.
Check the graphics card manufacturer's website for updated drivers for the graphics card. Drivers that ship with product are often out of date.
