How to completely remove drivers... - Overclock.net

lardo5150 · 10-10-09

I am wanting to know the procedure to completely remove my drivers for my nvidia card so I can install an earlier version.

minus.fireal · 10-10-09

First download Driver Sweeper and install it.
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers thru Add/Remove programs.
Reboot in Safe Mode.
Run Driver Sweeper
Reboot normally and re-install drivers.

meticadpa · 10-10-09

Quote:

1. The first most important thing to do is, if you have any overclocking utility/program installed on your computer you want to make sure that you set it too their orginal bios defaults before proceeding to uninstall or install your vga drivers, once you've done this then we'll proceed to the next step which is the actual removal of the drivers and software.

2. Go to Control Panel, then too Add or Remove Programs and uninstall in this specific order. First you want too uninstall the ATi Display Driver, then next you want too uninstall the ATi Catalyst Control Centre\Control Panel, and last you'll want to uninstall the ATi Software Uninstall Utility, now after each uninstall do NOT reboot computer until all software\drivers are removed from the control panel and step #3 has been accomplished.

3. Go down to your start menu and click the Run program, type in msconfig and head to your BOOT.INI tab, once there we want to checkmark the box /SAFEBOOT. Then hit Apply then Ok, then you can restart your system. Now there is another way too get into Safemode, which is pressing the F8 key. I prefer the using msconfig, it is much easier then rapidly pushing the F8 button like crazy and crossing your fingers while your computer boots up.

4. Once your computer boots into safemode you will have a wizard popup dialog box saying "System has found new hardware", you will click No for each box until it has finished. (for arguement sake, most ATi cards have 2 display drivers, 1 for primary and the other for secondary)

5. This is were Drivercleaner comes in, now before we begin with the cleaning there is also another option in this program under tools which gives you the choice to clean the driver cab (cab cleaner), it is another great cleaning method but one with which we're not going to go into at this time. Now open up Drivercleaner and hightlight all filters pertaining to your ATi vga card. You can also choose too "select multiple cleaning filters" and mark a check in each box that pertains to your card. (the ones I use are ATI, ATI CCC, ATI HydraVision, ATI Uninstall Utility, and ATI WDM). People with AIW cards will also want too select ATI Remote Wonder and ATI TV Wonder and hit the start button. There is also another selection of "show details" of all files being cleaned which I use because I like to see what's being deleted. I like to run it a second time just for good measure.

6. Once the program has deleted all of the detected ATi vga drivers and software, it is time to head back to the Run program and re-type in msconfig. Now you want to go back too the General tab and put a check in the box named Normal Setup, Click Apply then Ok and it will ask you again to restart and you will proceed to Restart your system.

7. Now that we are back into your operating system, it is time too check that all pertaining ATi files have been permanently deleted from the computer. A great way to do that is too get a program that helps in the removal of registry and hidden files, espically the vga ones. The one I like too use, and which I'm sure some of you here have heard of, is called CCleaner. This program once installed will help in the removal of any files that were left behind.

Stolen from here.

**metallicamaster3** · 10-10-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by meticadpa

I stole that from a site.

Quote:

Originally Posted by minus.fireal

First download Driver Sweeper and install it.
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers thru Add/Remove programs.
Reboot in Safe Mode.
Run Driver Sweeper
Reboot normally and re-install drivers.

These. MAKE SURE YOU UNINSTALL BEFORE SWEEPING YOUR DRIVERS! One time I did it in reverse and I nearly had to reinstall my operating system because the new drivers would NOT install!

Syrillian · 10-10-09

Note: Ensure you remove only the Nvidia Display Drivers if applicable

The Master Chief · 10-10-09

I just insert old driver cd, click remove drivers. Re-boot, deal with 800x600 while installing the new ones, re-boot, and blam-o!

Of course thats with ATI...

phonyphonecall · 10-10-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by minus.fireal

First download Driver Sweeper and install it.
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers thru Add/Remove programs.
Reboot in Safe Mode.
Run Driver Sweeper
Reboot normally and re-install drivers.

He nailed it on the head

. Just do everything IN ORDER and ur good to go. ADD/REMOVE programs is found under Control Panel. (you can also go to device manager, click on the device, and click uninstall drivers) its the same thing basicly.

saulin · 10-10-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by lardo5150

I am wanting to know the procedure to completely remove my drivers for my nvidia card so I can install an earlier version.

Remove them from add/remove programs
Don't restart yet when asked
Run Drive Sweeper and do a clean for both drivers and physx
Don't restart yet when asked
Now run Ccleaner
Now restart
Run Drive Sweeper again (sometimes you have to delete the "C:\Nvidia" folder manually. If Drive Sweeper does not find traces of the drivers you are good to go.

Anth0789 · 10-10-09

Here:

Quote:

Easiest method below.
D/L Driver Cleaner Pro or Driver Sweeper and install it.
1) R/Click My Computer
2) Select Manage> Device Manager
3) Expand Display Adapter> R/Click NVIDIA GeForce xxxx/ATI Radeon xxxx
4) Select Uninstall> Confirm Device Removal> OK
5) Restart Computer
6) Enter Safe Mode..Tap F8 during Post
7) Once in Safe Mode> Run Driver Cleaner Pro or Driver Sweeper > Select nVidia (not nForceChipset/For ATI select ATI, ATI CCC, ATI WMD)> start Cleaning
8) Do step 7 Twice with Driver Cleaner Pro - With Driver Sweeper do it once.
9) Restart Computer> Cancel out of New Found Hardware Wizard
10) Navigate to the Location of your Drivers and Install.

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How to completely remove drivers...

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