How to Install a Graphics Card Driver
By G.K. Bayne
When you install a new graphics card in your computer, it is time to install graphic card drivers so that your system can fully utilize the capabilities of the card. Most often, your graphics card will come with either a floppy disk or CD that will automatically install the drivers, but occasionally, you may need to download the drivers from the Web and install them manually.
Step 1
Install the new card in your system by inserting the graphics card in one of the PCI or other expansion slots in your desktop. If you have a laptop, follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing a new graphics card in the machine.
Step 2
Boot up your computer and then click on the "Start" menu.
Step 3
Click on "Control Panel" from the Start menu screen.
Step 4
Click on the "Add New Hardware" on the Control Panel window.
Step 5
Click on the radio button next to the "Yes, I have already connected the hardware" option on the screen if Windows doesn't automatically recognize the new card. If the operating system automatically finds the new hardware, follow the onscreen instructions to install the drivers.
Step 6
Scroll to the bottom of the list that displays in the new window. Click on "Add a New Hardware Device." Click the "Next" button on the bottom of the screen.
Step 7
Click the radio button next to "Install the hardware that I manually select from a list" and then click the "Next" button on the bottom of the screen.
Step 8
Choose "Display adapters" from the list of hardware in the new window. Click the "Next" button.
Step 9
Click the "Have Disk" button on the new window.
Step 10
Browse to the location where the graphics card drivers are located. Click the "OK" button at the top of the screen. The drivers for your graphics card will automatically install.
Step 11
Reboot your computer when prompted for the changes to your system to take effect.
Tips
- If your card did not come with an installation disk, look for the correct drivers for the card at either the manufacturer's website or at Drivers Guide (see Resources below).
- You can also update the drivers for your graphics card by using the Device Manager options in your system setup files. Click on "Start," "Control Panel" and then the "System" icon. On the "System Properties" page, click the tab "Hardware." Choose the "Device Manager" to locate the Display adapters. Double-click on the "Display" driver and then on the "Drivers" tab. Follow the instructions onscreen to update your graphics drivers.