If your computer crashes when you try to install a new graphics card driver, then it is likely that the driver you are trying to install is not compatible with your system or there could be an underlying issue. To ensure your system’s stability, here are some steps you can take in order to resolve the issue:
1. Make sure that you have downloaded the correct driver for your graphics card. Most graphics cards will have a ‘product page’ on the manufacturer’s website which includes any available drivers relevant to your particular model. Make sure that you have also downloaded and installed any required software such as DirectX before installing the drivers.
2. Check the system requirements of the driver you are trying to install. Some driver updates might require updated hardware, such as an appropriate processor or amount of RAM in order to work correctly. Compare the system requirements to those of your computer to make sure that the driver will be compatible.
3. Disable any antivirus programs you have on the computer. Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with the installation process and cause it to fail. If you have multiple programs running, try disabling them one by one until you find the one that is causing the problem.
4. Make sure that all other components of your computer are up to date. Many times, a driver will rely on certain components in order to work properly, so it’s important to make sure that all other parts of your computer are current. This includes updating your BIOS, chipset drivers, sound card drivers, etc.
5. Ensure that your system is free of viruses and malware. It’s possible for malicious software to interfere with the installation, so it’s important to run a full system scan with reputable antivirus software to make sure there isn’t any malware present.
6. Clean install the drivers. If all of the previous steps have been unsuccessful, then a ‘clean install’ may be needed. This involves uninstalling the old drivers and then reinstalling the new ones from scratch. To do this, use the Device Manager on Windows (or similar software on Mac/Linux) to uninstall the current graphics card driver. Once the driver is uninstalled, shut down the computer and then restart it while in ‘safe mode’. This is usually done by pressing a key combination when the boot screen appears. Then, install the new graphics card driver.
7. Try a different version. If all else fails, then it’s possible that the driver you are attempting to install simply isn’t compatible with your system. If this is the case, then try downloading a different version of the driver. The manufacturer’s website should have a list of versions that are compatible with your specific graphics card.
Hopefully these steps will help you resolve any problems you have when installing a new graphics card driver. If none of these solutions work, then you may want to contact the manufacturer for further assistance.