nVidia Video Cards - DRIVER ONLY installation procedure

[usasma]

Taken from this topic: Updating AMD/ATI cards, 'drivers only'.

nVidia "Driver Only" installation procedure
(Instructions developed on a 64 bit Win7 system - 32 bit Win7, Vista, and even XP should be similar.)
Please note that my system has an ATI video card, so everything after Step 5 is done from the ATI instructions

NOTE:

As part of the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program, this is a reference driver that can be installed on supported NVIDIA notebook GPUs. However, please note that your notebook original equipment manufacturer (OEM) provides certified drivers for your specific notebook on their website. NVIDIA recommends that you check with your notebook OEM about recommended software updates for your notebook. OEMs may not provide technical support for issues that arise from the use of this driver.
Before downloading this driver:

Please check to make sure that your notebook has a supported GPU (refer to the Products Supported tab below).
It is recommended that you backup your current system configuration. Click here for instructions.
If you own a Dell Inspiron 1420, Dell XPS M1330, Dell XPS M1530, or Dell Latitude D630/D630c it is highly recommended that you first install this Dell software update.

And:

Notes:

1. Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release.
2. The following Sony VAIO notebooks are included in the Verde notebook program: Sony VAIO F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M, GeForce GT 330M, GeForce GT 425M, GeForce GT 520M or GeForce GT 540M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not included at this time (please contact Sony for driver support).
3. Fujitsu notebooks are not included this release (Fujitsu Siemens notebooks are included).

While the procedure below may appear daunting, just follow it one step at a time and it'll work for you. If you have any questions, just post them in the forums and we'll be glad to provide assistance.

NOTE: If you already have the nVidia drivers installed, please use the uninstaller in Control Panel...Programs...Uninstall a program to remove all of the nVidia video driver components. Be careful as you may uninstall nVidia chipset drivers also - which will then require reinstalling them!.

Don't forget to uninstall the nVidia software prior to installing the new drivers.

1. Download the latest version of the nVidia GeForce drivers from Drivers | GeForce .
2. Double click on the downloaded file to run it, and then click on the "Run" button in the Open File - Security Warning window that opens.
3. A window will open with the location where the extracted files will be saved (in my case it's: C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\301.42\WinVista_Win7_64\English ). Please make a note where this folder is located as you'll use it later on to install the drivers. Then click on OK to continue with the extraction.
4. The installer then extracts the files to that folder and launches the nVidia Graphics Driver installer. Click on "Cancel" to exit the nVidia Graphics Driver installer.
5. Go to Start and type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) and then press Enter when devmgmt.msc shows up at the top of the search box.
6. In Device Manager, click on the +/> sign next to Display adapters.
7. Right click on the display adapter and select "Update Driver Software".
8. Select "Browse my computer for driver software. Locate and install driver software manually."
9. Type (or paste) the location of the installation folder that you remembered from Step 3 (in my case it's: C:\NVIDIA\DisplayDriver\301.42\WinVista_Win7_64\English ) into the search box and ensure that "Include subfolders" is checked - then click on "Next" in the lower right corner.
10. Drivers will install (and screen may go black temporarily). System will then show a window that states "Windows has successfully updated your driver software" Click on "Close" in the lower right corner of the window (Screen may again go black temporarily).
11. And you're done!!!
    
    NOTE: If it says that the most current drivers are already installed - go back and uninstall all nVidia video stuff (be careful as you may uninstall nVidia chipset drivers also - which will then require reinstalling them!). Then run the procedure from Step 5 again (the new directory from Step 3 should still be there).