Quick overview:
A new graphics driver brings more performance, great new functions and stability. Sandro Villinger, author behind Windows-Tweaks.info, shows you how to find and install the latest graphics card drivers in the current issue 21/2008 of COMPUTERBILD from page 42 in the article "Guide: Setting graphics cards".
Unfortunately, however, nVidia is very reluctant to install the official drivers on notebooks. If you try to download the latest driver directly from www.nvidia.com and install it, you get the following message back:
If you are looking for working drivers for mobile nVidia graphics chips, you first have to rely on the notebook manufacturer. However, they are usually lazy and offer outdated drivers from 2006 or spring 2007. If you don't want to be bothered with moldy drivers, this article is just right for you.
Current ForceWare drivers for the notebook
The GeForce graphics cards are essentially no different from the mobile GeForce chips used in notebooks. This is why the nVidia graphics card drivers also work without any problems with any notebook that has a GeForce M graphics chip:
1. You can find the very latest nVidia ForceWare drivers for all nVidia graphics cards at http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/. You will find the latest driver versions on the right-hand side of this website, for example:
A complete list of all driver versions can be found in the Forum of LaptopVideo2Go. Tip: Read the section "The perfect nVidia driver for you" to find the best driver for you. Because the latest driver on LaptopVideo2Go does not always have to be the best!
2. If you click on a driver entry, you will be taken to the corresponding forum post where you can first download the driver.
First click on "Driver" to start the download of the driver. Then click on "Modded INF". This will download the file with which all drivers can also be installed on notebooks!
3. You should now find a large driver file and an .inf file in the download directory:
4. Double-click on the ".exe" file. Confirm the message that appears by clicking on . When you are satisfied with the destination path of the driver files, click "Extract".
5. Now move the .inf file to the new directory, in the example the folder is called "179.13_Vista".
6. Overwrite the existing inf file! Now open the folder and double-click on the file to start the installation. Click "Next" and "Yes" in the installation wizard to start the driver installation. The following message appears shortly afterwards:
Simply click on "Install this driver software anyway". The screen may now briefly go black. Don't worry: this is completely normal and nothing to worry about! At the end, click on "Finish" to restart the computer.
Congratulations! The latest driver is now installed.
The best nVidia graphics card driver for you
The page www.laptopvideo2go.com provides an overwhelming selection of drivers for your mobile nVidia graphics chip. But which version should you choose now? The following advice will make your choice easy:
- It is generally advisable to use the latest driver series. In the example:
- If available, you should also download and install drivers with Microsoft certification. You can recognize these by the abbreviation "WHQL".
Look for the MS WHQL certification! This means that the driver has been tested not only by nVidia but also by Microsoft's hardware laboratories. Another guarantee for the stability of the driver.
In our tests, however, not a single non-WHQL driver caused any problems! - Do not look for drivers for the professional graphics chips "Quadro", for example "177.51 Vista 32bit | NVIDIA - Quadro".
- Read the comments of the forum users: The active forum community always reports problems with the new drivers and provides first benchmarks, which you can use to recognize the performance!
Have fun with new functions, more performance and stability on the go!
Sincerely,
Yours, Sandro Villinger

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