I feel stupid, please help

[misiu]

this is my first time here so:
1st: Sorry if i seem a bit stupid
2nd: Sorry if this problem has already been resolved previously

Here it goes:
I installed a ATI radeon 9000 (AGP) graphics card in my computer (Intel 845grg chipset)
In the instructions, it said to cancel out the "found new hardware" dialog box.
I found this strage but blindly obeyed. Another dialog box opened, "found new hardware" again.
I cancelled this other one out also and continued installing the drivers and programs it came with.
Since then, my life has been hell. I've tried everything short of a fresh install of windows (XP Home)
to make the goddam thing work right. Still, when i try to open a new folder on my open desktop, or even just
right-clicking on the desktop, explorer.exe closes ("sorry for the inconvenience").
Well this had to be the video cards fault, right? So i exchanged the radeon for a PNY GeForce FX 5200 AGP).
Still no dice. Someone, please help me. I've already installed the newest drivers for the card, the chipset, i've uninstalled and reinstalled and physically taken out the card and re-inserted it and i've done everything else every tech support expert has recommended.

Confused, Weary, On The Edge

"Never, Never, Never Give Up" -Winston Churchill

 

[Vonkhan]

it was your fault

u shudda clicked "Cancel" when windows prompted for the new hardware crapola. You have to install it from the installation CD or get the driver program from ATi's website.

I suggest a fresh install of Windows, it'll do ur system good

 

[Malladine]

Sounds like a reformat is your last recourse.

 

[misiu]

i pressed cancel, as i said in the text of the message you replied to

readind is fudamental

 

[Smilin]

You aint dead yet foo!

restart in safe (ugly) mode, when you get to the desktop hit Windows+Pause to jump straight to system properties. Goto device manager, highlight your video card and any other yellow dots you have and hit delete. Reboot and start again with those instructions.

ATI drivers are just much harder than they need to be. I dig my 9700pro but my old Ti500 in the wife's computer sure is easier to deal with.

The sequence for installing those drivers:
cancel, cancel, cancel as needed to stop any automatic driver install.
Run the driver program you downloaded from ATI
Reboot
Run the control panel program you downloaded from ATI
Reboot again.
Make a system restore point. Done.

 

[misiu]

thank you sir, but as i said in my initial message, i no longer have an ATI Card. I now have a pny card that is doing the exact same thing to my computer, closing explorer when i right click on my open desktop. Please, someone, anyone with an answer. Ifear this may end my computers short lifespan

 

[Ketchup]

Have you removed the ATI drivers? ATI and nVidia drivers hate each other!

 

[Vonkhan]

o man ...

ur poor OS is trying to catch its own tail!

 

[BenSkywalker]

restart in safe (ugly) mode, when you get to the desktop hit Windows+Pause to jump straight to system properties. Goto device manager, highlight your video card and any other yellow dots you have and hit delete. Reboot and start again....

Before doing the above make sure you have the Det 44.03s downloaded from nVidia's site. When your system reboots don't skip the found new hardware, instead direct Windows to where you have placed the Det 44.03s and install them.

 

[Bman001]

If you're not up for a full reinstall, them at least try using DriverCleaner or a similar prog. Use it to wipe away all traces of the old drivers, both Nvidia and ATI, and then install your drivers fresh from the CD.

 

[misiu]

where do i get drivercleaner? download.com or kazaa?

 

[misiu]

found it. pray for me, i'm going in