Need SP 1 to upgrade driver:/

[Ason]

Hey, I got a Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS gfx card and I wanted to update the drivers so I downloaded the newest one but when I installed it it said I needed service pack 1, I'm just wondering if I download service pack 1, will that cause any problems with PR ?

[LITOralis.nMd]

Is this for Windows XP or Windows Vista or what?

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP ALL YOUR important files ( PR MAP !!) before performing a service pack update.

Also, Windows XP you should download SP3. SP3 includes all of SP1, SP2 and SP3.
Here is the official guide to preparing to install WinXP SP3:
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3

I strongly suggest performing a full system backup if possible before attempting to install a service pack.
While it takes quote a bit of time to do so, it will save you many many hours of rolling back changes if the service pack fails/stalls during the upgrade.

If you need suggestions on free full system backup software, I'll help you out.

[Ason]

Thanks Litoralis, I didn't know installing service packs was this risky, I never had any problems when installing them but that's good to know.
I'm doing this on my bad computer so my important files are safe I don't think I will need to backup this computer since I don't really got anything important on it, but I would be happy if you could provide me with a link to the software
Basically just need to know if anything bad will happen to PR if I install SP 1.

I got Vista 32-bit sorry for not mentioning that.

Do you recommend SP 3 for vista aswell or only for XP ?

This is the one I downloaded (haven't installed it yet)
Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330) from Official Microsoft Download Center

Which version is it that's needed for BF2/PR ? I believe I already downloaded like service pack 3-4 or something when I installed BF2/PR so that's why I have this feeling SP 1 will cause problems with PR?


Actually this whole thing is just me trying to fix another problem on the computer, just adding this in case you or someone else know of this problem:

Basically like two days ago my screen just automatically out of nowhere split up into 2 "pieces" The top 5 cm of the screen now appear at the bottom of the screen so the taskbar is 5 cm up from the bottom and under the taskbar are the desktop icons which should be on the top of the screen.
Yesterday I managed to fix it by changing resolution but today that didn't work so I thought It would maybe help to update the drivers for the gfx card, and this is where I'm at...

[LITOralis.nMd]

Ignore my prior advice about SP3, that was specific to windows XP.

For Vista, use these directions:
Learn how to install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

I suggest following directions:
1. Before you begin
2. Manually installing SP2 using the Microsoft Download Center

For a free program to backup a PC, I suggest Clonezilla - About
It has some nice features, you can install it to a LiveCD, or a bootable USB drive, and you can transfer files across the network if you understand how to do that. And it's free to use.

[Daniel]

As a general advice, depending on what CPU and how many RAM you own, I highly suggest you to upgrade your GFX card, as for example on this list German overview of ALL graphics cards ranking so far! your 8400 GS is listed on position 210 (low-end card, is from 2007, only has 512 MB GDDR-3 and that only on a tiny 64-bit connection!) and the current PR 1.0 version demands a WHOOOOLE lot of GPU (GFX) and CPU horse-power (I HIGHLY recommend enjoying PR on Full HD/1920x1080 resolution and high Anti-aliasing settings), so you should have a gooood dual core CPU (at least) and get at least for example an Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 (placed pos. 81, year 2010, has "already" 1024 MB GDDR-5 on a 128-bit memory interface ! !

But your best choice would be a GTX 650 atm. for around 100 € (don't know your money in Sweden), and if you can find a cheap "GTX 650 Ti" or even "GTX 650 Ti Boost" version for not too much money (100 - 150 € ) it would be awesome!!

I recommend a MSI (brandname), model: "N650Ti TF 2GD5/OC BE (2048MB)" , running @ 1033 MHz,


or the ZOTAC "Geforce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2048MB GDDR5", which is "just" running @ 993 MHz, so a liiiiiittle bit slower than the MSI one, running at 1033 MHz core clock.




Just as information for the EXACT two international product codes:

MSI one: EAN/UPC: 4719072295967, Manufacturer article number: V287-037R
Zotac model: EAN/UPC: 4895173601767, Manufacturer article number: ZT-61201-10M

both are around 125 - 130/140 € here in Germany at least.


and you should have 4 GB (DDR3, best 1600 MHz) RAM installed for no lags.

Cheers!

[Ason]

Thanks Litoralis!

@Daniel Yeah I know it's very old, but I got 2 computers and this is the bad one and I think it's just better to buy a new computer than try to upgrade stuff, it's an old siemen scaleo P, I think I bought it around 2005 or something
But thanks for the advice!