Long long ago, when I last updated a graphics driver, it was for a GeforceFX 5700LE on an AMD 2000+ in WinXP. I recall I had to uninstall the old driver first, and then restart the computer, and then let the system find the new driver somehow, or something like that. I forget. It was, to me at the time, not exactly complicated but nevertheless nerve-wracking. It felt like exactly the kind of procedure that was likely to tap into my negative technical-skill mojo and make something explode.
I now have an 8800GT on an Athlon X26000+ w/ Vista. Do I still have to do something like what I just described? Or can I just hit “update driver” in Vista’s system devices dialogue? Or can I just download the new driver from Nvidia* and simply click on it, please say yes?
I’ve googled various phrases like “Update Nvidia Graphics Drivers” and “How To Update Graphics Drivers Vista” and so on and am having no luck.
Thanks for any responses,
-FrL-
*I’ve already downloaded it, to be clear.
If the video card came with a CD, you should be able to just put it in, do what it tells you to do and be done.
As for just clicking the downloaded driver, it can’t hurt to try. If it needs your current driver to be uninstalled, it’ll tell you and (hopefully) tell you how.
Some people like to remove all traces of the old drivers before updating. It usually isn’t necessary. As long as you don’t change your hardware, it should work fine. If you buy a new one, and especially if you were to switch between ATI and Nvidia, it would be best to remove the old drivers first. Nvidia generally has one installer for all their modern cards, but it might not be a good idea to add a new one and then update without removing (if I understand the OP correctly).
In short, you could probably get away with just straight installing it, but its not much more difficult to remove the drivers first, and might be worth the effort.
The driver that comes on the CD will almost certainly be out of date, but should work fine.
This one. If it blows up you can revert to the previous one anyway.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
To be a little more clear, this is an entirely new machine which came preinstalled with the drivers and everything, so I’m not talking about replacing the card, just updating the driver.
Thanks again. I just installed the new one and I don’t hear anything buzzing inside there so it seems to be okay. 
-FrL-
I feel compelled to add that I’m not at all incompetent about messing around with computers, I’m fine at that–I’m just really nervous about it at the same time. Can’t explain it.