PC101-Personal Computer 101
How do I, and when should I, upgrade my HW drivers

The HW drivers that came with your machine most likely will be changed by the vendor over time, as discovered problems are resolved, new features and capabilities are added, and your HW device is adapted to new technology and OS system changes.

The HW that most likely will have updated drivers are:
 Of course other devices, like your monitor, CD/DVD, can also have new HW drivers offered by the vendor, but the devices above are most affected by rapid change of technology so they most often have a need to modified.

Some PC's have built-in SW to help you keep your drivers updated, like the program Big Fix, which can almost automatically install new drivers and patches as available.  Also the Windows Update option that comes with your computer (check Start) will not only offer you Windows OS patches, updates and upgrades, but it will attempt to find any HW driver upgrades for your specific system also.

However some HW devices you have may not be available this way due to the business relationships with the HW vendor and MS, and also they can be quite old updates before they hit Windows Update.

Also, some PC manufacturers (e.g. HP, eMachines, Dell) provide varying degrees of HW and SW upgrade support via links probably already on your computer.   Find out what those services can do for you.

So, if you do not have a Big Fix type program, and even if you do, I suggest you find and bookmark the websites of your HW vendors.  They are the source for almost all HW upgrades for your system (sometimes PC makers create patches), so to get the latest and best information on what's available for your HW go to the HW vendor's website (see my Links page for some of them).  I also suggest you create a file (text format is cool) that keeps track of what versions of HW you have on your system, and update it when change the HW drivers on your system.  Here is a small example of a "versions" file:
      Device\SW                    HW\SW Version      Date Installed      Version Date          Notes
=========================================================================
  eVGA NVIDA GEForce2 video             5.02.01.22                            4/22/04                       02/10/04               3D upgrade

  Brother MFC-3100C Printer/F/C/S       3.0.1.0                                  2/30/04                       6/11/03                 XP upgrade

  . . .

      *SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*SOFTWARE*

   EAgames BattleField 1942                    1.6.19                           4/11/04                                                     latest patch

  . . .

It is best not to install a driver upgrade unless you see some significant benefit to doing so.   For example, it adapts to the new OS version you are going to, it provides fixes to problems you are having or suspect you have, it provides new options that you need, it is needed for the new software you bought, etc..

You will need to read the driver upgrade information not just to determine this, but also each driver has its own special install instructions that you need to understand BEFORE you attempt to install the new driver.  Some driver installs are what they call seamless or transparent, where everything necessary is done behind the screens automatically for you (e.g. Windows Update), especially if it is installed by a well written install program, but don't always count on that, especially if you are getting your driver from the vendors website.

You can back-out of a driver if for some reason you do not want it or it is causing problems.   This option will reinstall the prior driver for this device (if there is one).  The Control Panel, Device Manager keeps track of the prior driver and allows you to go to it if you want:
 Example of a Device Manager driver Information video driver
TIP:  Keeping track of SW/HW versions has added benefits: you won't waste your time attempting to install versions older than you already have on your system, and when you request HW or SW vendor support, they are almost always going to ask you what version you have of their product and request you first install their latest version update.

Got questions you would like answered?  Yes

Home Page of author's websitesSend email to Keonikeoni@isp.comGo to Home Page