Up-Dating Drivers

November 5, 2009

Hi I'm hoping someone can explain in laymans terms how I up-date the video & sound card drivers on my laptop. I don't use MS automatic updates as in the past this has done things I didn't really want. Since Igor published the code to access Activex and check it's various aspects I've been intrigued. One of my drivers dates from 2007 & one from 2008 and I suspect this may be the reason why my system started to hiccough after 5.6.

Yachtsman1

November 5, 2009

Hi Tom

Thanks for that, but I fell at the first fence, I use XP SP3 and got so far but my computer savvy won't stretch to the method shown. Really need someone with XP to hold my hand.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1

PS

Used these instructions, to a certain extent.

1. With Device Manager open, locate the hardware device that you want to update the drivers for.

Note: Navigate through the categories of hardware devices by clicking the [+] icon. Specific hardware devices are listed under the major hardware categories.

2. After finding the hardware you're updating drivers for, right click on the hardware's name or icon and choose Properties. In this Properties window, click the Driver tab.

3. Click the Update Driver... button. The Hardware Update Wizard will begin.

4. To the "Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?" question, choose the No, not this time radio button and then click the Next > button.

5. To the "What do you want the wizard to do?" question, choose the Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) radio button and then click the Next > button.

The next window that appears will be the Please choose your search and installation options. window containing several radio buttons and checkboxes.

6. Choose the Don't search. I will choose the driver to install. radio button and then click the Next > button.

7. Click the Have Disk... button on the Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware. window.

8. Click the Browse... button on the Install From Disk dialog box that appeared.

In the Locate File dialog box that appears next, navigate to the folder that you extracted as part of the driver download in Step 1 above. There may be multiple folders within the extracted folder so be sure to work your way to the one for Windows XP if it exists. It's okay if there isn't a specific XP folder.

9. Click the INF file that displays in the file list and click the Open button.

Note: INF files are the only files that Device Manager accepts for driver setup information. See the tips at the bottom of the page for some INF file troubleshooting.

10. Click the OK button back on the Install From Disk dialog box.

11. Choose the newly added hardware back on the Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware. window and then click the Next > button.

If you're prompted with a message warning you about the software for the hardware device not passing the Windows Logo testing, click the Continue Anyway button. Many drivers are not Windows certified but are still perfectly safe to install.

Important: If you're installing a driver obtained from anywhere other than the manufacturer of the hardware, click the STOP Installation button instead and obtain drivers from the manufacturer directly.

12. The Hardware Update Wizard will now use the instructions provided in the INF file from Step 11 to install the updated drivers for your hardware. Follow any additional instructions on screen to complete the driver update.

13. After the driver update is complete, click Yes to the "Do you want to restart your computer now?" question on System Settings Change dialog box.

Note: Not all driver updates require a restart of your computer. Even if you're not prompted, I always recommend restarting anyway. The driver update process involves changes to the Windows Registry and other important areas of your computer and restarting is a good way to confirm that updating drivers hasn't negatively impacted some other area of Windows.

If a driver update causes an issue, you can always roll back the driver.

Tips:

1. Couldn't find an INF file in a folder from your driver download? Try another folder.

2. Couldn't find an INF file in any folder from the extracted driver files? The driver download may have been corrupted. Try downloading and extracting the drivers again.

3. Find multiple INF files in a folder from your driver download? Try each one until the drivers for your hardware are installed properly.

4. Not a Windows XP user? See How to Update Drivers in Windows for links to steps specific for your operating system.

More Related to Driver Updates in Windows XP

 What is a Device Driver?

 What is Device Manager?

 List of Device Manager Error Codes

 How to Roll Back a Driver in Windows XP

 Where to Download Drivers

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November 5, 2009

After much head scratching I think I used the correct sequence to check if my drivers needed up-dating, both video & audio said No.

Yachtsman1

Esc · November 5, 2009

After much head scratching I think I used the correct sequence to check if my drivers needed up-dating, both video & audio said No.
Yachtsman1

Looks correct to me.

Your post reminded me to do the same. Thanks.

/Lennart

Conflow · November 6, 2009

Hi Guys,

Firstly I had not intended to reply to this 'thread' but on reflection and on re-reading the Posts it seems

if you guys have fallen into the old Microsoft 'get-out technique' concerning Driver upgrades.

Let me explain:-

1)

When you buy any Windows PC or Laptop it comes complete with a Microsoft Folder of so-called 'Legacy Drivers' but

in latter years this compendium of drivers is getting less and less compared to 'older' Windows-Systems.

2)

This selection of 'Universal-Application Drivers' are designed to get you up and running with Plug & Play Devices

such as Printers, Graphic Cards, USB devices and so on.

3)

The Manufacturer of your PC also provides drivers for the 'Pre-Installed Hardware' featured on your PC.

4)

When you buy a 'new-device' such as a Graphics Card this comes with a Driver Disc which is already obselete by

virtue of the fact that the design & development of the product took place some time before the product release date.

5)

The Microsoft O/P System 'tags' all of these Drivers as additionals to its small set of installed Legacy-Drivers.

Here's the crunch:-

When you ask the MS O/P System to look for updated Drivers it looks through the PC's own Legacy-Library and any others

which may be available from the Microsoft Centre (provided they are certified my Microsoft) and more often than not it

reports back that the best Driver is already in use ~and~ do you want to select an alternative. Then it asks you for

the CD-Location of the (imaginary) new drivers or do you want to download what it has on Central File ?....

Thats the get-out, because they are not the latest Drivers available from the product Manufacturer.

Here's the correct way of doing it:-

a)

Get into Windows Explorer-->select Computer-->select your Local-Disc Icon-->double-click to open its Folder Tree-->now

in the RH.Window simply RH.Clk a clean area and select 'new' from the drop-menu. Create a Folder-->name it Download-->

RH.clk that and select-->Send to Desktop (create shortcut). A copy of that Folder will appear on the Desktop.

Now get on the Web, look up the Manufacturer of your device - get on to his Website - look for Drivers or Upgrades but

make sure you have the precise Model-Number of your device to hand. When you find the 'upgrades' simply download them

into the newely created Download Folder.

c)

Get back into your PC, open up the 'properties' of your particular Device, select update drivers BUT THIS TIME select

the 'Find-option' and direct Windows to your Download Folder. Click on the New Driver ~ Windows will recognise it and

copy it into its Driver-Folder which is located at:-

Windows Explorer-->Computer-->Local Disc-->Windows-->System.32-->Drivers<--VGA drivers are in that Folder.

Most modern Drivers are 'self-installers' from an 'auto-opening' Zip File and most Manufacturers give instructions of "How To".

IT'S NOT MICROSOFTS JOB to find new drivers for you and why should they as they are not getting paid for that service.

It's your job to get the Drivers and as a courtesy of course Microsoft will install them for you ~ but you must provide them.

Hope this helps...

Brian (Conflow)

P.S

There are many good 'Driver Upgrade Programs' available on the Web. They usually charge a small fee which is well

worth the cost if you are unfamiliar with installing drivers.

Example Link:-

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Driver_Genius_Professional/drivergenius.html

Conflow · November 6, 2009

Hi Tom,

As you said..'perhaps you are lucky'...I have no argument with that, but remember we have some +5000 Forum Members

who are not so fortunate as they have purchased Hardware & Programs not 'classified' by the Microsoft-Certification

process consequently the latest system Drivers will not be available from the Microsoft Library when they use the MS

Auto-upgrading program....and lets not forget the PTE Forum is truly International !!

For those PC Users I posted the above methology whereby the could personally obtain the latest Drivers directly from

the Equipment-Manufacturer and thereafter download and install them.

For those not familiar with Drivers (downloading & installation) they have a choice of 'Auto-Search Programs' which

will do the job for them.

When one considers there are 1000's of 'Equipment & Program Manufacturers' catering for Win 2000 + XP + Vista + Win.7

each requiring Driver-Libraries spread across the World-Language population of 5/6 Billion people then one realises how

limited the Microsoft Library resources really are.

I have absolutely no argument with the 'Microsoft Upgrade System' despite its severe limitations but one can do better

by going directly to the Product Manufacturer.....thats the reason I went to the trouble of Posting this in the first place.

best regards,

Brian (Conflow)

November 6, 2009

Thanks Brian

I will re-try using your suggested method and report back on my findings.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1

Conflow · November 6, 2009

Thanks Brian
I will re-try using your suggested method and report back on my findings.
Regards Eric
Yachtsman1

Eric,

Should you need any help with the above just P.M me and I shall advise.

Best regards,

Brian.(Conflow)

November 6, 2009

Hi Brian

I have found two drivers labelled video/VGA. However one is 101mb & one is 2.48mb. I have not yet installed eith as I am confused which is correct. The link to the Samsung site is http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?menu=SP01&prd_mdl_cd=&prd_mdl_name=NP-G15&prd_ia_sub_class_cd=P

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1

PS it is the bottom two items I downloaded.

ckfwong · November 6, 2009

I am new to this product. I bought the Deluxe version online. The advert says it is version 6.0 but when I was installing it, it says it is a V 5.6.4. If so how do I upgrade to V 6.0?

Chris

November 6, 2009

I am new to this product. I bought the Deluxe version online. The advert says it is version 6.0 but when I was installing it, it says it is a V 5.6.4. If so how do I upgrade to V 6.0?
Chris

Hi Chris

Did you buy from WNsoft? http://www.wnsoft.com/order.htm .6 was released last week so if you bought from them you should have 6, obviously you haven't?

If you go to the first section in the forum, Pictures to exe, the second item is pinned PTE V6, in there is a link to update the version you have.

Yachtsman1

PS this item may be moved to the correct section.

ckfwong · November 7, 2009

Hi Chris
Did you buy from WNsoft? http://www.wnsoft.com/order.htm .6 was released last week so if you bought from them you should have 6, obviously you haven't?
If you go to the first section in the forum, Pictures to exe, the second item is pinned PTE V6, in there is a link to update the version you have.
Yachtsman1
PS this item may be moved to the correct section.

Yes I bought it from WNsoft online a few days ago. I was expecting to get the new version. I could not find the pinned item you mention, anyway I will try looking again. Thanks.

Conflow · November 8, 2009

Hi Brian
I have found two drivers labelled video/VGA. However one is 101mb & one is 2.48mb. I have not yet installed eith as I am confused which is correct. The link to the Samsung site is http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?menu=SP01&prd_mdl_cd=&prd_mdl_name=NP-G15&prd_ia_sub_class_cd=P
Regards Eric
Yachtsman1
PS it is the bottom two items I downloaded.

Eric,

This is in response to your P.M (Private Message) which you sent to me on my invitation to help you.

The Moderators will advise that you are not permitted to 'Post' co-responded P.M's on the Forum as

they are intended to be strictly private ~ you may not be aware of this.

Concerning the Samsung ~ is this a Laptop or Notebook ? ~ I would need to know the Model-Number as

the 'link' you posted does not bring me to any specific product. Right-Clk each of your downloads

and select 'Properties' and a data-window will open. Example below....

If you do not see this Window it means the Driver(s) are currently in Zip-Format and I would need

to know exactly what you were looking for ??

Brian(Conflow)

Ronniebootwest · December 16, 2009

Hello Brian,

Your method of updating (installing) drivers will be very useful for those members who need a helping hand. As usual, your advice is detailed and sound, I thank you for taking the time to publish your thoughts - I am sure that others will also appreciate it.

p.s.

If you run a Dell computer, then updating is a snap, because the Dell web site provides a list of all the current drivers for thier computer models.

Ron

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