Updating Drivers

Note - updating your drivers is normally a good idea, but in rare cases it can cause problems. So, as always, do this at your own risk.

How do you update your drivers? Well, depends on the manufacturer.

The most common (and easiest) driver update is simply an ".exe" type file that runs a little setup program. You download it, double-click it, the setup program runs, and it's a done deal. The most you'll have to do is re-start your computer.

Another way is through the use of an "inf" file. Some of these, when right-clicked, will give a menu option to install the driver. Others (most) inf files don't. You have to update the driver manually. Here's how:

1. Right-click My Computer, Properties.

2. Next, go to the device manager tab and select the hardware item you would like to update (Win 2000 users, head to the Hardware tab and hit the Device Manager button). You'll probably need to click the plus sign next to each category in order to actually get to a specific piece of hardware.

3. Right-click the item you want to update and select Properties from the resulting menu.

4. Click the Update driver button on that tab. A wizard will start and help you install your new driver. Click the Next button.

5. Click the "Search for a better driver..." radio button. Click Next.

6. Finally, tell the computer where the new driver file is using the "Specify a Location" drop box and the Browse button. If you're using Win ME, it will automatically start looking for the new driver at this point. If it doesn't find it, you'll have to tell it where to look.

That's about it. Once the driver is located, you'll be able to finish up with the wizard. You'll probably need to re-start your computer, but that's about it. Not too terribly hard.

That's about it. Once the driver is located, you'll be able to finish up with the wizard. You'll probably need to re-start your computer, but that's about it. Not too terribly hard.

Posted in: System Maintenance