Updating Device Drivers
A computer needs several basic things to run, including a power source, an operating system, hardware, and software. In order for all operating systems to know what is installed in the machine and how to use it, device drivers are required.
Every piece of hardware,
from the keyboard to the processor, has device drivers that tell the operating
system, "Here I am. Here's what I can do. Here's how I use it."
But what if the device
driver suddenly disappeared?
The OS doesn't know what
to do. Many computer users mistakenly believe that hardware is damaged and
must be replaced. This is not always necessary. Instead, you can download
device drivers to fix communication problems and fix hardware problems.
For example, if your
sound card suddenly stopped working, you might think you need to buy a new one.
Sure, buying a new one can solve your problem, but it's the more expensive
option. Before going to the expense and hassle of buying a new sound card,
download the device drivers.
They do this when they
find a problem. For example, a specific sound card may conflict with a specific
brand of graphics card. So if you upgrade your graphics card to one
with a known sound card issue, you may find yourself with a malfunctioning
sound card. By downloading this output4U drivers, you will solve your problem!
Now, think about the
same scenario. What if you downloaded an updated device driver long before you
upgraded your graphics card? You'll fix this problem before it has a chance to
happen. For this reason, it's wise to download device drivers as part of your
regular computer maintenance routine. Not only can you fix existing problems,
but you can also prevent future problems.
Where can I find device
drivers?
There are several ways
to obtain updated device drivers. One of the easiest ways is whether your
computer manufacturer has a portal for your specific model. Many manufacturers
such as Toshiba and HP allow you to visit their websites, select your computer
model and operating system, and download device drivers specific to your
system. With this option, you don't have to know about individual hardware
makes and models.
Another option is to
visit the hardware device manufacturer's website and search for an updated
device driver for your device. This is tricky because you need to know exact
details about the device, including its current version information.
Whenever you download a
device driver, you must also make sure to download the version designed for
your operating system. With so many operating systems, a single device may have
dozens of different options to choose from. For example, in Windows Vista only,
you can choose the 32-bit version of Vista or the 64-bit version of the driver.
Downloading drivers for the 32-bit version of Vista Home Premium when you have
the 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium can make things worse.
Some third-party
software companies have developed utilities that can automatically find and
update device drivers for you. These work by scanning your hardware and
identifying your device. Once discovered, they refer to their vast database of
updated device drivers. If the software finds an updated device driver, it will
give you the option to update it. For an easy way to manage device driver
downloads, these utilities go a long way.
Note that doing so is
time-consuming and tedious. Device Manager has its place for occasional
updates, but it's not the most efficient option for regular updates to all
devices.
If you want to get the
most out of your computer, plan to download device drivers for all of your
devices on a regular basis. You will solve current problems and prevent future
problems.
