Driver XP - A Windows XP Driver Guide
Installing the latest drivers improves system performance and application compatibility. Updated drivers include numerous bug fixes as well as system optimizations. It is recommended for optimal system stability to only use Official drivers and not Beta or Prerelease versions. Performance differences between driver versions including Beta or Prereleased drivers is negligible. The only time Beta or Prerelease drivers should be considered is when a serious application bug is fixed in the Beta or Prerelease version and the component manufacturer has not yet released the Official driver version that includes the bug fix.
Laptops - You should always try to install the latest driver from the component manufacturer whenever possible. Sometimes this is not possible and the drivers must be obtained from the manufacturer of your notebook.
Legal Notice - Reproduction of this guide in whole or in part is strictly forbidden. This guide and ALL versions thereof are protected by copyright under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Feel free to link to this Guide.
Step 1 - Windows Update
Windows Update - Home Page
Install DirectX and All of the Driver updates. Windows Update will install very common driver updates, however these will not always be the latest versions and sometimes can even be an older version of one you have already updated, example: nVidia forceware drivers. It is perfectly safe to install the Windows Driver Updates but if you want the very best system performance you have to check for and install the latest drivers manually.
Notes - Windows Update requires the following services be enabled in Windows XP:
- Automatic Updates - Automatic
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Manual or Automatic
Driver Notes - If a Driver issue arises that Windows Update insists upon installing a Driver version older then one you have updated, do not install the one from Windows Update. Use the manufacturers latest version instead and just ignore that Windows Driver Update. With Drivers, the Hardware manufacturer is the one who is correct not Microsoft. Windows Update will sometimes show a Driver is outdated if it is not "Microsoft Certified". It is quite ok to use non-certified drivers. Official non-certified driver versions will have been thoroughly tested by the component manufacturer.
Step 2 - DirectX
DirectX
- Download
- Home Page
Windows Update will install the latest version of DirectX. It is still a good idea to check what version you are running and make sure you have the latest version of DirectX installed prior to installing any Drivers. Got to "Start", "Run", type in "Dxdiag" and select "OK". Under the "System" tab, "DirectX Version" check that you have the latest version that is available for Windows.
Step 3 - Identify
If you are having trouble identifying your hardware use:
PC Wizard
- Download
- Home Page
An advanced system information utility designed for detection of hardware, analysis and benchmarking. Quickly identify components based on their model and manufacturer, allowing you to download and install the correct drivers. Only one driver from each of the following categories will be needed.
Notes - It is important to identify the component manufacturer not the card or board manufacturer. There are only a select few component manufacturers while their are hundreds of card and board manufacturers. The component manufacturer will have the latest drivers. Example: Hercules 3D Prophet 9800 Pro. Component Manufacturer = ATi - Card Manufacturer = Hercules
Step 4 - Chipset Drivers
Chipset Drivers update any driver associated directly with the core-logic of the system board. They improve stability, compatibility and performance with all components connected to the system board. It is important you install them prior to installing any other drivers. In certain situations the driver update may be unnecessary as the operating system already includes the latest version.
Chipset
ALi
- Download
- Home Page
AMD
- Download
- Home Page
ATi
- Download
- Home Page
Intel
- Download
- Home Page
nVidia
- Download
- Home Page
SiS
- Download
- Home Page
ULi
- Download
- Home Page
VIA
- Download
- Home Page
Step 5 - Video Drivers
Video Card
3dfx
- Download
- Home Page
ATi
- Download
- Home Page
- BIOS (Advanced Users)
Intel
- Download
- Home Page
Matrox
- Download
- Home Page
nVidia
- Download
- Home Page
- BIOS (Advanced Users)
Note - "nVidia is NOT allowed to directly distribute drivers for the vast majority of Notebook and Laptop computers. Currently, the only way to get updates for most nVidia laptop or notebook graphics cards is though the notebook provider."
- Source
PowerVR
- Download
- Home Page
VIA
- Download
- Home Page
S3
- Download
- Home Page
SiS
- Download
- Home Page
Trident
- Download
- Home Page
XGI
- Download
- Home Page
Step 6 - Sound Drivers
Device Audio
Analog Devices
- Download
- Home Page
C-Media
- Download
- Home Page
Creative Labs
- Download
- Home Page
ESS
- Download
- Home Page
Philips
- Download
- Home Page
Realtek
- Download
- Home Page
Sigmatel
- Download
- Home Page
- IDT
SiS
- Download
- Home Page
VIA
- Download
- Home Page
Yamaha
- Download
- Home Page
Step 7 - Network Drivers
Network Card
3com
- Download
- Home Page
Broadcom
- Download
- Home Page
D-Link
- Download
- Home Page
Davicom
- Download
- Home Page
Intel
- Download
- Home Page
Linksys
- Download
- Home Page
Marvell
- Download
- Home Page
NETGEAR
- Download
- Home Page
Realtek
- Download
- Home Page
SiS
- Download
- Home Page
SMC
- Download
- Home Page
Advanced
CPU-Z
- Download
- Home Page
"CPU-Z is freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system."
DriverView
- Download
- Home Page
"DriverView utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system."
GPU-Z
- Download
- Home Page
"GPU-Z is a lightweight utility designed to give you all information about your video card and GPU."
End
This guide is under constant revision as new components are released. Feel free to submit suggestions or comments to OptimizeXP@comcast.net. Do not send Technical Support Questions.
