Windows Drivers - Windows XP, Windows Vista
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 laptop.
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Windows XP is still supported by Microsoft through April 8, 2014
Step 1 - Windows Update
Windows Update - Home Page
Install DirectX and all of the Driver updates.
Notes - Windows Update will only install "Microsoft Certified" drivers but these will not always be the latest version available. The component manufacturer will often release newer, non-certified drivers that are safe to install and offer better performance. "Microsoft Certified" drivers are guaranteed by Microsoft to work reliably with Windows but if you want the very best system performance you have to manually install the latest drivers from the component manufacturer (if available).
Windows XP - Windows Update requires the following services be enabled:
- Automatic Updates - Automatic
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Manual or Automatic
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.
DirectX 9.0c - the latest version available for Windows XP
DirectX 10 - requires Windows Vista
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 Drivers 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: EVGA - GeForce 9800 GTX ; Card Manufacturer = EVGA - Component Manufacturer = nVidia (GeForce 9800 GTX)
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
- Drivers
- Home Page
AMD
- Drivers
- Home Page
ATi
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by AMD on July 24, 2006
Intel
- Drivers
- Home Page
nVidia
- Drivers
- Home Page
SiS
- Drivers
- Home Page
ULi
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by nVidia on December 14, 2005
VIA
- Drivers
- Home Page
Step 5 - Video Drivers
Video Card
3dfx
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by nVidia on December 15, 2000
3Dlabs
- Drivers
- Home Page
* exited the graphics card market on February 24, 2006
AGEIA
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by nVidia on February, 4 2008
ATi
- Drivers
- Home Page
- BIOS (Advanced Users)
* acquired by AMD on July 24, 2006
Intel
- Drivers
- Home Page
Matrox
- Drivers
- Home Page
nVidia
- Drivers
- Home Page
- BIOS (Advanced Users)
PowerVR
- Drivers
- Home Page
* exited the graphics card market on February 8, 2002
VIA
- Drivers
- Home Page
S3
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by VIA on April 12, 2000
SiS
- Drivers
- Home Page
Trident
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by SiS (XGI) on June 12, 2003
XGI
- Drivers
- Home Page
* a subsidiary of SiS formed on May 20, 2003
Step 6 - Sound Drivers
Device Audio
Windows XP - Drivers are included with the operating system (Microsoft)
Analog Devices
- Drivers
- Home Page
Aureal
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by Creative Technology on September 22, 2000
C-Media
- Drivers
- Home Page
Cirrus Logic (Crystal)
- Drivers
- Home Page
Creative Labs
- Drivers
- Home Page
Ensoniq
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by Creative Technology on January 9, 1998
ESS
- Drivers
- Home Page
Philips
- Drivers
- Home Page
Realtek
- Drivers
- Home Page
SigmaTel
- Drivers
- Home Page
* acquired by IDT on July 25, 2006
SiS
- Drivers
- Home Page
VIA
- Drivers
- Home Page
Yamaha
- Drivers
- Home Page
Step 7 - Network Drivers
Network Card
3com
- Drivers
- Home Page
Bigfoot Networks (Killer NIC)
- Drivers
- Home Page
Broadcom
- Drivers
- Home Page
D-Link
- Drivers
- Home Page
Davicom
- Drivers
- Home Page
Intel
- Drivers
- Home Page
Linksys
- Drivers
- Home Page
Marvell
- Drivers
- Home Page
NETGEAR
- Drivers
- Home Page
Realtek
- Drivers
- Home Page
SiS
- Drivers
- Home Page
SMC
- Drivers
- Home Page
Utilities
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
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