Saturday, November 27, 2010

Easy Ways to Update Computer Drivers

By: Anna Green

Computer driver repair is an unfortunate necessity of the personal computer. But computer driver repair doesn't have to be dreaded. Thanks to software development, it can be quite easy to update computer drivers.

Computer drivers are simply small computer programs that work behind the scenes to make your computer function properly. They control each piece of hardware installed on your system so that your software and operating system can control it in ways you expect. This allows your speakers to play sounds you recognize, your printer to print your latest masterpiece, and your monitor to display text you can read.

But from time to time these computer drivers become corrupt or a conflict develops with another piece of hardware or software on your system. Even Windows updates can sometimes create a need for computer driver repair. Unless you update your computer drivers, these conflicts can lead to mysterious computer behavior and even crashes of your system.

There are two basic methods for computer driver repair: manual and automatic. Let's take a look at each of these with their respective pros and cons.

Computer Driver Repair - the Manual Method
Originally, the only way to update computer drivers was to complete the process manually. This requires knowing which device needs updating as well as the device's manufacturer and model number. There are three basic ways to update computer drivers manually.

Manual Method 1
Visit the computer manufacturer's website and look up the model number of your system. Many times the manufacturer (Dell, Gateway, Compaq, etc.) will post drivers on their website for specific computer models.

Pros: Easy; Fast
Cons: Drivers are not kept current after the system has been on the market for a period of time.

Manual Method 2
Update computer drivers through the Windows' Device Manager. To easily open the device manager, right-click on the My Computer icon and choose Manage. Then select Device Manger. Choose the correct device type and double-click on the device to be updated. Choose the Driver tab and click the button to Update Driver. Give Windows permission to search the internet for the best driver.

Pros: Easy to update; Minimal information required.
Cons: It can be difficult to determine which device is malfunctioning since conflicts are not always obvious; Windows Update frequently does not provide the most recent drivers resulting in continuing conflicts.

Manual Method 3
Figure out which computer device needs to be updated. Locate the manufacturer name and model number for this device. Visit the manufacturer's website and download the current driver.

Pros: Know you are receiving the most current, manufacturer approved driver available.
Cons: It can be difficult to determine which device is malfunctioning since conflicts are not always obvious.

Computer Driver Repair - The Automatic (And Easy!) Method If you want an easy way to , then this is the method for you. It involves the use of a computer program to automatically determine which devices need computer driver repair. Then the program updates them for you!

About the Author

Computer driver repair is an unfortunate necessity of the personal computer. But computer driver repair doesn't have to be dreaded. Thanks to software development, it can be quite easy to update computer drivers.

(ArticlesBase SC #2743335)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Easy Ways to Update Computer Drivers

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