| Getting the right driver is essential for | | | | formatting. Sometimes our drivers are not |
| your computer and your peripherals. It might | | | | compatible with new systems and other times |
| even be detrimental to the health of your | | | | we need new copies just because there was |
| entire network. In this article you will | | | | something corrupt on our computer that |
| learn about what a driver is, what you need | | | | disrupted the integrity of the driver or |
| to know to determine what driver you need and | | | | deleted the software. |
| where you can get the right device drivers | | | | |
| for you computer. | | | | If you don't install the right driver, not |
| | | | only will your device be unlikely to work but |
| What is a driver anyway? A driver is a small | | | | you could cause other problems. When a |
| piece of software that is installed on your | | | | computer is looking for a device to |
| computer. It is software that "drives" a | | | | initialize or command and it cannot find it, |
| device. Your computer needs to know how to | | | | it can cause other networking problems |
| get each individual device working, whether | | | | including fatal errors. Be sure that when you |
| it's installed or plugged in, so if you | | | | download a driver, not only does the |
| consider the driver as the instructional | | | | manufacturer and model number of the |
| manual that your computer reads, you can get | | | | peripheral match but also that the operating |
| the picture. You need the right device | | | | system matches as well. This is something |
| driver for your computer, because not all | | | | that is discussed in more detail on the |
| device drivers are created equally. | | | | website which is filled with information on |
| | | | how to find the right driver for your laptop. |
| The device is based upon both your device and | | | | |
| your operating system. A printer driver won't | | | | There are programs that can help you find the |
| be the same for your Vista machine as a video | | | | right drivers whether you are having problems |
| card driver. Without the right device driver, | | | | with your computer after an upgrade or if you |
| the computer becomes illiterate. If you have | | | | are determining what your requirements for |
| drivers for the same device but on two | | | | upgrading an operating system will be. Beyond |
| different operating systems, there are | | | | this, manufacturers and third party websites |
| differences. Some people will also describe a | | | | exist to guide you and help you find the |
| driver as a liaison or a translator between | | | | right driver. |
| the computer and the peripheral. Anything you | | | | |
| add onto your computer can require a driver. | | | | You might require drivers for any number of |
| Some items are considered plug and play but | | | | devices including: monitor, keyboard, mouse, |
| many require just a small program to act as | | | | printer, scanner, plotter, USB port, |
| that translator or instruction manual. | | | | Bluetooth device, video cards, PCMCIA cards |
| | | | and other hardware as well. But whatever you |
| You may need device drivers when you install | | | | need it for, the golden rule is to make sure |
| a piece of hardware or plug it in. You may | | | | that the device driver is the right one or |
| also need device drivers when you do an | | | | you could end up with malfunctioning |
| operating system upgrade or a hard drive | | | | equipment, not to mention a bad headache. |