Device Drivers: Figure 105. Manage My Computer

Device Drivers
Now that you successfully installed the operating system, you’ll need to
configure the devices such as Video Cards, Network Interface Cards, Sound
Cards, etc by installing the device drivers of each. In many cases, if Windows
recognizes the device, drivers will be installed automatically. In some cases,
generic drivers are installed so that the devices will work properly.
Drivers are small software programs that help the operating system use or
“drive” the device. Whenever a device doesn’t work properly, ask if the proper
driver has been installed.
The procedures listed below describe how to obtain and install drivers for
hardware devices on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based computer.
Step 1: Determine the Hardware Manufacturer
If you do not know the manufacturer of the device for which you want to install
the driver, follow these steps to determine the manufacturer:
1. On the desktop, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
Figure 105. Manage My Computer

2. Under System Tools, click Device Manager. The devices that are installed on the
computer are listed in the right pane.
Figure 106. Device Manager
3. In the right pane, expand the category of the device that you want to configure. For
example, expand Display adapters.
NOTE: The device may be listed under other devices

Figure 107. Expanded Device Category
1. Right-click the device for which you want to install the driver, and then click
Properties.
NOTE: The device may appear as Unknown device or as a generic device.

Figure 108. Device Properties
5. Click the General tab. Make a note of the manufacturer and model of the device.
Figure 109. General Tab
6. Click Cancel, and then quit Computer Management.

NOTE: If the device is not displayed in Device Manager, or the device is listed as an
"Unknown device," contact the computer or device manufacturer to obtain more
information about the device.
Step 2: Obtain the Driver

To obtain the latest driver, use the following list of possible sources for the driver, in the
order in which they are presented.
Original Computer Manufacturer
If the device was installed by your computer manufacturer, contact the manufacturer of your
computer to find out how to obtain, download, and install the latest drivers for the device.
Device Manufacturer
Contact the manufacturer of the device to inquire about how to obtain, download, and install
the latest drivers for the device.
Chipset Manufacturer
Contact the chipset manufacturer of the device to find out how to obtain, download, and
install the latest drivers for the device. It is best to first contact the manufacturer of the
device for the drivers before you contact the chipset manufacturer. For example, if your
display adapter uses a NVIDIA chipset, first contact the manufacturer of the display adapter.
If you cannot contact the display adapter manufacturer or if the manufacturer does not have
a driver, contact NVIDIA. Some examples of chipset manufacturers (and their Web sites)
include:
 NVIDIA (display adapters)
 PCTEL, Inc. (modems)
Installation CD or Floppy Disks

If you have the original driver CD or floppy disks that were included with the computer or
device, and if no other source for the drivers is available, use the original driver that is
included with the computer or device. NOTE: Whenever possible, try to first contact the
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), device manufacturer, or chipset manufacturer to
obtain the latest version of the driver.
Step 3: Install the Driver
 The driver files that you download from the OEM, device manufacturer, or chipset
manufacturer differ depending on how the driver is packaged by the manufacturer.
 If the file is an executable program, run the program to extract the files. If the file is in .zip
format, you can use a third-party utility such as WinZip to extract the files. For more
information about how to extract the driver files, see the instructions that are provided by the
manufacturer of the driver.
 The driver may use a setup program. The driver package may contain raw driver files, or
it may contain only raw driver files. Some examples include .inf files, and .sys files. To
install the driver, use one of the following methods as appropriate to your situation.
Driver with a Setup or Installation Program

If the driver uses a setup or installation program, run the program to install the driver. For
more information about how to do this, see the documentation or contact the driver
manufacturer.
Device Is Displayed in Device Manager
1. On the desktop, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
2. Under System Tools, click Device Manager. The devices that are installed on the
computer are listed in the right pane.
3. Expand the category of the device that you want to configure. For example, expand
Modems. NOTE: The device may be listed under other devices.
4. Right-click the device for which you want to install the driver, and then click Properties.
NOTE: The device may be displayed as Unknown device, or as a generic device.
5. Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver. The Upgrade Device Driver wizard
starts.
Click Next.
7. Do one of the following:
o Click Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended), and then click Next.
-or-
o Click Display a list of the known devices for this device so that I can choose a
specific driver, and then click Next. Click Have Disk, click Browse, locate the .inf files that
you downloaded in Step 2: Obtain the Driver, click an .inf file, and then click Open.
8. Follow the wizard instructions to install the driver.

9. Restart the computer.
Device Is Not Displayed in Device Manager

Use the Add New Hardware wizard in Control Panel to install drivers for non-Plug and Play
devices. You may have to use this method to install certain modems, serial ports, or printer
ports.
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Hardware.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Add/Troubleshoot a device, and then click Next.
5. Do one of the following:
o Click Yes, search for new hardware, and then click Next. -or-
o Click No, I want to select the hardware from a list, and then click Next.
6. Follow the wizard instructions to install the driver.
7. Restart the computer.

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Device Drivers

Figure 105. Manage My Computer

NOTE: The device may be listed under other devices

NOTE: The device may appear as Unknown device or as a generic device.

Figure 109. General Tab

6. Click Cancel, and then quit Computer Management.

Step 2: Obtain the Driver

Installation CD or Floppy Disks

Driver with a Setup or Installation Program

8. Follow the wizard instructions to install the driver.

Device Is Not Displayed in Device Manager

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