The first step in updating your drivers it to find out exactly what type of drivers you have. If you purchased your system from a large computer manufacturer the process will be relatively simple. Most large computer manufacturers have a section on their web site that will allow you to enter in your computer’s model or serial number. The site will then tell you exactly what hardware is installed on your computer and provide you with a list of updates to the corresponding drivers. Again, let’s take a look at IBM’s web site for this particular laptop, an IBM ThinkPad i Series 1400, Model #2611-412. Conveniently, you will see a file named Device File Driver Matrix. All of my particular drivers are listed here with the date and version number of the most recent update. Sweet, huh? IBM is even nice enough to let me register my e-mail address so it can tell me when any of those files are updated.

Here is a list of the major computer manufacturers and their respective customer support web sites. (If you don’t see your particular brand listed here you can always search the web with any search engine to locate your manufacturer’s web site. My particular favorite search engine is Google. Just type in something like this, IBM Computer Support.)

Acer: http://www.acersupport.com/
Compaq: http://www.compaq.com/support/
Dell: http://support.dell.com/us/en/DHS-BSD_reg.asp?segid=5DS
Gateway: http://www.gateway.com/support/default.asp
Hewlett-Packard: http://www.hp.com/cposupport/eschome.html
IBM: http://www.pc.ibm.com/support
Micron: http://support.micronpc.com/
NEC: http://support.neccomp.com/kbtools/drivers/drivers.asp
Packard Bell: http://www.priorityonesupport.com/ *
Quantex: OUT OF BUSINESS **
Sony: http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/
Toshiba: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_modSel.jsp

*Packard Bell no longer sells computers in the United States. They have transferred customer support of existing machines to Priority One Support. You probably never should have bought a Packard Bell anyway – they had worst customer support (and computers) on the market.

**Quantex went belly up and didn’t transfer their customer support to any third-party company that I could find. Don’t despair though, read on to find out how to get support for your computer.

If you have added hardware to your computer since you bought your system (i.e. added or upgraded a video or sound card, installed a modem, etc.) then just consult that product’s manufacturers website. It’s often a good idea to write down the make, model number, and serial number of each product you install on your computer. Also make sure you save any documentation that came with the product. Keep that information in a safe place! The alternative is forgetting what you installed, not having the information you need, and having to crack open your computer case and pull the part out to find out that information.