Most drivers download as executable files (programs), which automatically install the driver once you run the program. Often, detailed instructions on how to install the new drivers are posted on the manufacturer’s web site or are included as a readme.txt file with the download. Make sure you read and follow the instructions! Print the instructions out before you do anything so you can have them handy.
!!!!!!CAUTION – CAUTION – CAUTION!!!!!! This next part cannot be stressed enough. If you are updating your system’s BIOS, use extreme caution. If you install the wrong BIOS update (one that was designed for another machine) or install the BIOS incorrectly, you could turn your computer into a very large and expensive doorstop. BIOS updates are not technically hard in and of themselves. The process usually involves letting a BIOS update program create a bootable floppy disc. You then turn your computer off and reboot the machine with the floppy in the disc drive. The rest is usually automatic. However, if the machine looses power or the process is interrupted in anyway during the update, your computer is shot. Often times, the damage is irreversible. So, if you don’t feel comfortable doing a BIOS update, call your geek friend up and let them do it. Just make sure it’s not a really good friend in case he trashes your computer and you can’t find it in your heart to forgive him.
Help! (I Still Can’t Figure Out How to Install this Driver.)
Not all drivers will be easy to install…even with directions. Not all drivers come with automatic installation programs or detailed instructions. In that case, try this:
- Save the driver to your desktop. Make sure it’s not zipped up in a .zip file. If it is, unzip it and save the unzipped driver file to your desktop. If it’s a self-extracting executable file (.exe), run the program and extract the file to your desktop (If you have no idea what I just said, you probably should let one of your geek friends help you out here.)
- Click on “Start” -> “Settings” -> “Control Panel” -> System -> Device Manager tab.
- Find the piece of hardware you are updating the driver for in the Device Manager window.
- Click on the piece of hardware and then click the Properties button.
- Click on the Driver tab and then the Update Driver button.
- Press the “Next” button to choose second option: “Display a list of all the driver in a specification location, so you can select the driver you want.”
- Click “Next”, and then press the “Have Disk..” button.
- In the ‘Copy manufacturer’s files from:’ box, type C:\WINDOWS\All Users\Desktop and click on the OK button to bring up the video driver list. If you extracted the files to a different location, specify that location instead.
- Select the driver update file and click “OK”.
- When the “Update Device Driver Wizard” appears, press “Next>”. This start file copying process.
- At the installation complete window, click the “Finish” button.
- Continue choosing “Close” until asked to restart your system from the “System Settings Change”, press “Yes” to restart your system.
- You can now safely delete the driver update from your desktop.
I give up…
In a perfect world, computers would identify all of the hardware installed in and connected to it. It would then update the drivers automatically for every piece of hardware without you ever having to worry about it. This isn’t a perfect would and until it is – you’ll have to do this yourself. If you are having trouble there are some great places on the Internet you can go to get help! Obviously, PC Mechanic is one of them! The PC Mechanic forums are a great place to ask for and receive help on everything from building your own computer to updating your drivers. Some other great online sources of computer support are:
Protonic.com: http://www.protonic.com/
AskMe.com: http://www.askme.com/
HelpOnThe.Net: http://www.helponthe.net/
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