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Windows XP Driver Updates
Windows Update
To keep your system running at it's best you are going to want to keep your software AND hardware up to date. Device driver updates can occur monthly depending on the type of device. Windows XP provides automatic updates via the Windows Update feature. While some drivers are offered, the main function of this update process is to provide bug fixes and service packs for Windows itself. Also to be noted is that any drivers offered by Microsoft Windows Update will be "Microsoft Certified". While this sounds good, what it actually means is that they are possibly older drivers because it takes time to go through the certification process. You can not count on Windows Update alone to provide you with all of the updates you may require.
Locating Device Drivers
The process of updating your device drivers can be very intimidating for the average computer user. Many of us buy a computer not knowing or even caring what kind of devices are in it. To be able to update the drivers for your system you are going to need to know the manufacturer and model/serial number of each device you want to update. So how do we find this information out? If you own a major brand name system such as Dell or HP, you could check their websites for information or call their customer support line. After being bombarded with advertisements for their latest system or attempting to communicate with the customer service representative, you may still be at a loss for finding that ellusive driver. Alternately, you could try looking inside the computer case and try locating model numbers and serial numbers to attempt to identify your devices. I do not recommend that approach to the average user as you can easily cause damage to your system if it is handled improperly. If you are like me you don't want to spend your time hunting down these drivers every time. Thankfully there is automatic driver update software available.
Automatic Driver Update
A program called Driver Detective can update your drivers in minutes. This is how it works. It will scan your system to identify all of your devices. Next it will locate within it's database the most current drivers for each of your devices. After a few clicks you will have downloaded the drivers you need. No more time consuming and frustrating search for drivers. Check if your sytems device drivers are up to date with the free scan below.
Comments
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KB SAAIE:
I am sorry you feel that way. Driver Detective is a legitamite driver update solution. Of course drivers may be obtained for free but what they offer is a convenience. Their employees put in the time to build and maintain a database of drivers and have created the software to identify your hardware and update the drivers for you. There are many products that are merely a convenience but it is for the consumer to decide if that convenience is worth the cost. Some feel it is and others do not. Clearly you do not and that is your choice. I personally feel it is a great solution especially for those users who have a hard time with computer maintainance or would just rather not spend the time with something like driver updates.
Driver Detective, Driver Scanner and all other such softwares are a scam. They give big benevolent advertisements and demand charges for driver downloads. Some kind hearted software engineer should come forward and help the PC users all of whom are not rich; by developing a software that can update drivers under OGL. The hardware suppliers such as VIA, INTEl should have developed such software and helped their customers to upload drivers without hassels. The VIA website do not allow them to contact though a menu option is available on their vebsite.