URL sites for downloading DLLs:
Trouble Shooting Device Drivers
Sources: Smart Computing March 2007
Using Device Manager: http://tinyurl.com/ynr57t
What is a driver?
Software with specific code that the OS requires to perform actions of a device
Necessary for hardware to function properly
Usual scenario when installing a device
Superficially seems like an instant interaction but much goes on to ensure proper functioning
Example: you plug in a new keyboard, mouse, install a printer and driver and everything works fine
However, the OS may provide no driver nor the best nor latest from its database
Ways to install/reinstall drivers
May be present in the WinXP database so simply install the hardware i.e. “plug and play”
Using a disk that comes with HW (read instructions first!)
Download from Internet e.g. from the manufacturer
New hardware wizard (Start> Control Panel> Add Hardware)
Use Device Manager to deal with drivers
What about missing driver?
Hardware will not function if none present
Diagnosis of missing driver is fairly easy
With newly installed device, usually update info is in the Notification Area
May get no warning re device but it just does not function
Check the installation disk for a “setup” program
Can check for a driver problem via Device Manager (Windows key + Pause key> click Hardware tab)
DEMONSTRATE
Note all the types of devices installed on your PC
Clicking the plus (+) sign beside each device type to find an individual listing of each device.
Use the device's Properties window to check the driver status.
Any yellow question marks that overlay the icons indicate a device problem
Click the plus sign to expand the category and double-click the device that has a yellow warning symbol on it
Missing driver indicated by exclamation point on yellow circle over icon
In Properties window look at box under Device Status
Click Reinstall Driver button to attempt to solve the problem
Click button to launch the Hardware Update Wizard
Select Yes, Now And Every Time I Connect A Device under Can Windows Connect To Windows Update To Search For Software; if you know there’s a driver for your device on a CD or other media in your possession, select No, Not This Time then Click Next.
Select Install The Software Automatically (Recommended), but if you have the driver on a disc, select Install From A List Or Specific Location (Advanced). Click Next
With an installation disc or if you downloaded a driver from the Web and saved in on your HD, skip the Windows Update search and instruct the Hardware Update Wizard to search the disc for a driver
Outdated Drivers
Seen more often than missing drivers
Symptoms: erratic behavior
Try Hardware Update Wizard as with missing driver
Probably best to search the manufacturer’s Web site
Question of “unsigned” drivers by Microsoft
If blocked: Win key + Pause> Hardware> Driver Signing then choose “Warm, etc”
Broken Drivers
Symptoms: once stable driver, begins to cause trouble
Treatment: reinstall via DM> right click device> Uninstall> OK in Confirm Device Removal box> instruct Windows accordingly
If new driver problematic, use roll back i.e. DM> double click device> Roll Back Driver> click yes> click Close the Yes to restart
More Tips
Correct OS!
With USB devices: unplug, wait few min, re-plug (may inform could not install)
Safe Mode trial
Managing devices with Device Manager
Graphical view of all the PC hardware and associated device drivers and resources
Need to be the Administrator
Can determine if the hardware is working properly
Can change device configuration settings
Can identify the all device drivers plus info on all
Can change advanced settings and properties
Can update device drivers
Can disable, enable, and uninstall devices.
Can reinstall previous versions of drivers
Can identify device conflicts and manually configure resource settings.
Can print the info
To view info re drivers
Double-click the device
Right-click the specific device then click Properties.
On the Driver tab, click Driver Details.
Troubleshooting Information
• If there is a problem with a device, it is listed in the hardware tree under Computer. Also, the problem device has a symbol that indicates the type of problem:
• A black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field indicates the device is in a problem state. Note that a device that is in a problem state can be functioning.
• A problem code explaining the problem is displayed for the device.
• A red "X" indicates a disabled device. A disabled device is a device that is physically present in the computer and is consuming resources, but does not have a protected-mode driver loaded.
• A blue "i" on a white field on a device resource in Computer properties indicates that the Use Automatic Settings feature is not selected for the device and that the resource was manually selected. Note that this does not indicate a problem or disabled state.
• A green question mark "?" in Device Manager means that a compatible driver for this device is installed, indicating the possibility that all of the functionality may not be available. Note that this applies only to Windows Millennium Edition (Me).
NOTE: Some sound cards and video adapters do not report all of the resources they are using to Windows. This can cause Device Manager to show only one device in conflict, or no conflicts at all. This can be verified by disabling the sound card, or by using the standard VGA video driver to see if the conflict is resolved. Note that this is a known problem with S3 video adapters and 16-bit Sound Blaster sound cards, or those sound cards that are using Sound Blaster emulation for Sound Blaster compatibility.
• When you select a specific device in Device Manager and then click the Properties button, you see a property sheet. The property sheet has a General tab.
NOTE: Some devices may have other tabs besides the General tab. Not all property sheets have the same tabs; some devices may have a Resource tab, Driver tab, and Settings tab, or some combination of these.
At the top of the property sheet, there is a description of the device. When you click the Resource tab, the window in the middle of the tab indicates which resource types are available for the selected device.
The list box at the bottom contains a Conflicting Device list. This list indicates a conflict with an error code.
• Note the Use Automatic Settings check box. If Windows successfully detects a device, this check box is selected, and the device should function correctly. However, if the resource settings are based on Basic Configuration <n> (where <n> is any number from 0 to 9), it may be necessary to change the configuration by selecting a different basic configuration from the list. If the particular configuration you want for the device is not listed as a basic configuration, it may be possible to click the Change Settings button to manually adjust the resource values. For example, to edit the Input/Output Range setting:
1. Click the Use Automatic Settings check box to clear it.
2. Click Change Setting.
3. Click the appropriate I/O range for the device.