What's everyone doing "driver" wise on new RTM install?

[roiiploe]

Hello!

This weekend - I installed Win7 Pro RTM Final onto a basic "office" workstation and was stunned to see that ALL of my drivers were installed straight away as part of the OS install.

In the past - XP and Vista always pulled me down a path of having to install at least a half dozen specific driver for all hardware pieces - but with 7 - I was good to go.

So what's the thinking? Do I really need the latest Intel chipset software? Is the 185.xx nVidia driver installed by 7 any worse than running the latest bloated pointless installer from the nVidia site? How about DirectX - in the past - I would pull down the latest End User Runtime and install that before my video drivers. Can't even find a Direct X installer for 7 right now...

So - what's everyone else doing?

Appreciate any comments.

Cheers!

VP

 

[rsvr85]

I've let Windows do all the leg work this time...happy days. My only issue is getting my Atheros wireless network card to install, everything else was drivered up before it had it's first reboot!
About a week ago i got a XP-Pro lappy for the missus, what a pain that was for drivers. I had to manually install 8, then had issues with display and the intel chip set, which of course ate significantly into my evening!!
Windows 7 has been a pleasure so far, i'd let it do it's own thing until it does something you don't like or you want to adjust.

 

[Snufffed]

I for one think Win7 normal install and driver set is working just fine.
I also allow the autoupdate to work.
"My Grandpa always said "If it works - don't fix it".

 

[RustyFalcon]

I love how Win 7 is much more savvy about drivers for installed devices especially printers.

However in my RTM installs I did the following:

RTM install did not add a driver for my Creative X-Fi sound card, so I installed the Creative driver for Win 7 64-bit.

I manually upgraded my NVIDIA driver to the 190.38 because I wanted to. Old habits die hard.

 

[Orbital Shark]

One of the biggest plus points (for me) with Se7en is the extensive driver database. Since build 7068 i've not even needed to install my Wireless drivers for my laptop as I did with XP & Vista.

The only drivers I download & install for Se7en is the Intel 945 chipset, as I need full control over my GFX when outputting to my plasma TV.

Every other driver is standard, and when a new 1 is released I get it throught Windows Update anyway

 

[Mark]

Found windows 7 drivers for almost everything accept my Logitech G15 and G9 Keyboard and mouse, although the Vista drivers work fine on the G15 but the G9 setpoint drivers are not compatible and stop when Windows starts.

Everything else is up to date with Windows 7 drivers.

 

[TGSoldier]

Guess I'm the different one here, I prefer to manually install my drivers.

 

[RustyFalcon]

And one other driver issue I had... on my wife's desktop we use a Linksys RangePlus wireless card, which is Wireless-G speeds, but with extended range to get through house walls and whatnot.

W7 detected and installed it as a Wireless-N card, and it worked, but I did an "Update Driver" function to use the correct driver.

 

[pparks1]

I use pretty much whatever Windows comes with. If it works, why screw it up..is my motto. Plus, this way if you do ever have a support issue with Microsoft...they cannot blame it on another driver that you installed and used.

The only exception to this for me is on a gaming machine...for these I often do get the latest video card driver from the manufacturer and use it. Seems like a few FPS is worth the time downloading and installing.

 

[scottsmithtech]

I let windows do the initial install ran the updates which included a few drivers then after a reboot I installed the latest Intel Chipset drivers and Video driver from Nvidia.

 

[zrtom]

W7 RTM won't install video driver like in prior builds

Here's an interesting one. Fresh install of Windows 7 RTM x64 from TechNet. For the first time since build 6519 (I think it was 6519) Windows 7 didn't install the nVidia drivers on my Dell M1330. Even after a couple reboots and checks with Windows Update, it continued to show in Device Manager as a Standard VGA display adapter instead of 8400M GS. Every prior build I've tried (over 20) installed the nVidia drivers.

Has anyone had a similar experience with the RTM not installing the video drivers on a laptop?
I'll probably post an inquiry in the Drivers forum.
Tom

 

[banderz777]

I also use window drivers for my Laptop, it finds everyone after I install and do a update, I will let windows do it's thing.

 

[roiiploe]

I let windows do the initial install ran the updates which included a few drivers then after a reboot I installed the latest Intel Chipset drivers and Video driver from Nvidia.

I "used" to subscribe to that...especially the chipset part - until I discovered that the Intel chipset installer does absolutely nothing and is not required as Windows 7 RTM corectly installs and supports everything right up to the X58 chipset.

Same for the video driver - while this first build of Win 7 Pro is more of a "test" build while I gather new info (like the Intel Chipset item) when I do a final "go-forward" build in the coming weeks - I am going to stick with the 185.xx nVidia driver that Windows Update provides. I find the actual nVidia installers to be pointless given they install like PhysX and the Stereo3D junk that really doesn't need to be there on a "non gaming" rig.

Given that this first go-round was the fastest, most trouble free install I have ever had - I see no reason to mess with any third party driver installs - especially if everything is working and no one piece of hardware really "needs" any updates....

Cheers!

VP

 

[wallyinnc]

I only updated my Radeon drivers, but I don't think it would have been necessary. I tried to install a Linksys wireless PCI card and with Win7 drivers or Linksys drivers it never worked fine. I dumped it.
So, I agree with the majority, if it is working, don't fix it.

 

[blackroseMD1]

Win7 installed everything on mine. However, I still prefer to manually update things like the video drivers, sound drivers and chipset drivers.

 

[nealh]

well I setup a dual boot with winxp last night.(I am using Win 7 x64 from Technet with legit key)
winxp is on my C: drive and win 7 x 64 on my D: drive

I have a few issues, the biggest seems to be the HDD on my Marvel sata controller(non-raid setup) are not seen.

I have a Intel Badaxe2. I assumed the chipset and storage drivers would install at default. All I see is the HDD on Intel sata ports.

Win 7 did install drivers but they seem to be on the C:.

Win7 works but after manually installing ATI drivers I can not access ATI CCC it just "loads" but nothing opens(I manual installed the drivers on the D: ). I did this because I could not access videocard settings to make any changes.

 

[Snufffed]

I have a few issues, the biggest seems to be the HDD on my Marvel sata controller(non-raid setup) are not seen

You have to add the drivers prior to installation of Win7, you do remember the popup that says " Drivers " simply add the sata drivers to a floppy-usb-cd- or which ever media you chose. I also have to add drivers for my "Promise IDE Card" which will allow 4 IDE HDDs.

 

[Zidane24]

Here's an interesting one. Fresh install of Windows 7 RTM x64 from TechNet. For the first time since build 6519 (I think it was 6519) Windows 7 didn't install the nVidia drivers on my Dell M1330. Even after a couple reboots and checks with Windows Update, it continued to show in Device Manager as a Standard VGA display adapter instead of 8400M GS. Every prior build I've tried (over 20) installed the nVidia drivers.

Has anyone had a similar experience with the RTM not installing the video drivers on a laptop?
I'll probably post an inquiry in the Drivers forum.
Tom

Same here on the 8 series driver not installing...more nvidia on this one probably. Other than that all my devices install fine but I still get the drivers from thei vendors...just to make sure that I am not missing any manufacture benefit. Speaking of that I need to grab my wireless driver from intel

 

[nealh]

You have to add the drivers prior to installation of Win7, you do remember the popup that says " Drivers " simply add the sata drivers to a floppy-usb-cd- or which ever media you chose. I also have to add drivers for my "Promise IDE Card" which will allow 4 IDE HDDs.

Well I did the install unattended and never saw the message...duh.

Fortunately after posting it dawned on me to check device manager and low and behold, i needed the drivers. I went to Intel site and added via device manager and all seems well now.

I had huge issues with my x1900 and get ATI drivers and catalyst installed. I had to delete the videocard and reboot and manual put in the drivers and then cataylst to get these options. The newest catalyst 9.7 does not seem to work with my hardware at least via manual install with the .inf file

 

[zrtom]

Same here on the 8 series driver not installing...more nvidia on this one probably. Other than that all my devices install fine but I still get the drivers from thei vendors...just to make sure that I am not missing any manufacture benefit. Speaking of that I need to grab my wireless driver from intel

Chris,
That is a relief to hear. Not necessarily good news but a relief that it's not just me.
Thanks.
Tom