A second install of windows 7 - but lots of drivers needed!

starbase1 · 01 Jan 2016

Hi All,
I've run out of space on an old small SSD, and have decided a clean start is probably the best way to go in setting up Windows 7 64 bit on my shiny new bigger SSD.

I plugged in the new drive, successfully installed Windows 7, and can boot to it. Great start!

Thing is though, it's installed with a bunch of generic drivers for things like the display, (which came up in 800x600! No option for the HD I know it is capable of...), and in the case of the network card, nothing at all. Which is making it rather difficult to get the right drivers, as I can't get online from the new install!

I'm sure there are other drivers too, for things like the sound card for example.

Is there a relatively easy way to get drivers for all my hardware in? I can still get at the drives with the old install on, if that helps. And I must admit I'm a bit surprised the network connection is not working as there's nothing fancy about the network card I am aware of.

At the most basic, advice on the best way to get online fast would be a big help, but if there is a good way to get the other drivers fast, that would be seriously useful!

Thanks in advance,
Nick

AddRAM · 01 Jan 2016

Just use your working Windows 7 install to get the drivers.

Make a folder for them on the new install, then just boot into the new install and run them.

You need to install the ethernet drivers, then you can run windows update.

You should be able to get the ethernet, chipset, and audio drivers at the motherboard manufacturers website.

If you built this pc, then those drivers will be on the cd that came with the motherboard.

Your video card drivers will be at nvidia.com

etc. etc. etc.

whs · 01 Jan 2016

The best source of drivers is usually the hardware manufacturer.

Ztruker · 01 Jan 2016

The folder you want to copy is C:\Windows\System32\drivers

whs · 01 Jan 2016

Ztruker said:

The folder you want to copy is C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Are you sure that this is going to work. What about e.g. the registry entries.

Layback Bear · 01 Jan 2016

This is my method.
1. Install Windows 7. It will installed enough driver to get up and running.
2. Install need drivers, chipset ect. off the motherboard CD/DVD.
3. Installed MSE and update.
4. Install needed Windows 7 Updates.

When all that is done then I go looking for Driver Updates if needed.
I start by looking in Device Manager for any marked driver problem.

starbase1 · 02 Jan 2016

Thanks for all the replies, what a helpful group of people!

Whilst I was hoping for something as easy as copying a folder, I don't see how this could work reliably for the reasons given...

Is there a place I can find a list of drivers on the older install, so I would know what to search for, and could go straight to the latest versions...

I'm struggling to locate the disks that came with the PC 3 years ago, and also to find any handy drivers I can download (Its an asus p8z77-v motherboard). Loads of downloads on their site, but I can't see any windows drivers, or a copy of a disk that would have come with it.

Is there a safe generic ethernet driver I can install?

Thanks,
Nick

starbase1 · 02 Jan 2016

Ah, my bad.

On looking at the Asus site more carefully, I found a whole bunch of drivers, which went in, and now the second WIn7 install is connected to the net, and working fine.

Thanks again to everyone for their help!
Nick

AddRAM · 02 Jan 2016

Not sure why you were having trouble, I told you where the drivers were in my reply.

The motherboard cd is in the box, which I know you saved :)

Now that you know where the drivers are, create a folder called Asus P6T and save them to that folder, now you have them, save them on a flash drive or cd for future use.

Put the cd inside the computer so you never have to look for them again.

Layback Bear · 02 Jan 2016

This is a never do.

Never have your motherboard manual or the CD/DVD farther away from your desktop than 3 steps as long as you have that motherboard.

These are some always to do's.

Always keep all CD/DVD's that came with other hardware or any programs you have in the same place together. Keep them in little nice plastic boxes made for CD/DVD's.

Always wright down all activation codes for the operating system and any other program activation keys. Keep in a safe place.

Always wright all password in a log somewhere off the computer. Keep them in a safe place.

**I know this is a little off subject, starbase1.
Hopefully it will help you in the future.
When you need to look for something like a driver that is on a motherboard CD you will know exactly where it is to get up and running again.