How do I update win 7 drivers !

[Punked Boyz]

Guyz i hv windows 7 32 bit,installed on my system.
i want to update my system drivers,like griphics,motherboard,n others
pls suggest me some freeware or any other good program

 

[nckfrtg28]

Try using Windows Update. When ever a new driver comes out windows update would have a update for it in Windows update.

 

[kegobeer]

If you want updated drivers, visit the hardware manufacturer's website and check for updated drivers. Do not install any software that claims to find and install drivers for you.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I have to agree. It is your computer, so you should know what hardware is in it. That will tell you if you need to go to an OEM site, like Dell, or to each individual component's website to find driver updates. I keep them handy on a flash drive all the time, so I'm ready to install the latest at anytime.

 

[seavixen32]

Is there any particular reason why you want to update your drivers?

Unless otherwise just let Windows 7 updates take care of business.

Your best bet is to take a look in device manager and if nothing untoward is showing up chances are everything's OK.

 

[karlsnooks]

Punked Boyz,

You have received some excellent advice.

Would you please fill out your system specs for us?

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
=======================================

I'm going to summarize the advice you have received:
1. Let Microsoft update your drivers.
2. Visit the manufacturer's website to see if they have a later driver that hasn't made it thru the Microsoft certification process yet. Getting a driver blessed by Microsoft takes time and is costly.
3. Do NOT use any of those super-duper update your driver programs. They cause more harm than good. One that comes to mind is Driver Sweeper. Many BSODs are the result of drivers installed by that program.

Also, use this procedure to make sure that you've told Windows to update everything:

ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.
=====================================================

Do you have a specific problem or was this a general curiosity question?

 

[Punked Boyz]

Actually i was facing BSOD,so i thought driver update would help.
As you all are advising,i would update them manually

@karlsnooks - i have filled my system specs

 

[karlsnooks]

thanks for the specs.

Would you please use this porcedure to get your Win 7 up-to-date 100%.

The only update you might want to "hide" is the new bing desktop update. Does no harm as you can disable same.

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
==================================================

thanks

 

[Punked Boyz]

thanx for the info , really appreciated man

one more question - i checked for new updates,but didnt get any new update,then i checked in amd catalyst control center for update of graphics card drives,it showed thad update is available.
why windows update didnt notified me about dat update ? :/

 

[kegobeer]

There is sometimes a long delay before Windows makes an update available, especially with devices such as video cards and network cards. IMHO, chipset, video, and NIC drivers are best downloaded from the manufacturer. They tend to be updated very often (well, not necessarily chipset drivers), which means you will not see them come across Windows Update. I've seen a Windows update show a new version for AMD Catalyst that is one or two releases behind the current version available directly from AMD.

For my money, I always grab the drivers from the manufacturer. I highly recommend gamers and HTPC users do the same, because both of those groups like updates much faster than Windows can give, both for speed and stability - and in the case of HTPC users, for getting closer to that ever elusive 23.976 frame rate!

 

[Punked Boyz]

okay
will keep that in mind
great info
thank you !

 

[karlsnooks]

Punked boyz,

KegofBeer's info re the time from mfg release to the driver being blessed by Microsoft is correct.

Go ahead and check the mfg's site for the very latest.

 

[JMH]

Actually i was facing BSOD,so i thought driver update would help.

IF you ARE having BSOD's please upload the DMP files.
We can analyze them & also check out your drivers...

We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

If you are overclocking STOP

You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.

The procedure:

* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.

To ensure minidumps are enabled:

* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.

 

[Punked Boyz]

i have made a seprate thread for dat

my problem was solved on sevenforums. kaspersky internet security was causing bsod,just uninstalled it, now pc is running fine

 

[seavixen32]

Pleased to hear it and thanks for the update.

 

[JMH]

i have made a seprate thread for dat

my problem was solved on sevenforums. kaspersky internet security was causing bsod,just uninstalled it, now pc is running fine

Good to hear.
Safe surfing!