Member Avatar for jmrpjb

I am trying to update my drivers and seem to be going in circles. (By the way, all of my hardware is working.) I read that the best place to download drivers is the manufacturer's website but when I go there (Microsoft) I keep winding up on sites that offer me a free driver scan, that tell me I have several outdated, very old drivers. (So I did some research and thought I went through the process of updating any drivers that I had been told were old.

1. Go to Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager, and double click on the device to update.
2. Go to the Driver tab and click the 'Update Driver' button.
3. Select 'Install from a list or specific location' then click Next.
4. Select 'Don't search, I will choose the driver to install'
5. Click the 'Have Disk' button.
6. Click on the Browse button and go to the directory where you placed the latest drivers.
7. Highlight the relevant driver file (usually an .INF file) and click Next to install.
8. Reboot your system if prompted and upon reboot the device should be using the latest drivers. You can check this by checking the driver tab in device manager again (Steps 1 & 2 abov

But when I get another "free" driver scan, it seems, I still have ancient drivers.

Am I just totally lost in cyberspace? Did I do anything right? You see, I'm trying to learn about computers (and that's a LOT) but it's like that old saying, "the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know". Or is it, "a little bit of knowledge is dangerous"?

Thank you to anyone who can make heads or tails out of what I'm going through.

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Dani AI

Generated

Short, practical primer for readers who land here later:

If your PC is working normally you do not need to chase every “outdated” driver flag. Updates can fix bugs or add features, but they can also introduce new problems. Treat online “driver scans” as unverified suggestions, not gospel. ’s cautious advice — don’t update for its own sake — is good common sense.

If you decide to update anyway, follow a safe workflow: identify the exact device (motherboard/chipset, GPU, NIC, audio) and get the package from the device maker or the PC/OEM support page rather than a generic scanner. If the vendor name is ambiguous, use the device’s hardware ID strings (look for the VEN and DEV codes) to locate the correct driver. Before installing anything, note the current driver version and date, create a System Restore point, and keep a copy of the current driver installer or export it with a driver-backup utility. Prefer digitally signed vendor drivers when available and read the release notes to confirm the update fixes something relevant to your setup.

If an update causes trouble: roll back to the previous driver or use System Restore, boot to Safe Mode to remove a problematic driver, and reinstall the saved working package. That way you can test an update without being stuck.

Context for future readers: this thread began in 2011. Microsoft ended extended support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014, and many vendors reduced or stopped XP-specific driver releases after that — so finding new XP drivers years later may be difficult. Thanks to for prompting hardware identification, for the system-info angle, and for the detailed troubleshooting attempt.

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Member Avatar for crunchie

What 'free' driver scan are you doing? Chances are that it is giving you false information.
The manufacturer by the way, will not be Microsoft.
What is your motherboard make and exact model?
If you do not know, there are a few ways you can get it.
Take a look at it physically, or download a software program that will read the info, then display it for you.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Depending on the age of the motherboard, Everest free may be able to tell you;
http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Once you have the information, post it back here.

Member Avatar for caperjack

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Speccy seems to be the latest software [ one i use for past while anyway ]suggested for computer info .when installing if you install it ,make sure to uncheck installing any toolbar ,
after the scan completes if you mist to post results here for help with it , go to file and click on publish snapshot and copy to clipboard and copy link into your next post ,good luck

most fee driver scans eventually want to sell you drivers or put malware/spyware on you computer

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for jmrpjb

What 'free' driver scan are you doing? Chances are that it is giving you false information.
The manufacturer by the way, will not be Microsoft.
What is your motherboard make and exact model?
If you do not know, there are a few ways you can get it.
Take a look at it physically, or download a software program that will read the info, then display it for you.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Depending on the age of the motherboard, Everest free may be able to tell you;
http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Once you have the information, post it back here.

Hi, thanks for getting back to me so quickly; I can't say enough good things about Daniweb. I got this info from a help manual I mentioned in one of my previous posts, TGTC Tweakersguide Tweaking Companion which I'm finding very helpful. I downloaded SIW which contains all my system info and have attached it to this post. (This took me about an hour but I now know how to "zip" a file.)

So, hope this tells you what you need to know and I'll look forward to your reply.

Pam

SIW.zip (0.47 KB)
Member Avatar for crunchie

You uploaded an incorrect file. (Looks like you uploaded the shortcut). Please upload it in a format we can access, like notepad.

Edited by crunchie because: n/a
Member Avatar for jmrpjb

You uploaded an incorrect file. (Looks like you uploaded the shortcut). Please upload it in a format we can access, like notepad.

See what I mean about how much I don't know?

Here, I've tried again

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/10/2011, 19:25:43
       Machine name: COMPUTER_1
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
       System Model: Dell DE051                   
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A01
          Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.53GHz
             Memory: 1270MB RAM
          Page File: 842MB used, 2192MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found. Direct3D functionality not available.  You should verify that the driver is a final version from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_01D51028&REV_02
   Display Memory: n/a
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4299 (English)
      DDI Version: unknown
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 4/5/2005 14:38:44, 38014 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 4/5/2005 14:46:28, 830684 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6632-11CF-5363-DF21A3C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x8086
        Device ID: 0x2572
        SubSys ID: 0x01D51028
      Revision ID: 0x0002
      Revision ID: 0x0002
      Video Accel: 
 Deinterlace Caps: n/a
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Not Available
       D3D Status: Not Available
       AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01D51028&REV_02
        Manufacturer ID: 65535
             Product ID: 65535
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: smwdm.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.7000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 3/22/2005 11:08:40, 260224 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: Analog Devices
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: Yes
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): Yes
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: smwdm.sys
         Driver Version: 5.12.0001.7000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/22/2005 11:08:40, 260224 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xCCC

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: n/a
           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  SoundMAX Digital Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name:  Photo AIO Printer 964
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x5114
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
         Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x24D4
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 15:15:38, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/23/2001 03:00:00, 4736 bytes
| 
+-+ USB Human Interface Device
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x2005
| | Location: DELL USB Keyboard
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_03&subclass_01
| | Service: HidUsb
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 4/13/2008 15:15:28, 10368 bytes
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 4/13/2008 15:15:28, 36864 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 4/13/2008 15:15:24, 24960 bytes
| | Driver: hid.dll, 4/13/2008 20:51:44, 20992 bytes
| | 
| +-+ HID Keyboard Device
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x2005
| | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| | | Service: kbdhid
| | | Driver: kbdhid.sys, 4/13/2008 15:09:50, 14592 bytes
| | | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 15:09:48, 24576 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 05:43:22, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 15:09:48, 24576 bytes
| 
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x0461, 0x4D15
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:51:44, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 2/18/2007 12:46:46, 12160 bytes
| 
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 05:43:22, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:51:44, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection 2 - IPv4 - 

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 62.6 GB
Total Space: 76.3 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: WDC WD800BB-75JHC0

      Drive: E:
      Model: SONY CDRWDVD CRX310EE
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 15:10:48, 62976 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
     Name: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_01D51028&REV_02\3&172E68DD&0&10
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\ialmnt5.sys, 6.14.0010.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:46:28, 830684 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ialmrnt5.dll, 6.14.0010.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:38:44, 38014 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ialmdnt5.dll, 6.14.0010.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:38:36, 110203 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ialmdev5.dll, 6.14.0010.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:38:26, 194298 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ialmdd5.dll, 6.14.0010.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:45:44, 876666 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\hccutils.dll, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:18:06, 73728 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.dll, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:19:10, 57344 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:19:10, 155648 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpph.dll, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:22:16, 143360 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxcpl.cpl, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:22:04, 77824 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxcfg.exe, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:21:56, 434176 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxdev.dll, 3.00.0000.4299 (English), 4/5/2005 14:18:22, 131072 bytes
   Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxdo.dll, 3.00.0
Member Avatar for gerbil

Driver updating, yet another example of how people allow computers to take over their lives. If everything is working as you would like it/expect it, Device Manager reports no problems, and there is no amazing, new feature offered by an update then a driver update will not necessarily deliver anything. Check the update changelog - many updates will not apply to your situation. An example might be a change to ensure compatibility with some new widget that your sys doesn't boast, or to fix an obscure chance error that you've never experienced.
Sure, when you buy a piece of kit the driver software that comes with it may be a bit ropy.... a rush job just to get the hardware on the shelves [I'm a cynic] and an update might get more from the thing, but often, no.

Edited by gerbil because: n/a
Member Avatar for jmrpjb

Driver updating, yet another example of how people allow computers to take over their lives. If everything is working as you would like it/expect it, Device Manager reports no problems, and there is no amazing, new feature offered by an update then a driver update will not necessarily deliver anything. Check the update changelog - many updates will not apply to your situation. An example might be a change to ensure compatibility with some new widget that your sys doesn't boast, or to fix an obscure chance error that you've never experienced.
Sure, when you buy a piece of kit the driver software that comes with it may be a bit ropy.... a rush job just to get the hardware on the shelves [I'm a cynic] and an update might get more from the thing, but often, no.

:-/[/I][/B]One has to be a cynic in this environment. Idealism is what precedes experience; cynicism is what follows. David T. Wolf ( 1943 - ). What follows cynicism? Cause that's where I'm headed. I mean why do the bad guys want to give everyone viruses? It's not like they gain anything by doing this, right? But I digress. I appreciate your comments because I was just asking myself, "why are you doing all this when everything is working as I "would like it/expect it" to? I guess my only answer (well my only good answer) is that I'm learning more and more. I just hope I don't blow up my computer in the process.

Thanks for your feedback

Member Avatar for 07knev

If the manufacture has updated the drivers version, can download from there site.
Since you have windows XP, i dont think newer version of drivers will be developed. As Windows 7 is over taken XP.

Member Avatar for jmrpjb

Hi,

Thanks to everyone who helped me with this and, I've decided to leave well enough alone.

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