Driver updates

[SHRED]

I've noticed there is software out there that can scan your system and recommend driver updates for Windows based systems.
The ones I have found are not free.
Any freeware out there that does this?

[PoliticAverse]

1. Start [Windows Update]. n/t

[SHRED]

2. I got that but...

...it seems like the retaiul driver updayes find more.

Probably a come on to get you to buy?

[PoliticAverse]

3. I think so. The main driver people have issues with is the video card driver,

and that's really only an issue with gamers that live on the bleeding edge.

There are freeware versions that do something similar, like:
http://download.cnet.com/DriverMax/3000-18513_4-10572602.html
but unless you are running some unusual hardware or an OS older than Windows 7 I'm not
sure there aren't more bother than they are worth.

[CK_John]

4. Why would you invite someone to scan your machine for ....passwords, credit cards,

soc sec info??????

All manufactures of hardware have drivers on their sites, or contact info.

[TroglodyteScholar]

5. If you want to update your drivers outside of Windows Update...

Never buy or download something to scan your system for driver updates. That stuff is (at best) adware and (at worst) really destructive.

You're best to only trust the support area of the hardware vendor's website. Some of the big guys like Dell and HP make this pretty easy, but sometimes you'll need to go to the site for the manufacturer of the specific component, e.g. the NVIDIA site for a GeForce video card.

My advice is this: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm a pretty experienced computer nerd, and it's clear to me that monkeying with stuff you don't understand is the best way to really waste yourself some time. So if you really have to take action, either turn it over to someone experienced or start learnin' up for reals.

[PrestonLocke]

6. Definitely gotta second this

Drivers aren't like patches or system updates. You really only need to change them when something is not working as intended.

[hobbit709]

7. Third this

[gvstn]

8. I'll just say that I have run SlimDrivers to see how it did.

It gave me no headaches and did find some updates. As I wasn't having any problems, I can't say how useful the updates were. The only thing about the software I didn't like is that it set itself to start when Windows starts, which I though was unnecessary for a driver update program. I went ahead and did the 5 updates it suggested then turned off the startup option. My system has run fine for 5 months after the updates.

A couple of links. Take a look at the Avast one since the developer makes a quick statement about his software.

https://www.slimwareutilities.com/slimdrivers.php

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=74462.0

http://www.pcworld.com/article/231762/slimdrivers.html

http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/SlimDrivers-Review-183447.shtml

[Go Vols]

9. This works

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1097311

[Gore1FL]

10. Intel has one on their site that will likely handle most of your issues.

It only does intel-based hardware, but it will tell you want it doesn't recognize.

Download the Intel Driver Update Utility from here: http://www.intel.com/support/utilitytools.htm

It should identify hardware that is not intel. These will likely be sound or video. You may have a non-intel wireless and/or wired network adaptor as well. I'd mostly worry about video.