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Posts tagged Drivers
Installing Dell Device Drivers
Aug 13th
Installing Dell Device Drivers
Although Dell manufactures some of the best computer hardware in the industry, its products are still vulnerable to common issues. Just as with any device, there may come a time when your Dell hardware stops functioning and needs help getting back on track. Thankfully, when hardware begins to experience problems, solving them is often as easy as updating an outdated device driver. For example, if your keyboard starts acting up, it typically means there is problem with the corresponding device driver. After updating or replacing the driver, the keyboard will usually enjoy the normal functionality.
First Steps to Fixing the Dell Problems
If you want to fix your hardware issues, the first thing you should do is find the driver CD that came along with your Dell computer. This disc should be labeled like “Dell Drivers” or “Drivers and Utilities.” After inserting the disc into your CD drive, a wizard should appear and ask which drivers you want to install. If you know which drivers are causing the problem, you can choose them from the list of selections. If not, you will need to conduct an investigation.
Investigating Which Drivers are Awry
To find the device drivers stirring up all the chaos, open the “Control Panel” and click “Device Manager.” The Device Manager lists all the devices installed on your computer. If you notice yellow markings by any of your devices, this indicates a problem and that the device drivers need to be replaced. Now that you have pinpointed the issue, navigate back to the Dell Driver window, select the appropriate drivers and restore them. Depending on the device, you may have to install one or multiple drivers. For instance, if your motherboard drivers become corrupt, you will be required to install numerous components in order to completely restore the hardware.
Obtaining Drivers from Dell Directly
If you can’t find the driver installation CD, visit the Dell Support website. The company does a good job at making updated drivers and firmware available. In the device driver download area, enter the model number for the device and operating system on your computer. By doing so, you will better your chances of getting the exact drivers you need. After finding the appropriate drivers, download them to your computer. Most downloads from Dell are self-launching files, meaning all you have to do is click the icon and follow the installation prompts. If not, the device drivers will have to be manually installed from the Device Manager utility. From the Device Manager, locate the device in question and right-click on it. Choose the option that automatically browses your computer, select the downloaded device drivers, and follow the prompts for installing them.
If you take the route of downloading device drivers from Dell, be sure to remember where they are saved on the hard drive. By knowing where to look, you can save yourself tremendous if they ever need to be reinstalled again. An easier way to accomplish this would be saving the device drivers file in a special folder or on storage media.
Adam K Smith is an eminent author on Device Drivers for all types of Computers. To Safely Update All Your Drivers and Fix Your Drivers Problem Instantly Visit: http://www.fixyourdrivers.com/
Golf Drivers ? How to Select it
Aug 11th
Golf Drivers ? How to Select it
Golf drivers are used to take long distance shots. Golf Driver is the most important golf club in a golf bag. You use golf driver frequently while the game. Golf drivers are for long distance shots. There are many types of drivers available in the market. Those are titanium driver, steel driver and driver from composite material but you have to select right golf driver which is most suitable for you. Golf drivers are generally made from steel, titanium, and composite. The three materials are very different and this should be kept in mind when you are choosing your driver.
You can find steel drivers in the market. If you want to choose less expensive golf driver then steel golf driver is best. These steel drivers made from steel so they are heavier in weight. They are more durable and with less price. You can always have better ball connection with steel golf driver. Connection with the golf ball with steel driver is better. Steel drivers give you better service then any other golf driver.
Titanium is the best and the most expensive kind of material of which a club can be composed. This is because they are light and at the same time, they have a large head on the end. This gives the golfer the ability to increase the spot, making it possible to hit good shots even when off balance. The titanium driver saves people extra shots when the crunch time comes on the golf course.
The composite driver combines the advantages of titanium and non-metallic materials. These are clubs with a relatively small head on them. The driver’s weight centers near the face of the club, supposedly giving the golfer a bigger sweet spot. There is never a sacrifice of distance when you’re using this kind of driver ad yet, they don’t weigh too much.
Which ever material your golf driver made from but it should be most comfortable for you and most suitable for you. As golf driver is essential golf equipment you must not select it vaguely. If money is a problem then choose steel driver they are less expensive. Titanium drivers are best if you afford to purchase it. If weight is a problem then use composite material golf driver they are lighter in weight and if you want to select better golf driver then select titanium golf driver its performance is better than others. So select it wisely and enjoy the game of golf.
If you want to buy improved golf driver for you then visit http://www.golf247.co.uk/shop-index.html
Author is basically professional writer with having good knowledge of wide-ranging market and Have 4+years experience in his fields. And also have knowledge of web graphic, designer, animator and as well writing blogs/content directed to each and every field related IT, computer and Latest Trend in marketplace.
The Easy Way to Update Your Drivers in Windows XP or Vista
Aug 5th
The Easy Way to Update Your Drivers in Windows XP or Vista
Drivers are software programs which tell your computer how to “talk to” your hardware and devices, such as monitors, keyboards, scanners and printers. Without the correct version of a particular driver, your hardware cannot communicate with software (Windows) and your hardware can’t function properly.
Common Scenarios Where You Need To Upgrade Drivers
Upgrading to a new OS or upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista may often cause conflicts with your existing drivers. Sometimes your device manufacturers such as Logitech, HP, Toshiba will create new drivers and these will make the old ones useless. Unless you update your drivers, you might find that your devices don’t work.
Installing new software or hardware can also result in the need to update your drivers.
Finally, just plain everyday computer use can cause drivers to become damaged or out of date. This causes the hardware connected to the driver to malfunction.
How to Update Drivers in Windows Vista or XP
Firstly, find out which driver versions you currently have. On a Windows XP or Vista computer, right-click My Computer and click Properties; select the Device Manager. Click the Plus sign to the left of a specific device. This will tell you to the drivers that are currently installed.
Secondly, do a search on the web to see if a newer driver exists by visiting the website of the manufacturer of your device. A newer driver will have a more current release date than the one installed previously. Many people complain that it is very difficult to find driver updates on the manufacturers websites.
If you manage to find it, proceed to download the latest version of the driver you need.
Important Things To Consider
Please be aware that finding the driver you need is not a simple process and can be very frustrating. You will need to know in 95% of cases the model number, serial number, and revision of your device. If you replace the wrong driver, you may damage your hardware.
Needless to say, you need to be 100% certain that these drivers will work and not cause any problems with your computer hardware.
Furthermore, you will need to make sure you download official drivers only. Installing the wrong drivers will crash your system. Also, if there are problems with the new driver, you want to be able to restore the old one.
Finally, if the installation didn’t remove the old driver, remove it. On a Windows XP or Vista PC, right-click the driver in the Device Manager and select Remove.
Finally, you may restart the computer and your drivers should be updated.
The Easy Way To Replace Old Drivers
If you don’t have time to mess around with searching the internet for drivers and guessing which driver you need for your hardware, there are websites out there which automatically install the latest and official versions of Windows drivers.
They will save you a lot of time and headaches and ensure you don’t waste money sending your computer away for repair.
by Giselle Sanchez – Freelance technology writer. Want to automatically update your drivers? Download the latest official drivers for Windows XP or Vista at http://www.officialdrivers.net/
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Why Device Drivers are Important to Your Computer
Aug 4th
Why Device Drivers are Important to Your Computer
What is a Computer Device Driver? According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “A device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a device. A driver typically communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware is connected. When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver; the driver issues commands to the device. Once the device sends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program. Drivers are hardware-dependent and operating-system-specific. They usually provide the interrupt handling required for any necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardware interface.”
The Device Driver Purpose “A device driver simplifies programming by acting as a translator between a device and the applications or operating systems that use it. The higher-level code can be written independently of whatever specific hardware device it may control. Every version of a device, such as a printer, requires its own specialized commands. In contrast, most applications access devices (such as sending a file to a printer) by using high-level, generic commands, such as PRINTLN. The driver accepts these generic statements and converts them into the low-level commands required by the device.” Wikipedia further explains.
Signs that your drivers aren’t working properly include:
- System instability
- Malfunctioning hardware
- Unresponsive hardware
- Computer errors
What You Should Know
Windows comes with a utility that you can use, but it’s awkward because; each device must be updated individually. If you’re tired of manually updating your device drivers in an effort to keep your computer running at optimum performance, there is a better way. Numerous software developers have created special utilities that automate updating your drivers. These tools are particularly impressive for their ease of use, safety, and features. Some tools stand out for their user-friendliness and diagnostic capabilities. You don’t need to be a computer genius to use this software and diagnose and repair hardware issues! These utilities also remove obsolete device drivers and related files which improves system performance and stability. These products scan your computer, identifies all devices, identifies the current device drivers, and searches for the most current device drivers available for your computer configuration. Their ability to Update or install the latest drivers will help with the operating systems compatibility, reliability, and enhance computer performance.
What Can You Do?
The basic first steps to prevent data loss are; keep your system clean and tuned. Make sure to always use official software and up-to-date antivirus solutions. Stable device drivers and quality hardware nearly always guarantees that your system will not crash for no immediately apparent reason.
The More Computer Savvy Can…
Compile a listing of their PC devices and undertake a search of each manufacturer’s website for the drivers and software they individually need. Once the latest driver updates are located it is very important to follow any recommendations or directions provided by any hardware or software manufacturer before updating device drivers. You should know, manufacturers usually only publish driver updates every few months as a general rule and that updates for hardware drivers are not published as frequently as other software updates.
The Newbie or Not So Technically Inclined Can…
Save yourself the stress, aggravation or confusion and do an Internet search for software special utilities that automate updating your drivers that are specifically designed to locate the appropriate drivers or, driver updates needed to keep your operating system updated and optimized. Specific Tool software provides the following benefits to solve your computer driver ills:
- The tool software data base likely contains over 30,000 drivers for pieces of PC hardware & peripherals!
- You get – One-Click Driver Install & Fix
- The tool Finds & Repairs Driver Conflicts
- Provides the ability for Advanced Diagnostics for ‘Unknown’ Error Messages
- Most of these tools have Complete Driver Backup & Restore
- Support normally provided for All PC Manufacturers including: Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer, Gateway, Intel, Asus, IBM, Lenovo & More
- Custom PC Driver Restore Package Creation
- Unlock Advanced NVIDIA Driver Settings
- Support for All Sound Cards
- Instant Live Updates
- Wireless WIFI LAN Driver Update & Repair
- No Need to Call Technical Support or Hunt for CDs!
As you learn, grow and discover the capabilities of your computer take time as well, to learn how to keep your computer operating system working efficiently (optimized) and your personal and financial information safeguarded. For available articles, tools and user friendly software and their comparisons among one another visit http://www.registryfixing.com
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Testing of Windows Drivers
Aug 3rd
Testing of Windows Drivers
1. Introduction
As we know, Windows drivers can run and work in either user mode or kernel mode.
Kernel-mode drivers run as part of the operating system and possess the privileged abilities. The drivers reviewed below are the drivers of kernel level. As any software testing procedure, driver testing includes automatic and manual testing, but in this article we will focus mainly on the last one.
Later we will review testing process for the followings types of drivers:
File System Filter Drivers Network Redirection Drivers Virtual Storage Drivers USB Client Device Drivers
2. General aspects of driver testing
First of all, I would like to say “Don’t install the driver to be tested on your working system!” However, there are some exceptions on this occasion, for example:
You are looking for a reason to reinstall your system… You don’t want to waste time on searching bugs on the clean test systems… You are sure that the driver is stable… You have to test the work of the connected devices…
Secondly, driver tester must have a virtual machine installed on the working computer and at least one real test computer.
Thirdly, before starting the testing procedure, it is necessary:
1. To define the number of operating systems for which it is necessary to check the driver functionality. Usually, first of all you use the OS confirmed by the specification. Let’s suppose that a driver must successfully work under Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista accordingly to the requirements. Applying our experience in driver testing, we extend this list to the following:
Windows 2000 Windows 2000 sp4 Windows XP_sp0 Windows XP_sp1 Windows XP_sp2 Windows XP_(Windows is installed on FAT32) (obligatory system) Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Windows Vista
Additionally:
Windows Server 2003 Small Business Windows Server 2003 Enterprise EditionSp1
At that, it’s desirable for all of these systems to be Checked Build versions. Using the Checked version slows down Windows functioning, but multiplies probability of finding bug in the driver functioning. If there is no a single Checked Windows, it is necessary to purchase the Checked version of at least one system, for example from the Windows XP series.
Thus Windows XP_Chk is added to the OS list. But you shouldn’t limit you work only to this list: the more the number of OS, under which driver passed the complete testing successfully, the better quality of product guaranteed.
2. If possible, select test computers with as different hardware and configurations as possible. I recommend obligatory test on machines with single processor, single processor with Hyper-Threading, two-core processor and dual processor machines.
3. To make the following settings for each OS where driver testing will be performed: in System Properties\Advanced\Startup and Recovery Settings\Write debugging information it’s necessary to select Kernel memory dump or Complete memory dump, and uncheck Automatically restart option for the case of you won’t be nearby in the moment of Blue Screen appearance.
4. To set verification by standard Driver Verifier Manager of the system with all options, except for Low resource simulation. This is determined by the fact that at first you must obtain stable functioning of driver without the option of Low resource simulation, and then test the functioning with this option on smoke tests.
5. To select antivirus software with which it is desirable to test the driver performance. Usually it’s recommended to take the most commonly used antivirus programs, such as DrWeb, Kaspersky Antivirus, V3, Symantec Norton Antivirus, NOD32. The list is not limited to these names, of course. The more programs you will test, the better driver performance will be; this will only increase the quality of product.
6. To verify compatibility of your driver with other drivers, the system ones and the drivers by other producers. It is desirable for the last ones to be stable enough – in this case it will be easier for you to discover reasons for improper work of the system or Blue Screen appearance, and to expose bugs in driver performance.
The next general aspect of driver testing is verification of driver loading and unloading, i.e. you set the group of tests that are relevant to each driver:
Driver installation. The script for driver installation can be written by programmer, but the tester verifies whether it’s done correctly. Here we check the following: Has the system crashed after driver installation or not? Has *.sys file been written in the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers directory? Have necessary keys been registered in Registry, if they are presented in our case?
The driver installation not always supposes its start – it depends on implementation of driver. Some of them run after system restart and cannot be stopped during the process of work (usually these are File System Filter Drivers), therefore the following questions arise: Does system start correctly with installed driver? Does system crash when the driver is started manually? System Restart while the driver is working. System must be normally rebooted without Blue Screen; after system start, the driver and its settings must comply with the statuses described in the specification. System Reset while the driver is working. System must perform the Reset operation and start without Blue Screen; after system start the driver and its settings must comply with the statuses described in the specification. System shutdown while the driver is functioning. System must perform the Shut down operation successfully without Blue Screen. System Start with the pre-installed driver. System must be rebooted without Blue Screen; after the system starts, the driver and its settings must comply with the statuses described in the specification.
Further work of driver tester includes functional testing of the testing object and search of BSOD, which features depend on the type of testing driver.
3. File System Filter Drivers Testing
The drivers of this type are designed for enhancement of the file system functionality, for example for catching operations of OS in order to watch, forbid or permit certain processes, operations, files in certain disk space. The set of tests to verify the driver functionality is formed in accordance with the type of driver and here you have to pay special attention to the software products workings with network places.
Let’s consider an example when we use a database with the multi-users connection status. Let’s suppose that the real multi-users DB1 is on the computer N1 and we can work with DB1 on the computer N2 without problems. Let’s install some File System Filter Driver on the computer N1 and computer N2. When trying to get access to DB1 from the computer N2 we can get such results:
DB1 on the computer N1 is not accessible for the computer N2; N1 computer has crashed with BSOD; N2 computer has crashed with BSOD; DB1 remained accessible for using on the computer N2.
It is necessary to test an access to Shared Folders from one machine to another. Thus you have to test standard operations of creation, deleting, copying, renaming, moving of small and large folders and files in Shared Folders.
An insidious test is the starting of some *.exe file both from network space and locally.
On the test system, it’s useful to run software products which perform file system indexing (for example, Google Desktop). BSOD or Dead Lock of system with installed File System Filter Driver can occur when such programs are started or functioning.
System can work inadequately after installation of new Virtual Storage Driver (these drivers are developed for creation of virtual encrypted disks) or while it’s functioning. BSOD or noticeable slow down in system performance can happen as a result of File System Filter Driver and Virtual Storage Driver interaction – naturally, it’s not good.
In my opinion, this type of drivers is the hardest from the view of covering full set of tests, and the most unforeseeable in system crashes while driver is functioning.
4. Network Redirection Drivers Testing
Network Redirection Driver is a network file system which gives access to the resources of remote computer. In practice, such drivers are used for creation of network disks, and we will examine such drivers in this paragraph.
First of all, it’s necessary to select test data, so we will take:
Files and folders of small size (to 10Mb); Files and folders of large size(more than 600Mb); Folders containing some nested files and folders (one folder for one file); Folders containing a great number of nested files and folders (nesting is equal to 5; the number of files (size to 1K) is more than 100 in each folder).
In this case main tests are divided into the followings groups:
Group #1 is “Verification of network disk displaying”. After connecting network disk that is implemented on the base of Network Redirection Driver, this disk must be displayed in all of the file managers.
Group #2 is “Verification of functionality”
Testing the standard operations (opening, change, hiding, creation, deleting and other) with files and folders on a network disk. Testing the operations of copying, saving files and folders to/from a network disk from/to a local disk. It’s necessary to pay special attention to all of applications included in MSOffice package, MindManager and also to verify saving project of MS Visial Studio from local space to a network disk and compiling this project. Testing the operations of copying when size of copied files is changed and also when an operation of copying/saving files is interrupted incorrectly. Testing software product on the different language versions of OS, for example under English and Korean OS, and performing tests from the first three points of Group #2. The driver must automatically pick up the language of the system and successfully perform all available operations with files and folders. Testing search function on a network disk. Checking the data integrity when moving them from a local disk to a network one and vice versa.
Group #3 is “Verification of data exchange speed”
Testing speed on every set from the group of test data when downloading to Network Disk from Local Disk. Testing speed on every set from the group of test data when unloading from Network Disk to Local Disk.
At that, it is necessary to take into account the capabilities of data transfer over the local network and capabilities of network protocols both with data cashing and without it. If you can get an analogue product, then compare its speed with the speed of your product.
Group #4 is “Disconnect”
Checking the reaction of the system to disconnecting the network cable with the network disk connected: during uploading of each set from the group of test data; during downloading of each set from the group of test data. Testing the reconnect of network disk after plugging connecting network cable to the computer.
Group #5 is “Users sessions”
Testing network disk performance for different users in the terminal session of Windows Server2003. Testing network disk performance for different users with Switch option on Windows XP. Testing network disk performance for different users with Login switching on Windows Server2003.
5. Virtual Storage Drivers Testing
Virtual Storage Driver is virtual data storage (for example, it can use random-access memory or file). Usually it is used for implementation of virtual encrypted disks.
Main points when testing this type of drivers are:
Standard operations (opening, change, hiding, creation, deleting and other) over files and folders on a virtual disk. Creation of image of maximum possible size; its formatting. Data safety when working with different encrypting algorithms. Driver speed (reading / writing to/from a virtual disk). Place of images localization (USB memory, Network Disk, Local Disk) and ability to access it. Data integrity on repeated connection of image after incorrectly disabled access to image had happened.
6. USB Client Device Drivers Testing
USB Client Device Driver manages USB device, interacts with it by means of USB packages (URB), for example, for redirecting requests to another computer. The real USB devices are always involved in testing of such drivers; therefore the critical errors occur mostly during interaction between the driver that is tested and devices’ drivers. For example, BSOD can happen on a computer with USB Client Device Driver installed when the following actions are performed:
connecting new USB device; correct removing of USB device; incorrect removing of USB device; installing drivers for USB devices; working with USB device.
7. Conclusion
Remember that correctly chosen set of tests for the certain type of driver helps your to improve the quality of your product.
You can learn more details about how the software driver testing is performed in Apriorit here.
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