Need latest drivers for sound card and video card (how do I do that?)

[Veta]

I just installed the software for a logitech videocam messenger. The
guide said to make sure my computer has the latest drivers for the
sound card and video card? How do I do that? I don't know where to
even start.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I just installed the software for a logitech videocam messenger. The
guide said to make sure my computer has the latest drivers for the
sound card and video card? How do I do that? I don't know where to
even start.

CC'd what will become your spam-collecting email address (if it was real.)

You must know what sound card/video you have. Look on your receipt/invoice
for the computer - ask the people you bought the system from, open it up and
look, etc.

There are applications out there that can identify what hardware you have,
but I think they all depend on a properly installed system - as I think they
pull the information from the registry. Perhaps they do not - so I will
recommend you try one..

Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html

Once you know what you have, what next? Go get the latest driver for your
hardware/OS from the manufacturer's web page. For example, let's say you
have an NVidia chipset video card or ATI video card, perhaps a Creative
Labs sound card or C-Media chipset sound card...

NVidia Video Card Drivers
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

ATI Video Card Drivers
http://www.atitech.com/support/driver.html

Creative Labs Sound Device
http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

C-Media Sound Device
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Go to the manufacturers web site of your sound and video card.
If you bought a computer from an OEM such as Dell, Compaq, Gateway, HP etc,
check their web site instead.

Get the latest sound and video drivers.

 

[Hoppy]

Veta wrote on 22 Dec 2005 21:59:40 -0800:

V> I just installed the software for a logitech videocam messenger. The
V> guide said to make sure my computer has the latest drivers for the
V> sound card and video card? How do I do that? I don't know where to
V> even start.

A good place to check your box's hardware is via Windows' Device Manager;
go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > System. Click on the Hardware tab,
then the Device Manager button.

Once you determine the hardware, you can double-click (or Open) your
sound/video cards and check the driver versions installed. Just be careful
that you don't change anything here. Back out of Device Manager with the
Cancel button.

Then go to your hardware manufacturer's site and check for drivers. Video
drivers can be tricky.

If you have a proprietary box (Ugh!) like Dell, Gateway, etc., you should
check the PC maker's site for drivers. They are usually different from the
card maker's drivers. PC makers usually provide some kind of link or
program to update drivers; it's normally based on your box's serial number.

HTH. Good luck...

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I just installed the software for a logitech videocam messenger. The
guide said to make sure my computer has the latest drivers for the
sound card and video card? How do I do that? I don't know where to
even start.

First, determine what specific make and model video adapter you have.
The most obvious places to look would be the computer's manual, inside
the computer's case, getting the information directly off the adapter,
or on the computer manufacturer's web site. Failing that:

1) Start > Run > MSinfo32.exe.

or

2) Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.

or

3) Start > Run > DXDiag.exe.

or

4) Right-click My Computer > Manage > Device Manager.

or

5) If none of the built-in tools provide the information you want, you
can use these utilities to help determine the answer to your question:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Unlimited Possibilities' AIDA32
http://forum.aumha.org/overflow/aida32.zip

Lavalys' Everest Home
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en

Next, consult the manufacturer of your video controller, usually via
the manufacturer's support web site, to see if there are any newer
drivers for your specific video adapter. If there are, follow the
manufacturer's instructions for downloading and installing said new drivers.


--

Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Veta]

Thank you everyone!
Veta