Safe to Download Drivers?

[john]

Because of VISTA compatibility problems, I want to be sure that I am using
the latest drivers. On my PC manufacturer's website there are about 20
drivers 'recommended' for downloading.

If I happened to download one that I don't in fact need (because, e.g., I
don't have the appropriate hardware item fitted) , will that be OK? I THINK
I'm right in saying that redundant drivers would simply remain filed on my
PC (i.e. they would remain dormant and simply not be used).

Cheers,
John

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Because of VISTA compatibility problems, I want to be sure that I am using
the latest drivers. On my PC manufacturer's website there are about 20
drivers 'recommended' for downloading.

If I happened to download one that I don't in fact need (because, e.g., I
don't have the appropriate hardware item fitted) , will that be OK?

Downloading an unnecessary and/or incompatible driver won't hurt,
beyond being a waste of time, as long as you don't try to install it.
But why on earth would you want to do such a thing? Download and
install only those drivers that are meant to be used with your
computer's components.

I THINK
I'm right in saying that redundant drivers would simply remain filed on my
PC (i.e. they would remain dormant and simply not be used).

Possibly. Then again, they might be close enough to the correct
drivers to cause conflicts and other problems. Again, why waste time
and bandwidth deliberately downloading the incorrect drivers?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[john]

Hi

Many thanks for your quick, helpful reply ....

Yeh, I know it sounds daft to be thinking of downloading unwanted drivers -
it's simply that to check whether or not I actually do need each and every
one of them is going to take me a month of Sundays and I've already wasted
far too much time resolving (or trying to resolve!) 'XP upgrade to VISTA'
issues.

Cheers and thanks again
John
--------------------

 

[Malke]

Hi

Many thanks for your quick, helpful reply ....

Yeh, I know it sounds daft to be thinking of downloading unwanted drivers -
it's simply that to check whether or not I actually do need each and every
one of them is going to take me a month of Sundays and I've already wasted
far too much time resolving (or trying to resolve!) 'XP upgrade to VISTA'
issues.

Actually, installing the wrong drivers might make that piece of hardware
not work. Examples were you might be able to install an incorrect driver
are network adapters and sound cards.

If you've gone to the OEM's website and found multiple drivers for a
hardware component and are unsure which one to get, use Belarc Advisor
to find out what hardware is in your machine.

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


Malke

 

[john]

Many thanks - I've filed a copy of your reply to deal with a bit later.
Meanwhile, in trying to get my printer working properly, I seem to have made
matters worse by twiddling with Firewall settings! Microsoft are NOT my
favourite people at present!

Cheers
John

 

[Ken Blake]

Because of VISTA compatibility problems, I want to be sure that I am using
the latest drivers. On my PC manufacturer's website there are about 20
drivers 'recommended' for downloading.

If I happened to download one that I don't in fact need (because, e.g., I
don't have the appropriate hardware item fitted) , will that be OK? I
THINK I'm right in saying that redundant drivers would simply remain filed
on my PC (i.e. they would remain dormant and simply not be used).

Yes, you are right. To download a file is to put a copy of it on your drive.
Whether it's a driver or any other kind of file, if you don't use the file,
it can't do anything, good or bad.

It's like going to the hardware store, buying a power saw, taking it home
and putting it on a shelf in your garage. If you use it, you can cut some
wood the way you want to, or you can misuse it and cut off your finger. But
if you leave it on the shelf, and don't turn it on and use it, it can't do
anything, good or bad.

 

[john]

Hi Ken

Many thanks - I'll now give it a whirl!!

Cheers
John

 

[Ken Blake]

Hi Ken

Many thanks - I'll now give it a whirl!!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Paul Randall]

Yes, you are right. To download a file is to put a copy of it on your
drive. Whether it's a driver or any other kind of file, if you don't use
the file, it can't do anything, good or bad.

It's like going to the hardware store, buying a power saw, taking it home
and putting it on a shelf in your garage. If you use it, you can cut some
wood the way you want to, or you can misuse it and cut off your finger.
But if you leave it on the shelf, and don't turn it on and use it, it
can't do anything, good or bad.

I think you are oversimplifying it, but I could be wrong.
1) What we call 'downloading' a driver really downloads an executable file
which 'wraps' all the parts of a driver into one nice file.
2) When we run that executable (typically called 'install' the driver), the
driver files (.INF and others) are put into some standard location(s) for
later use. I'm thinking that no changes are made to the registry and the OS
retains no info about it other than possibly keeping info on what to delete
in order to 'uninstall' the driver.

The executables for non-existent hardware just take up space - there is no
INF or other file that the OS might pick for its hardware.

Extra .INF and associated driver files should just take up space too. I
thought they would only be incorporated into the OS on bootup when the
associated hardware is detected.

Do you have some URLs that explain the driver 'install', storage as file on
the hard drive, and actual use by the OS when the hardware is detected?

-Paul Randall

 

[Lang Murphy]

Because of VISTA compatibility problems, I want to be sure that I am using
the latest drivers. On my PC manufacturer's website there are about 20
drivers 'recommended' for downloading.

If I happened to download one that I don't in fact need (because, e.g., I
don't have the appropriate hardware item fitted) , will that be OK? I
THINK I'm right in saying that redundant drivers would simply remain filed
on my PC (i.e. they would remain dormant and simply not be used).

Cheers,
John

What compatibility problems are you experiencing? I would think that should
be the main focus of your search for a solution to your problem.

As others have pointed out, simply downloading the driver exe does not
install it. Not knowing your PC manf. or how they make drivers available,
constricts one's ability to speak to your driver question.

Lang

 

[Ken Blake]

I think you are oversimplifying it, but I could be wrong.

I don't think I'm oversimplifying at all.

1) What we call 'downloading' a driver really downloads an executable file
which 'wraps' all the parts of a driver into one nice file.

Yes, usually.

2) When we run that executable (typically called 'install' the driver),
the driver files (.INF and others) are put into some standard location(s)
for later use. I'm thinking that no changes are made to the registry and
the OS retains no info about it other than possibly keeping info on what
to delete in order to 'uninstall' the driver.

Installing isn't at all at issue here. His question was about downloading,
but *not* installing the driver.