Reference number: CH000834
How do I Install a computer driver?
Question:
How do I install a computer driver?
Answer:
Microsoft Windows users
Depending on how the driver has been packaged is what determines
how the driver will be installed. Below is additional information
about each of the methods developers use to distribute their
drivers and how you would install the drivers in Microsoft Windows.
General driver tips
Below are some general insights to help prevent any additional
frustration that may be encountered while installing drivers.
Drivers on CD or floppy diskettes:
Almost all computer and hardware manufacturers include a
group of drivers for different hardware devices and often for each of the
supported versions of Windows. For
example, the driver CD you receive with your printer likely
contains the drivers for dozens of different printers. Not just
the printer you purchased, which means when installing the
drivers make sure you're installing the drivers for your
printer, not another printer model and that you're installing it for
the version of Windows you're running on your computer.
Below is an example of how a file structure may look on your
disk.
CD Example:
-PrinterA100
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
-PrinterA200
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
-PrinterB100
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
If for example you had a PrinterA200 and were using Windows
XP you would find your drivers in the PrinterA200\WinXP
directory.
Downloading drivers:
Almost all drivers you
download are going to be a single file if the file is not
an executable file it is almost definitely a
compressed file that contains all the driver files. In
order to
install the driver you will first need to
uncompress the file. Additional information about how to uncompress a
compressed file can be found on document
CH000506.
When extracting / uncompressing the drivers make sure to
remember where you place the folder containing the drivers as
you will need to point Windows to this folder when installing
the drivers. We usually recommend users install the driver
files in a folder on their desktop as it's an easy place to
remember and locate.
Finally, the single file and/or the files extracted from the
compressed file can be deleted after you have finished
installing the drivers.
Executable
Many computer and hardware manufacturers today are
pre-packaging their drivers into
executable files or have the
drivers installed through the setup file, which means simply
double-clicking the setup file or the file you download should
install the drivers to the computer for you.
Note: Many developers may package their drivers in a
compressed file, which means before looking for the setup file
you may need to uncompress the downloaded file. Information about
doing this was explained above. If after uncompressing the file
it still does not contain an executable file, some type of setup
file, or does not install your hardware device continue with the
below recommendations.
Finally, if you were successful in installing your drivers
make sure to reboot the computer after the drivers have been
installed.
Using the have disk option
Often computer manufacturers and hardware manufacturers will
also simply place the drivers on the CD, diskette, or download
for Windows to find and use during its hardware detection. Below
are steps on how to install drivers for a new device and upgrade
a devices driver for this type of setup.
Installing a new device
Upgrading drivers for pre-existing device
Installing a new device
- Open Windows Device Manager. Information about how to do
this can be found on document CH000833.
In the Device Manager make sure the device you're attempting to
install is not already listed from past install attempts. If
the device is found highlight it and remove it from Device Manager to prevent any conflicts during the install.
- Once Device Manager looks ok reboot the computer.
- As the computer is rebooting an install new hardware wizard
should appear if Windows detects the new hardware using this
wizard you should be able to point Windows to the folder
containing your drivers either on the CD, diskette, or the
folder containing the files you downloaded.
If Windows does not detect any new hardware open
Control Panel and
double-click the Add hardware icon to run the hardware
detection wizard. During the steps you will have an option to
tell Windows you have a disk containing the drivers for your
new hardware device, at this point point Windows to the
directory containing the drivers for your device.
Once drivers have been installed reboot.
Upgrading drivers for pre-existing device
- Open Windows Device Manager. Information about how to do
this can be found on document CH000833.
In the Device Manager locate the device you wish to update the
drivers for.
- Right-click the device and click Properties.
- In the Properties window click the Driver tab.
- Click the Update Driver button.
- In the Hardware Update Wizard point Windows to the location
of the updated drivers on your hard disk drive
Once drivers have been installed reboot.
Install through the .inf file
Finally, if the above recommendations do not work the
installation instructions for drivers and hardware devices are
always contained in a .inf file that is located within the
drivers.
Locate the .inf for your version of Windows right-click that
file and choose the option for install. Note this is a very raw
form of installing a drivers and it is important that you make
sure you're installing the correct .inf file and not a .inf file
for another device or for a different version of Windows.
Additional information and tips about locating the drivers was
explained earlier in the general driver tips
section.
Once you have right-clicked and installed the driver reboot
the computer
One of the above three recommendations should have installed /
updated the drivers successfully onto the computer. If you're still
having difficulties getting the device to install it's possible
you're not encountering a hardware issue and not an issue with the
drivers. Refer to the troubleshooting
steps for your hardware device for additional help and
information.
Additional information:
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