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  • #2171598

    How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

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    by asaunders12 ·

    What are the common device applications needed to load on the laptop after windows OS is loaded

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    • #2434428

      Clarifications

      by asaunders12 ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      Clarifications

    • #2434420
      Avatar photo

      Not sure what you are asking,

      by Wizard57M-TR ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      usually the only drivers you would need are for hardware components, such as
      video, optical disk drives, wireless and/or ethernet adapters, mouse/trrackpad,
      and sometimes a hard drive utility. As for applications, unless it is in reference
      to some peripheral such as a printer, it is rare that they need their own driver.
      My advice is to know your hardware prior to installing the OS, and download
      any drivers that may be needed prior to installing the OS, though many times
      with later Windows versions the base Windows drivers at least provide some
      functionality, then you can go on the internet if needed and grab specialty
      drivers. Download and save your hardware drivers on their own installation
      media, such as a CD/DVD disk or USB thumb drive. Then when needed you
      can insert the disk during or after Windows installation.

      • #2434384

        Reponse To Answer

        by asaunders12 ·

        In reply to Not sure what you are asking,

        Thank you for your quick response and I’ll try to rephrase my question. After loading the OS on a laptop, what devices will need applications to run them. Like if there is a camera it will need a application to run.

      • #2434330
        Avatar photo

        Reponse To Answer

        by Wizard57M-TR ·

        In reply to Not sure what you are asking,

        Well, in the case of the camera, know the make and model,
        visit the manufacturer’s web site, and see what they offer.
        Windows may have some rudimentary camera applications,
        and my favorite Windows image handling program does pretty
        good with images from a wide range of formats…
        IrfanView…it’s freeware, I highly recommend it.
        Other peripherals would need the same research.

    • #2434381

      Well the common things are but this depends on the OS being used

      by oh smeg ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      Under Windows systems before Vista Sound Cards, Video Drivers, Network Drivers both wired and wireless, Web Cams, and things like Printers, scanners and so on.

      When it comes to Linux it really depends on which Distro but overall WiFi Drivers in a lot of cases.

      Col

    • #2434325

      Well with Windows 7

      by oh smeg ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      It tends to pickup most Hardware Drivers as it installs. Though things like Video Capture, printer and scanner drivers will be needed after it’s installed.

      Even though it picks up most of the hardware connected when it’s installed you may however need to update drivers to get the best performance.

      With XP unless you are looking at a Slipstreamed Install with the specific drivers for your Hardware which is what most System Builders Supply other than Creative Sound cards it will need drivers for just about everything especially Realtech Sound and Video Card and all Network Connections including WiFi, Modems and so on. So if you are using a Microsoft supplied Install Disc for XP expect to need drivers for everything including SATA HDD. If you have one of the M’Boards that needs SATA Drivers it’s easier to Slipstream a Install Disc with nLite available free here

      http://www.nliteos.com/download.html

      As most new systems no longer have a Floppy Drive to install the SATA Driver from which is what XP Install Requires.

      Col

      • #2433112

        Reponse To Answer

        by rdconway ·

        In reply to Well with Windows 7

        If by Platform independent, you mean independent of the Windows version, then it sounds like it may worth a try. The worst that can happen is that I will have to go back and reinstall Windows XP…and I’ve already done that. It will likely be a month or so before I can set aside the time to take this on. If this thread is still alive, I’ll post my experience and lessons learned. Thanks Col!

    • #2434302

      Ask the Manufacturer

      by phudson38 ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the drivers for your configuration.

    • #2434291

      More Question Detail

      by rdconway ·

      In reply to How do you know what apps need drivers after OS laptop install

      Hitchhiking on asaunders12 original question; I previously tried to upgrade my old Dell Latitude D610 to Windows 7 from XP Pro even though it did not meet Windows 7 stated minimum system requirements. Windows 7 appeared to correctly install but my drivers (I have all the original system installation and OS files) would not work. A little research at Dell.com informed me that Dell has not and will not update any of the D610 drivers (and, I assume Dell System files) for Windows 7. Not in the mood for a major project, I reinstalled XP. I assume that I am in the same situation regarding upgrading to Windows 8. Any suggestions before an otherwise very workable laptop becomes obsolete due to lack of MS support for XP?

      • #2434288

        Reponse To Answer

        by oh smeg ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        Look at your Installed Hardware in the Device Manager and Google them to see if there are 7 or 8 Drivers.

        Most XP Hardware has 7 Drivers from it’s maker but as Dell is a System Assembler they are not the Hardware Maker.

        Col

      • #2433185

        Reponse To Answer

        by rdconway ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        Thanks Col. I looked at Speccy from Piriform which also lists hardware and requires fewer clicks to get to the specific driver file names.

      • #2433184

        Reponse To Answer

        by rdconway ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        Col, I was looking at the OS files that Dell suggested when I restored the D610 back to XP (Dell’s OS restore disk failed and they no longer provide them so I had to cobble it back together). One of them is “System Firmware: Dell Firmware-Dock Bay/D-Bay FX2 Firmware”. I am not familiar with the difference between firmware and software/drivers. The docking system is critical since this computer is the “heart” of the home WiFi network (router, printer, etc.) and is used by my wife who needs the external monitor, keyboard/mouse and external audio. Do you have a gut feeling as to whether this file might still work with WIN 7 or 8? I know that Dell has not provided an update. I also know that with a USB hub I might be able to recreate the set up without the dock but USB hubs have limitations and I will have an ugly pile of equipment and cables that will not make my wife happy. I have the time to work on this but unfortunately not the money for a new computer. I really appreciate your contributions to this thread…and my issue. Ron

      • #2433157

        Reponse To Answer

        by oh smeg ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        Firmware isn’t like Drivers it’s more like the BIOS in the system and ideally should be Platform Independent. 😉

        Col

      • #2433111

        Reponse To Answer

        by rdconway ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        If by Platform independent, you mean independent of the Windows version, then it sounds like it may worth a try. The worst that can happen is that I will have to go back and reinstall Windows XP…and I’ve already done that. It will likely be a month or so before I can set aside the time to take this on. If this thread is still alive, I’ll post my experience and lessons learned. Thanks Col! Sorry for posting this twice.

      • #2433081

        Reponse To Answer

        by oh smeg ·

        In reply to More Question Detail

        Yes that is what Platform Independent means it doesn’t matter which version of Windows or for that matter any other OS that you use. 😉

        Col

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