The Importance of Installing Windows XP Drivers

No matter what operating system you’re working from, keeping your drivers updated is important, especially for Windows XP and newer operating systems.  Windows XP drivers are advanced and made to enhance system performance and increase compatibility with applications, software, and programs. 

Updating your driver improves many things, including system performance and application compatibility. It also optimizes your system and fixes bugs or insufficiencies from earlier driver models.

If you’re choosing a driver to update to or install, make sure to only pick official drivers and not betas or prerelease drivers.  These paradrivers are insufficiently programmed and may still have bugs that aren’t worked out. 

Make sure to also select the proper drivers for your operating system.  In some cases, you may also need certain drivers made specifically for the brand of computer you're using.

Windows Update and Certified Microsoft Drivers

On the Windows Website, the Windows Updates will allow you to install Microsoft Certified drivers, which may not always be the latest versions. 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

Still, having your XP PC’s Automatic Updates enabled helps your drivers to at least stay updated to the bare minimum.  If you want truly up-to-date drivers, check in with the component manufacturer’s website (IE Intel, Realtek, nVidia).

DirectX Update

Make sure that your PC is updated to the latest version of DirectX before installing any new drivers.  To check if you have the latest version:

• Go to Start > Run > “Dxdiag” > OK. 
• Under the System tab, check the DirectX Version and see if it is the latest version. 

As of 1-1-10, the latest version available for XP PCs is DirectX 9.0c.

Identifying Hardware

In order to get drivers for your PC, you will need to know the model and manufacturer of your hardware.  If you are having trouble with this, use a system information utility to search and detect hardware. 

It will analyze and benchmark your hardware so that you know exactly what to look for when searching for drivers.  You will only need one driver from each of the following sections, so search for the component manufacturer of your hardware.

Device Utilities

There are certain utilities provided for and supported by Windows XP operating systems that aid in identifying your hardware and devices, locate and display which drivers you have currently loaded on your system, and give you information about your video card and GPU. 

There are also utilities that will help you locate and install the latest drivers for each of the previous sections, but these can be sketchy and leave you with incompatible drivers or loss of driver function.  It is best to simply download the drivers and install them yourself from the components’ sites.

Driver Types:

Chipset Drivers

When you install new chipset drivers, it will update all of the drivers associated with the core-logic of the motherboard of your PC.  Chipset drivers improve PC stability, performance, and compatibility with the components connected to the motherboard. 

These drivers must be installed before any other driver to ensure proper function, stability, and compatibility between all of the drivers and the core components of the motherboard. 

Video Drivers

Video cards, also known as video adapters, graphics-accelerator cards, display adapter or graphics cards, are expansion cards that enable graphics to be viewed on your PC.  Updating your video drivers keeps these graphics up to date and allows you to fully enjoy newly released PC games at their best.

Sound Drivers

Sound cards or audio cards are also expansion cards that enable your computer to translate program data and sound files into sounds audible to you through your speakers.  Keeping your sound or audio drivers up to date ensures that the latest programs, games, and music filetypes can be accessed and heard by you on your PC.

Network Drivers

A network interface card (network adapter, network interface controller (NIC), or LAN adapter) is a piece of hardware in your PC that allows computers to communicate over a computer network, be it LAN, wireless, or internet.  Keeping your network drivers up-to-date ensures that your network computers are able to communicate freely in the most advanced means.

Automatically Update Your Drivers