Driver updates

Can anyone recommend a good driver updates program that is free. There are plenty for sale but I don't think that providing the latest driver is all that complex and can always be done manually.

 

Do you mean like the ones listed here: Driver update scans or something else?

 

Thanks

I tried Driver Agent using Shadow defender but it would't work.

 

Have now tried PC Pitstop which has correctly identified the need for 3 updates
- network drivers, graghics and sound drivers.

 

I've always been cautious about the company/people behind "free" services, but it looks like PCPitStop has some excellent credentials: About PC Pitstop

Wonder who's left at Gateway ...

 

Is PC Pitstop free? Looks like it just scans and you have to pay for anything else?

 

unfortunately not. all that is needed though is a way to check on what drivers might need updating. I say might because so far I have't found anything like a perfect program. Windows update say that my sound card should be updated but the update prouces very poor sound. Each program I have tried seems to come up with very different conclusions. In the end though I only update with drivers from the original source so identifying possible updates is perhaps all that is really required

 

Can anybody comment on whether any of the "driver scan" programs actually match (compare) the driver(s) found to the actual physical hardware itself?

Having recently done an unanticipated complete system overhaul (except for the hard drive) via ShadowProtect's Hardware Independent Restore, I'm now wondering whether there could be "orphaned" drivers from the original system still installed on the new system.

 

No - not possible. SP deletes the original partition /drive before restoring. How it allows for new hardware I don't know.

My way of working so far has been to use Shadoe Defender/Returnil/or deep freeze and then install a driver checking program. check for drivers and then restore to my clean system. Then update the drivers. That is why I am looking for the best free program. I don't want to pay but I don't want to use a paid for program knowing I would never pay for it.

 

Google: In Windows XP, simply uninstall the drivers who do not respond ( = not start ) and restart Windows XP; and then XP it reinstalls the drivers itself!

Do not forget: go to Windows Update/Equipment updates,optional.

 

Hi Guys,

At one point this machine had ATI vid card, now NVIDIA based. I thought I did a through job removing remnants of ATi enter Free

http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

Which successfully deleted hundred of files associated with, long history drivers.

NOTE. Backup is not automatically ticked, do it then delete.

Occasionally I'll scan using "Driver Agent" print the recommended updates, then off to the mfg's site, for manual update.

Some of the drivers recommended, I believe are not needed & only touted by Driver Agent to make it look more impressive, so you pay for the service. Chipset drivers comes to mind, this led me to calling Intel support & a long explanation of why, a version number increase, identified by Driver Agent was bogus & of no value.

See: https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=142939&highlight=Driver+Agent

Take Care
Rico

 

Hi Rico - I have pretty much reached the same conclusion

@ Proprootect - this may work for some but if you remove the sound or graphics you don't get an update. How do you remove the inf ?

I think that all you can do is see what various programs recommend and then go to intel, nvidia, samsung etc and see what they say is their latest and take it from there. I am now convinced that using an automated database service is asking for trouble.

 

'I am now convinced that using an automated database service is asking for trouble.'
YES, Long View, I have already read the same thought somewhere!

Perhaps a reinstallation of Windows would be best solution? It's easy with my Windows XP: I have the opportunity to launch Winnt32.exe:
C:\Windows\I386\Winnt32.exe. EASY.

The NVIDIA driver- to search on Windows Update ...

 

Reinstalling xp does not update the inf nor LAN drivers, nor sound drivers, nor graphics,......... scanner drivers, mouse drivers, keyboard drivers.......

 

I know http://www.radarsync.com/ was mentioned on another thread somewhere. Looks good, but not tested it. Any opinions on it?

 

I tested it, but the results were disappointing. The scan said I needed to update the Realtek device that was already clearly up to date and offered a download to update the Thunderbird email client, which turned out to be in a foreign language anyway. (I didn't run either updates.)

 

I use "Drivermax" from http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/ and so far i really enjoy using it.

 

Hello Nightfox,

Updated a bunch of drivers using Drivermax very cool I'm not sure how much of a difference it made, will see. My 1394 update was not as smooth as the others, but has been resolved.

Thanks for the good post/find

Take Care
Rico