Hello All

Could someone tell me if when I try to to update divers using the list of hardware in Device manger ,what is searched ,is it just locations within your own PC or does the update function search the internet as well?

When using this option I always get the message that I have the latest driver and no better option could be found.

I have tried using driver collector programs and they always seem to come back with some of those same drivers that DO need updating contradicting the Device Manger method.

PS are there any freeware driver updaters that anybody can recommend.

Anyways

cheers to all

Andy

Hi Andy,

 

I would guess the only place MS searches on the 'net is Windows Update. The driver collectors probably check the manufacturers site too. If the manufacturer didn't pay MS to sign the driver, self-signed it instead probably, then MS could say "No" where the driver collector might say "Yes".

 

Check the manufacturers site yourself. They should have the latest version, and if it doesn't come from there, where did it come from? If the manufacturer doesn't have it and Windows Update didn't send it to you, where did it come from?

 

You might also check that you haven't "hidden" the driver from Windows Update, maybe sometime before you got the hardware. I don't know whether that would affect the search or not, but it can't hurt to take a look.

 

Best regards,

 

- Bob

 

The StickWorks

http://www.stickworks.com

Hi Andy,

 

I would guess the only place MS searches on the 'net is Windows Update. The driver collectors probably check the manufacturers site too. If the manufacturer didn't pay MS to sign the driver, self-signed it instead probably, then MS could say "No" where the driver collector might say "Yes".

 

Check the manufacturers site yourself. They should have the latest version, and if it doesn't come from there, where did it come from? If the manufacturer doesn't have it and Windows Update didn't send it to you, where did it come from?

 

You might also check that you haven't "hidden" the driver from Windows Update, maybe sometime before you got the hardware. I don't know whether that would affect the search or not, but it can't hurt to take a look.

 

Best regards,

 

- Bob

 

The StickWorks

http://www.stickworks.com

 

 

Thanks very much Bob.

I have to say that I have tried using the various manufactures sites when trying to update drivers ,but unless you REALLY know your stuff they can be incredibly user unfriendly and trying to sort out what it is that you actually need from these sites can be quite a challenge.

As for the driver update programs (the freeware ones at least) there is always a catch when using them IE registration after one use on facebook (I am wary of that) or the scan of your system is free ,but you actually have to pay for the updates.(I am not being stingy, if you think I SHOULD pay I just don't have credit cards ,believe it or not .)

I have had issues with downloaded driver files as well I.E. One supposedly for my C-media audio simply removed All sound from my system, and I had to unin and rein my original c-media sound thingy to get the sound back.

Anyways Bob you have answered my original question I.E. Windows update does check on-line ,but only at the MSsoft site.

Thanks for your help ,much appreciated .

Andy

 

 

PS how do I check to see if I have 'hidden' drivers from windows update?