Drivers: Worth Updating or Not?

I just used a program called "Driver Detective" to scan my 4 year old Dell Dimension 4500 for out-of-date drivers. It reported 13 as out of date.

I installed a new Nvidia GeForce4 MX 420 driver -- that seemed a no-brainer -- but I've also got an out-of-date Intel 82801DB Ultra ATA storage controller, SBLive sound card driver, Cnet Pro200WL Fast PCI Ethernet adaptor, Intel 82801DB PCI Bridge, Intel PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller, Conexant HSF modem driver, and a couple of other gameport and other drivers that supposedly need updating.

I'm not a big fan of fixing what ain't broken -- my machine works perfectly already -- but if there's a real benefit to updating, I will.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

I'm with you on " if it aint broke don't fix it "..will only cause grief. Been there many times

 

paul_doo Echos my thoughts precisely.

Also I say the same from LESSONS learned the hard, time wasting, bad language making way. ( Alias, trying to fix what was not broke )

Just for the hello of it I just looked and I find files in my C:\WIndows folder ( MPLAYER.exe ) dated WAY back to 1992

BillyBob

 

Hi David,

It would be worth a try if you're confident of being able to undo any driver update that turns out not to sit well with your system.

Either thru DM by rolling back the driver, or an image. We've discussed imaging often enough for me to know that you can restore the C drive to a prior state, don't remember the name of your software though.

The problem with driver updates in cases like this where as you write - "system works perfectly" - is that you don't really know if there is a benefit untill you try.

I would leave the HD contoller for last - IMO the least chance of any benefit, and do the modem first, the most likely to benefit.

If you are going to try, do one at a time and spaced out at least a few days between each update.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles..I would agree with you on that except for the fact the computer in question is over 4 yrs old.

The benfits if any..slim..depending on what you do with your computer (but over 4 yrs old) stay with what is working..

 

Hi paul,

Can't disagree with you...depends on how adventurous dave feels

I would however try updating the modem which in my experience usually do benefit from driver updates.

Regards - Charles

 

Charles..I agree

 

Even if I never use the modem (I have cable)?

Anyway, thanks for the feedback guys. I'm an inveterate PC tinkerer, and have a lean machine with only one program in my startup.

But if there's no percentage in risking an update of my drivers, why do it?

 

Updating drivers is it worth it

With windows xp you can do a system restore if need be.
That is if you do one driver at a time .
Drivers are updated usually for good reasons.
Software conflicts ( service pack 2 as an example)
Many users have automatic updates for windows on and do not realize that there windows has been updated over time.
Especially with video cards , the manufacturers , because of general computer market hardware restraints of the time , may have scaled back performance and feautures.
Especially with video cards the best way to get added performance is to update drivers.
Still you do not have a newer more powerful computer - so who knows.
When you update the driver for the video card it might also be a good idea to update your direct x version.
You can to the newest version or to a step up older version at
www.olderversion.com
Best to do one update of a driver at a time.