Drver Detective Download?

Hi, Has any one used "Driver Detective" Download to check and up date their PC drivers. My Pc is older and has a Webcam problem and I thought later drivers may help,
Any info would be great,
Cheers Des.

 

Hi Des,

If you know the model number of your motherboard (and any added hardware), I suggest you find them yourself and avoid any possible incorrect driver installations (and, you don't have to pay for it).

First, you need to find out what chipset is on the motherboard. If the motherboard manufacturer doesn't have recent drivers, you can search for them at the chipset manufacturer's website. Same for other controllers on the motherboard.

If the system is OEM (HP, Gateway, Emachines, etc) you may be limited to getting drivers from the OEM's website (and I would definitely avoid a hardware detecting program).

There is hardware identification software in my signature, even those might require a good set of system drivers installed before they can identify hardware correctly.

What will Driver Detective do if they supply you with the wrong drivers? Better read their Agreement. Do they guarantee to install the correct drivers? What happens if your system is unbootable afterwards or hardware works worse than it did before?

I find the correct drivers using the hardware's model number. I taught myself about drivers, if you teach yourself, it will boost your experience level.

I've had problems with webcam software, not actually the drivers. I uninstalled everything related to the webcam (check if a software program is installed -> Add or Remove Programs) and reinstalled it. If you have problems updating other drivers, you might double your problems.

Concentrate on the webcam if your other drivers are "good ". Check for FAQs at the webcam manufacturer's website. I have seen that it might also depend on your version of DirectX, so check the system requirements for the webcam (Edit: and the version of DirectX may rely on modern graphics hardware).

Find out the information yourself or rely on software, I know which I would choose.

Matt
PS If you can find the correct model numbers for hardware (it will be printed on the electronics board if you can't get an accurate software readout) and post it here, I can give you some guidance if you like.

 

Hi Mattman, Thanks for the reply, you have just agreed with my thoughts, I am a bit suspicous of programs like that. I have checked for the camera drivers ( microsoft VX1000) and they seem up to date. its just that on my desktop when some one swiches on their video it locks my PC screen, its Ok going out and it works perfectly on my laptop. Thanks again Des.

 

I was referring mainly to the "PC drivers" that you asked about. My suggestion for the webcam is to uninstall and reinstall everything related to it (drivers and software) in case there was a problem with the original installation.

You have not turned off User Account Control (UAC)?

You can try running the webcam software as administrator. You will need to find the .exe file that runs the software for the webcam (in a folder under C:\Program Files), right-click on it and select "Run as administrator ".

I cannot see any suggestions at MS
http://www.microsoft.com/nz/hardware/digitalcommunication/productdetails.aspx?pid=007

Check through the User Guide/manual, there may be troubleshooting suggestions.

I take it that is still under warranty, so is your Vista installation. Register the product, then try contacting MS Support.

Matt