FAQs - Drivers and Downloads _ Dell US

8/11/2019 FAQs - Drivers and Downloads _ Dell US

1/4

14/7/2014 FAQs - Drivers and Downloads | Dell US

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=266522#Issue4

My Account Order Status Feedback

Article ID:266522

Date Published:2007-07-12

Journal ID:1dc2a03f-362a-42a8-84d8-44ef9763a318

English

Advanced Support Search

> Look upa journal

Print Provide Feedback >

Article Summary: Frequently asked questions on Drivers and Downloads.

Table of Contents:

1. What is a Driver?

2. When to Update a Driver?

3. How do I determine the Components in my Computer?

4. How to Download and Install a Driver?

5. Categories of Drivers and Downloads

A. Applications

B. Audio

C. Bios(Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Update Bios on Your Computer (English Only))

D. Chipset

E. Communication

F. Diagnostics(Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Run Dell PC Diagnostics (English Only))

G. Input Device Drivers

H. Network

I. Removable Storage

J. Serial ATA

K. System Utilities

L. Video

1. What is a Driver?

A driver is a piece of software that allows Microsoft Windows (or another operating system) to communicate with the hardware devices in yoursystem. Devices such as video cards, sound cards,and modems all require drivers to function correctly within Windows. Sometimes, Windows includesdrivers for devices, but generally drivers need to be downloaded and installed separately.

2. When to Update the Driver?

Dell Support now has the ability to scan some Dell computers for Driver Updates.On the Drivers andDownload page, if you seeScan Your System for Updates click on it to scan your system. The device drivers and firmware on acomputershould be updated for numerous reasons some of which include:

Increased system performancePatch security risksExpanded compatibilityAdditional featuresTo fix problemsAs directed by a Dell article

However, if your computer is working fine and the driver is not listed as an Urgent or Recommended download, there may be no reason to update yourdrivers. Installing drivers unnecessarily can, in some rare cases, create new problems. Review the Criticality information listed on the driver downloadpage for more information.

Looking for information about How to update your Dell computers Drivers?Click Here

Release Date: The date t his version of the driver was made available.

l i il i l i i i l i ll

Contact Us Sign In

Support Support by Topic

FAQs - Drivers and Downloads

Search SearchShop Support Community
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue16http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue16http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue9http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue9http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue9http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue12http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=576515http://-/?-http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue17http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue15http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue14http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue12http://www.dell.com/p/?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://www.dell.com/p?~ck=mn&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://en.community.dell.com/?~ck=mnhttp://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspxhttp://www.dell.com/p?~ck=mn&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://en.community.dell.com/?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/support/Contents/us/en/19/category/Contact-Information?~ck=mnhttp://en.community.dell.com/?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/p?~ck=mn&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspxhttp://www.dell.com/p/?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://www.dell.com/support/my-support?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/content/default.aspxhttp://www.dell.com/support/Contents/us/en/19/category/Contact-Information?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/JournalLookUphttp://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=266495http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue17http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue16http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue15http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue9http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue14http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue13http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=576515http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue12http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue11http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue10http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=581750http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue8http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue7http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?&docid=DSN_324722&isLegacy=true#Issue6http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://www.dell.com/support/orderstatus/us/en/19/http://ecomm.dell.com/myaccount/main.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19


2/4


3/4



Support Support by Topic

Do more with Dell

Employee and Student

Discounts

PartnerDirect

The power to do more

Dell Outlet

TechCenter

Make a Payment

Company

Investors

About Dell

Corporate Responsibility

Customer Engagement

Careers

Dell Newsroom

Legal

Ads & Emails

Privacy Statement

Legal & Regulatory

Terms & Conditions

Trademarks

Community

The Dell Community

Read our Blog

Discussion Forums

2014 Dell Terms & Conditions Unresolved Issues Privacy Statement Ads & Emails Legal & Regulatory Contact Us Dell Recycling Site Map

ll3.Roxio Creator4.Dell Support Center

After the BIOS completes this process, it transfers control of the computer to the operating system.

Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Update Bios on Your Computer (English Only)

D. ChipsetChipset is a collection of multiple integrated circuits designed to perform one or more related function on the motherboard.It is often specially designed to work with a particular component, such as a central processing unit (CPU).

E. CommunicationCommunication drivers are for internal 56k modems and utilities used for dial-up connections aswell as Mobile Broadband drivers.

F. DiagnosticsDiagnostics are to help diagnose malfunctioning computer hardware.

To run an online diagnostic Dell recommendsDell PC Diagnostics.

Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Run Dell PC Diagnostics (English Only)

G. Input Device DriverInput Device Drivers are drivers for touchpad, webcams, mice and keyboard.

H. NetworkIn order to recognize the Network Card and use it, the Operating System willneed the Device Driver. The Network Driver is essentially installed for theOperating System to be able to communicate with the networking device.

I. Removable Storage

CD/DVD Firmware increases or expands reading and burning functionality with media.

It can typically fix burning or reading issues with the drive.

J. Serial ATAHard drive utilities for storage management Pre-Operating System, and in the Operating System.

K. System UtilitiesDell System Software is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system.It is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.

L.VideoVideo Drivers can increase or enable display functionality.

United States
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=576515http://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/us/en/19/?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=581750http://www.dell.com/sitemaphttp://www.dell.com/learn/dell-environment-recycling?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/support/Contents/us/en/19/category/Contact-Information?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/learn/terms?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/policies-ads-and-emails?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/policies-privacy?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/content/public/xdbredirect.aspx?link=support:dellcare:outstanding_issueshttp://www.dell.com/learn/terms-of-sale?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/site-terms-of-use-copyright?s=corphttp://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/default.aspxhttp://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/default.aspxhttp://en.community.dell.com/http://www.dell.com/learn/trademarks?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/terms-of-sale?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/terms?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/policies-privacy?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/policies-ads-and-emails?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/about-dell-newsroom?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/careers?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/customer-engagement?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/cr?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/about-dell?s=corphttp://www.dell.com/learn/about-dell-investor?s=corphttps://dfs.dell.com/Pages/DFSHomePage.aspxhttp://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/default.aspxhttp://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/22/campaigns/outlethttp://thepowertodomore.dell.com/http://www.dell.com/content/public/xdbredirect.aspx?link=global:nav:partnershttp://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&cs=6099&l=en&s=eephttp://www.dell.com/support/my-support?~ck=mnhttp://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx


4/4



Feedback

Offers subject to change, not combinable with all other offers. Taxes, shipping, handling and other fees apply. U.S. Dell Home and Home Office new purchases only. Dellreserves the right to c ancel orders arising from pricing or other erro rs.

FAQs - Drivers and Downloads _ Dell US

Documents

Transcript of FAQs - Drivers and Downloads _ Dell US