With thousands of computer devices and dozens of manufacturers from around the world, it's not surprising that device driver downloads fail periodically or that the process varies from one manufacturer to the next. While one driver may install upon download, another might require that you manually unzip the files and install it via the Device Manager. Not only that, some drivers won't work until after you've rebooted your computer. With all these variables, how can you ensure a successful driver update and installation? These tips should help: Tip #1: Set a System Restore Point Before Applying a Driver Download Because there's always the possibility of undesirable results, it's smart to set a System Restore point before you apply a new device driver. That way, if the download makes matters worse, you can always rollback your system to its previous state. Go to Control Panel -- System -- System Protection and create a restore point. Should you need to rollback the system, go to Start -- Programs -- Accessories -- System Tools -- System Restore and choose the restore point you just created. Tip #2: Choose the Correct Driver Download for Your System and Device This can't be stressed enough. If you have a Windows 64-bit operating system and you accidentally select the driver for the Windows 32-bit operating system, your device will most likely not work. That's because device drivers are operating system specific. Just as you wouldn't pick a Macintosh driver for your Windows machine, you shouldn't pick a Windows 32-bit driver for your Windows 64-bit machine. The same is true of the device's model number. Make sure you select the correct driver for the exact model number of your device because it's likely that the driver download has been written specifically for its corresponding model. Model XYZa could have an entirely different driver than model XYZb. If you choose the wrong one, expect unexpected results. If you've made a mistake, rollback the driver with System Restore (see Tip #1) and re-download the correct one. Tip #3: Always Reboot after Installing the Driver Download Rebooting is usually required, though rarely specified, after you update the device drivers. Rebooting ensures that all system files and DLLs are removed out of memory and then the appropriate drivers loaded upon reboot. Even if your device manufacturer doesn't specifically tell you to reboot, do it anyway. It will save you a lot of time and effort trying to figure out why the device won't work. Tip #4: Find a Reliable Driver Download Source While you can definitely search for drivers on individual manufacturers' websites, you can also get all of the drivers you need for your exact computer through third party vendors. It's important to choose a reputable site to protect against unwanted malware. Your computer manufacturer may also offer drivers for your exact computer system in a single download file. Updating device drivers successfully requires carefully selecting the download site and the correct driver for your device. Set a restore point before installing it and reboot your computer after. These basic tips should help you have a successful installation.
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