Understanding Drivers

- Software driver's help you run peripheral.

- Peripheral is a device attached to a computer to expand its capabilities.

- Technically, even some things inside computers are peripherals.

- Driver- interprets messages from the operatoring system to the hardware.

Reasons to Update Drivers:
- Sean's Philosophy: If its working fine, leave it alone.
- May add functionality
- May fix a bug
- Possible bad interaction with other drivers
- Video cards are known to have mulitple driver updates throughout its lifespan.

Devices needing Drivers:
- Video cards
- Motherboard chipset
- A chipset is a group of chips on a motherboard that control the onboard components.
- The "northbridge" handles the CPU, RAM, and video. The "southbridge" handles PCI cards, USB, hard drives and more.
- Audio
- Communcations
- Display
- BIOS
- Applications

- Get drivers from the manufacturer's website of the device.

- Having to reformat your hard drive: it's not a bug, it's a feature!

- Sean's Reformatting Rule: Download ALL drivers you will need and put them on a CD or USB key.