FAQs - Drivers and Downloads

Article ID: 266522

Date Published: 2007-07-12
Journal ID: 7e710ca9-f9da-44a0-8ce5-c928450ffdb0

Article Summary: Frequently asked questions on Drivers and Downloads.

Table of Contents:
What is a Driver?
When to Update a Driver?
How do I determine the Components in my Computer?
How to Download and Install a Driver?
Categories of Drivers and Downloads
Applications
Audio
Bios (Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Update Bios on Your Computer (English Only))
Chipset
Communication
Diagnostics (Click Here to Watch a Video on Steps to Run Dell PC Diagnostics (English Only))
Input Device Drivers
Network
Removable Storage
Serial ATA
System Utilities
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 your system. Devices such as video cards, sound cards,and
modems all require drivers to function correctly within Windows. Sometimes, Windows includes drivers 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 and Download page, if you see Scan Your System for Updates click on it to scan your system. The device drivers and firmware on a computer should be updated for numerous reasons
some of which include:
Increased system performance
Patch security risks
Expanded compatibility
Additional features
To fix problems
As 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 your drivers. Installing drivers unnecessarily can, in
some rare cases, create new problems. Review the Criticality information listed on the driver download page for more information.
Looking for information about How to update your Dell computers Drivers? Click Here

Release Date: The date this version of the driver was made available.
Last Updated Date: The last date supporting details (compatible systems, devices, OSs, updating of fixes/enhancements, release notes, install instructions, etc) were changed.
This date being different from release date doesnt necessarily reflect change in the actual files attached to the Driver release.

3.

How do I Determine the Components in my Computer?

You have two options on how to determine the components in the computer.
Option 1: Continue on to Section 4,use the Service Tag to get a concise list of Drivers and Downloads specific for your system. As shown in Section 4, Step 2.

Option 2: If you just want the Component list and not the downloads, please follow the instructions below:
1. Browse to the System Configuration Tool
2. Select the Original System Configurations tab
3. Enter your Service Tag, then click Continue. The list of components on your computer is displayed.
This list can be referenced to help you find out what components you will need drivers for.

4.

How to Download and Install a Driver?

Browse to the Dell Support Website.

Enter the Service Tag or Express Service Code. The Dell Product page will launch.
If the Service Tag is not available, click Detect my Product. More information to locate service tag or express service code .

In the Dell Product page, scroll down and select Get Drivers and downloads.

Under Show me driver updates by, if you select Service Tag button, you would get a list of drivers applicable for your your computer. If you choose System Analysis, a concise list of all applicable drivers
would be presented.
Sometimes the service tag choice might not present the entire list hence in that case select System Analysis to have a concise list.

Select the driver you want to download from the list on the download page. See Section 5 to understand what's listed in each category.

Click Download. You may receive a warning and an option to run or save the file.

Once the download is complete, run the .exe file. You might be prompted to restart the computer(If required).

If you want to download multiple drivers, you can click Add To Download List.

Once you have selected all the drivers you wish to download, click I'm Done.

Scroll down to My Download Lists. You may click View List to confirm your selection. Click Download this list .This list can be saved or appended.
If this is the first time you are using Add to my Download List feature for multiple driver downloads, Dell System Detect would be installed. Once the software download is complete you would be
prompted with the End User License Agreement (EULA).

You may also select the file and click Download selected file(s).

To get the categorized view, scroll down and below More Filters, you have the option to view by Category, Importance and Release Date.

5.

Basic Categories of Drivers and Downloads

A. Applications
Applications are software downloads that Dell is providing for use with your system, including but not limited to:
1.Dell Quickset Utility
2.Dell Webcam Manager
3.Roxio Creator
4.Dell Support Center

B.Audio
Audio drivers increase or enable functionality for sound, by enabling the speaker ports to transmit sound.
Audio drivers can typically fix no sound issues and sound quality issues.

C. BIOS
The acronym BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. When the computer is first started, the BIOS
activates all of the hardware required by the computer to boot including:
1.Dell Quickset Utility
2.Dell Webcam Manager
3.Roxio Creator
4.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. Chipset
Chipset 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. Communication
Communication drivers are for internal 56k modems and utilities used for dial-up connections as
well as Mobile Broadband drivers.

F. Diagnostics
Diagnostics are to help diagnose malfunctioning computer hardware.
To run an online diagnostic Dell recommends Dell PC Diagnostics.

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

G. Input Device Driver

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

H. Network
In order to recognize the Network Card and use it, the Operating System will
need the Device Driver. The Network Driver is essentially installed for the
Operating 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 ATA
Hard drive utilities for storage management Pre-Operating System, and in the Operating System.

K. System Utilities
Dell 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. Video
Video Drivers can increase or enable display functionality.

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.
Dell reserves the right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors.

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. Dell
reserves the right to cancel orders arising from pricing or other errors.