hardware drivers Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How can I prevent Windows Update from automatically updating my computer’s hardware drivers?

Posted on June 25, 2020

Question from Paul: Back in 2013 I bought a custom built gaming PC from a guy I knew back then.

I’ve since lost contact with him (I think he moved out of state) and I can no longer ask him for help with things like this.

Anyway, this machine came with Windows 7 on it but I updated it to Windows 10 after Microsoft abandoned Windows 7.

Windows 10 works great on it, but ever since I installed Windows 10 the Windows Updates have been automatically installing new hardware drivers that keep causing the system to crash.

After almost every Windows Update is installed I have to manually reinstall the original hardware drivers from the CD to get the computer to stop crashing (glad I still have that CD!).

Is there any way to prevent Windows 10 from updating the hardware drivers every time it downloads and installs new updates to Windows? This is really frustrating!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

3DP Chip inventories your PC’s hardware and helps you back up and install the proper drivers

Posted on March 26, 2015

Sometimes when we re-install Windows one or more hardware drivers will simply fail to be installed. Who know’s why this happens, but when it does we’re often left with the task of tracking the driver(s) down and installing them manually.

Depending on the device in question, finding a suitable driver can be difficult, if not impossible, especially if you can’t even identify the device in question.

A handy free tool called 3DP Chip can help you identify and track down the correct drivers for every hardware component in your computer. No more guesswork! It can also back up your computer’s current drivers and restore them at a later date and time. [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I find Windows 8.1 Wireless LAN Drivers for my HP Pavilion dv4000?

Posted on January 29, 2015

Question from Howard L.: Rick, I’m hoping you can help me out. After Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP I decided to install Windows 8.1 on my HP Pavilion dv4000 CTO laptop. I really love this computer and I hate to give it up!

Since this PC is so old I didn’t know how well it would work with Windows 8.1, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It actually seems to run faster than it did with XP. But there’s one problem. [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I find a Windows 8.1 sound card driver for an older PC?

Posted on April 9, 2014

Question from Annette H.: I have a Compaq Presario 7200 that I just can’t bear to part with. I recently upgraded it to Windows 8.1 and I’m absolutely thrilled with it!

But there’s one problem that I really need your help with. The sound card isn’t working and the Device Manager says there’s no driver for it installed.

The sound drivers on the website don’t include drivers for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, only Windows XP through Windows 7. Is there anything I can do or will I need to buy a new sound card?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]