PC drivers

There are several ways:

• external hard drives
• flashdisks
• floppy disks
• CD

I'd go with the CD option since they're safer there. If money is not an issue, make two copies and put one of them in a vault or other safe place.

Copy your drivers into a good quality CD-R. I mean good quality because there are CD-R media that won't last long enough. Never use CD-RW because there is that tendency of being overwritten.

Last but not least, label your copy so it won't get mix-up with other CD's-will save you time when you need it and put it in a case or protective sleeve. If your media become badly scratched, your CD/DVD drive will have erratic reading of your files/drivers.

All of that is good advice. I am assuming you are upgrading to xp?

If so, remember that xp will want drivers compatible with xp and your previous drivers, in many cases, will need to be upgraded as well.

On the other hand, there's never been a case where I wished I had not saved a driver - can't hurt and you never know . . . .

jehu

Thank you all for the advices. So it is possible to make a backup CD. But what is the easiest and step by step procedure to have access to all drivers in my PC in order to save them.

Thanks

I have thought all the while that you have a "Driver" folder in your laptop. I think my assumption is not right. Hope that you're running XP and not upgrading to XP (if you 're upgrading then it will be different case).

I will assume then that your computer did not have the installation discs (OS, drivers & utilities) when you purchased it. If that's the case, the "Restoration Files" should be resident in the hard drive. You must be able to create the "Restoration Disc" into good quality CD-R/DVD-R that you can use for future re-installation/restoration of OS, drivers and utilities that will be required.

(I'm hoping you have not yet re-formatted your hard drive earlier.)

If you lost or misplaced the original discs then another way will be to create a "Back-Up" of the entire HD and use this back-up for restoration. You may use Norton Ghost or other software for this purpose.

The last resort is to buy the OS and search/download drivers/utilities from the computer/peripheral manufacturer's website.

This is all advice I can give. Hope somebody has other ideas.

Which drivers are you talking about. If it's just for normal stuff, like the modem, the display driver, etc, XP will have all those drivers plus a lot more. If you're talking about special stuff that you've added, then don't you have the driver disks for those devices?

Also, everyone is correct in saying that those "special" drivers are quite probably incompatible with XP... When I converted, I had to replace some stuff to make it compatible with XP.

One more thing, a driver file by itself may not be enough. Many drivers have special install software which saves the file, sets variables, and writes to the Registry. If this stuff is not done, then a driver file copied back to your PC may not work.

The good news is that XP is a mature operating system, and with the exception of some older games, it probably won't be very hard to find XP updated drivers - after all, it is the dominant PC operating system to date.

Good luck!

Hi Vermin,

I don't need to up grade to XP. I am already using it. I am thinking of re-installing the OS. But I'm not sure if I would need all drivers for the standard hardwares in my PC after re-installing the OS.

Thanks

So why do you want to reformat your hard drive? If you're just reinstall XP, I believe it will leave all your drivers in place.

Also, why are you reinstalling XP?

Because I feel that the registry of my PC is too clattered and I don't believe in softwares like Registry cleaner etc....out there in the market. So I thought may be the best way is to format the hard and reinstall every thing. If there is an other reliable way to clean the registry, I would appreciate your advice.

I have several Reg cleaner software products, and they do work. The best in my experience is RegCure. It seems to find problems that other programs miss. I clean my registry regularly and it really does make a difference.

Try it out.

Good idea.

try the on-line free; 30 days, full up version of TuneUp Utilities 2007 to clean up ya problems. I have it and love it. http://www.tune-up.com/

Follow Vermin's advice --- do not refomat your HD for something as simple as that -- there are many programs to do what you want.

If you reformat and reinstall the OS and somehow make a simple mistake you may end up with a useless computer that will cost a small fortune to hire someone who knows what he is doing to correct the errors.

There is an old saying "If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It"

You may want consider to try Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum Suite as another utility. It has Drive Cleaner, Registry Cleaner, Internet Cleaner plus File Tools and Tuning Tools.

I've been using this software for several years now (together with Norton SystemWorks) and really helped and keep my system running smoothly.

One of the Tuning Tools feature I liked the most is the StartUp Tuner which is capable of removing stubborn programs that don't have uninstall function of their own and resist "Change/Remove" from the Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel. You also can edit AutoStart Entries.

I'm using version 2. Version 3 has several improvements and added features.

Vermin --- I think you are correct about XP having the necessary drivers -- especially for the more common devices. Every printer, for example, I have ever used has found it's own drivers right within XP. I have four computers running XP Pro and 1 XP home and I have never had a driver issue with anything. Most hardware devices are plug and play as far as XP is concerned. If there is a problem the hardware generally comes with an install disc.

Like you in a post following this one by yourself -- I am very curious why the questioner wants to reformat his/her HD It is generally not necessary except in VERY extreme situations. All of my computers have resident Recover and also Restore capabilities.

You have had some good advice, but it is still a bit risky, there is free software around that will find all your drivers to make copying easier. But I have never used it personally, shall I look it out for you?

Sorry, be warned, it might be in English, French or German....I cannot remember which....most probably English though.....

Also I would suggest that if you are missing the original install CD for your hardware, do two things:-

1)goto the various manufacturer's websites and save on your special CD a copy of the install software. Do not forget to download SP1 and SP2 at least for XP if your original CD was made earlier for example, save to you special CD. All the minor updates you will need to get online. Make sure you have your XP password handy....

(Some companies like HP for example, only put the minimum to allow the device to work, any nice free software that came with the device is NOT always available as a download, to prevent people using it that did not buy from HP!! You will only get that from the original installation CDs that you bought with the device.....)

2) Go and look at all the driver infos by right clicking on My Computer, selecting properties, Hardware, device manager. Make a note of the versions that you are using for each item of hardware....you may be surprised just how many are from XP anyway....

3) save your emails and other data (pictures & video for example) if kept on your computer....

4) Remove the cable for your internet connection before formatting, so there is no chance that you will get a virus....

5)After the format and install of all drivers etc and software, install your antivirus software and firewall and make sure your PC is full protected when you reinstall XP. Install SP1 and SP2 if required.

6) Reconnect to the internet and update your XP at Microsoft. MS Office and other installed software too....

Now with a bit of luck, you will be up and running.....

Thanks, great advice. Now I need a bit of courage to jump into the process. Wish me good luck.

RegCure really does work. I have used it and it really improved computer performance. If I were you I would give it a try, rather than a complete re-format.

That sounds a bit drastic......

You could spend a whole lot of time getting back up and running again.

Thank you guys, I got a handful of good advices. I'll go with using the maintenance programs instead of formatting my HD.

A good place to go IF you loose any of them during the process is PACOSDRIVERS.COM Darrell has done a good job of locating and storing several drivers for ALL versions of Windows. Nice site to look at has sample script files ASP lots of information.

1. For Windows Drivers such as Drives, USB devices etc you need not to worry, as Windows installs all such drivers.

2. If you use Peripherals compatible with Windows, such as Monitors, Modems, VGA & Sound cards
[though in modern Mother Boards all or most of those are integrated] & CD for such built-in is with MB.

3. There is one tool to search for all the installed Device-Drivers [Simply called Drivers ]
" http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/
DriverMax - for Windows Vista and Windows XP
Latest version: ???(free program)"

It copies all the drivers in a folder Windows [MS ] and/or Non-MS as you desire.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Bat File to Copy all drivers Folders @@@@@@@@@@@@@

Note type the text below line by line & after every line give <Enter> once only [a Hard-Return] and save as "driverback.bat" . Mind that 1st line starts from "echo off" & last line is "cls"
with a Hard-Return.

echo off
echo This driver backup batch file was developed by Lincoln Spector
echo for PC World. It will back up the folders containing your
echo hardware drivers to a folder called driverback inside My Documents.
pause
%homedrive%
cd "%homepath%\my documents"
md driverback
cd driverback
xcopy %windir%\help /y
xcopy %windir%\inf /r /y
xcopy %windir%\systemDiesel Generators - What is DCA ? <http://globalspec.ip09.com/rd/9z1z2bo56sedm6kh5o0vqdf734ood00658t9ldkut1o> By watdefak in Electrical Engineering <http://globalspec.ip09.com/rd/9z1z1a1vssnogdend7fdl7lnh71e07qnn1hvq6n33cg>

Diesel Generators - What is DCA ? <http://globalspec.ip09.com/rd/9z1z2bo56sedm6kh5o0vqdf734ood00658t9ldkut1o> By watdefak in Electrical Engineering <http://globalspec.ip09.com/rd/9z1z1a1vssnogdend7fdl7lnh71e07qnn1hvq6n33cg>

/r /y
xcopy %windir%\system32 /r /y
xcopy %windir%\system32\drivers /r /y
cd ..
attrib -h driverback
echo The folders are backed up. You should now copy the contents of the
echo driverback folder to a CD.
pause
cls


@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Bat File to Copy all drivers Folders @@@@@@@@@@@@@

ReF: --Alex Garcia, Miami or download:

<http://ftp.pcworld.com/pub/printmag/driverback.bat>

Reply to Forum:

Compaq had a vast support on-line before it is sold out to HP. Don't know how it is now.

MSI Mother-boards had a vast on-line auto-updates & Drivers download support some years back.
Hope they have improved it by now. Register & enjoy!

Intel is the poorest of the lot to access for drivers.

This is my personal Hard Experience in Mother-Boards /PCs drivers for manufacturers.

The best site for Divers is :

<http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=company>
Register free.

Enjoy