How to Download Drivers

I understand that you have problems with downloading as opposed to installing drivers?

To decide which way I can go as far as offering assisstance is concerned, I will need the link to the website you are attempting to download drivers from. You may be using the wrong option provided by the website for downloading drivers...without going into detail here to further explain.

I would usually download a self-executable package that can be stored for later installation. Some websites allow you to install directly from their website and update a connected computer, in which case you may be just getting the download link for the desktop (small file) and nothing for the laptop. I also obtain individual drivers and install them via the System Devices for a Windows controlled system.

Thanks for the interest you have to help me. Really my notebook is an acer travelmate 2490. i just formatted my system but i can't find the drivers especially the ethernet controller and the network controller which permits me to use the internet. i have gone to service and support center where i have successfully download the drivers updater.exe but this required the internet. Please sir if you can lead me i will be very grateful. Thanks again is Emmanuel.

You can use device manager to identify the components specifically, go to help and support to locate device manager. The devices maybe flagged in the list or expand the network controller device and check driver identity. Go online and enter the driver ID in a search engine or go to the device manufacturers website and get an updated version.

Your posts are a little confusing. Did you format the hard drive on your laptop? Did you download the updater.exe with your desktop and now it won't work on your laptop because you have no internet connection? Did you format both computers? Did you really need drivers for both computers? And if so, why? Does your laptop have wireless? After you formatted your laptop what operating system did you install? Windows, Linux, OSX? How are you posting to this forum if you don't have internet?

If your laptop has wireless, go to a hotspot, connect and use your updater.exe. It is hard to understand why your ethernet is not working if you installed Windows. Windows pretty much takes care of this on install. Now, Linux is another matter, depending on what flavor you choose it could be hell getting it going. Usually ethernet is pretty straight forward with any distro though. Have you tried contacting Acer? Dell? Geek squad at Best Buy? Why did you format your computers? Did you create an install disk before formatting? If so, it should restore drivers on reinstall.

Have you tried driverguide.com? You can download drivers that don't require internet access once you have the file. Just click and follow instructions. You may have to search a bit to find the right driver though. Nobody ever said it would be easy...

What browser are you using?

In addition to questions posed by others, it is of absolute importance where you are attempting to download drivers to on a computer. The drivers may actually have been downloaded but having been ineffectual due the location downloaded to. The simplest way to download and install files is to download to the desktop, then simply open the files and the operating system will perform an install if the driver is appropriate. Normally the operating system will display or indicate if a driver download is or not appropriate for the system.

Never format a computer unless you've got all the drivers on a CD or USB drive. Especially notebooks.

Also you can reinstall a fresh copy of Windows without formatting. I've been repair and reinstalling Windows for more then 10 years and never needed to format the hard drive. Only time I need to format is on a new hard drive.

Acer may have a few other download links you can use. The one you tried might be busy or down. Try again at different time and day. You can download the driver on another computer, copy them to USB key and install it from there on your notebook.

Emmanuel,

Pineapple's got the right idea about using CD's. I don't know about the Acer, but somewhere on your Dell (on the rear panel, maybe) there should be a small label attached that has a serial number and service ID number. If you take those numbers and go to the Dell website you may be able to place an order for what is called a system restore CD. This is likely to cost a few $$$ but is worth the trouble because the CD will contain everything you need to bring your system back up to its original as-purchased state. Of course, then you will need to check for updated drivers, etc., (which will put you right back where you started, but at least you'll have a functional system and a new CD.)

Good luck,

Logan

This is going in the right direction, Del is serial number specific, you may download to disc the specific system setup and including updates from Del support.

Here is a popular site I have used for drivers: http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=wizard_step_1