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How to find drivers

140K views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  BCCOMP 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: Unknown driver. How-to...

HI:wave:,


"How to find drivers"

Part 1

Finding drivers is NOT any easy task.


  • You can pay for a program like Driver Detective, but why pay for third party software when the information you need is right there in your operating system?
  • Run a Program like Everest
    Everest will produce a report that will list all hardware ID's on your computer. The report is very detailed and can be confusing to read if you do not know what to look for. Errors in the Device Manager will usually show up in Everest as Unknown or Other Devices.
  • Or the "back door" way


For the sake of argument I will use a laptop with an Intel Chipset and XP for an Operating System
(Although it is important to always have the exact make and model of the computer you are working on).

When it comes to ID an Unknow Device or Other Device the most important info you need is the PCI\VEN_####&DEV_#### (# = number). You may come across other types of error numbers (ACPI, USB PID's etc), but I will limit this post to just PCI devices.
PCI = PCI Device (Not necessarily a device in a PCI slot)
VEN = VENDOR or the manufacture of the Device
DEV = Type of Device

Everest will give you these numbers, but so will the OS (Operating system).

Open the Device Manager

XP users


  • Press the Windows + R keys to bring up the Run box
  • In the Run box, type or copy and paste the following
  • devmgmt.msc
  • Click Enter


Vista/7 users


  • Click Start and in the search box, type or copy and paste the following:
  • mmc devmgmt.msc
  • In the search results, right click mmc devmgmt and select Run as Administrator


Windows 8/8.1 users

See Part 2

Now that we're in Device Manager:

Right Click on the Device in question
Properties
Details Tab

In XP the VEN_ #### and DEV_#### is located under Device Instance ID
In Vista and Win7 the VEN_ #### and DEV_#### is located under Hardware ID

Once you have the PCI\VEN_####&DEV_#### , the search is on!

NOTE: You must find not only the exact VEN_#### and DEV_#### that matches your number, but it also has to match your operating system!

There are millions of these numbers, but there is hope and several ways to narrow down the device (or driver). I will use this number for an example: pci\ven_8086&dev_2792

A quick Google Search of pci\ven_8086&dev_2792 will give you several hits.
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family Device
The key words here are Intel and 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family Device
(You may find an exact hit as this number is an easy one, but I am going to take you through this one step at a time).

We know from this info it is an Intel (VEN or VENDOR) and the device (DEV or Device) has to do with the 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family , but it does not specify what the device is exactly.

Is it the Chipset Driver or the Graphics Card driver (Graphics Cards do have chipsets, just like most devices):4-dontkno?
So we know who the vendor (Intel) is but not sure what the device is?

If you go to Intel you may have to search all over and download a lot of drivers to find one that matches your number (pci\ven_8086&dev_2792 ). But thanks to data bases it makes it a little easier. Use of Data Bases is not 100% though.
The Data Base I use is:
PCI Vendor and Device Lists

When you go here a window will open
Input both the VEN#### (Vendeor) and the DEV#### (Device)
For the pci\ven_8086&dev_2792 the results would be:
PCI Vendor and Device Lists

Yes, it is the same info as your Google Search:
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family Device

But click on the Intel link to the right and you will end up with a very LONG list of DEVICE ID:
PCI Vendor and Device Lists
If you scroll through the list (its too bad they are not in numerical order) you will end up with this:
0x2792
Chip Number: Mobile 82915GLx/x/x
Chip Description: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS/, 910GML Express Chipset Family
Notes: Use Mobile 915 drivers from Intel.com (sometimes you may get a direct link, but even the "Note" (Hint) helps)

Another Google Search of the Chipset Number: Mobile 82915GL comes up with: (google intel mobile 82915gl)
Intel® 915G/915GV/915GL/915P/915PL/910GL Express Chipset Datasheet
(You may have several hits, so you may have to search a little)
THE RESULTS SHOULD BE
For the Intel® 82915G/82915GV/82915GL/82910GL Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) and Intel® 82915P/82915PL Memory Controller Hub (MCH)

So, we now know that pci\ven_8086&dev_2792 is an Intel® 82915G/82915GV/82915GL/82910GL Graphics and Memory Controller Hub
Basically a Graphics Driver

So now you go look for a graphics driver for a Mobile Intel 82915GV/82915GL/82910GL Chipset, but guess what? You will not find it on the Intel site.
Thought you had it :eek:
You probably forgot you have a:
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family Device ,

Intel uses the 82 (82915GV) to identify it is a graphic driver on some chipsets (but I wasn't going to let you go that easy:laugh:), so you have to look for the graphics driver for a Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML chipset.

If you go to Intel Support and input the info:
Graphics
Laptop graphics controller (remember we are working on a Laptop)
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
XP (our operating system)
Drivers


You should end up with:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...et+Family&ProdId=1862&LineId=1101&FamilyId=39
I am using the ZIP driver:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows* XP (zip)
Once you have the driver and want to confirm it is correct, there is a way to do it. Remember the VEN_#### and DEV_#### MUST MATCH along with the OS (Operating System):

Download the driver and extract the driver to a folder.
Open the folder and depending on the driver you should find the inf. file or sometimes the Device Code (VEN_#### and DEV_####) is in the Setup file.
In this case the pci\ven_8086&dev_2792 number is located in the Graphics (sub-folder)>igxp32 (see attachment)


Part 2​



Accessing the Control Panel in Windows 8/8.1

Control Panel is a part of the Windows-based operating system which allows users to control the basic tasks and features of Windows through applets. Applets include Programs and Features, Device Manager, Network and Sharing Center, etc.

There are several ways to access the Control Panel in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Use any of these methods:

Method 1: Through the Start screen icon

To show the Start menu from the desktop view, hover your cursor over the bottom-left corner of your screen.

Right-click on the Start screen icon then click Control Panel.

Method 2: Through the Search charm

Step 1:
Hover your cursor over the top-right corner of the screen to unveil the Charms bar then click on the Search charm.

Step 2:
Enter control then select Control Panel from the search results.

To display all apps available in Control Panel, select either Large icons or Small icons in the View by menu.

Accessing the Device Manager

Device Manager is an applet for Windows-based operating systems that allows users to check the status of the peripherals that are connected to the computer. You can manually install drivers of an Ethernet or wireless adapter through the Device Manager. However, hardware manufacturers provide installation software that will automatically install the drivers of the adapter.

There are several ways to access the Device Manager on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Select from any of the following ways.

Method 1: Through the Start screen icon

To show the Start screen icon from the desktop view, hover your cursor over the bottom-left corner of your screen.

Right-click on the Start screen icon then click on Device Manager.

Method 2: Through the Control Panel

Select any of the methods in accessing Control Panel:

Step 1:
Right-click on the Start screen icon then click on Control Panel.

Step 2:
Click on Device Manager.

Depending on your computer’s specification, the devices connected to your computer will be displayed in the Device Manager once they are detected by your computer.

you can then right click on the device and choose properties then the driver details tab.

I hope you enjoy.
Bill:grin:
 

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