Information about hardware device drivers for Windows XP (319908)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q319908 SUMMARY
INTRODUCTIONIf you recently upgraded to Microsoft Windows XP, and a hardware device is not functioning correctly, or if your computer does not recognize a hardware device, the problem may be related to a device driver. A device driver is software that regulates or controls computer hardware, and downloading and installing the latest device drivers frequently resolves hardware problems. If you have not yet installed Windows XP, use the Upgrade Advisor to help make sure that, after you install the operating system, everything will work correctly. When you buy new hardware, check the Windows Catalog to see if your current hardware and software have the "Designed for Windows XP" logo. A list of third-party Web sites for manufacturers of hardware devices is also provided.MORE INFORMATION
The best place to start is the Microsoft Windows Update Web site:
Click Scan for updates in the left column, and then click Driver Updates. Note The Windows Update Web site scans your computer to determine what you have installed. It may prompt you to download software to your computer to make this process easier. If you are concerned about your privacy, read the Windows Update privacy statement that is available on the Windows Update Web site.
If you cannot find the driver that you require on the Windows Update Web site, you can check your hardware manufacturer's Web site. Look for information about drivers or about the product that you bought. Look for links to drivers, and keep specific information about your product, such as the model number, available. You may have to call or write the manufacturer for information about a missing driver, and about how you can obtain one.
Remember that some drivers that are available on manufacturer Web sites may not have passed Microsoft compatibility testing and might damage your computer. The Microsoft "Designed for Windows XP" program was created to address this problem. For the best performance, Microsoft recommends that you use hardware products that display the "Designed for Microsoft Windows XP" logo on the external packaging and on the device itself.
If you try to install a driver that has not been approved for Windows XP, you see a warning message. Microsoft strongly recommends that you stop the installation process at that point and contact the manufacturer directly by using the manufacturer's Web site, or by phone or mail, and ask the manufacturer to make "Designed for Windows XP" drivers available on the Windows Update Web site. By doing this, you can be confident that your hardware will work correctly with your computer and that it will not damage your computer. See the "List of Third-Party Web Sites" section for a list of some hardware manufacturers' Web sites.
If you are not using Windows XP yet
If you are not using Windows XP yet, Microsoft recommends that you visit the Upgrade Advisor. The Upgrade Advisor is a tool that checks your current hardware and software to determine if your computer is ready for upgrading to Windows XP. If you run Upgrade Advisor while you are connected to the Internet, and if your computer requires updates that are available on the Windows Update Web site, Upgrade Advisor can find and install the updates for you.
For additional information about Upgrade Advisor, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307726
Description of the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
When you buy new hardware
The Windows Catalog is a collection of hardware and software products that work with Windows XP. Many products in the catalog feature the "Designed for Windows XP" logo. This logo means that the products were specifically created to take advantage of the features in Windows XP and to reduce the number of problems that might otherwise occur.
If you do not see a product in the Windows Catalog, it does not mean that the product does not work with Windows XP. You may have to contact the product's manufacturer to determine whether the product works with Windows XP.
For additional information about the Windows Catalog, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
295322
How to determine if hardware or software is compatible with Windows XP
List of third-party Web sites
If your hardware is made by one of the following manufacturers, you may be able to find a driver on the manufacturer's Web site.
- ATI Technologies, Inc.
- Belkin Components
- Cirrus Logic Inc.
- Compaq Computer Corporation
- Dell Computer Corporation
- Digi International
- Fujitsu
- Hewlett-Packard
- Intel Corporation
- Mitsubishi
- NEC Corporation
- Sony Corporation
- TallyGenicom
- Texas Instruments
- 3COM Corporation
- Toshiba
- U.S. Robotics
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 1/26/2006 |
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| Keywords: | kbDriver kbenv kbprb KB319908 |
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