Although we often install additional external devices, such as printers and scanners, a computer comes with a variety of built-in hardware components. This ranges from system BIOS and motherboards to network cards and pointing devices. Whether it’s built-in hardware or something you install, every device requires a driver to work as intended.
There are many types of controllers, but not all are created equal. For example, there are universal drivers that work with any operating system, as well as generic device drivers created by third-party developers. While both will do, neither is recommended. The best way to get the most reliability is to retrieve the drivers directly from their manufacturer. This way, you get the exact driver designed specifically for the device you have. If your hardware is failing, retrieving the appropriate updates from the manufacturer can usually resolve the issue.
Below we have provided details on some of the more common manufacturers and their device drivers.
Logitech Drivers: Logitech makes several types of hardware, including keyboards, mice and pointing devices, sound cards, USB microphones, and web cameras. On the website, you can get all software updates and device drivers for your Logitech hardware. Finding updates is as simple as entering your product type and model and searching. Before downloading, you will be asked to enter your operating system. Unless it’s a universal variation, installing a device driver for the wrong system won’t work, and so you definitely want to be precise.
Toshiba Drivers – Many Toshiba computers offer built-in tools that allow you to update necessary device drivers. If yours doesn’t have it, visit Toshiba’s support site to download the drivers you need. You will be prompted to select a category, such as “Desktop Computers or PDAs,” choose the product family, and then enter the model number. Then click “Show Results” and you will see a list of device drivers available for download in a new window.
Intel Drivers: If you need device drivers for your Intel products, you can get the updates from the Intel Download Center. Just enter the product name, file name or keywords in the search engine and wait for the results.
Samsung Drivers: From the Samsung Download Center, you can search for Samsung device drivers by entering the model number or product type. Here you’ll find updates on everything from monitors and hard drives to mobile phones and MP3 players.
Realtek Drivers: If you have computer peripherals or network hardware made by Realtek, go to the Realtek Download Center and search for the product updates you need.
After you find and download device drivers from these manufacturers, you’ll need to install them on your computer. If the drivers are downloaded as .exe files, you should be able to click the icon and initiate automatic startup and configuration. If not, you will need to install them manually. From the “Start” menu, select “Control Panel” and then click “Device Manager.” Double-click on the device in question and choose the “Driver” tab. Select “Update Driver” and the option that automatically searches your computer for device drivers. Just follow the instructions and install the appropriate drivers, remembering to restart your computer once the installation is complete.
