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Every platform (Windows, Linux, Mac, etc) requires its own driver programs for each hardware device. Drivers are written by the hardware manufacturer for each supported platform.

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Q: Device drivers are written for which platforms?
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Where can you obtain device drivers safely?

From the hardware manufacturer's website.


Types of device drivers?

There are only two types: software and firmware. A software device driver is a program written for a particular operating system to support a particular piece of hardware. A firmware device driver is also software, but it is etched onto a memory chip (ROM) or a programmable chip (PROM or EPROM). The BIOS and CMOS are examples of firmware drivers, both used to initially boot the system and load the operating system.


When was the device driver invented?

A device driver creates a layer of abstraction between the hardware and the operating system. They were created by programmers who wanted a standard set of system calls in interact with hardware.Device drivers were 'invented' when x86 CPU's added the capability to enter 32 bit protected mode. By changing to this mode, the CPU changed how it addressed memory, therefore breaking the 16 bit BIOS system calls. Device drivers are the replacements for the functions provided by the BIOS.Device drivers have actually been used on computers since long before the 8086 (the first x86 processor) was created. A device driver is really any piece of software that "drives" a device, usually so it can be used and controlled by other software. The UNIX operating system, for example, had device drivers for disk drives, teletypes, printers, tape drives, and paper tape punchers at least as far back as 1974 (UNIX v5). Most of the device drivers in UNIX v5 were even written in C at a time when most other operating systems were written in assembly language. It's hard to say who "invented" device drivers, however.Further explanationA device driver is the section of code that deals with devices, whether those are internal devices in the computer such as disks, memory systems, etc. It soon became apparent to early programmers that it was foolish to have every program deal with the details of each device. It made more sense to have a section of code that took "arguments' in a standard format, went and accessed the device, controlling it, reading its input and output and returning it to the calling program in an expected format. That is essentially a driver. It can be a standalone program, a subroutine embedded in the larger code, in the case of Windows a DLL. The first programs had "drivers", they have become more modular and complicated. Now complete computers, such as large supercomputers, have "drivers" that let slower computers load and run programs and access the results.


What contains all configuration data about the computer including information about device drivers and devices used at startup?

All configuration data about the computer including information about device drivers and devices used at startup is contained in the registry. Errors in the registry are often the cause of degraded computer performance.


Before you install Windows 2000XP how can you determine if the OS supports all the hardware on your PC?

To find the drivers, first look at the device's setup CD. If the information is not on the CD itself, then go to the manufacturers Web site and search for the device drivers. If you find them, download the driver(s) and you should be okay.

Related questions

Which task can you perform in Device manager?

Install device drivers update device drivers uninstall device drivers


How important are device drivers?

Device drivers establish the communication between PC's and the device, drivers are the interface of devices,


Can device manager be used to update the drivers for a device?

Yes, device manager be used to update the drivers for a device. It can also be used to disable/enable use of a device or uninstall its drivers from a computer.


Where do you get device drivers?

Well, you could download device drivers by visiting the device's parent webpages and downloading the appropriate drivers for the devices. Hope this helps.


Device manager can be used to update the drivers for a device?

Yes, under device properties there is an "update drivers" button.


Where can I find device drivers online?

A simple way to download device drivers is to visit www.driverguide.com. Enter your device model name or number, and the website will guide you to which drivers you need to install.


Devices and their device drivers are managed using?

Device Manager


You can use to update drivers to the manufacturer drivers?

dEVICE MGR


What can you use to update drivers to the manufacturers drivers?

Device Manager


Which program facilitates communication between device and OS?

Usually a device driver facilitates communication between a device and the OS. Device drivers are written in low-level languages such as Assembly or C.


Does every program have access to all hardware?

No, most programs have no access at all to hardware. They call device drivers through the OS to perform input and output. These device drivers are custom written to access the hardware for the device they control. Modern computers use privileged instructions that cause an error if a user program tries to execute them to access hardware. The device drivers have the privilege to execute these instructions and access hardware.


How do you backup device driver?

How to backup device drivers in win7