Despite the release of Windows 7 and Windows Vista, Windows XP is still one of the most popular operating systems in the world. However, Windows XP users need to keep track of drivers for ever piece of hardware installed in their systems. Drivers can be confusing, especially for first time computer users.
The basic function of Windows XP drivers is to allow the system to get the most out of the various pieces of hardware that are connected to it. Drivers consist of small bits of information about settings and configuration that can be used by a program to utilize sound cards, video cards, and just about everything else on a computer. Windows XP drivers are updated by manufacturers regularly.
There are even Windows XP drivers for hard drives and other basic parts of a computer. However, these drivers are very generalized and un-specific. They work automatically. This is in contrast to other drivers which are specific to the exact model of the hardware part being controlled.
For example, two different sound cards will usually have two very different drivers. Using the incorrect driver may result in computer instability issues. A computer with the wrong drivers will have trouble operating reliably and may freeze up or crash entirely from time to time. Despite this, many computer users still use the wrong drivers for their hardware because the wrong driver can appear to work from time to time. This is because some settings are the same from one driver to the next--but overall, it’s important to use the latest updated versions of drivers for each piece of hardware on a Windows XP computer system. This is particularly true for extremely complex pieces of hardware including the aforementioned sound cards and video cards.
Windows XP drivers are very small files and don’t require much hard drive space. They can be found at the websites of the manufacturers for each piece of hardware or through Windows Update in some circumstances. Regularly checking and updating the Windows XP drivers on a computer is an important part of computer maintenance and keeps a computer from experiencing problems that could potentially prevent it from operating properly.
Windows is the operating system on a Microsoft computer or an Apple computer running windows drivers. Without windows your computer would not work.
In general , NO
Apple's Magic Mouse drivers for Windows have been extracted from the Mac software and are available for installing on a Windows computer. (See links below)
Yes
There are a number of ways to keep a Windows installation running properly. One of the most important is to make sure that the computer has updated Windows drivers. Drivers are basically very small configuration files that tell a computer how to deal with certain pieces of hardware. On a standard Windows computer, every piece of hardware will have its own driver, although some hardware may share the same Windows drivers. When a computer is operating properly, the Windows drivers work to allow programs to use the hardware to the fullest extent possible. Many computer users are aware of drivers for video and audio cards because these drivers need to be updated regularly in order to allow for the best processing power and the best possible graphics and sound quality. However, drivers are also necessary for computer printers, USB devices, and anything else that is installed on a Windows computer. Keeping the drivers updated is a fairly simple process. Windows Update will search for some drivers on a regular basis, particularly in newer operating systems like Windows 7 and Windows Vista. In older operating systems, some drivers may need to be manually checked or third party software can be used to check whether the most current versions of the Windows drivers are installed. To manually check whether new drivers are installed, a computer user must visit the website of the hardware manufacturer. For instance, if the computer user had a Sound Blaster sound card, he or she would have to visit Creative Labs website and search for the most up to date driver. Most Windows drivers can be installed and updated via simple executable files. In many cases, a computer will need to be restarted immediately after driver installation. This is to allow the computer to reload the newest version of the drivers. Switching while the computer is still running isn’t possible with many hardware as computer programs may be accessing the hardware, preventing any sort of switch. Regularly updating the Windows drivers on a computer is a good way to keep hardware working at its best possible output. It’s also a great way to keep a computer operating with stability.
The drivers are specific to the hardware brand and type inside the computer so it will not work properly. You can go to the computer manufactures web site and probably download the OEM drivers for that particular computer. Y-THINK-Y
Drivers written for Windows Vista are not backwards-compatible with Windows XP. Most hardware that has a driver for Vista should also have a driver for Windows XP.
Yes. The software needs to be able to use the commands and files that are available in Windows XP. Windows Vista will have these available as well as other files and commands that have been developed since Windows XP was released. However, do not confuse this with device drivers. If you have a piece of hardware that specifies that the drivers are for Windows XP, these will not necessarily work under Windows Vista and you will need to download the correct drivers from the manufacturer's website.
Yes, if you have RAID drivers that will work under Windows 2000.
USB compatible mice work well with most modern laptops, regardless of whether the operating system on the computer is a variant of Windows, Mac, or Linux. You probably don't even need to install any software on your computer for a mouse to work, but more expensive mice often come with software drivers that are useful in configuring the advanced features of a mouse.
Your microphone is not working on Windows 8 because it lacks the drivers. Try updating the drivers and start again.
To make a sound card work on Windows 2000, first ensure that the sound card is properly installed in the computer and that it is compatible with Windows 2000. Next, download the appropriate drivers from the manufacturer's website or use the installation CD that came with the sound card. After installing the drivers, go to the Control Panel, select "Multimedia," and ensure the sound card is set as the default playback device. Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.