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Thread ID: 91276 2008-07-02 00:25:00 Device drivers Richard (739) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
684459 2008-07-02 00:25:00 PC Pitstop offers a program called Driver Alert that supposedly scan a computer, advises of any outdated device drivers, then downloads replacements.
Has anybody tried it? Does it work and is it worth paying for? Or is there an alternative. Are there any free programs of this type?

Another of their programs is called Optimize. Anybody used it? :thanks
Richard (739)
684460 2008-07-02 02:17:00 What for? I download updated drivers for graphics only - anything else only if there is a problem.
And I get them from my hardware manufacturers site, where does this get them from??
pctek (84)
684461 2008-07-02 05:48:00 I think theres no need to update drivers unless you are experiencing problems. This 'driver alert' program seems like a perfect vehicle for malware. I certainly wouldn't use it let alone pay for it. utopian201 (6245)
684462 2008-07-02 05:49:00 Hi Richard

DRIVERMAX (www.innovative-sol.com) is a great free alternative. At the moment it will download and install newly required drivers for Vista only but they are working on a XP version.

Regardless of Operating System you should get a copy of this as it has other great functions as well, such as backing up your drivers etc.

Wot yah got to lose? It's free!! :punk

BURNZEE
Burnzee (6950)
684463 2008-07-02 22:29:00 Regardless of Operating System you should get a copy of this as it has other great functions as well, such as backing up your drivers etc .

I'm just curious why you'd want to "backup" your drivers? Don't people keep the original . exe/ . zip or CD? :illogical
autechre (266)
684464 2008-07-03 04:16:00 I'm just curious why you'd want to "backup" your drivers? Don't people keep the original . exe/ . zip or CD?

Yes, but what if they have be updated and you haven't saved these versions? You now have to go to the hassle of downloading and updating again!!

If you get an additional piece of equipment then you must keep and find this CD too .

Really is a lot easier to use DriverMax occasionally and back the whole lot up to a dedicated CD . DriverMax will re-install them in their correct folders too . Easy as!!

BURNZEE
Burnzee (6950)
684465 2008-07-03 04:22:00 Yup - I use Driverguide Toolkit for backing up up non-MS drivers before I rebuild someone's machine . . . . . . I don't bother if it's a vanilla PC, but if they have any weird/old cards etc, it's really handy nofam (9009)
684466 2008-07-03 04:23:00 You could always slipstream the drivers to an XP / Windows cd.

Thats what I've done here. Slipstreamed the cam/modem/tuner drivers into a cd. Saves me the trouble of doing it after.

Just about to see if I can SS the drivers for different LAN / soundcards

And maybe chipset / SATA drivers
Speedy Gonzales (78)
684467 2008-07-03 21:12:00 I use driveragent.com it fits my needs. DeSade (984)
684468 2008-07-03 21:14:00 For older PCs with no real manufacturers site - www.driverguide.com is great.

Free. They have so many drivers on there it's frightening.
wratterus (105)
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