The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    best driver update program?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by randallrivy11, May 2, 2009.

  1. randallrivy11

    randallrivy11 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    does anyone know what the best program is for updateing your drivers for example driver detective ,driver max, version tracker pro just to name a few i would like the best one that will update my bios as well. can any1 give me any imput?
     
  2. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

    Reputations:
    4,009
    Messages:
    6,712
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I used to use Driver Max, it was good.
     
  3. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I use Driver Max to back up the comps' drivers when needed, but mostly just relying on Windows updates and built-in device drivers update within Windows and manufacturers' Support repository.

    cheers ...
     
  4. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,038
    Messages:
    3,071
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I use windows update.
     
  5. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,972
    Messages:
    7,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    windows update, here, too. and bios updates from the manufacturer.
     
  6. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

    Reputations:
    1,407
    Messages:
    3,396
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I usually update them manually whenever a new driver is released. BIOS updates from the manufacturer.. and yeah, we XPS users have a wonderful XPS drivers' wiki constantly being updated ;) :D

    But yes, I have used Driver Max too. As long as I used it, it worked very well, without any issues and was a very neat utility. After a while their server' started acting up and I stopped using it. Though, recently I saw some posts saying they were working fine again.
     
  7. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I'd say unless you have any sort of problem with a current driver keep the old one.

    Else, I generally let Windows Update do the deed for me.

    One exception was my grahics driver - I unistalled the old one and got the latest from Intel (X3100) because I had some problems with the old one - but then this is a case where you can easily do it by hand.
     
  8. Rob41

    Rob41 Team Pirate Control

    Reputations:
    896
    Messages:
    2,491
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Like the above poster mentioned. It's generally best to keep a current driver unless you're experiencing a problem.

    There are always exceptions though. With video drivers and audio drivers I will either check them out myself or read the posts to see what results can be expected.

    I will never update my touchpad drivers because I have no problems due to their drivers and I don't use a touchpad.

    Really, for me to update a driver I need to know I'm going to get something out of it.
     
  9. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    801
    Messages:
    3,881
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    My machines are all Intel chipsets so once a month I cruise the intel.com download section and manually grab anything that's new. Not everything will pop up on windows update.
     
  10. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    3,266
    Messages:
    7,360
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    206
    IMO, I don't trust driver update programs, it's best to upgrade essential drivers manually (such as GPU, Sound) and everything else (Chipset,Webcam) only if you encounter a problem and updating the drive may potentially resolve it.
     
  11. Rob41

    Rob41 Team Pirate Control

    Reputations:
    896
    Messages:
    2,491
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Totally agree with usapatriot. Wish I had thought of that. :rolleyes: