| Article Summary: |
This article is intended to assist users with identifying newer drivers for their Dell computer using either Microsoft® Windows XP or Vista®. |
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Before You Begin |
Are you using Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista?
How can I tell?
The easiest way to tell which operating system you are using is by looking at the button in the lower left corner of the screen.
If you see
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start |
 | then you are using Microsoft Windows XP.If you see  then you are using Microsoft Windows Vista.
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I am using Microsoft Windows XP |
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I am using Microsoft Windows Vista |
| You are viewing step instructions for:
Proceed with the step instructions below, or change your selection.
Please answer the question in the Before You Begin section to proceed.
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Note: |
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Some Dell computers are not supported in Windows Vista and do not have Windows Vista drivers available from Dell Drivers and Downloads. To find out if your computer can be upgraded to Windows Vista, please refer to the Dell Windows Vista Readiness Advisor.
Some peripheral devices, such as Dell DJs and Axims do not have driver support in Vista. |
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Step 1 |
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Determine the Driver Version in the Device Manager |
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Click  then click
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Click  Hardware and Sound in the Control Panel window.
If your Control Panel is using the Classic View, click System.
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Click Device Manager.
The User Account Control window may appear, if so, click Continue.
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Click the  sign next to the device type for the driver you want to check.
For example, if you want to check the video card driver, click the next to Display adapters.
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Double-click the specific device that you want to check.
In the Properties window for that device, click the
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Driver |
 | tab and check the Driver Version: that is currently listed.
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Step 2 |
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Determine if a Newer Driver Version Is Available |
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Note: |
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Dell Drivers and Downloads only contains drivers for Dell products. If you are looking for drivers for a product not manufactured by Dell, you will need to contact the manufacturer of that product. |
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Browse to the Drivers and Downloads page.
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Click
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Enter a Tag |
 | to use your Service Tag to find the driver.
If the Service Tag is not available, click
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Select Model |
| and select the appropriate Product Type and Product Model.
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Click  Go.
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Select the desired operating system, driver language, and importance settings from the drop down boxes as pictured below (Figure 1). The Category drop down box should be set to the type of driver you want to check for.
Figure 1: Drivers and Downloads Drop-down Selections
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Click on the driver you wish to download from the column labeled File Title to display the download page. (See Figure 2).
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File Title  |
Importance | Figure 2: File Title Column
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The driver version is listed within the Release Title: field. Figure 3 (below) shows an example of a driver version as listed. This is an example only, and will not necessarily be a device appropriate for all systems.
| Release Title: |
Video: nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 512MB, Driver, Windows Vista, Multi Language, Dimension DXP061, XPS XPS710, v.93.12, A05B |
| Release Date: |
11/15/2006 |
| Criticality: |
Optional |
| Description: |
A-Rev graphics driver to support Blu-ray playback |
By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
| File Name |
File Size |
Download Time (56K) |
File Format |
| R135365.EXE |
57 MB |
2.3 hr |
Hard-Drive |
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|
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Add to My Downloads | |
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FTP Download | | | Figure 3: Example of a Driver Version as Listed on Support.Dell.com
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Step 3 |
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Checking for Updated Printer Drivers |
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If you have a Dell printer, the Dell Knowledge Base Article: "Latest Windows Vista® Driver Updates for Dell™ Printers" Article ID: 333805 will help you locate available Windows Vista drivers.
If you have another brand of printer, you will need to visit the manufacturer's website for driver updates (Table 1).
Table 1: Printer Manufacturer Websites
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Step 1 |
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Determine the Driver Version in the Device Manager |
|
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Click the
|
start |
| button then click Settings and Control Panel.
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In the Control Panel window, click System.
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In the System Properties window, click the
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Hardware |
 | tab, and then click the
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Device Manager |
 | button.
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Click the plus next to the device type for the driver you wish to check.
For Example, if you would like to check the video card driver, click the next to Display adapters.
-
Double-click the specific device that you wish to check.
-
Click the
|
Driver |
| tab and check the Driver Version: that is currently listed.
|
Step 2 |
|
Determine if a Newer Driver Version Is Available |
|
|
Note: |
|
| |
Dell Drivers and Downloads only contains drivers for Dell products. If you are looking for drivers for a product not manufactured by Dell, you will need to contact the manufacturer of that product. |
|
-
Browse to the Drivers and Downloads page.
-
Click
|
|
Enter a Tag |
| to use your Service Tag to find the driver.
If the Service Tag is not available, click
|
|
Select Model |
| and select the appropriate Product Type and Product Model.
-
Click Go.
-
Select the desired operating system, driver language, and importance settings from the drop down boxes as pictured below (Figure 1). The Category drop down box should be set to the type of driver you want to check for.
Figure 1: Drivers and Downloads Drop-down Selections
-
Click on the driver you wish to download from the column labeled File Title to display the download page. (See Figure 2).
|
File Title |
Importance | Figure 2: File Title Column
-
The driver version is listed within the Release Title: field. Figure 3 (below) shows an example of a driver version as listed. This is an example only, and will not necessarily be a device appropriate for all systems.
| Release Title: |
Video: nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 512MB, Driver, Windows XP, Multi Language, Dimension DXP061, XPS XPS710, v.93.12, A05B |
| Release Date: |
11/15/2006 |
| Criticality: |
Optional |
| Description: |
A-Rev graphics driver to support Blu-ray playback |
By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
| File Name |
File Size |
Download Time (56K) |
File Format |
| R135365.EXE |
57 MB |
2.3 hr |
Hard-Drive |
|
|
|
Add to My Downloads | |
|
FTP Download | | | Figure 3: Example of a Driver Version as Listed on Support.Dell.com
|
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Step 3 |
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Checking for Updated Printer Drivers |
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If you have a Dell printer, the Dell Knowledge Base Article: "How to Download and Install Printer Drivers" Article ID: 332365 will help you locate available Windows XP drivers.
If you have another brand of printer, you will need to visit the manufacturer's website for driver updates (Table 1).
Table 1: Third party printer vendor web sites |
Checking for Updated Drivers