Gagaman Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Does somebody know this site? www.driveragent.comIt seems pretty usefull to me. It scans your pc for drivers and indicates whether their is a driver udate available or not. It also links to the driver download. You can decide for yourself whether you install the new driver or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Could be useful but, from my own point of view, I NEVER update drivers for devices that are functioning as they should do. I've been asked too many times to rescue computers in which their owner has been tinkering around unnecessarily updating this and that (usually graphics cards and M/B BIOS) often on the advice or recommendation of someone who hasn't a clue what they're talking about. All too often, for one reason or another, these updates fail and the owner is left with a machine that is a pale shadow of its former self or is completely dead.So, fine if you know what you're doing. Fine if your computer does need driver updates but otherwise use with great caution and then only after making a full backup of the current setup and then careful consideration of the possible consequences - a non-functioning machine being one possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 I've been asked too many times to rescue computers in which their owner has been tinkering around unnecessarily updating this and that (usually graphics cards and M/B BIOS)Interesting.Everest is suggesting to me that I should update BIOS as it is more than two years old. It doesn't seem necessary to me because at the moment everything is working well.Must touch some wood.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Updating the BIOS is one of the most dangerous things you can do with a computer. One false move and you have an expensive heap of junk in front of you.DON'T DO IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Thanks.I had decided not to do so. And I wouldn't anyway without asking for opinions on this forum.Thos. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Updating the BIOS is one of the most dangerous things you can do with a computer. One false move and you have an expensive heap of junk in front of you.DON'T DO ITVery, very true! Unfortunately some people (like me) simply cannot stand it to sit on some old software when a mew version is available. Upgrading drivers and application software is of course no big deal, assuming that a backup is available. But updating the BIOS is not something someone should attempt who is not sure what s/he is doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Does somebody know this site? www.driveragent.comIt seems pretty usefull to me. It scans your pc for drivers and indicates whether their is a driver udate available or not. It also links to the driver download. You can decide for yourself whether you install the new driver or not.This is a great tool - thanks for the URL!But as -pops- pointed out, there are dangers involved when updating drivers. Always have a backup before attempting any driver updates!On the other hand, driver updates are not necessarily a bad thing. Read the Release Notes before installing; it may actually bring improvements (new features, better performance, bug fixes) to your computer. But sometimes new driver versions are issued simply to support new device models; in such cases there is no need to install it on old models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Everest tells me that my bios is out of date. As far as I am concerned, 'so what', it works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 BIOS upgrades usually only address specific problems which the average user would never experience. Therefore upgrading your BIOS when you do not have a problem is usually not worth it. As pops says, do it wrong, and your motherboard is junk.For more BIOS information, please read this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gagaman Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 The replys were an interesting read :flowers: The above url doensnt search for bios upgrades, as far as I know. It only points out whether their are new drivers available for your puterdevices.After the warnings I read in this topic, I backupped my existings drivers an dl the new one the site recommended. Seems to work fine. No problems so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 I ran the thing yesterday, and it pointed out two outdated drivers for my systemSoundMAX Integrated Digital AudioIntel® 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CDFor the sound controller it suggested an update to version 5.12.1.3555 (I had 5.12.1.3538) from DELL.For the USB host controller it suggested an update to version 5.1.2600.0175 (I currently have 5.1.2600.2180, which I believe is XP-SP2) from ULi Electronics in Taiwan.The first one is OK; I do have a DELL, and the suggested upgrade is legitimate, and I installed it. Not that I need it - my speakers are permanently turned off.The funny thing is: after the update & reboot, driveragent.com still suggests the same update.The second one is doubly strange:although the driver date seems to be newer, the version number is definitely older.why a driver update from a Taiwan company? there is no such update available on either the Microsoft or the Intel site.So, I do find the site useful to point out that there are *possible* driver updates available. But we should be very careful what action we take after this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 The above url doensnt search for bios upgrades, as far as I know. It only points out whether their are new drivers available for your puterdevices.After the warnings I read in this topic, I backupped my existings drivers an dl the new one the site recommended. Seems to work fine. No problems so far.I'm sure this software could be very useful - if it is applied with caution and some expertise. I feel is very unwise for users with a limited knowledge of computing to "improve" their machines in this way. Very often the opposite is achieved - I've seen it and I've had to try make good the damage caused a number of times.My second contribution here was a specific reply to Thos in answer to his question about BIOS upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 I have just visited the site again and ran the "free" scan. When clicking on the download button for out-of-date drivers, it now takes you to a page where you are invited to join for USD 29.95! You can't download anything now without joining...Site removed from bookmarks :ninja: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gagaman Posted November 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Site removed from bookmarks :ninja:And also removed here :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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