Why Update to the Latest Drivers?

How Outdated Drivers Can Lead to Poor PC Performance
February 2009
by Robin Wark

There are all kinds of computer jargon getting thrown around: RAM, beta, gigabytes, drivers and many, many more. Of these, drivers often get overlooked. They are an indispensible part of your computer and everything you plug into it. For your PC and hardware devices, such as your sound card, webcam or digital video recorder, to work at their best, you need to have the correct drivers.

What are drivers?
Whether classified as device drivers or software drivers, they are small software programs. Drivers are crucial to the communication between your hardware devices, software and operating system. Hardware, such as scanners, requires specialized commands, but software sends more generic instructions. When you hit print in Microsoft Word, the command is translated by the driver into a command that the printer understands.

If you do not have the correct drivers, then the communication between your devices, the software and operating system can be non-existent or muddled. Some devices might function in what is called “generic mode” without drivers. For example, your display might perform only in low resolution mode. This means you are not getting your money’s worth out of the investment you made in your hardware.

Each driver is specific to a certain piece of hardware or even a certain model of it. You need to have a driver for almost everything you plug into your computer. If you upgrade your operating systems, purchase a new computer or if your hard drive crashes, you will need to install the correct drivers. There are a variety of ways to do this, however often the easiest method is to invest in software that will help you identify which drivers you need and help you locate them.

Why you need the latest drivers?
There are a number of reasons why it is important to download the latest drivers available for your hardware devices or software. For one, they will help ensure your system continues to be stable and operate smoothly. Like everything else on your system, drivers are susceptible to corruption. If this occurs, to your modem driver for example, your internet connection will not work properly.

Brian Vizina of Gecko Technologies Consulting Ltd. in Victoria, B.C., says updating drivers typically fixes known conflicts with other drivers. He has found that the driver is the culprit of computer problems at least 50 per cent of the time.

Companies often update their drivers more than once a year. A major reason for an updated driver to be released is to fix a bug. This obviously will enhance your equipment’s performance. As well, updated drivers can bring with them new features.

While drivers might not be the most glamorous parts of your computer, they are absolutely vital. By ensuring you have the most up-to-date drivers, you can be sure to get the most out of your PC.