Driver Updates.

[MarshallMoore]

I just want to know what other people think about this subject. I have been an on top of it kind of guy when it comes to having the latest and greatest updates and upgrades that can be found from manufacturers websites about my hardware software updates. I still believe that I should upgrade or update my software for my hardware. However as I read a lot of forum subjects on this and as I share other peoples experiences of problems with their machines behaving correctly after certain updates ( mostly new drivers). THE BIG QUESTION IS: IF my system is running fine now (for all my games and everything else ,this is an example only, for my video card) why should I install their lastest driver for my video card? If I do it may perform better but I am currently experiencing zero problems. It may also0 create problems if I do. What is your idea about this?

 

[Brink]

Hi Marshall,

I would say see what was improved, fixed, or added to the new driver version. If it is something that you would need or like, then install the new driver. If it does not seem to affect you any, then you might just wait to see what the next version will have if your currently installed driver is working just fine you.

Another option is to create a System Restore Point before installing the driver incase you need to restore the computer afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Chappy]

I totally agree with Shawn (Brink), I always read the Release Notes first to see if it will even do me any good at all, if not then I wait for some time before updating the driver.

There`s always been a rule of thumb we tell people for BIOS flashes...Ìf it aint broke....` you know the rest. Especially with BIOS flashes since they have the chance of being System Fatal if a problem arises during the flash, but this can also go for normal driver updates. Of course if you`re having a problem with a certain device, the first thing to do is look for updated drivers since they may fix this issue.

I only really go looking for driver updates when I`m bored with nothing to do, and I may download them JIC, but I never install them without checking the Release Notes 1st. Or if the hardware driver is still in Beta mode and is updated regularly, as has been the case for my 8800GTS drivers all last year...there were newer and more feature added drivers every week for probably 8 months or more.