Dec 15
2007Installing Device Drivers
Filed Under (Windows Xp) by Admin on 15-12-2007
Tagged Under : 3D API, Data Execution Prevention, dep, Device Drivers, DirectShow, DirectX, display card, installation, Microsoft, network card, Security Center, security update, Service Pack 2, Sound Card, SP2, TV-Tuner, Windows Firewall, Windows Xp
After you are done installing Windows XP, there remain some things that need to be done before you can start using it. The first step is installing the latest service pack (Service Pack 2, or SP2). SP2 addresses many issues—it fixes security loopholes, known bugs, and so on. It also includes several enhancements and features such as the Security Center, which monitors the status of your antivirus program and your firewall, and manages automatic updates—besides checking if your virus definitions are updated. Then there is Windows Media Player 9 and DirectX 9.0c as also an updated version of Internet Explorer 6. Another important feature of SP2 is the inclusion of a better and more robust Windows Firewall, and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) which helps protect against viruses and other security threats.
The next important step is installing the chipset drivers for your motherboard. This is important because XP might not recognize the motherboard chipset, in which case the full potential of the system will not be realized. All motherboard manufacturers post chipset drivers for their motherboards, and you can download the latest ones from their Web sites. You can also download them from the chipset manufacturers’ Web sites.
Once this is done, install the latest version of DirectX, which is a 3D API used by the latest games. DirectX is also necessary for smooth playback of video and audio using the DirectShow and Direct Sound components. These are video and sound hardware accelerators respectively. You can find the latest version of DirectX at DirectX.
In a similar way, you might need to install device drivers for your display card, sound card, network card, TV-Tuner and so on, which, again, should be available at the respective manufacturers’ Web sites. This completes the installation of XP.
Running Automatic Update will also provide you with the latest Microsoft-tested drivers for your hardware along with the latest security updates, bug fixes and service packs.