Drivers out of date?

[EssexBiker]

Having run the tests, it said that my display adapter and my sound and game controller drivers were out of date and needed updating. But when I went to Device Manager and checked Update Drivers> search online, Windows informed me that the drivers were already up to date! So forgive me for saying so but that makes me wonder if PC Pitstop could be telling me they need updating just so that I buy a subscription to get the updated drivers?!!!

 

I have posted the link to my test results on my profile

Edited June 15, 2009 by EssexBiker

[IntelGuy]

Hi Essex Biker,

 

It would allow us to see the actual driver suggestions if your link was to the new OverDrive test. The old Tech Express full tests are no longer being updated. You can replace the Tech Express link with the URL from the OverDrive recommended Fixes page.

 

When you use the Device Manager to check for new drivers it only checks two places, the local computer and Windows Updates, which is typically two or three months behind the computer or hardware manufacturer's driver updates. You should always check the manufacturers first.

 

...that makes me wonder if PC Pitstop could be telling me they need updating just so that I buy a subscription to get the updated drivers?!!!

I'm not sure what the point of that would be as all of our software comes with a money-back guarantee, not to mention PC Pitstop works hard to provide many free tests and services to computer users. If the test results were faking driver recommendations, that would be obvious as soon as the customer were to run the Driver Alert program, which would result in a lot of refunds and bad relations. Yes, PC Pitstop is a business and our goal is to make money. No, we do not need to lie and fake tests results to do so. And no, you will not find a complaint anywhere that we do not honor our money-back guarantee.

[EssexBiker]

Hi Essex Biker,

 

It would allow us to see the actual driver suggestions if your link was to the new OverDrive test. The old Tech Express full tests are no longer being updated. You can replace the Tech Express link with the URL from the OverDrive recommended Fixes page.

 

When you use the Device Manager to check for new drivers it only checks two places, the local computer and Windows Updates, which is typically two or three months behind the computer or hardware manufacturer's driver updates. You should always check the manufacturers first.

 

 

Hi,

 

I followed the instructions on how to add a link to the results of the tests I ran yesterday and copied it in to the space provided on my profile. I did not post it to this forum as I thought that only PC Pitstop moderators would need them and that they would have access to my profile.

 

However I didn't realise that checks for new drivers through Device Manager were so far behind! But I fully accept that this is in fact the case and therefore apologise most sincerely for doubting the reliability and/or integrity of the test.

[IntelGuy]

I can see the link in your profile, but it is pointing to the old tests, which do not show which specific drivers have updates available.

 

Here are two of my results for comparison. The first is for the old Tech Express, the second is the new OverDrive test:

 

http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=4BXS8WEHWKDSTHDK

 

http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?c...;report=Summary

 

 

Tech Express just has a message to update outdated drivers.

 

OverDrive lists what the drivers are.

[EssexBiker]

I can see the link in your profile, but it is pointing to the old tests, which do not show which specific drivers have updates available.

 

Here are two of my results for comparison. The first is for the old Tech Express, the second is the new OverDrive test:

 

OverDrive lists what the drivers are.

 

Sorry but I just followed the instructions I found on the site! And since I ran the Overdrive test the other day and NOT the old techexpress test, I don't know how any techexpress results for my current computer even came to be listed in the first place? But I have successfully navigated to the results of my recent Overdrive test and here is the correct link to them:

 

http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?c...;report=Summary

[IntelGuy]

Thanks for the OverDrive link.

 

You should be able to find the latest Nvidia driver for your 9500 GS here:

 

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

 

And the Realtek driver here:

 

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/

 

But I would recommend checking the HP site first:

 

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

[EssexBiker]

Thanks for the OverDrive link.

 

You should be able to find the latest Nvidia driver for your 9500 GS here:

 

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

 

And the Realtek driver here:

 

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/

 

But I would recommend checking the HP site first:

 

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

 

Many thanks! I have downloaded the GeForce driver and will install it. But Realtek advise that audio drivers available for download from the Realtek website are general drivers for our audio ICs, and may not offer the customizations made by your system/motherboard manufacturer. So to be sure you obtain the full features/customizations provided in your original audio product, you should download the latest drivers from your system/motherboard manufacturer's website. However as HP did not offer any new drivers for my computer and as my audio drivers seem to be working fine, I think I may leave them as they are.

[IntelGuy]

However as HP did not offer any new drivers for my computer and as my audio drivers seem to be working fine, I think I may leave them as they are.

I agree. That is probably the best way to go.