How to Install Display Adapter Driver Upgrades

Any display adapter, such as your video card, requires a device driver to allow it to communicate with your computer and interact properly. According to Microsoft.com, newer versions of Windows like Vista and Windows 7 introduced a new display driver model to increase stability and reliability. For this reason, it is important to keep your display adapter drivers up to date as technology changes. Manufacturers release new features, increased function and better stability with driver updates.

Instructions

1. Open your Internet browser and type in the URL for the website of your video card manufacturer. For example, if your computer has an NVIDIA video card, you will type "www.NVIDIA.com" and press "Enter."

2. Download the new driver installation file for your video card version. Most video card manufacturers have tools on their website to assist you in identifying your card version.

3. Open the Start menu after downloading the installation file for the new driver to your hard drive. Click "Control Panel" and select "System and Maintenance." Click on "Device Manager" to open the Device Manager screen.

4. Click "View" in the Device Manager menu and select "Devices by Type" to group the items by purpose. Click the arrow next to "Display Adapters" and double-click the name of your card to open the properties screen.

5. Select the "Driver" tab in the properties screen and click "Update Driver" to open the Update Driver Software screen.

6. Click "Browse my Computer for Driver Software" and then click "Browse." Browse to the download location of the driver installation file. Click "OK" once you have selected the correct file. Windows will verify the driver software.

7. Click "Install" to begin the installation process. Depending on the driver installation package, you may need to confirm the installation process. During installation, your screen will temporarily turn black.

8. Click "Finish" when the installation process is complete, and close the Properties and Device Manager screens. Your new display adapter driver is installed.

Tips & Warnings

• When you click "Update Driver," you will notice that Windows can search automatically for the software on your computer or the Internet. Select this option if you are unable to locate the driver installation package on your video card's website.

• After installing the new driver, you can check in the Device Manager to verify the new driver's date and version number.

• Do not install a driver not intended for your video card. This can cause the device to not function as intended.

References

• Microsoft.com: Graphics Hardware and Drivers