Quick Tip: Check your motherboard CD

Just a quick tip: you often have a CD (or DVD) with drivers, utilities and whatnot, as part of the package that comes with an OEM computer - that is, a computer that's not from Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.

Most motherboards these days have lots (of not all) peripherals built-in, and the standard drivers that come with Windoze may not work with some of the devices on the motherboard. If you have to reinstall the OS (as I did recently, grrrrrr), it's entirely possible that things won't jump up and boogie until you install the drivers from the motherboard CD. My recent re-install came up with no network interface, and my stupidity in not thinking about the drivers on the m/b CD led me to a good deal head-scratching (and screwdriver-wielding) before it finally dawned on me that maybe the Win XP Pro install didn't have proper drivers for the on-board NIC... once I figgered that one out, it was smooth sailing!

 

it's also worth checking the motherboard manufactures site for updated versions

 

Excellent point - thanks!