Basic Driver Question

Hi, I was just wondering if someone could sort of give me an idea of how to go about making sure that I make a correct back up of my drivers so I can burn them to a cd and be able to just put that cd in if/when I reformat my computer. Which files do I need, do I have to spin three times and click my heels together, anything like that would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Drivers aren't just one file, and install in many different folders so it's not pratical to try to back them up like that.

The best way is to just have a base setup with Windows and all your hardware and latest drivers installed, then just do a backup or image of the entire drive.

You could just burn the executables of all the drivers you require to CD, and I used to do that and then just install them after a new Windows installation.

That is fine for hard to get drivers and drivers which aren't updated much, but I find it easier now to just download what drivers I need when I need them, therefore getting the latest ones.

 

Thanks for the reply, I'm just paranoid 'cause last time I attempted something like this, I ended up without a modem driver which as you can imagine made getting online difficult, I have the cds for most things on my computer so the monitor and printer and all that jazz I'm not worried about. So if I track down the .exe for the modem and the network adapter and the um chipset thingamajig I can just burn them to a cd and be ready to rock?

P.S. I have Norton Ghost, and I plan on doing what you suggest after I reformat, should I do it before too just in case I have a disaster? I've backed up my music and programs that I want to keep and stuff so i'm alright that way, I'm just trying to be cautious 'cause...well I suck at this. Muahahahaha

 

Yes, if you have the executables then all you have to do is double-click on them to install them once you have Windows installed.

If you are formatting, I would just format, install Windows with all the hardware you require, install updated drivers then do an image.

It really depends on what you want. You could also install all your programs etc and then do an image, but I only do images on a "basic" installation, meaning the images are smaller and tidier as well, but as I said that is up to you.

Any image is certainly better than nothing.

Remember if you have XP you have the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, Windows Backup and in XP Pro you also have Automated System Recovery.

If you want to learn more about them read the Windows help file.

Good luck.