How do I ID my drivers, ver # and whether to update????

Bold Eagle · Jan 31, 2006

Hi I am a beginner I would like to know the best procedure for identifying my current drivers (what ever is relevant) and their ver #'s and whether there are current updates avail. Would like to try and maintain my sys in top shape. I have all my original install CD and can see some ver #'s on these.

I have a copy of EVEREST or is there a more suitable app.

These are my sys specs (to the best of my knowledge) there may be more and or less info than necassary but I want to provide as much info as possible for answers to this query:

Intel P4E, 3.00 GHz 3006 MHz 1Mb L2 Cache (800FSB socket 478 Prescott CPU with HT*), CPU sSpec No.: SL7PM
MSI 661FM2-LSR(601-7060-050) Motherboard, SiS-661FX, Model No. (on board) = MS 7060 Ver 1
ATX Midi Tower 8003LCA400ATTS
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
2x512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
1x80GB HDD 7200 RPM
ATI Radeon 9200 Pro (RV280) 256 MB
Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B

Start up: BIOS ID String: 03/07/2005-SiS-661FX-6A714M4HC-00

BIOS Version: W7060SMS V2.0 030705

where:
1st digit refers to BIOS maker as A = AMI® W = AWARD®
2nd - 5th digit refers to the model number.
6th - 7th digit refers to the customer as MS = all standard customers.
V1.0 refers to the BIOS version.
091096 refers to the date this BIOS is released.

Sticker on BIOS Chip: Phoenix Bios, D686 BIOS, Phoenix 1998, 257214736

I have also copied a version of an EVEREST Report, I know there is info on drivers, there versions and websites to download updates within this but I find it VERY confusing and the websites dont help at all. In fact the BIOS update/upgrade site at eSupport absolutely stinks of scammers.

Any help to sift through this multitude of info and simplify the process would be greatly appreciated.

Bold Eagle · Feb 1, 2006

Surely someone can me some form of direction here! I have downloaded DriverView which gives me all the device drivers but I am still confused. For example I have gone to ATI for video drivers and note they have a recent Catalyst Driver v6.1, my install CD states v4.9, I have done all my windows updates and it seems I have:

ati2dvag.dll 0xBF9D4000 Display Driver ATI Radeon WindowsNT Display Driver 6.14.10.6476 ATI Technologies Inc. ATI Radeon WindowsNT Display Driver 25/08/2004 3:29:04 PM 6/08/2005 11:02:09 PM C:\WINDOWS\System32\ati2dvag.dll

ati2mtag.sys 0xF6CD6000 Display Driver ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver 6.14.10.6476 ATI Technologies Inc. ATI Radeon WindowsNT Miniport Driver 25/08/2004 3:28:46 PM 6/08/2005 11:02:09 PM C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\ati2mtag.sys

Does this mean I have already installed v6.14 for my ATI drivers??????

Please can someone simplify this for me?

DavidGP · Feb 1, 2006

Yeah I can go through this with you, but being at work at present its difficult, to give you a full answer you deserve, but I will try and quickly cover some points....

Bios ~ These you get from your motherboard makers site as they are free and the best ones to use... BUT IIRC your PC is within warrenty I would have your system builders install any new bios.., plus you can find most other drivers for the motherboard here as well, such as network drivers etc.

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/download/dld/spt_dld_detail.php?UID=618&kind=1

Graphics Driver ~ yep looks like you have the latest one, but can also check this via Right Click desktop > Properties > Settings > Advanced and the ATi tab

I will take a longer look later at home.

Bold Eagle · Feb 1, 2006

Much appreciated I realise this may seem a very basic query but I wouldn't expect others to understand molecular ecology with dispersal potential, spatial seperation and genetic differentiation either.

DavidGP · Feb 1, 2006

No not a basic question at all I think as drivers and the update of them are vastly overlooked at times and can sometimes be the fix for an issue you could be having.

Exactly.. I wouldnt also expect peeps to know my work either.. so its all good learning IMO, even if some think its basic.

Things I would tend to update.

1. Bios.. well not always as if the PC is working then this is one area to leave well alone, unless having a specific problem with something a bios update will cure.

2. Motherboard/Chipset Drivers, dont hurt to update... 9 time out of 10 they dont update much anyway apart from compatibility for new chipsets. ( yours SiS 661FX )

3. Graphic Drivers... again you can update to the latest versions but sometimes new is not always best, so always keep the last installed set saved or use the rollback driver ( device manager ) option. ( yours you know as ATi like nVidia have unified driver packages which support most )

4. Network/LAN drivers ( yours is a SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter )

SIS original drivers can be found here http://www.sis.com/download/ and do tend to update a little quicker than your motherboard manufacturer BUT may not always work well in some cases if certain support is added by the mobo maker... but I havnt had much problems using the chipset makers own drivers be that for the mobo, lan etc

persoanally apart from that its just keeping the OS and all the secirity software upto date, which is the bigger jobs.. drivers I dont really update drivers alot if they are working ok...as the old saying goes "dont fix whats not broken"

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How do I ID my drivers, ver # and whether to update????

Bold Eagle MajorGeek

Attached Files:

Everest Hardware Specs Report 2.txt

Bold Eagle MajorGeek

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

Bold Eagle MajorGeek

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member