Obtaining Software and Drivers

Obtaining Software and Drivers


Download software from HP
Download drivers and software from Microsoft
Use application recovery to install original software
Get updates from the software maker
Frequently asked questions about software and drivers

This document provides methods for obtaining software and drivers for HP and Compaq desktop PCs.
NOTE:
Before beginning, it is important to know the difference between a "software update" and a "software upgrade."
A software update modifies the version of software that is on your computer - usually fixing bugs, or adding minor enhancements or features. Updates are usually free. For example, updating software versioned 3.1.1, may update to 3.1.2.
A software upgrade provides a greater major version of the same software title. The new version usually costs money, provides more functionality, and often costs less than if you were to buy the full version from a retail store. For example, upgrading software that is versioned 3.1.1, may upgrade to 4.0. If you are looking to upgrade software, this is normally done through the software application itself. For example, If you want to upgrade Windows Vista Basic to Windows Vista Premium you can use the Windows anytime upgrade feature to perform the upgrade.
Download software from HP
HP provides many free downloadable software updates, driver updates, and many full version drivers. Use the steps below to download updates and drivers:
Go to the HP Software Download page.
Enter the model name of your computer (such as 8570c, 510n, 2755).

Figure 1: Model name/Product number field on Web site

NOTE:
If you do not know the model name of your computer you can refer to the following support documents for assistance:
HP Pavilion and Media Center Desktop PCs - How Do I Find the Model Number?
Compaq Presario Desktop PCs - How Do I Find My Model Number?
Select the version of operating system (such as Windows Vista) that is being used for your computer.

NOTE:
If the operating system that you need is not listed, drivers are not available from HP and you must rely on one of the other methods presented in this support document to find or restore software and drivers.A Web page containing a list of available drivers and software updates appears.
Find the software or driver package that you would like to install from the list.

Figure 2: Example of software listings that can appear on the driver download page

NOTE:
If a software or driver update is not listed on the Web page, the original software that is already on the computer may be the latest version that HP has qualified (tested). If needed, you can use an HP software application that can be used to restore original software and drivers .
Click the link for the software or driver title that you want to download.
Another download page appears for the specific download. Read the instructions on download page to download and install the software or driver.
Download drivers and software from Microsoft
Most HP and Compaq computers come with full versions of Microsoft Windows preinstalled. Microsoft has an extensive library of software, drivers, and updates available for free download. HP and many of its partners work with Microsoft to provide drivers through Windows Update. Use the following steps to download drivers, software, and updates by using Windows Update:
NOTE:
Use Windows Update regularly to install critical updates that help protect your computer against viruses and malicious attacks.
Connect to the Internet and go to http://www.update.microsoft.com (in English).
Follow the directions in the Windows Update page to set up Windows Update and install the software updates.
Be aware of the following tips when using Windows Updates:
Install all critical updates first to help keep your Internet connection secure.
If you are looking for drivers, they can be found as optional updates from the list of available updates.
Due to the file sizes of some updates and the number of available updates, it is probably best to use Windows Update when you do not need to use the computer for other activities.
For more detailed information about using Windows Update to install drivers and get updates for Windows software, use the HP Support document Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update .
Use application recovery to install original software
Use the HP or Compaq application recovery process to install the original drivers and software that came with your computer. Restoring drivers and software can be done by using the HP Application Recovery software program (Windows 98, ME, XP) or by using HP Recovery Manager software (some XP and Windows Vista). You can open these software applications from the Start menu and look in HP or Compaq Tools and/or PC Help and Tools. For more information about how to use these HP software applications, please refer to one of the following support documents:
HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Using Application Recovery (Windows 9x, Me, and XP)
HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Using Recovery Manager to Restore Software and Drivers in Windows Vista

NOTE:
If you have upgraded the operating system on your HP or Compaq desktop computer, these HP software applications may no longer work as intended.
Get updates from the software maker
Many companies provide free software and updates for their products. HP and Compaq computers come with a wide variety of hardware components and software titles provided by HP partners. If you are having an issue with a software title or a hardware device driver and you cannot find an update from the HP Web site, try looking for one from the product manufacturer Web page.
You may find software and drivers from these sites that provide the technologies used on many Pavilion and Presario computers:
AMD utilities and drivers (chipsets, AMD Live!): AMD.com (in English), downloads can be found in the support section.
ATI video hardware: ATI Drivers and Software site (in English)
Creative (sound cards): Creative Downloads (in English)
Intel hardware and software (chipsets, Intel RAID, Viiv): Intel Support & Downloads (in English)
Microsoft (Windows, Microsoft software, and hardware drivers): Microsoft Download Center (in English). Of course, you can also use Windows Update.
nVidia hardware (video and chipsets): nVidia's Software Download (in English)
Realtek (sound hardware and codecs): Realtek Downloads (in English)
Also, many software applications have an obtain update feature. Connect to the Internet, open the software, and click Obtain Updates, Check for Updates, or similar from the software application. A good example of this type of feature is the Live Update feature in Symantec Antivirus software products.
Frequently asked questions about software and drivers
Where can I find software for my printer, scanner, or camera?
If you have an HP printer, scanner, or camera, HP posts software and drivers on the support site for particular printer, scanner, model numbers - not PCs. That is, you will probably not find a printer driver on the software and driver download page that belongs to your HP computer. You should go to the HP Software Download page and enter the model name of your HP printer, scanner, or camera and you will probably find the software you are looking for.
If you have a printer, scanner, camera, or other device that was not provided by HP (contains the HP or Compaq brand), you must look for software from the manufacturer of the device.
Where can I find Linux or FreeDOS drivers?
Linux and FreeDOS are developed in the open source community and drivers can usually be found from postings on community sites. For more information about FreeDOS and Linux and how these operating systems apply to HP and Compaq desktop computers, please refer to the HP support document HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - FreeDOS and Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .
Where can I find the driver that upgrades my USB 1.0/1.1 ports to USB 2.0?
You will not find a driver upgrade that upgrades USB ports from 1.0/1.1 to 2.0. However, if you are receiving PC messages that state you should connect your USB 2.0 device into a higher speed USB port and you know that you have a USB 2.0 port on your computer, there are certain USB controller upgrades that have been made available through Microsoft Windows Update that can better enable USB 2.0 on your computer. To get any available updates for Windows 98SE or Windows ME, use Windows Update . To get any available updates for Windows Vista or Windows XP, use the following steps:
Connect to the Internet if the computer is not already connected.
Open Device Manager:
In Windows Vista, click Start , and enter device manager into the Start Search field.
In Windows XP, click Start, Run, and enter devmgmt.msc into the open field.
Click the plus sign ( +) next to Other Devices.
If there are any references to USB, such as USB Host Controller, right-click the name and select Update Driver Software. Follow the information in the screens that open to download and install any available updates.
The name in other devices should be removed and added to the proper category (Universal Serial BUS Controllers).
Test the USB device again. If the message appears, continue using these steps. If the message no longer opens, you are done.
If there are no more references to USB in the other devices category, click the plus sign (+) next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
Right-click the name of one of the Universal Host controllers and select Update Driver software.
If any downloads were installed, test the USB device to see if the message continue to appear.
I tried everything and I am still having trouble finding a driver for network, video, bus controller, a dll file, USB, or other computer component. What do I do?
You may not need a software or driver.
If you are looking for a driver because an error message is opening, try searching HP or the Internet using the exact error message text. HP and its partners provide many support documents that provide known fixes for error messages.
If you are looking for a device driver because you have updated Windows, you may not need a driver. Windows can natively find and install drivers through the plug and play process or through the Windows Update process. If Windows cannot fully recognize the name of the device, Windows may show the device as an "other device" in Device Manager. If this is the case, do the following.

NOTE:
Hardware devices (video, sound, network cards, and similar) that were not designed for plug and play may not work in a computer that is upgraded to Windows ME and later. If this is the case, you should probably replace the hardware device with one that is compatible with your upgraded operating system.
Connect to the Internet if the computer is not already connected.
Open Device Manager:
In Windows Vista, click Start , and enter device manager into the Start Search field.
In Windows XP, click Start, Run, and enter devmgmt.msc into the open field.
Click the plus sign ( +) next to Other Devices. If Other Devices is not listed, Windows was able to identify and set up all plug and play hardware on the computer.
Right-click a name of one of the unknown devices and select Update Driver software.
Follow the directions on the pages that open to install any available driver updates through Windows.
The name in other device should be removed and added to the proper category. For example, a previously unknown network card would appear in the network adapters category.
If any downloads were installed, test the device to see if it is now functioning properly.