Which "Update": Windows or HP?

Here's a puzzler: on both my new HDX and dv6500t, the HP Updater runs regularly, and so far says I don't need any updates. Then Windows Update runs, and says I need 5 hardware updates on the 6500, and 6 on the HDX--things like hardware updates for the Synaptics touchpad, the marvell Yukon network card, the Wi-fi card, and even the HP touch-sensitive buttons along the top.

So who should I believe? It seems odd to me that--especially on the HP-specific touch-sensitive buttons along the top--that Windows Update should say I need an update, while HP says all is okay. (How cold Windows know before HP that the touch-sensitive buttons need an update?)

What should I do, let Windows go ahead and update all the hardware, or ignore it and wait to see if HP eventually says to do the same? It's not a crisis, but if the updates can improve performance, esp. on the network cards, I'd like that.

What should I do?

 

widows for sure

ann

 

Last time I used Windows Update for a driver update, my computer was stuck in a BSOD-loop until I did an Acronis restore from my previous OS backup. Last time I ever used Microsoft's services to determine if I needed a hardware driver update.

 

Just don't update the IDE drivers through Windows Update. I did that, big mistake, BSOD to infinity.

 

I'd have to agree with both. A recent Windows Update botched the USB ports on my dv6400, making them cease to function (and causing the host controller to become stuck on "disabled"). Uninstalling the update was even worse, as it somehow triggered the automatic uninstallation of nearly 50% of my system drivers after the required reboot.

In an earlier case, an offered update for the Intel chipset in my aunt's dv2000t caused a BSOD. Ironically, I had previously jumped all over her for neglecting to keep the machine updated.........

 

leave hardware to hp , also if you have ati vid card use the hp updates , the windows ati update screwed my comp

 

I agree, HP has specific drivers for it's products.

 

Maybe this should be made a sticky or something as it seems to have caused a number of people concerning updates.

So it seems like only to allow Windows to update OS/Vista related software and such? I saw an available update for the nVidia 8400M GS card, so i'm assuming to stay well away from that?

 

Oooo-kay... will wait for HP.

Reminds me of cell phones--you could use generic firmware upgrades on a cell phone, but since the cell phone companies have such a death-grip on the feature-set/software, doing so could also completely hose the phone and not allow you to connect to the network.

Seems similar w/HP, from what you guys are saying--the Windows hardware updates might work on hardware, but they are probably more generic from the OEM of the particular device, not the laptop as a whole. And since we all know how much HP has crapwared--pardon me, tweaked--their laptops, what you guys say makes sense... Leave it alone until the HP updater says otherwise. Besides, it's working okay right now!

 

In my case was the contrary, HP updates or drivers slowed my vista to hell, Windows Update drivers works great on my V3417LA, the only one that I use no being from Microsoft is the Nvidia Video driver. I use official nvidia 15x.xx series.