The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    updating drivers? updating OS?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by crono1009, Aug 9, 2007.

  1. crono1009

    crono1009 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I just got my Vostro 1400 in the mail(typing on it now, LOVE IT). I have never had a laptop before and keep hearing about updating stuff.

    This is what I have done so far..
    plugged in the system, turned it on

    went through the vista booting up process

    used "windows update" and installed some of that stuff

    What should I do next? I have the 8400 GS and plan to game if that helps with anything, thanks!
     
    crono1009, Aug 9, 2007
    #1
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

    Reputations:
    489
    Messages:
    2,842
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Uninstall the video drivers, and download the latest ones from the Nvidia website.
     
    adinu, Aug 9, 2007
    #2
  3. crono1009

    crono1009 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So should I uninstall "Nvidia driver"?

    And also Dell has a bunch of drivers on their website for my lappy, should I dl any of those?
     
    crono1009, Aug 9, 2007
    #3
  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    i personally recommend that u
    . first clean out startup processes (cCleaner is a good app for this),
    . turn off the nagging&not.so.secure UAC functionality
    . let it run for a few days before start playing with driver updates

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 9, 2007
    #4
  5. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

    Reputations:
    489
    Messages:
    2,842
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If you really wanna get in depth, then he should format and reinstall the OS. But the things I and qhn have mentioned are great ways to improve ur system without much hassle.
     
    adinu, Aug 9, 2007
    #5
  6. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    2,618
    Messages:
    1,757
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It depends. Sometimes Nvidia drivers are best to use... other times, Dell provides their own driver because they feel it works better... and finally, sometimes Dell simply uses Nvidia drivers. Arguably, you won't notice a major difference in performance. I wouldn't uninstall your current driver until you find a good reason to.

    That said, always use the latest version of either Nvidia's or Dell's drivers.
     
    Matt, Aug 9, 2007
    #6
  7. j-dogg

    j-dogg Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    136
    Messages:
    648
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    usually with vista you download new drivers before you uninstall the old ones because when you install the new ones it automatically removes the old ones
     
    j-dogg, Aug 9, 2007
    #7
  8. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

    Reputations:
    613
    Messages:
    2,278
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    In many cases, Nvidia's website will not offer drivers that laptops can use. Actually, this is in pretty much all cases, I thought.

    It's why www.laptopvideo2go.com was created. Get your graphics drivers there + the modded inf file.

    Am I missing something or did Nvidia start supporting mobile drivers straight off their website?

    EDIT: Looks like the site is down for now.
     
    StormEffect, Aug 9, 2007
    #8
  9. j-dogg

    j-dogg Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    136
    Messages:
    648
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    when i first got my laptop i searched every part of that site and found nothing for my 8400m gs so i'm guessing no
     
    j-dogg, Aug 9, 2007
    #9