Importance of Updating Drivers

[struggling]

At the risk of looking stupid, I'm going to share an "Aha! moment". This isn't for the advanced members, but rather for people closer to my rung on the learning ladder.

 

I had to buy a new printer several months ago. The old HP had served me well for years, so I bought another HP. It had problems from the get-go.

 

>Had to keep unplugging it (wouldn't shut off), then plug it back in to get it to respond to commands.

 

>When it did respond it was extremely slow. I got a lot of housework done, waiting for it to print.

 

>The font size was ok some places, not others. Sources like email messages and Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help printed so tiny I actually had to use a magnifying glass to read it. This was in spite of setting View>Text Size>Largest.

 

> A few other issues I don't recall.

 

I started looking for the warranty when I decided to do an exhaustive google search. I came across "reasons to update drivers for printers".

 

One of the reasons was **YOU BOUGHT A NEW ONE**

 

What? But it's brand new. It should work perfectly, right? Wrong.

 

I then searched for, found, and downloaded driver updates for my Photosmart C4480. I made sure I got all of them.

 

It now operates like it's supposed to. It's still a little slow to respond to the command, and the font is still smaller than I'd like sometimes. But at least I can read it now.

 

There may be further tweaking ,of some other nature, I need to do. Still studying on that. But, meantime, it's at least functional.

 

Ok, I'm done looking stupid for today. But if this helps anyone else, it's worth it.

[BeeCeeBee]

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_(computer)

 

That is about as basic a definition of drivers as I can find quickly. When certain hardware starts to act up it is always a good idea to check the drivers.

 

Of course sometimes printers just break. :)

[struggling]

Yeah, Wikipedia is pretty handy, isn't?

 

While ferreting out the problem I went there for definitions of operating system, computer hardware, and devise drivers.

 

I've often wished I'd had an opportunity to take a formal, structured class on all the basics. But, in lieu of that, I just keep happily stumbling along. :rolleyes:

[Plastic Nev]

well at least you are stumbling along in good company as we are more than happy to help you and every one else in learning more each day. That also includes me too.:D

[Dalo Harkin]

Just make sure that you have the old driver - incase it all goes horribly wrong which happens alot with some drivers

ATI 2-3 years ago anyone - nightmare

[struggling]

Egad, Dalo--You're scaring me here! :eek:

 

Ok, how do I determine whether I still have the old driver?

[BeeCeeBee]

It is what he does, Jane, he comes here scares people and leaves. One guy got so angry (well you see the shape of his head)

 

Just don't uninstall the old drivers and make sure they are included in your backup.