Windows XP: Updating Device Drivers

Peripheral manufactures regularly update the device drivers for their hardware (such as: video cards, printers, etc.) . They generally will do this to fix known problems or add new features. Device drivers are programs that tell the OS how to use a device that is attached to it.

These updated drivers are generally available on the manufacturer or Microsoft's web site for download (Note: it's always best to start at the manufacturer's web site first). After you download the updated drivers, you will generally have to extract the file from a compressed archive to install them. It is always a good idea to read the drivers installation instructions before installing it.

Another way to update the device driver is to use the 'Update Driver' button for the peripheral in the 'Device Manager' console.

• From the Start menu, right-click on 'My Computer' and select Manage.
• From the 'Computer Management' console select the 'Device Manager'
• Find the of the device you want to update, and , double-click on it.
• Click the Driver tab.
• Press the 'Update Driver' button to open the Hardware Update Wizard
• Select if the system can connect to Windows Update to search for the driver, and then press the Next button. (Select Yes if you want to check Windows Update, select No if you already have the driver)
• Select 'Install the software automatically' if you want the system to make its best guess on how to update the driver or choose 'Install from a list or specific location' if you already have the updated driver. Then press the Next button.
• Windows will then search for an updated driver and notify you if the updated driver has been found.
• Press the Finish button when done.

Software: Save time with click-free browsing (video)

CNET News.com reports: "CNET's Rafe Needleman talks to executives from Browster and Cooliris about their respective products and what the future holds for click-free browsing."

Downloads (Note: Both of these downloads work with Internet Explorer and Firefox):

• Browster
• Cooliris

Internet: Test Your VoIP Connection

Do you use a Voice over IP (VoIP) provider such as Skype or Vonage to make long-distance phone calls to your friends, family, or colleagues? If you do, you might want to test your Internet connection's ability to handle this type of traffic.

TestYourVoIP.com will load a Java VoIP client and make a call from your computer to one of their Brix's U.S. or international test location and report the results back to you. This is a free service.

Note: This site requires that Java be installed on your local computer to perform the test.

Windows XP: Removing Unused Device Drivers

When you install a new piece of hardware on your computer, you generally install a device driver that tells the OS how to access the new device. Later, if you remove the hardware from your system, the device drivers will still remain installed. These drivers will continue to be loaded even though they're not being used, and consume system resources.

To find and remove these unnecessary drivers follow the instructions below:

• From the Start Menu, open the Control Panel folder.
• Double-click the System control panel.
• Click the Hardware tab, and press the 'Device Manager' button.
• In the 'Device Manager' window, from the View menu, select 'Show Hidden Devices'.
• Expand the various nodes of the device tree and search for the grayed out icons, which indicate unused device drivers.
• To remove an unused device driver, right-click the icon and select Uninstall.

Software: Zapr (Simple File Sharing)

Zapr is an application that you download and install, that allows you share specific files (only the ones you select) on your computer with other people across the Internet. All you have to do is make the URL available to the people whom you want to have access to the files.

You can post the URL in a blog, or send it via e-mail or IM. Here is an example of what the URL looks like: http://zapr.net/userName/computerName/xxxxxx

The advantage to using Zapr, is that theres no file size restrictions, no need to upload the file somewhere, no sending an attachments, and finally its free. There is also no need for recipients to download and install the Zapr application or register themselves with the service to access the files.

Software: CDBurnerXP Pro

Recently one of my readers requested a free program for burning CDs for Windows. I turned him on to a program called CDBurnerXP Pro. This is one of the better free CD/DVD burning applications out there.

With this software you can burn CD-R, CD-RW DVD+R/RW DVD-R/RW discs. Below is a list of some of the features of this program:

• Burns audio-CDs with and without gaps between tracks.
• Supports most IDE, USB, Firewire and SCSI drives.
• Burn and create ISO-files.
• Creates bootable discs.
• BIN/NRG to ISO converter, simple cover printing.
• Supports: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Server.
• And more.

The Windows Portal (Updated)

In November of last year Microsoft released their Live.com site, with a few basic services. Since then they really expanded their offering with several new web applications and services (for example: domain name and web site hosting). The site also offers really nice downloadable applications as well (see the list below).

I really like the consistent interface across most of the applications, and how some of them are integrated together. I hope to continue to see more of this in the future as they release new services.

If you're curious about the difference between Live.com and MSN.com. From my understanding, Live.com will host all the web applications and services, and MSN will continue to be the content, news and information provider.

Below is a brief summary of all the Live.com applications and services:

• Live.com: Create a customized home page, and add content you want to see (such as your message in your inbox, RSS feeds, and more).
• Windows Live Search: Search the Web, news articles, images, local business (maps) and more.
• Windows Live Expo: Place an ad, find something you want to buy, or post information for an event.
• Windows Live Mail: Has a new drop and drag interface, spam blocker, virus scanning, and 2GB of storage.
• Microsoft Office Live: Get a web site, 50 e-mail accounts, web traffic reports, and more
• Windows Live Gallery: Get add-ins and gadgets for your toolbar, Messenger Live, Live.com home page, and more.
• Windows Live Favorites: Get instant access to your Web favorites anywhere.
• Windows Live Custom Domains: Free web based e-mail for your Internet domain.
• Windows Live Spaces: Add photos, network, find new friends, create a blog. Has a lot more features then Blogger.
• Windows Live Shopping: Find clothes, computers, electronics, furniture and more.
• Windows Live Product Search: Search and compare products from several merchants across the Web.
• Windows Live Academic: Search articles from thousands of academic and research journals.
• Windows Live Local: Find businesses, get driving directions, and view satellite photos of where you're going to go.
• Windows Live Safety Center: Check your computer for viruses, tune-up your PC, and get rid of junk.

Downloadable Applications

The software listed below are applications that you download and install on your local computer.

• Windows Live Writer: This program was just released today, its WYSIWYG blog authoring tool that allows you to compose blog entries for Windows Live Spaces, Blogger, LiveJournal, TypePad, WordPress (and many others).
• Windows Live Messenger: Microsoft's next generation instant messaging client. Now includes VoIP and video conferencing.
• Windows Live Toolbar: Search the web, protect yourself against fraud, find files on your local computer.
• Windows Live OneCare: Microsoft's new anti-malware (virus, spyware, and more.), firewall, tune-up, and more.

Coming Soon to Live.com
Below is a list of applications that Microsoft is getting ready to release.

• Windows Live Book Search: Microsoft's online books searching service
• Windows Live QnA: Ask any question and get an answer.
• Windows Live Mail Desktop: Check and manage your online mail, including AOL, and GMail.
• Windows Live Search - Mobile: Search for a business, see maps and driving directions all from your mobile device

For the latest information, on new or updated applications and services check out the Windows Live Ideas page. This is where they post all the latest updates to the site.