Every computer needs certain components for its proper functioning. These devices are part of the hardware and require appropriate programs or drivers in order to fulfill their role in the system. Have you ever wondered what they are, what are they for and how do drivers or controllers work? In this article we will explain it to you.
Undoubtedly updating the drivers in Windows is very important for the proper functioning of the system. Even so, sometimes asked what the drivers are, then we will answer this Question.
What are they, what are they for and how do drivers or controllers work?
Index( )
- What are they for and how do drivers or controllers work?
- Structure of a computer
- What are drivers or controllers?
- What is the classification of computer drivers?
- Generic or universal drivers
- Specific drivers
- Generic driver
- Specific drivers
- Types of computer drivers that exist
- Audio drivers
- Video Drivers
- Basic drivers
- Network drivers
- Device drivers (printers, scanners, etc)
- Chipset
- From the bios
- Some characteristics of the drivers that you should know
- How can I get the necessary drivers for my computer?
- With the manufacturer’s CD
- Accessing the device manager
- Use Windows Update
- Download them from the internet
- Best software to download and update drivers
- Driver booster
- DriverPack Solution
- Snappy Driver Installer
- How to update the drivers on a Windows 10 computer?
- What are drivers or controllers for?
- How do drivers or controllers work?
What are they for and how do drivers or controllers work?
Sometimes the operating system stops responding, issues a blue screen message, or some program stops running. This can occur for multiple factors and one of them is related to driver or controller problems.
Next, we will show you all the information you need to know about the drivers, their usefulness and functionality . Thus, you will pay more attention to these elements so necessary in your operating system.
Structure of a computer
All equipment has hardware and software. The hardware is the physical elements such as the motherboard, the RAM, the hard disk, the processor, the peripheral devices (mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer). For its part, the software is the programs and the operating system through which the hardware acquires utility.
For the hardware and software to work properly, they need an intermediate program called a driver. This software must be compatible with the component in order to maintain the proper conjunction between the software and the computer hardware.
What are drivers or controllers?
Drivers or controllers are the software that is installed on the computer in order to run as an intermediary between the operating system and the hardware. The drivers / controllers are essential elements so that the operating system can correctly recognize the components that are added to the computer.
Drivers are made up of lines of code with specific functions aimed at particular components . In this sense, these programs are in charge of carrying a message to the system so that it can carry out its recognition task and communicate with the device.
What is the classification of computer drivers?
As such, the Drivers for computers are those that allow the operating system to recognize and use the devices for which they were manufactured, these Drivers or drivers allow you to install the equipment correctly and run the Hardware efficiently , these can be classified as generic or specific because these are made up of lines of codes so that your device works automatically, the official Drivers are as such compatible with any operating system.
Drivers are very diverse, for this reason they are classified according to their nature, read the following information carefully to know the classifications of the drivers present in your computer and other devices:
Generic or universal drivers
Some operating systems have so-called generic drivers so that certain components work immediately when connected . Universal drivers are made up of lines of code that allow the system to automatically identify peripherals such as the keyboard and mouse.
Even so, although many drivers are installed in this way, it will always be necessary to download the missing drivers on your PC , so that the equipment works in the best possible way.
Specific drivers
Certain components such as video cards, some webcams, WiFi networks, and printers require specific software to troubleshoot compatibility issues . For this reason it is important to know the specifications of the device in order to install the correct driver.
This is the example when updating the drivers for the graphics card or any other component of those characteristics, which require a single driver to function correctly.
Generic driver
In general, these generic Drivers tend to be of good performance, as well as they are also compatible with any operating system, but you must bear in mind that these will never work as well as the original or official ones .
Specific drivers
Some components such as video cards , webcam, printers and Wi-Fi networks require unique software , to solve compatibility problems, that is why it is extremely important that you have specific knowledge of the device so that you can download and install the Driver or suitable driver .
Types of computer drivers that exist
As you already know, a Driver or controller is composed of lines of code with unique functions made for particular components, as such these are Software that is established on the device in order to run as a mediator between the operating system and the Hardware. ; There are different types of Drivers such as audio, video, network and others.
Audio drivers
This normally already comes pre-configured , since it is a Driver that speeds up the connection between audio devices, as this consists of the manipulation of a group of programs focused on some parts of the Hardware that is already installed on the device or computer, since this audio card makes it easy for you to connect with an external device .
Video Drivers
As such, this video card or video driver is already pre-established in the computer, the function of this is that it facilitates the use of any image device that can be linked to the computer, they only have to be compatible with it.
Basic drivers
As such, the Basic Drivers or controllers have good performance and are always usually compatible with any operating system, but you must bear in mind that these basic Drivers do not work as well as the established or original ones .
Network drivers
These Drivers or network controllers generate the use or use of the networks that are available on the periphery of the device or computer, as this facilitates the handling of the computer connection .
Device drivers (printers, scanners, etc)
These Drivers are based on Hardware or Software , since their operation is based on the computer being able to perfectly recognize devices such as printers , scanners , among others, so that it can be used and establish a good connection to be able to switch to the respective impression.
Chipset
These are essential to be able to determine the performance of any equipment, since since the data traffic of your computer is a bit slow, this will slow down the system, we must also emphasize that the Chipset is compatible with a certain series of models of motherboard and also with components such as RAM or hard drives.
From the bios
The BIOS Drivers or in other words Basic Input or Output System are based on a non-fickle Firmware , which is used to make or execute the introduction of the Hardware throughout the boot process, this also provides termination time services of operating systems and programs .
Some characteristics of the drivers that you should know
The Drivers have certain characteristics, which lie in an operating system, which are designed to handle primarily peripherals and special devices, these drivers or drivers are usually of two types, guided by characters who are like devices , AUX, PRN NULL , among others; and there are also those oriented by blocks which are constituted by the known units of the disk. Both of these Drivers take or send information character by character and also process it.
How can I get the necessary drivers for my computer?
In some cases we may find that we have to download a driver for our device and we do not know which one is indicated, which ones are necessary or even how to get them, for this there are different methods such as through the manufacturer’s CD , by accessing the device manager, using Windows Update or simply downloading them from the internet.
With the manufacturer’s CD
This is one of the easiest options you have when downloading and installing the drivers for your computer, you just have to use the CD that the device brings and follow the instructions that they will give you. If you lost the CD or you simply don’t have it, go to the website of your computer manufacturer, they will give you the information you need.
Accessing the device manager
If you have problems with any Driver or driver this is the best option to solve it, you just have to enter the control panel of your computer and in the Device Manager area , there you will find all the devices that your computer or PC has; select the one you want to download, and in the alternative “Driver” press Update driver, and that’s it, you can install the versions of Drivers you need.
Use Windows Update
If you install or update any driver or driver your device and your computer owns or works with Windows , you can do it easily with Windows Update , with can find any driver you want to update. To update your drivers you just have to go to Windows Update on your computer and select on search for updates , the computer will automatically search for the updates that are available and install them on your computer.
Download them from the internet
To download the drivers or drivers from the internet, you just have to search in your browser for the Driver you want to download, select a website and follow the instructions that will give you to download your Driver or driver.
Best software to download and update drivers
There are a large number of programs to download and / or update the Drivers of your computer, you must bear in mind that updating the drivers of your computer will help you keep your device in good condition so that it continues to work correctly and without any problems. such as Driver Booster, DriverPack Solution and Snappy Driver Installer will help you troubleshoot and download the drivers for your device.
Driver booster
This is a tool that we recommend because it helps you keep your computer’s Drivers completely and correctly updated. Driver Booster has a great interface and is also very easy to use, as it lets you know if you have a Driver to update.
DriverPack Solution
This program is completely free, highlighting that it is a tool that is responsible for updating your computer’s drivers , also focusing on the fact that it is a light version, its operation does not totally depend on the internet, as it allows you to do maintenance without being connected to any Internet network and also has the necessary Drivers for your computer.
Snappy Driver Installer
This one, like the previous ones, is completely free, and it also offers you a Lite version , which has a system that allows you to search for the Drivers you need for your computer and, as you know, it works while connected to the internet.
How to update the drivers on a Windows 10 computer?
Updating the Drivers of your Windows 10 computer is very simple, you just have to go to the configuration of your computer and select the option Update and security, once there you must find and press the option “Windows Update” and click on the Install now section. , this is for the available updates to be applied and run on your Windows 10 computer.
What are drivers or controllers for?
The drivers or controllers are used to establish communication between the operating system and the other components of the computer . Therefore, the devices that have been connected to the computer can be recognized and thus optimally used.
It is important to note that if we do not install the driver of a device that requires it, then the computer will present speed failures, poor performance, program suspension , screen freezing, among other conflicts.
How do drivers or controllers work?
When a component is added to our computer, the driver must act as a bridge so that the hardware can issue a series of instructions to the software. If the operating system recognizes the component and we can use it, then we have installed the appropriate driver.
The drivers have been created for specific components and systems . That is why you must be very careful when searching for the appropriate driver that guarantees the correct operation of the hardware. If we install an incompatible driver, then it will not send the corresponding instructions with the device we want to incorporate.
Keep in mind that in addition to the Drivers and controllers it will be necessary to install other types of software. Clear is the example when installing DirectX to the last version , essential software for the correct operation in games and other applications.