How to Update a driver

[kiddpete]

I need to update the driver for a Promise Ultra 100 card. Unfortunately, Windows will not let me update. It says it is using a newer version of the program. Although, the version number in Device Manager is 5.xxx.., when I check the actual driver, Windows says it is version 1.xxx.... I want to install version 2.xxx..., but Windows has overriden everything I've tried. The new driver does not have a setup program.

My computer's tech support says Windows must be reinstalled to get the updated driver. Does anyone know of a simpler way?

 

[edfair]

You might try removing it and forcing a load on the next reboot.

Might help if you would be specific on OS.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[kiddpete]

Sorry.

OS is WinXP Pro SP 2 plus all subsequent patches. It doesn't give me the chance. It simply reinstalls the hardware during startup using the old driver. Are you saying I can interrupt this, or get it to look somewhere else for the driver?

 

[garebo]

Maybe you can install the new drivers in advance of installing windows,same as you install sata hard drive software and scsi stuff. I cant say that for sure as i have never done that, but might be worth a try, unless someone here knows a better way, which i wouldnt doubt for a sec!

Maybe check around at the microsoft website.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[kiddpete]

The Windows install disk formats the hard drive before it starts the install. I cannot stop that. There is no option.

 

[garebo]

What about if you had the hard drive on the motherboard ide primary channel, then installed the drivers on the pci controller with no hard drive on it, then swapped the hard drive to the pci controller afterward, after os is installed?
Or do you need the hard drive to be on the controller because of the size of the h drive and the fact the mobo and bios cant handle that size h drive?

I dont even know that it would work.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[edfair]

Does the new driver have an .inf file? If so, you could replace the one that loads the bad driver.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[kiddpete]

Yes, the new driver does have an .inf file, but there is no .inf (ultra.inf) that I can find on my Win hard drive. Therefore, I cannot replace it. Are you saying that I can put the .inf file out there, and get the new driver loaded? How about the ultra.cat file?