Uninstalling Drivers 1

[AarynC]

Hi, having a bit of a sound problem (Only left channel working) on my Toshiba A60-155 laptop.

The sound card is a Realtek AC97 and I've got a copy of the newest drivers to install.

My Question is, if you uninstall the drivers and reboot, how do you stop Windows from automatically install the original drivers?

Cheers
Aaryn

 

[gpalmer711]

Aaryn,

You can just go ahead and load the new drivers without uninstalling first if you want. XP has improved handling of driver updates, such as the roll back feature.

Click on Start > Right Click My Computer > Click Hardware Tab > Click Device Manager > Find the Sound Device in question and double click on it > Click on the Driver Tab > Click on the Update Driver button. From here you can install the latest drivers you have.

In answer to your question though, when you have uninstalled the drivers, restart your machine to safemode. This mode will not detect any new hardware or attempt to load any drivers. From here install the new drivers and then restart, once XP boots again it will find the best drivers for your device, hopefully the new ones you have just installed.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[gpalmer711]

I meant to add that the other way of doing it would be to disable the Plug and Play service. This is what detects new hardware and trys to load drivers for it.

Start > Run > services.msc > Click ok > Double Click on "Plug and Play" > Set Startup to Disabled.

Please note that a number of services rely on the Plug and Play service, Such as the Logical Diskmanager, Telephoney etc.. So make sure that you will not require then for the next reboot before disabling.

Restart your machine and then install the new drivers, once the drivers are installed change the Startup Type back to automatic and then restart your machine.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[AarynC]

Cheers Mate,

Will give it a go in safe mode - which reminds me: Every time (almost) I boot up, it starts at that page asking what mode I want to start in (safe, safe with networking, normal) like it does when it crashes, even if I shut down properly.

Any idea why it would do that? Not a major, just a pain.

Aaryn

 

[gpalmer711]

I did once see a registry edit that would force that to always appear. I've had a quick search but couldn't find it, i'll have a think today and If i remember i'll let you know.

Although as you say almost take a look in your event view and make sure that there are no errors when you switch off/restart your machine.

Start > Control Panel > Admin Tools > Event Viewer.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk