How to Repair Driver Issues for Windows Hardware Devices

Introduction

If you have any problems with your computer hardware, there is a possibility that the problem is resulted from driver issues since drivers are a type of software that acts as the middleman between your operating system and specific hardware components, such as a printer and monitor. If the driver is down, then the middleman is sick and can't convey the information correctly. That is why your hardware components don't respond.

This article demonstrated several methods that deserve a try to repair driver issues and make hardware working again.

Method 1: Restore Your Computer to a Point before Problems Began

Suppose that you do create a restore point before the problem showed up, you can restore your system to this point.

Start >All Programs >Accessories >System Tools >System Restore
Then follow the on-screen prompts to do the rest.

Note that this will restore all other settings and data in Disk C to the point where you created the restore point. So be careful if you have very important data that can't be erased in C.

Method 2: Uninstall Corrupted/Problematic Driver and Reinstall It

Another common way to fix driver problems is to uninstall and reinstall drivers.

1. Go to Device Manager and pull down the specific device driver.
2. Double click it to open the Properties window.
3. Click Driver tab and choose Uninstall.
4. Reboot after the uninstallation.

Windows will search for the missing driver and try its best to reinstall whatever driver it can. However, sometimes the automatic search and reinstall will fail due to various reasons. In this case, you may download and install specific driver from manufacture's website or use driver download and install tool to automatically do this.

Method 3: Restore Drivers from Backup If You Just Right Made the Backup Before

It is always a good habit to make a backup, either for data, programs or settings, configurations because you never know when accidents will happen and you need the old data/programs.

Windows does not provide us with a built-in option to backup and restore drivers so you need a 3rd party tool to complete this. Try 100% free and easy-to-use tool DriveTheLife.

1. Download, install and launch DriveTheLife.
2. It will start an automatic scan of all drivers without advanced configuration.
3. If you need to backup or fix drivers, just go ahead. All the features of this program is free.
4. Now let's skip all that to backup and restore driver. Go to Manage board and you will see three options: Backup, Restore and Uninstall.

If you have made backup before, just click Restore tab and it will display in the available list to restore.
5. Restart computer and done! 

That's all for what I will demonstrate in this article to fix driver related problems. Updating drivers and rolling backup driver are also methods but they are similar to uninstall/reinstall drivers and restore to restore point so I won't write it here.

Tutorial: Share Internet Connection from Windows Computer to Mobile Devices/Other PC

This is a simple and handy tutorial about how to share your internet from Windows computer with iPhone, Samsung phone, HTC phone, Huawei phone and any other smartphones, iPad and other tablets, laptops and any other wireless devices.

Imagine you're in the office and you need to download an application from App Store urgently, but the 3G/4G network is running out. And of course, you have no key to the WiFi network box. And no other available WiFi connection.

How can you download this needed application via WiFi, not via your iPhone cellular data? Hack the WiFi password? No, you don't need to do so if you can create a WiFi hotspot on your PC and share your own computer's internet with your iPhone.

What You Need to Share the Internet from Windows to Mobile:

• PC/Laptop with Windows XP and the later (Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10)

• An available internet connection (Ethernet)

• A working wireless card on your desktop/laptop

• Free and little program called 160WiFi

Steps to Create the Personal WiFi Hotspot and Get WiFi Connection:

1. Download and install program 160WiFi.
2. Launch it after installation, then it will start a WiFi hotspot automatically by default.
3. You can modify the WiFi name (SSID) and password to make a personal WiFi hotspot.
4. Search on your phone/tablet or other WiFi devices for the WiFi you just set up and join in with the specified passcode.

Well, it is just that simple and easy-to-get. Enjoy the free, unlimited and personal WiFi yourself.

Create Free WiFi Hotspot on Windows Computer - 160WiFi, Easy and Quick!

 

Need WiFi to Surf the Internet

Holding a WiFi iPad without a wireless router?
You have only one wired Ethernet connection but there are a room of devices that are internet-starved? 
Your smartphone is running out of cellular data and needs to connect to free WiFi?
...

In such cases, the quick and easy solution is to create a free WiFi hotspot and share the internet with others. Let's learn how 160WiFi helps to turn your Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista desktop or laptop/notebook into a free WiFi hotspot.

That is, with 160WiFi installed and launched on your computer, it will become a wireless router right away.

How to Make Your Computer a Wireless Router?

Step 1: Download and install 160WiFi on your Windows computer. Free download 160WiFi now.

Note: Make sure your computer's wireless adapter is working in order to setup a WiFi hotspot.

Step 2: When it is launched, it will try to start the WiFi hotspot automatically. In normal case, the WiFi hotspot will be setup in seconds.

Step 3: Till now, you have had access to the WiFi on your smartphone, tablet, other computer, etc. already. You can customize the WiFi name, literally called SSID, and the password to prevent thief stealing the internet.

Step 4: After your phone, tablet or computer connected to the WiFi, you can find them under Connected Devices. There is even detailed information of your connected devices. 

Further Features of 160WiFi

In the bottom left, do you realize the dial with a pointer? It is a network speed tester. Click it to test your network speed easily and conveniently.

And next to the WiFi Hotspot, it is the Remote Controller. Click the tab, you will find a QR code on the panel. To scan the QR code, it will redirect you to 160WiFi for Mobile. If needed, you can install 160WiFi for Mobile on your phone. Then you can control your computer on your phone after that.

Simple, free and quick, yeah? Let's start enjoying the free and unlimited WiFi with 160WiFi!

Free DriveTheLife 6.2.4.112 Updates to Download More Drivers

Los Angeles, Calif. June 30, 2015 —Drive The Life Co., Ltd. the world’s leading software provider of Windows drivers download and update utility, today released several big updates to its free product DriveTheLife and made the version up to 6.2.4.112. Now DriveTheLife v6.2.4.112 not only enables users to download and install drivers for computer hardware, but also allows them to search and install drivers for peripheral devices that are USB-connected to a computer.

All features added to this Windows drivers update utility are free. Drive The Life Co., Ltd. announced that users never need to pay money when using DriveTheLife to download, install, update or repair Windows drivers on their computer. Here are the key updates of DriveTheLife v6.2.4.112.

DriveTheLife v6.2.4.112

Key Upgrades of DriveTheLife 6.2.4.112

The main updates on DriveTheLife 6.2.4.112 are as follow:

• Add the function to download and install drivers for USB connected devices.
• Search drivers with much faster speed.
• More options to allow users to customize driver download settings.
• Allow users to search best-matched internet printer drivers and install them.

Pricing and Availability

DriveTheLife 6.2.4.112 is now available on the official site to all users for free. To free download it, visit: http://www.drivethelife.com/

About Drive The Life Co., Ltd.

Drive The Life Co. Ltd. is the leading driver software provider and is dedicated to developing powerful and user-loving software on managing Windows device drivers. Over years of development, Drive The Life Co. Ltd. is now favored by majority of users and becomes quite popular all over the world.

Contact Information

Website: http://www.drivethelife.com
Email: olivialewisdtl [at] gmail [dot] com

160WiFi Released to Turn Laptop, Desktop PC into WiFi Hotspot

Los Angeles, Calif. June 27, 2015 — As the world’s leading software provider of Windows drivers download and update utility, Drive The Life Co., Ltd. has provided the best all-in-one Windows drivers update utilities, DriveTheLife, and DriveTheLife for Network Card. But this company not only concentrates on this field, it is also professional at building safe Wi-Fi hotspot. Today, the company released the strong Wi-Fi hotspot creator, 160WiFi (version 4.1.8.0), which can turn your laptop or desktop PC into WiFi hotspot in seconds.

“We devote ourselves to solving problems that most trouble our users and we’ve done it”, CTO of the company said. Drive The Life Co., Ltd has its own R&D team that is one of the best in IT field. It always has the capability to provide useful utilities of high quality, such as 160WiFi.

Key Features of 160WiFi

• Totally free and safe. Never keep record of your files and no ads, no pop-ups, no spyware.

• Quickly turn your computer (a laptop, desktop PC or notebook) into WiFi hotspot.

• Allow any device to connect the WiFi hotspot, including iPhone, iPad, Android portable devices, and other mobile phone.
• Allow you to suffer the Internet without cellular data overcharging.
• Strong, stable and never broken.
• Easily manage your computer on the connected portable devices.
• Support all Windows OS, like Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows XP/Vista.
• Easy to use with clear UI.

 

Pricing and Availability

160WiFi v4.1.8.0. is now available on the official site to all users for free. To free download it, visit: http://wifi.drivethelife.com/

About Drive The Life Co., Ltd.

Drive The Life Co. Ltd. is the leading driver software provider and is dedicated to developing powerful and user-loving software on managing Windows device drivers. Over years of development, Drive The Life Co. Ltd. is now favored by majority of users and becomes quite popular all over the world.

Contact Information

Website: http://www.drivethelife.com
Email: olivialewisdtl [at] gmail [dot] com

How to Install/Update Motherboard Driver & Fix It When in Problem

If you are confused about how to install correct motherboard driver or how to uninstall and reinstall motherboard driver when it is in question, this is the right post for you.

In order to have a clear understanding of motherboard driver, let's learn something basic of it.

Motherboard Driver

What is a Motherboard Driver?

Motherboard is the most important part in your computer that controls nearly all the computer functions. Motherboard driver is a piece of software interfaces between the hardware motherboard and the system software.

Is It Necessary to Update Motherboard Driver?

Since the motherboard is the core component of your computer which controls the entire system and functionality, it is quite important to keep its driver in perfect status and ensure its features in top performance. Thus, checking for motherboard status and updating motherboard driver to the latest is likewise important. Note that always backup the drivers before updating. In case something unexpected happens or the latest driver is not compatible with your device, you can restore drivers from the backup.

Most of the  Motherboard driver issues or errors occur when the required driver is missing, corrupted or outdated.

Is There an Easy and Time-saving Way to Update/Install Motherboard Driver?

Originally, to update motherboard drivers, you must know the manufacturer and model of the motherboard. Then do a time-consuming search for the correct driver download. But now you have better and easier way, that is, use an automatic driver updater and finder utility. The recommended one is DriveTheLife, a free and easy-to-use driver updater tool which will help to scan missing, outdated or broken drivers automatically, download and install driver updates with one click, repair driver problems effortlessly, backup drivers for free, restore drivers from backup, remove unwanted drivers easily. Try it out if needed. It is totally free and no ads, no fuss! 

How to Fix/Troubleshoot Motherboard Driver Problems?

In case there is something wrong with your motherboard driver, your computer won't work properly. However, you have below ways to fix it.

1. Roll Back Motherboard Driver to the Previous Version

Rollback driver is an inbuilt function in Windows Device Managers, which allows you to troubleshoot common driver-related errors. It is especially helpful when there is driver related problems after driver updated. Below is the simple steps to operate the driver roll back. I am using Windows 7, so the steps are taking Windows 7 as the example.

• Start > Input Device Manager > Press Enter

• In Device Manager, locate and double click your motherboard.

It should be under System devices and named SMBus xxx, or NVIDIA nForce PCI System Management, NVIDIA nForce System Management Controller, or VIA Standard Host Bridge, VIA I/O APIC Interrupt Controller or others.

Motherboard Driver in Device Manager

• In the Property window, click the Driver tab.

• You will find the option of Roll Back Driver. If it is not available to roll back this driver, the button will be grayed out.

Click here to learn more about rolling back Windows driver to the previous version.

2. Use Driver Finder Tool to Scan Your Computer and Fix the Problem Automatically

Honestly, it is not an efficient way to resolve driver problems through Device Manager. It is tedious to identify and solve driver issues manually. Besides, you need to be proficient with computer to troubleshoot driver problems yourself.

So here comes the tool I recommended before, DriveTheLife. Just try it and see whether it could clear the problems out. If no vain, another workaround with it is to uninstall the motherboard driver and rescan your computer, after that, DriveTheLife will find the missing motherboard driver and select a best-matched one to install. 

How to Install Latest Graphics Drivers after Fresh Install of Windows - Easy and Automatic

I am running a new computer build with the following specs:
Intel i7 4770
8gb corsair vengeance RAM (2 cards)
Asrock z87 Extreme3 Motherboard
Asus gtx 770 GPU
Xion 850W PSU

I was just trying to install the latest drivers after a fresh install of windows 8 for my GTX 770. It couldn't even finish installing before I got a Memory Management BSOD. Are any drivers more stable that I can use? I've heard nothing but bad things about all of the drivers available for my GPU.

Install Graphics Driver

 

Why Install Latest Display Card (GPU) Drivers?

There is always a debate on whether to install latest drivers or not. Personally, I would prefer the latest unless it is not compatible with the device. Reasons of installing latest graphics drivers are as follows:

• For gamers, it is especially important to keep GPU driver up to date because the latest video drivers can resolve graphics issues/crashes and improve gaming experience.

• Graphics driver is more often updated by manufactures, like once a month or more. So we should frequently check for graphics driver update to ensure we have the latest drivers installed.

How to Install the Latest Graphics Drivers - Keep GPU Drivers Up to Date

We have manual and automatic option to install the latest drivers.

For manual install, you need to determine the video card manufacture and its chipset manufacture (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD/ATI, etc.) and model number, write down the chipset manufacture which provides you with the driver. It is not that hard to identify the manufactures but it is never so easy. When determination is complete, visit manufacture's website and see whether there is newer driver for your device.

For automatic install, it is much easier! You don't need to determine the device manufacture and visit their website, you only need to download and install a driver finder and updater program, here totally free tool DriveTheLife is recommended and taken as the example to prove how easy it is to automatically update graphics drivers.

Step 1: Download and install DriveTheLife. >>DriveTheLife official site
Step 2: When the installation is done, it will start an automatic scan for all your drivers
Step 3: Go to Download board, if there are any drivers available to update, it will show you and let you update all with one click.

Update Drivers

Note that all the drivers provided by DriveTheLife is official or WHQL. We don't make drivers, we only move the drivers from official site or WHQL agent, gather ,well order and estimate them so that to provide you with the best matched drivers. 

Cool Tip: If you have serious display problems on Windows 8 and it is not the source of hardware, you might as well try downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7. Sometimes driver performs terribly on Windows 8 but perfectly on Windows 7.

If you have serious network driver problems, refer to this guide: How to Fix Network Driver Issues
Related post: 3 Common Ways to Update Windows Drivers