Does windows update its driver database?

[Maximilian]

Im not entirely sure, but im thinking the answer here is yes. If it does, what drivers does it use??

Im asking as i removed a Geforce Ti4400 from my dual cpu rig today and replaced it with a 9800 PRO, and it worked, right offf the bat. No crappy resolution, no crappy colors. Seems windows had a driver for it or somthing, it didnt have that before when i first bhad a 9800 PRO. Does windows use a catalyst driver? or do they make their own homegrown one?

I went and installed catalyst 6.xxx anyways. Just in case the homegrown one isnt too good.

 

[spyordie007]

AFAIK most (if not all) of Microsoft's ATI drivers come from the vendor (they have the WHQL certified ones).

I dont know if there is going to be anyone here that can answer the question definitivly though (maybe stash or smilin, but I dont know how much they deal on the device side).

 

[Bluestealth]

They usually have outdated drivers for most consumers sound, video, and networking cards... or newer generic ones that won't work for OEM systems, and if your not careful they might try to install themselves... and break your computer.... haven't used the "feature" in a long time

 

[Matthias99]

Windows Update, at least, has ATI video drivers. If you told it to search online for drivers, it probably got this or last month's Catalysts.

Of course, you could just *check* in Device Manager and see what drivers it's using instead of asking us to speculate about it...

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
Windows Update, at least, has ATI video drivers. If you told it to search online for drivers, it probably got this or last month's Catalysts.

Of course, you could just *check* in Device Manager and see what drivers it's using instead of asking us to speculate about it...

I did check, it didnt tell me anything conclusive.

Ta for the replys guys.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Bluestealth
They usually have outdated drivers for most consumers sound, video, and networking cards... or newer generic ones that won't work for OEM systems, and if your not careful they might try to install themselves... and break your computer.... haven't used the "feature" in a long time

You are correct, Microsoft does not write ANY drivers for specific hardware. All the inbox drivers that come on the CD come from the OEM and have been through the WHQL labs.

There are some generic drivers (i8042prt.sys, disk.sys) that we can "fall through" to if no better match is found for the PNP id.

You may see newer drivers on Windows update that the OEMs have submitted but again Microsoft does not actually make them. Drivers on Windows update have also been through the WHQL labs although there may be newer WHQL drivers that have not yet been placed on Windows Update. These updates will be pretty infrequent so checking with the actual vendor for a newer driver should be a priority especially for version sensitive drivers like video.

Always get WHQL when you can and go to a newer non-WHQL driver only if you are seeing a specific problem addressed by the newer version. WHQ labs don't guarantee a bug free driver but the testing is very rigorous (and expensive afaik).