What is required to move from Beta driver to WHQL driver?

[guskline]

I'm running Nvidia cards but I think this question also applies to ATI cards. I constantly see Beta drivers being released but how do they ultimately become WHQL divers. Is there a formal process? Is Microsoft involved. Just curious.

 

[BFG10K]

Aside from the obvious of fixing bugs that need to be fixed, they’re also tested by Microsoft. There’s a standard battery of tests which the drivers must pass before they get the stamp.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Money, I believe. You gotta pay to have your drivers WHQL certified.

Not that it actually means anything, tons of crap WHQL drivers out there so I doubt anything is actually tested really.

 

[Rifter]

Money, I believe. You gotta pay to have your drivers WHQL certified.

Not that it actually means anything, tons of crap WHQL drivers out there so I doubt anything is actually tested really.

Yeah id say after the Nvidia fry your GPU drivers were released and passed WHQL its safe to assume the proccess involves them taking your money but no real actual testing.

 

[3DVagabond]

WHQL is simply a money grabbing scheme by M$. A fee is paid to them to get the little pop up window warning you not to install them to go away. It's just like a shareware app that bugs you with a pop up every time you use it until you pay for it. When you install something that is WHQL certified there should be a :cha-ching: audio track that plays denoting that more money went into M$'s coffers. You get absolutely nothing for it because M$ takes no responsibility for the safety or functionality of the installed item(s). They just get their cut from your purchase.