I don’t know how to install a new driver

Cause: If a new driver becomes available for a hardware device, Windows XP will help you install it so that you can begin using the new driver.

Update or change a device driver In Windows XP

Ensure the latest device driver for each of the devices is loaded in Windows XP. Manufacturers frequently update their drivers to fix problems and take advantage of operating system features. These drivers are usually available from the manufacturer's Web site, and Microsoft also maintains driver files for many devices on its Web sites.

Upon downloading drivers, read the manufacturer's instructions before attempting to use the files to update the device. Often, downloaded driver files are compressed into a self-executing file that needs to be extracted in order to use the driver. In the Hardware Update Wizard, click to select the Have Disk option, then click the Browse button to locate the driver files.

Install a new driver from Device Manager

1. Double-click the type of device you want to update or change.

2. Right-click the specific device driver you want to update or change.

3. Click Update Driver to open the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the wizard instructions.

My printer prints garbled text

Cause: If your printer prints garbled text, it is almost always a sign of a bad or corrupt driver. Even if you installed the correct driver, it may have become corrupt over time. In this case, you need to reinstall the driver for the printer.

I installed a new driver and the Device Wont Work

Cause: If this happens, you either installed the wrong driver, or the driver is corrupt. In either case, you want to go back to the original driver so that you can try to install it again, or try to use a different driver. Fortunately, Windows XP has a rollback feature that will make this process easy.

I cannot get an older printer to work with Windows XP

Cause: Hardware, such as a printer, has to be compatible with Windows XP. You may be able to get an older model printer to work with Windows XP, but you will often need an updated driver.

Installing and Uninstalling Hardware

Let’s say you buy a new mouse for your computer. You open up the box, read the instructions, attach to the correct port on your computer, and begin using the mouse right away. How? Simple enough. Windows XP works with your computer hardware to detect changes. When you attached that mouse to the port on the computer.

• Windows XP detected that a new hardware device had been attached to the port.

• Understood that the device was a mouse.

• Grabbed a file, called a driver, from an internal Windows XP database that enables XP to manage and use the mouse. This driver is a generic driver designed to work with several mice. You may have better results installing the manufacturer’s driver.

• Installed the driver for the device.

To you, it looks like nothing happened. You plugged in the mouse and began using it, and that’s the way it should be. However, in some cases, Windows XP is not able to detect the hardware device you attach, or the hardware device may not work well without the correct driver. Again, a driver is a piece of software that enables Windows to communicate and manage, or drive, the device. You can think of a driver as the steering wheel in your car. The steering wheel enables you to drive the wheels so that the car goes where you want it to go. In the computer system, a driver enables Windows XP to drive the hardware so that you can use it with the operating system. With all that said, you can experience some problems installing and uninstalling hardware.

Update Drivers in Windows XP

Why should we update hardware driver`s in windows`s Xp?

Each hardware device installed on your Windows XP computer has drivers that run it. These drivers can be updated by the manufacturer of the device in order to help the device run better or to fix issues with software or other devices. Go to the manufacturer`s website to download the newest version of these drivers. Sometimes drivers are downloaded as self-executing files that install automatically when you click them. Other times, you may need to use the Windows Device Manager to update the driver files.

USB 2.0 Unknown Device Issues in XP

Windows XP includes native USB support. Windows Update added support for USB 2.0 devices in January 2002. If XP does not recognize a USB 2.0 device, the cause may lie with the system's drivers, issues related to the registry or the hibernation function. Before checking the functionality of a USB device, ensure the port is USB 2.0 compatible and your system has 2.0 support installed via the Device Manager.

Internet Explorer does not let me Download a New Driver

Cause: Internet Explorer 6, which is included with Windows XP, has some security features, that wont let you download “unsigned” drivers. This is a security feature that helps prevent the downloading of viruses and other malicious code. Normally, internet Explorer will prompt you before downloading an unsigned driver, but if the setting has been configured to “block,” then you will not be able to download the driver.

Device Manager In Windows XP

Checking Network Card Driver Status

How to Check Network Card Driver Status in Windows XP?

You might lose network connection due to corrupted or incompatible network card driver after installing or upgrading. Follow the below steps to check card status in Windows XP.

1) Go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Control Panel window will appear. Double click on Network Connections.

3) Network Connections window will appear. Right click correct Local Area Connection by identifying correct card and click Properties.

4) Local Area Connection Properties will appear. Click on Configure.

5) From the device status, it shows the driver status. If there is problem with the driver, you can click Troubleshoot to troubleshoot the problem with detailed instructions provided by Windows XP.

Note: The Troubleshoot feature which provided by Windows XP is pretty lengthy, but it’s a good resource to learn more about this device driver.

Ethernet Network Card Configuration in Windows XP

Ethernet Network Card Configuration in Windows XP

After configuring your network router, let's start to configure computer / notebook that installed with Windows XP.

Installing Network Card Driver

Network card driver is needed to be installed before using it. Check the vendor installation manual that comes with your network card before installing network card driver. Here is typical way for installing network card driver:

1) Click Start and click Control Panel.

2) Control Panel window will appear, then double click Add Hardware icon. Simply follow step-by-step instructions prompted by system for adding card driver. Kindly check your network card driver status to confirm it’s installed properly.

Configuring TCP/IP

When you configure computer, you will also need to configure network card for your computer to communicate with other computer or network devices. This communication method is called protocol. You will need to have TCP/IP protocol and other Windows items installed on your computer in order to make it work correctly.

1) Go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Control Panel window will appear. Double click on Network Connections.

3) Network Connections window will appear. Right click correct Local Area Connection by identifying correct network card and click Properties.

4) In the Local Area Connection Properties, you need to have following items installed:

Client for Microsoft Networks – Allows your computer to access resources in a Microsoft network.

File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks – Allows your computer to share files and printers in Microsoft network.

Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) – The protocol that enables your computer to talk to other computers in your network. You need to specify IP address, netmask, gateway and other network information for it to work. Assign the IP address following your IP network design, and make sure the IP is unique.

If you don’t have those specified items installed, click Install… and follow instructions to install the items which you missed.

Troubleshoot Stop 0x0000000A Irql_Not_Less_or_Equal"

If you have received a blue screen error, or stop code, the computer has shut down abruptly to protect itself from data loss. A hardware device, its driver, or related software might have caused this error.

The following actions might prevent an error like this from happening again:

1. Download and install updates and device drivers for your computer from Windows Update.

2. Scan your computer for computer viruses.

3. Check your hard disk for errors.

4. Perform Memory (RAM) Test.

The following parameters are displayed on the blue screen.



I can’t use an older hardware device with Windows XP

Cause: In order for any hardware device to work with Windows XP, there must be a driver that will work with Windows XP. The problem with older hardware devices is that a new driver for the device may not be available. You can check out the manufacturer’s Web site and see if a new driver software is available. If not, you may simply be stuck.

I can’t uninstall a device

Cause: At some point, you may want to uninstall a device from Windows XP. For example, let’s say that you replace your keyboard with a newer model. Windows XP should detect that the old keyboard is no longer attached to the system and remove it. Sometimes, though, Windows XP may not get the message that a hardware device has been removed, and the device may keep showing up on your computer.

DHCP Client Service In Windows XP

 DHCP Client Service

Service Name: Dhcp

Service Description:

Registers and updates IP addresses and DNS records for this computer. If this service is stopped, this computer will not receive dynamic IP addresses and DNS updates. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

IPSEC Services Service In Windows XP

 IPSEC Services Service

1. Service Name: PolicyAgent

2. Service Description:

Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver.

Sharing Printer in Windows XP

Follow the steps below to accomplish the task:

1) Go to Start--> and click Control Panel.
Control Panel Window appears--> then double click Printers and faxes.

2) Printers and Faxes window will appear.
Right click the printer you want to share--> then click Sharing.

Network Location Awareness Service In Windows XP

 Network Location Awareness (NLA) Service

1. Service Name: NlaSvc

2. Service Description:

Collects and stores network configuration and location information, and notifies applications when this information changes.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service In WIndows XP

 TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service

1. Service Name: lmhosts

2. Service Description:

Provides support for the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution for clients on the network, therefore enabling users to share files, print, and log on to the network. If this service is stopped, these functions might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.