Drivers; What Is A Driver; Identifying Drivers - Dell GX620 - 3.6GHz Desktop 1GB RAM 80GB Windows XP SFF User Manual

Reinstalling Drivers and the Operating
System
CAUTION:
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide.
NOTICE:
You must use Microsoft
Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
NOTE:
If you installed a unique image on your computer or if you had to reinstall your operating
system, run the DSS utility. DSS is available on your optional
as ResourceCD)
and at support.dell.com.

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require
a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each
device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.
Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or
configuration is needed.
NOTICE:
The optional Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not
on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft Windows operating system. You
may need to install drivers if you:
• Upgrade your operating system.
• Reinstall your operating system.
• Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem
and, if necessary, update the driver.
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
1
Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
2
Click System.
3
In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
4
Click Device Manager.
5
Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on
6
the device icon.
® ®
Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later when you reinstall the
Drivers and Utilities CD (also known