Drivers; What Is A Driver; Identifying Drivers - Dell Dimension C521 Owner's Manual

Tab
Configuration
Parameters
4 Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the
computer, close the Main Menu screen.

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.
NOTE:
If you reinstall the operating system for your computer, you should reinstall the DSS utility prior to installing
any drivers.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft
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.
Windows XP
1 Click the Start button, then click Control Panel.
2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3 Click System.
52
Advanced Troubleshooting
Function
Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all
devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests,
and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane
of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all
the components installed on your computer or all devices
attached to your computer.
Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
® ®
Windows operating system. You