subject: Video Card Drivers - What Are They and What Are Their Functions? [print this page] Video Card Drivers - What Are They and What Are Their Functions?
A video card is a hardware component that contains the memory and circuitry necessary to render the images that you see on your monitor. They are also commonly referred to as video adapters, video controllers or display adapters. A driver is a computer program that controls a particular hardware device connected to your computer. This gizmo converts the general graphical output instructions that it receives from your application software into the more detailed instructions that it understands to enable it execute its functions.
When you purchase a computer, the video card driver that you need normally comes pre-installed with the operating system. However, there are several situations where you may want, or need, to install or upgrade this piece of software yourself.
Manufacturers often improve their drivers by removing bugs or adding extra functionality. If your monitor seems buggy, or is performing poorly, you may have to do an update to help perform at its best and to remove associated problems with the related hardware's performance.
Changes to your operating system or new software may also cause conflicts. If the manufacturer has done some updating, you may solve the problem by getting the new updates and then installing it.
If you upgrade you will likely enjoy better image capabilities. If it came with an installation CD, the driver should be on it. If not, you'll have to download it from the manufacturer's web site.
There are also several directories on the internet that have archives of all types of drivers. This can be useful if you have a hard to find driver, perhaps from a manufacturer that's gone out of business. Some of these sites may even have agents that will scan your computer, look for outdated situations, and prompt you to update your system with more current files.
If you are downloading yourself, remember that these are hardware dependent and operating system specific, so make sure you get the driver that matches both the make and model as well as your operating system.
There are several Driver Update Software Tools available and can bring your Device Driver files to the latest upgrade. Most offer a Free Scan. If you would like to try a you can get it here.
