Driver questions for Newb R US

[Purgatory]

How often should one check for new driver updates for their system especially a newb? I did registry booster but it only allows to update 15 for free.

I'm having trouble with my Sound Blaster Audigy speakers system. I located their hardware site but not a darn thing on driver updates.



The main one i wanna fix is the sound for right now

 

[Hefemeister]

I go for the if it aint broke do not fix it. The only ones I keep up to date are my chipset and video card. I look about once a month. When you have a brand new board getting the newest bios updates are a good idea as well for new ram cpu compatibility and overclocking features.

 

[Purgatory]

Lmao only cuz some of it went over my head I had to read it 3 times (I'm working with no coffee).

Just a lil background my comp is my first circa 2002/2003 a gateway that during its time was the top of the line. Other than basic operating bull I knew nothing about anything comp really. So driver updates as I'm realizing is a whole lot of frustrating bull to update. A year back my system crashed i had no internet and had to wipe all of its memory and start from scratch thx to a frustrated but patient gateway tech. After getting the darn thing to work I ended up buying an ethernet card.

Hence, any previous driver updates I did went out the door. I've been dealing with the annoyance of not having sound but now I am dedicated into getting it to work then I'll work on the next driver problem. So you lost me at: new ram cpu compatibility and overclocking features.

Ohhh, I just remembered something. Sometimes in order to fix the problem the hardware or the software has to be activated before it'll work. Know of which is first?

 

[Hefemeister]

Is it onboard sound or a sound card? If onboard give me the model of your gateway. If it is a sound card give me the model of the card.

 

[HAVOC]

I go for the if it aint broke do not fix it.

Very good advice!

I normally read the release notes first. If there aren't major fixes and it's not going to offer any noticeable increases in performance or fix any issues, I don't bother.

Sometimes when you install updates, it creates new issues.

 

[Purgatory]

Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
252 GHz, 512 MB of RAM

It's a gateway model 700X.

I know but I just can't part with my baby yet. She's like the enterprise to me. No i'm not a geek I just sound like one at times.

 

[Hefemeister]

Hmmm I did not see a 700x listed on gateways download page. Take a peek here and see if you can find your model.

Gateway Support

 

[Purgatory]

I'm wide awake and I don't see it either but their support system says its a Gateway 700X


Model: Gateway700X
Serial Number:
Ship Date: 11/27/2002
Warranty Expires: EXPIRED

I usually go to them but lately they been giving me problems with assistance despite that I have lifetime warranty of online assistance

 

[Hefemeister]

go to this page.

Gateway Support - Drivers, Software and Firmware Updates

it has info on how to find your serial and you can get the drivers that way.

 

[Purgatory]

Ok here's a lesson for all those who have old fart comps like I do.

I went to the link that hef was kind enough to direct me to and somehow i managed to get a kind tech that managed to give me another link to the driver I needed. From there I took care of it myself.
The file downloaded to my screen and I clicked on the icon which further gave me instructions which I printed. Don't be stubborn like me, print the darn instructions.

I had the original Sound Blaster Audigy and installed the new driver file and it still didn't work. Then i
went to the instructions again and uninstalled like it said and for good measure i disconnected the speakers from the tower. Rebooted the comp Reinstalled only the new file i was given and Voila!

My SPEAKERS WORK! I GOT SOUND! I am so ecstatic, lol. Next obstacle tune in to the new thread Revenge of the CAM.
Yeah, I'm still excited that I got sound.

Ok, One more lesson I learned. Trying to load cam after speakers can disable speakers. I had to uninstall speakers again and reinstall after the cam.