device drivers

[sunspore]

Hey,

When you install a new device on your computer, like a camera, or a printer, is there a single folder that holds all the drivers, or are they scattered all over the hard drive? Is this the same in windows 98? I'm trying to learn how to use safe mode to load drivers one at a time to troubleshoot systems that won't boot properly, so I need to know this. Thanks in advance.

Sunspore

 

[Comtech]

Generally drivers are installed from c:\windows\inf, but reside in c:\windows\system and c:\windows\system32 (and sub folders), depending on OS.

Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[sunspore]

Thanks a bunch, Jim. Does Safe mode allow you to load one driver at a time from these folders? I'm pretty confused as to how to use safe mode to troubleshoot and/or fix a system.

Sunspore

 

[Comtech]

I only use Safe mode to remove drivers, and set resolution back for video troubleshooting.
If you know the exact name of the file giving problems, you can delete it, providing you have a replacement driver available to install later.
Because safe mode does not load any extended drivers, you can't load video, winmodem, and most sound card drivers that way.
If you have a specific driver problem but don't know which device is giving troubles, safe mode allows you to remove drivers, then a normal restart to update them.
It sorta depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[bullhlms]

When I have had driver problems, I renamed them by changing the extension to bak. That way they are in the right place, and easy to find when I want them back.