If you are having problems with DirectX, you may have to download new video card drivers. Since DirectX is fundamental to the workings of windows graphics, audio quality incompatibility with DirectX can cause video drivers to fail.

Troubleshoot DirectX problems
When you have video problems, first thing you need to do is check your DirectX. Here are some quick and easy things to check.

• Antivirus – malicious software can cause your DirectX to not work properly so run your antivirus software to make sure you computer’s free of malware.
• DirectX installer – if the problem is with the game, try reinstalling DirectX thru the game software.
• Update DirectX - go online to the DirectX website, and download the latest version of DirectX.

Update the Video Card
Sometimes video card manufacturers release updates to the video drivers to fix errors and incompatibility issues. These drivers are there to insure the video card is compatible with updated software and operating systems; therefore, checking for updates is essential for proper video graphics.

There are three major types of video cards ATI, Nvidia, and Intel. Each of these manufacturers offer free downloads to their updated drivers on their sites. Once you know which video card you have, go to the manufacturer website and navigate to the download links. Then select your video card and operating system from the list, follow the on screen instruction download and install the new video drivers.

Driver Update Software Fixes Video Driver Errors
An easier way to update your video card is with driver update software. With a few simple clicks, the software will scan your computer, list out of date drivers, download new drivers and install the drivers for you. In under two minutes, all the drivers on your computer can be updated and working properly.

Whether you decide to download your drivers manually or purchase driver update software, it’s a good idea to research your options before you go and download video card drivers without some advice.

When you install or upgrade to Windows 7, you may discover you need a video driver download. Since it is a new operating system, video card manufacturers had to update their video drivers in order to be compatible with Windows 7. Therefore, upgrading to Windows 7 means updating your video drivers as well.

This article will tell you where to find video drivers on the most popular computers and laptops.

Acer
If you have an Acer desktop or laptop, you can download the new drivers at the Acer’s service and support site. There you can find all the custom drivers offered by Acer for Windows 7.

Asus
Asus also has a website for downloads. However, not all Asus motherboards are compatible with Windows 7. Therefore, I hope you did the compatibility check offered by Windows before installing.

Quickly, you should be able to find drivers for AMD, Intel Socket 775, and several other popular ASUS motherboards.

ATI Radeon
ATI Radeon has drivers for both Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Therefore, when you go to the ATI side, be sure you choose the right display driver.

Compaq and HP
When you are looking for video drivers for Compaq computers, then you need to head over to the HP support site. Since HP took over Compaq, it is where you need to go to find the updated video drivers for Windows 7.

Dell Desktops
Dell has made converting to Windows 7 easier. On their website, they keep a list of all their computers systems that are compatible with Windows 7. Check the “Microsoft Windows 7 Compatible Dell Systems” site located at Dell dot com slash support before upgrading.

Once upgraded go to the same support site to find the drivers you need.

Upgrading Your Drivers
Chances are you will need to update more than just your video drivers. When you update your computer to Windows 7, you will need to update a slew of drivers. Now, you can either go to each and every manufacturer’s website, download and install the individually or you can use software to do the work for you.

Driver update software can update all your drivers in just a few minutes and get your computer running smoothly again. Learn more about how to find the video driver download you are looking for  with driver update software.  Either way, we hope you enjoy Windows 7!

If you need to update your video card drivers, then you have to complete three steps. These instructions apply to Windows XP. While they may work for other versions, the instructions are targeted towards updating video drivers on Windows XP.

Step 1: Locate Your Video Card Type
The easiest way to get into the right area is by right clicking your windows desktop. Then select properties from the drop down menu. This will open up the “Display control panel” window. At this point, you may need to select the “Settings” tab.

• Click Advance
• Click the “Adaptor” tab
• Make note of the Video Card under “Adapter Type”
  • Common Video Cards include:
    • NVidia
    • ATI
    • Intel

Step 2: Download New Drivers
Now, you need to go to the website of the company making your video card. From there, you need to look for support, drivers, or downloads. Once you find the drivers, download the driver that matches your video card. Download the drivers to your desktop for easy locating later.

Step 3: Install the Drivers
Find the location where you downloaded the drivers and double click it. This will start the automatic installer. At that point, you need to follow the onscreen instructions to finish the installation. It will probably ask you to restart your computer.

Updating Your Drivers Automatically
For a simpler method, you can use driver update software. It will scan your computer automatically and list all the drivers in need of updating. At this point, you choose which drivers you wish to update and click download. Once it downloads, click install and everything will be done for you.

No need to look up video cards. No need to search for the right ones because everything is done for you. In just a few minutes, you can learn the best methods to update your video card drivers now.

When you update your operating system or update some software, you may have problems with your video card. Updating to the latest video card drivers may solve your problem.  The updated drivers are more likely to be compatible with the new software and thus eliminate any problems you are having.

Step 1: Discover Your Video Card
Before you can update your drivers, you need to know what driver you currently have. To do this

• Right click on my computer
• Select Properties
• Click the Device Manager
• Expand the “Display Adapters”
• Note the name of your video driver

Step 2: Find and Download Latest Video Drivers
Once you know the names of the video card drivers, you can begin your search to download the files.

• Go to the manufacturer’s website
• Select your video card brand or chipset
• Follow the onscreen instructions for downloading
• Save the file to the desktop

Step 3: Install the Video Card
To install the new driver, you must go into the device manager like you did before in locating your video card. To open device manager:

• Right click my computer
• Select Properties
• Click Device Manager

Once inside device manager, you can use it to remove the old driver.
•    Expand the “Display Adapters”
•    Right click the device and select “Remove”

Now you are ready to install the new video card driver. Generally, you can double click the driver you saved to the desktop. If it does not automatically run, then open the files. Find the file that has the exe extension and run it. Then follow the onscreen instructions for installing the driver.

Updating the Easy Way
There is a much faster and easier way to update your drivers. All you need to do is run driver update software and it will locate, download, and install the latest drivers in under two minutes. No hassle, no searching, and no mistakes. It really is that simple when you use the right software. Get the latest video card drivers for your computer in less than two minutes now.

“Help! I need to restore pc sound.” So starts countless e-mails we receive every day. It makes sense because when the sound goes out, people tend to notice it right away. It is not like other driver errors, which can go unnoticed for weeks or months. When there are problems with audio, everyone notices and everyone wants it fixed now!

Common Causes of Audio Problems
Before you start uninstalling and reinstalling sound cards, start off with the simple stuff. You might be surprised how easy it is to fix.

• Muted – Before checking anything else, check to make sure your sound is not muted. You can click the sound icon located near the clock. Uncheck any boxes that are muted and try again.
• No Power – If you have a desktop, then your speakers are external. This means they need to have a power source. Check to make sure they are securely plugged into your computer and all power cords are plugged in.
• Loose Card – Again, when you have a PC, your sound card may not be integrated and could come loose. Look at the back of your PC where you plug in speakers. If you can wiggle the card, then it is loose. Take off the side panel and press the sound card in firmly.

Updating the Drivers
Sometimes drivers go out of date, get overwritten, or otherwise damaged. When this happens, it is necessary to reinstall or update the audio drivers. If you have the driver CD that came with your computer, you can reinstall the drivers using the CD. However, this will only reinstall the old drivers and will not update your drivers.

To update your drivers, you will need to identify your sound card. Then you will need to go to the manufacturer’s website and download the updated drivers. If you do not know what sound card you have, then you will want to use driver update software. The software will scan your computer and indentify all the drivers in need of updating.

Once you discover the drivers in need of updating, all you need to do is either let the software download the drivers for you or search them out yourself. In just a matter of minutes, you can restore PC sound and be back in business.

We get questions all the time ranging from how to update video cards to installing new sound drivers. Here is a great example of one of those questions that we just received.

Question:
“My audio is all screwed up. It sounds all distorted with an odd bass sound. I think I need new sound drivers but I am not sure where to look. Can you help me out?”

Answer:
In order to give you specifics, we would need to know your Windows operating system and your current sound card. Since we have neither, we can only give a broad answer.

Unless you have installed your own sound card, chances are you have an integrated sound card. This means you need to look up your computer and find its chipset. For example, my home computer is an ASUS running Intel chipsets. I can go to Intel to find all the sound drivers I need. To do this, I would go to Intel dot com slash support. Then I would select “automatically detect and update drivers and software”.

If you are at a loss of how to determine your computer’s chipsets, then you will need to run a free scan. A free driver scan can tell you exactly what drivers on your computer need updating. Then you can either go and find those drivers or you can use the driver update software to download and install the drivers for you. The scan only takes a minute and can save you loads of time locating new sound drivers.

To download sound card drivers, you must start with your Windows operating system. Here we will tell you how to update the drivers using Windows XP and Windows Vista.

How to Download Sound Card Drivers with Windows XP

1. Click Start-> Control Panel -> Double click System
2. Select the Hardware Tab
3. Click the (+) to expand Sound, video, and game controllers
4. Double click your sound card
5. Select the Driver tab
6. Click Update Drivers
7. Follow the onscreen instructions

How to Download Sound Card Drivers with Windows Vista

1. Click Start-> Control Panel -> Double click System
2. Select the Hardware Tab -> Device Manager
3. Click the (+) to expand Sound, video, and game controllers
4. Double click your sound card
5. Select the Driver tab
6. Click Update Driver Software
7. Follow onscreen instructions

Driver Update Software Updates Drivers in 2 Minutes
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, you can use driver update software to update all your drivers at once. It will work no matter which system you are running or which sound card you own.

Driver update software is automatic, so you do not have to do anything but click a few buttons to start the scan.  The software will scan your computer and list every driver on your computer that is out of date. Then you are given the option to download and install all the drivers or just the drivers you choose. The whole process only takes about two minutes but the effects lasts a long time. Your driver errors will disappear and your computer will begin running at peak performance.

You can learn more about how to download sound card drivers and get your sound back on track here.