1. What is a Driver?
   
2. When to Update a Driver
   
3. How do I Determine the Components in my Computer?
   
4. How to Download and Install a Driver
   
5. Categories of Drivers and Downloads
   
   1. Applications
      
   2. Audio
      
   3. Bios
      
   4. CD/DVD
      
   5. Chipset
      
   6. Communication
      
   7. Diagnostics
      
   8. Input Device Drivers
      
   9. Network
      
   10. SATA Drives
       
   11. System Utilities
       
   12. Video
       

Section 1:

What is a Driver?

1. Browse to the System Configuration Tool

2. Select the Original System Configurations tab.
3. Enter your Service Tag, then click Continue. The list of components installed on your computer is displayed. This list can be referenced to help you find out what components you will need drivers for.

1. Browse to the Drivers and Downloads page.

2. Click

   Enter a Tag

   . Enter your Service Tag to get a concise list of drivers for your specific product model. Click

   Go

    to continue.
   
   

   	Note:
   	If the Service Tag is not available, click   Select Model and select the appropriate Product Type and Product Model. Click   Confirm  to finalize your selection.

3. If you are using Download Manager,click here for downloand and installation instructions.

4. Select the desired operating system,and category settings from the drop-down boxes (Figure 1).

Operating System:   Windows XP Category:   All

Figure 1: Drivers and Downloads Drop-Down Selections

5. Select the driver you want to download from categories listed on the download page. See Section 5 to understand what's listed in each category.
   Click the to see which drivers are available for download in each category.

6. Review the information on the page and take note of Installation Instructions and Important Information.
   
   

   	Note:
   	If you are using Download Manager to download files, click here

7. Click

   Download

   You may receive a warning and an option to run or save the file.

 Note:
If you want to download multiple drivers, you can click Add To Download List.
Once you have added all the drivers you want to download click
Download
below Download List

8. Click 

   Save

   .

9. When the 

   Save As

    window appears, designate a folder to save the file that is being downloaded and click 

   Save

   . The download progress window displays.

10. To start installation, double-click the downloaded file to run it, follow the instructions provided. There may be a pause between the download and the installation.

1. Applications
Applications are software downloads that Dell is providing for use with your system, including but not limited to:
1. Dell Quickset Utility
2. Dell Webcam Manager
3. Roxio Creator
4. Dell Support Center

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2. Audio
Audio drivers increase or enable functionality for sound, by enabling the speaker ports to transmit sound.
Audio drivers can typically fix no sound issues and sound quality issues.

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3. Bios
The acronym BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. When the computer is first started, the BIOS activates all of the hardware required by the computer to boot including:
1. Chipsets
2. Processors and Caches
3. System Memory
4. Internal Drives
5. Graphics and Audio Controllers
6. Internal Expansion Cards
After the BIOS completes this process, it transfers control of the computer to the operating system.

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4. CD/DVD
CD/DVD Firmware increases or expands reading and burning functionality with media.
CD/DVD Firmware can typically fix burning or reading issues with the drive.

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5. Chipset
Chipset drivers increase or expand fucntionality for USB ports, and other internal functions.
Media Card Reader drivers increase or expand fucntionality for reading and writing to Media Cards.

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6. Communication
Communication drivers are for internal 56k modems and utilities used for dial-up connections as well as Mobile Broadband drivers.

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7. Diagnostics
Diagnostics are to help diagnose malfunctioning computer hardware.

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8. Input Device Drivers
Input Device Drivers are drivers for wireless and Bluetooth mice and keyboards.

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9. Network
Network Drivers increase or enable wireless or wired functionality.

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10. SATA Drives
Hard drive utilities for storage management Pre-Operating System, and in the Operating System.

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11. System Utilities
Dell System Software is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system. Dell System Software is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer.

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12. Video
Video Drivers can increase or enable display functionality.
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