Microsoft (Quote) is putting its Windows Crash Analysis reports to use in a way that is sure to give new meaning to the term making the grade.
The company is launching a Driver Quality Rating (DQR) system that will grade device drivers on their quality, based on how often they crash. A low grade could mean OEMs will shun the product.
The DQR system scores driver on a 1-9 scale, with one being best and nine the worst. Drivers that rarely, if ever, crash will be scored 1-3 and rated "green."
Drivers with a modest record will be in the 4-6 range and rated "yellow."
The kiss of death is a 7-9 score and a "red" rating. The score will be generated from user-submitted crash reports.
The Online Crash Analysis Team will be a part of the Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) program. WHQL will handle crash submissions and testing drivers. Also, driver manufacturers will be given a test suite that Microsoft uses internally to certify their drivers, according to Raghu Ram, group manager for the Windows logo program.
To achieve a "Green" status, a driver must have been released and in use for at least 120 days, starting June 1, 2007, and must maintain that stability for the 120 days. If the driver suffers problems and loses its Green rating, the OEM must resolve the issues within 90 days.
Failure to do so would mean losing the right to claim a Windows Premium driver status, said Ram. It's hardly punitive but it is a loss of bragging rights. Microsoft is doing this to light a fire under some hardware providers to offer better quality device drivers, since they are often the source of system failures.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
2 million drivers !
When Vista was released to manufacturing (RTM) in November, it had 1.4 million device drivers, three times what XP had at RTM.
At the January launch, there were 1.7 million drivers, and now that number is close to 2 million.
When a consumer installs any new operating system, the software generally polls the attached devices, and attempts to match them to its list of drivers. For Windows 2000, only 350 devices were installed in the box; for Windows XP, 10,000 drivers shipped with the operating system. With Vista, 20,000 drivers came bundled with the operating system. Windows Update, the stopgap method if a driver isn’t found, included 2,000 additional drivers at Windows XP’s launch, and 13,000 drivers at the launch of Vista.
Source: http://vista.blorge.com
At the January launch, there were 1.7 million drivers, and now that number is close to 2 million.
When a consumer installs any new operating system, the software generally polls the attached devices, and attempts to match them to its list of drivers. For Windows 2000, only 350 devices were installed in the box; for Windows XP, 10,000 drivers shipped with the operating system. With Vista, 20,000 drivers came bundled with the operating system. Windows Update, the stopgap method if a driver isn’t found, included 2,000 additional drivers at Windows XP’s launch, and 13,000 drivers at the launch of Vista.
Source: http://vista.blorge.com
Disable Vista drivers signing check
1. Type "cmd" in the Search Box included in the Vista Start menu.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open a command prompt window with elevated privileges.
3. Enter bcdedit /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
4. Reboot
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open a command prompt window with elevated privileges.
3. Enter bcdedit /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
4. Reboot
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Show hidden drivers
Method #1
1.1. Set system variable
1.2. Logoff and logon
1.3. Open Device Manager (Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager)
1.4. From the View menu click Show Hidden Devices and notice the change
Method #2
2.1. In registry key
2.2. Create the following value (DWORD): devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices and give it a value of 1.
2.3. Reboot
2.4. Goto 1.3
Thanks to Daniel Petri
1.1. Set system variable
devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
1.2. Logoff and logon
1.3. Open Device Manager (Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager)
1.4. From the View menu click Show Hidden Devices and notice the change
Method #2
2.1. In registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment
2.2. Create the following value (DWORD): devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices and give it a value of 1.
2.3. Reboot
2.4. Goto 1.3
Thanks to Daniel Petri
Drivers lists
1) List all installed drivers:
2) List active drivers:
(type exactly, place __one__ space between "=" and "driver")
Start->Run->cmd [Press Enter]
driverquery [Press Enter]
2) List active drivers:
Start->Run->cmd [Press Enter]
sc query type= driver [Press Enter]
(type exactly, place __one__ space between "=" and "driver")
Saturday, April 28, 2007
ATI maintenance utilities
Removes SMARTGART and ATI drivers components. Download here.
CATALYST Uninstaller (This tool is used to delete all ATI related files from your system. This includes ATI CATALYST software suite and any ATI Demos.)
SMARTGART Uninstaller (This tool is used to disable and remove the SMARTGART feature from your system.)
ATI Utilities ( identifies the ATI GRAPHICS CHIP in your system (labeled "Graphics Chipset (ASIC)"), bus type, BIOS part number, and memory size)
CATALYST Uninstaller (This tool is used to delete all ATI related files from your system. This includes ATI CATALYST software suite and any ATI Demos.)
SMARTGART Uninstaller (This tool is used to disable and remove the SMARTGART feature from your system.)
ATI Utilities ( identifies the ATI GRAPHICS CHIP in your system (labeled "Graphics Chipset (ASIC)"), bus type, BIOS part number, and memory size)
Driver packs
Must have!
http://driverpacks.net
Today
- total compressed (7zipped) size: 297.34 MB
- total decompressed size: 1714.7 MB
- overall compression ratio: 5.77:1
A brief history and overview
http://driverpacks.net
Today
- total compressed (7zipped) size: 297.34 MB
- total decompressed size: 1714.7 MB
- overall compression ratio: 5.77:1
A brief history and overview
Vista uninstall :)
Uninstalling Drivers and Devices on Windows Vista.
Details on the Windows Vista installation process and guidelines for implementing uninstall through Device Manager and DIFx tools.
Read here.
Details on the Windows Vista installation process and guidelines for implementing uninstall through Device Manager and DIFx tools.
Read here.
Simple backup
Drivers tools projects from sf.net:
DriverBackup! - Simple tool for backup hardware drivers' files. Support Windows Vista. License GNU GPL.
DriverControl - Program to search and update the newest drivers for your system.
DriverBackup! - Simple tool for backup hardware drivers' files. Support Windows Vista. License GNU GPL.
DriverControl - Program to search and update the newest drivers for your system.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Perfomance BIOS settings
Use this settings for maximum perfomance. Thanks Angel "Omegadrive" Trinidad
Nvidia GeForce OMEGA drivers
Nvidia GeForce OMEGA downloads for Win2k and XP
Nvidia GeForce OMEGA downloads for Win98 and ME
These drivers are compatible with all NVIDIA cards that use Detonator/Forceware drivers, it doesn't matter if they are DDR, SDR, PCI, PCI-E, AGP, Laptop, Retail or OEM.
The install utility to includes two types of drivers, one with Quality settings and another with Performance settings. When you install the drivers, you will be asked which one you would like to use.
These driver are "pre-tweaked" drivers, no programming took place, they are just the regular nvidia driver with added tweaks and features, the last four numbers in my version number refer to the nvidia drivers version they are based on.
Nvidia GeForce OMEGA downloads for Win98 and ME
These drivers are compatible with all NVIDIA cards that use Detonator/Forceware drivers, it doesn't matter if they are DDR, SDR, PCI, PCI-E, AGP, Laptop, Retail or OEM.
The install utility to includes two types of drivers, one with Quality settings and another with Performance settings. When you install the drivers, you will be asked which one you would like to use.
These driver are "pre-tweaked" drivers, no programming took place, they are just the regular nvidia driver with added tweaks and features, the last four numbers in my version number refer to the nvidia drivers version they are based on.
ATI OMEGA drivers
ATI OMEGA downloads for Win2k and XP
ATI OMEGA downloads for Win98 and Me
The Omega Drivers are compatible with all ATI Radeon cards:
(it doesn't matter if they are DDR, SDR, PCI, PCI-E, AGP, Mobile, Retail, OEM or 3rd Party)
Radeon All In Wonder
Radeon 7x00/VE/LE
Radeon 8500/LE
Radeon 9x00/SE/Pro/XT/TX
Radeon X Series /SE/Pro/XT/PE
Radeon X 1k Series
All Mobility Radeons (M6 and up)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Starting from Catalyst 6.6 and up, the following cards/chipsets (including Mobility) are no longer supported by the ATI or Omega Drivers:
7000,7200,7500,8500,9000,9200,9250 Series
For these cards please use the Omega Drivers v3.8.252 or older, thank you.
ATI OMEGA downloads for Win98 and Me
The Omega Drivers are compatible with all ATI Radeon cards:
(it doesn't matter if they are DDR, SDR, PCI, PCI-E, AGP, Mobile, Retail, OEM or 3rd Party)
Radeon All In Wonder
Radeon 7x00/VE/LE
Radeon 8500/LE
Radeon 9x00/SE/Pro/XT/TX
Radeon X Series /SE/Pro/XT/PE
Radeon X 1k Series
All Mobility Radeons (M6 and up)
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Starting from Catalyst 6.6 and up, the following cards/chipsets (including Mobility) are no longer supported by the ATI or Omega Drivers:
7000,7200,7500,8500,9000,9200,9250 Series
For these cards please use the Omega Drivers v3.8.252 or older, thank you.
OMEGA drivers
While most people choose to use the official ATI Catalyst drivers, the Omega drivers were developed for users who are a bit more adventurous and are looking to squeeze the best performance out of their graphics cards. The Omega drivers were developed by Angel "Omegadriver" Trinidad as a hobby. You can visit his website and the official home of the Omega drivers here.
What makes the Omega drivers so special? Well, aside from the fact that they tweak the registry and various other settings to optimize performance, Angel "Omegadrive" Trinidad is also a member of ATI's Catalyst beta driver testing team. This means he is able to incorporate future Catalyst optimizations into his own drivers! This effectively gives Omega driver users access to future Catalyst benefits, even before the official release!
(http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=145)
What makes the Omega drivers so special? Well, aside from the fact that they tweak the registry and various other settings to optimize performance, Angel "Omegadrive" Trinidad is also a member of ATI's Catalyst beta driver testing team. This means he is able to incorporate future Catalyst optimizations into his own drivers! This effectively gives Omega driver users access to future Catalyst benefits, even before the official release!
(http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=145)
Remove
1. nVidia File Remover (or NFR),
is a small and simple to use tool that deletes user-selected nvidia files from the system folder.
This is handy when you for example are changing you'r current detonator drivers and you wish to make sure that all previous driver files are removed. Features version selection so you can select a single driver version's files.
Note: This software should be used after you have un-installed the drivers and before you install new ones for best results. Should support all known detonator driver versions.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Video-Tweak/Nasty-File-Remover.shtml
Freeware
2.
is a small and simple to use tool that deletes user-selected nvidia files from the system folder.
This is handy when you for example are changing you'r current detonator drivers and you wish to make sure that all previous driver files are removed. Features version selection so you can select a single driver version's files.
Note: This software should be used after you have un-installed the drivers and before you install new ones for best results. Should support all known detonator driver versions.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Video-Tweak/Nasty-File-Remover.shtml
Freeware
2.
Manual identify
You need the exact name of the device.
Now you have to open the Registry Editor to find the information you want. This can be daunting but as long as you don't change anything, all will be well.
1. Click Start | Run
2. Type: regedit
You now need to search for the device name you found above.
1. Press F3
2. Type the device name
3. Press Enter
4. Look for a field called HardwareID. Press F3 until you find it
The information you need is the Dev portion of the the HardwareID.
e.g. For a device with the following ID:
PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_167D&SUBSYS_130010CF&REV_11\4&375FD9DC&0&00E0
You need the 4 characters after DEV_, in this case 167D.
Now you can look this up in the Device section of http://www.pcidatabase.com.
Check that the Manufacturer ID (the section after VEN_) also matches.
You now have the exact details of the device driver required for your machine.
http://www.bleedingedge.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2409
Now you have to open the Registry Editor to find the information you want. This can be daunting but as long as you don't change anything, all will be well.
1. Click Start | Run
2. Type: regedit
You now need to search for the device name you found above.
1. Press F3
2. Type the device name
3. Press Enter
4. Look for a field called HardwareID. Press F3 until you find it
The information you need is the Dev portion of the the HardwareID.
e.g. For a device with the following ID:
PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_167D&SUBSYS_130010CF&REV_11\4&375FD9DC&0&00E0
You need the 4 characters after DEV_, in this case 167D.
Now you can look this up in the Device section of http://www.pcidatabase.com.
Check that the Manufacturer ID (the section after VEN_) also matches.
You now have the exact details of the device driver required for your machine.
http://www.bleedingedge.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2409
Drivers CSE database update
Hi!
I added some urls to search database. Now it's about 129 sites.
If you have some good URL, send me, please.
I added some urls to search database. Now it's about 129 sites.
If you have some good URL, send me, please.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Backup, freeware
1. DriverMax
(For Windows XP and Vista only)
View, backup, restore drivers to a folder or a compressed file. After reinstalling Windows you will have everything in one place!
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/index.htm
2. Double Driver
View, backup, restore drivers. Save and print drivers list.
Last program update in 2004 :((
http://boozet.xepher.net/dd/index.htm
3. Driver Magician Lite
View, backup, restore
http://www.drivermagician.com/Lite.htm
4. WinDriverExpert
Only view and backup
http://www.zhangduo.com/WinDriverExpert.zip
5. Driver Collector
Backup
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Driver-Collector.shtml
Note!
Not all programs catch all of the drivers. Test it!
(For Windows XP and Vista only)
View, backup, restore drivers to a folder or a compressed file. After reinstalling Windows you will have everything in one place!
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/index.htm
2. Double Driver
View, backup, restore drivers. Save and print drivers list.
Last program update in 2004 :((
http://boozet.xepher.net/dd/index.htm
3. Driver Magician Lite
View, backup, restore
http://www.drivermagician.com/Lite.htm
4. WinDriverExpert
Only view and backup
http://www.zhangduo.com/WinDriverExpert.zip
5. Driver Collector
Backup
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Driver-Collector.shtml
Note!
Not all programs catch all of the drivers. Test it!
Backup, sharewere
1. Driver Genius Professional Edition 2007
(For Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista/x 64)
- Backup, restore all device drivers for your computer
- Clone your drivers to an EXE auto-installer. Easy to install the drivers to many machines.
- Daily drivers update :))
http://www.driver-soft.com
Shareware, 29$
2. DriverGuide Toolkit
Identify, view, update, backup, restore, compare
Shareware, 19.95$-49.95$
http://www.driverguidetoolkit.com/
4. My Drivers
Identify, view, backup, restore, EXE auto-installer
Shareware, 39$
http://www.zhangduo.com
(For Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista/x 64)
- Backup, restore all device drivers for your computer
- Clone your drivers to an EXE auto-installer. Easy to install the drivers to many machines.
- Daily drivers update :))
http://www.driver-soft.com
Shareware, 29$
2. DriverGuide Toolkit
Identify, view, update, backup, restore, compare
Shareware, 19.95$-49.95$
http://www.driverguidetoolkit.com/
4. My Drivers
Identify, view, backup, restore, EXE auto-installer
Shareware, 39$
http://www.zhangduo.com
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Drivers CSE
If You need ONLY driver, not shopping, marketing or prices!
Custom search engine by sysadmin kg0.
Test this specialized search engine, thanks Google!
Search only manufacturer sites!
Custom search engine by sysadmin kg0.
Test this specialized search engine, thanks Google!
Search only manufacturer sites!
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