Drivers

If you have ever reinstalled a Windows PC you will know the scenario. Windows is installed, but certain devices aren't working yet because you can't find the right drivers for them.

First, look in the Device Manager and find the device which is not installed. Right-click on this, and select Properties, then Details. The "Hardware Ids" will allow you to establish the Vendor code (VEN_) and the Device code (DEV_).

Look these up in www.pcidatabase.com and you will find out the manufacturer and device names.

Go to the manufacturer's website and search for the driver for the device that you located above - remembering that it is probably operating system version specific!

The websites that offer to find and supply the driver for you are generally useless - the will want to charge you, enroll you or fill your PC up with malware (or all these things!).