Abu Zar Mishwani
Inside your computer, there are different internal components (hardware) like the motherboard, processor, RAM, sound, and video cards, and it can also connect to external components like printers and USB devices.
Have you ever thought about how the computer’s operating system (OS) communicates with all these different components or hardware?
In this article, we will discuss what drivers are, how they work, the types, and more.
What is a Computer Driver?
A computer driver, driver, or device driver is like a translator for your computer. It’s a small piece of software that helps your computer talk to different hardware, like printers, graphics cards, and keyboards.
It makes sure they understand each other and work together smoothly. Just like a translator helps people understand each other, a driver helps your computer and hardware communicate.
Think of your computer as someone who only speaks English and a printer as someone who only speaks French. They need a translator (driver) to understand each other and work together. The driver helps the computer and printer talk in a way they both understand so they can print documents without confusion.
How Does a Device Driver Work?
When you connect any hardware to your PC, your computer might not automatically know how to talk to it. That’s where the driver comes in. It’s a tiny piece of software that tells the computer exactly how to talk to the hardware.
Usually, your computer automatically installs a driver when new hardware is connected to the computer. Once the driver is installed, the computer and the hardware can understand each other and share information smoothly.
A driver is a bridge or middleman between your computer and a piece of hardware, like a printer or a keyboard. When you want to use the hardware, your computer sends a request in a language it understands.
The driver translates this request into a language the hardware understands. Then, the hardware does its thing and sends back a response.
The driver translates the response back into a language your computer gets.
This way, they can talk and work together smoothly, even if they speak different languages. It’s like having a language interpreter to help them communicate.
Types of Computer Drivers
There are two main types of computer drivers:
- Device Drivers
- Software Drivers
1. Device Drivers
These drivers help your computer talk to external hardware devices like printers, scanners, and graphics cards. They make sure your computer understands how to use and communicate with these devices effectively.
2. Software Drivers
Software drivers are unique programs that assist the operating system in communicating with software applications. They control access to important data limited to specific programs, and they typically operate in a powerful mode known as “kernel mode.” Unlike device drivers, they don’t deal with hardware stuff.
Is Updating Drivers Important?
Updating drivers is important. It can bring security patches to prevent hackers from tampering with your files and also enhance your device’s compatibility with new technology.
Companies fix glitches (bugs) and release driver updates. These updates support users and prevent the need for new hardware.
Ignoring updates causes trouble. You miss features and risk hacks, and your device might stop working, especially critical parts like the video card or motherboard.
How Do I Know If a Driver Needs To Be Updated?
To check if a driver needs an update:
- Unusual Behavior: If you notice strange issues like slow performance, crashes, or weird graphics, it might be a sign.
- Error Messages: If your computer shows error messages related to hardware, a driver update could help.
- Device Manager: Open Device Manager (search in Windows), right-click on a device, and choose “Update driver.” If an update is available, it’ll be suggested.
- Manufacturer’s Website: Visit the device or computer manufacturer’s website and look for driver updates for your specific model.
- Automatic Tools: Some software can scan your system and suggest driver updates.
Remember, not every problem needs a driver update, but if issues persist, it’s worth considering.
Conclusion
Drivers are crucial for your computer to work well. Updating them can fix issues and improve performance. If you notice problems or strange behavior, consider checking for updates through Device Manager or the manufacturer’s website.
Keeping drivers up to date can prevent and solve many problems, making your computer run better.