Dell PC.. update drivers when released?

[user25745]

Apologies for the basic question.

Is it advisable to update drivers that Dell lists for my service tag or only if one is experiencing issues?

I don't have their software setup to do whatever it does automatically so I wasn't sure if I should be doing so manually for some of it. I haven't updated any of them them since purchasing.

It lists the following for me.

Conexant Smart Audio Driver
Intel Management Engine Interface Driver
Intel Chipset Driver x2
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver
nVIDIA Graphics Driver

They either don't say what they do or just list Enhanced performance and reliability.

Thank you for the help.

 

[Charlie98]

Sure! I used to go in once a year and check for updates for my Dell machines, but normally it's not that big of a deal. Usually after about a year or so there aren't many updates, anyway... Dell having moved on.

The caveat to that is a BIOS revision, I wouldn't update the BIOS unless it offered an update you needed or you were having a problem with your current BIOS.

 

[Gunbuster]

I have to disagree with Charlie98, Dell is known for fixing many quirky issues with BIOS updates. I would not be afraid to do them. (Unless you have power that goes out a lot )

 

[Charlie98]

I have to disagree with Charlie98, Dell is known for fixing many quirky issues with BIOS updates. I would not be afraid to do them.

...or you were having a problem with your current BIOS.

I have my old Dell laptop (2006) and desktop (2007) and haven't ever updated the BIOS... because I never had a problem with it. Just saying... but that's me.

 

[user25745]

Thank you.

Usually after about a year or so there aren't many updates, anyway... Dell having moved on.

Preparing in advance. Should I look elsewhere for specific drivers at that time?

 

[Charlie98]

Thank you.



Preparing in advance. Should I look elsewhere for specific drivers at that time?

The only other place you could look would be Intel for Intel drivers (like RST, etc) but Dell does a good job.

My Dell laptop, for example, was built in Oct 05, since then there has only been 4 applicable driver updates... Sigmatel audio, Dell diagnostic utility, CD/DVD driver, Intel graphics, the most recent being 2006. No BIOS updates. If your machine is working well, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it....

 

[user25745]

I just downloaded and installed the Intel Chipset Driver it listed for me using the update package file it provides. It ran and completed successfully but the 9 items it listed as updating list the same driver version as it did before running it. Is that normal?

Edit: I did reboot after.

 

[Charlie98]

I sounds like you just reinstalled the same driver...

Do you know the version that is installed is not the newer one? Just because it's listed in the updates doesn't mean you need it, it's listed there because it's the most current driver.

 

[user25745]

The one I downloaded, listed as the latest one with a release date a couple of months after I received mine, is version 9.4.0.1014 seen here.

I am not sure which devices that driver updates in the device manager, my best guess based on the info they give and what the log the installer (the update package file) opened after saying it was successful, were 9 things. Those nine listed driver version 9.3.0.1011 or 9.3.0.1020 and were the following devices (these are my best guesses as I am not sure really).

Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 6
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family SMBus Host Controller
Intel(R) B75 Express Chipset LPC Controller
Xeon(R) processor E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor DRAM Controller
Xeon(R) processor E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor PCI Express Root Port

If those guesses are at all accurate, the driver versions are the same before and after the install that said it was successful. I really have no idea if it was or wasn't other than it saying it was but those driver versions not changing (if they indeed were supposed to).

Thank you for all your help Charlie98. It is most appreciated.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

You can always read the release notes and see if the problems fixed apply to any issues that you are having. Or you can just assume they fix more problems than they cause and install away.