Updating Drivers

Updating a driver is fairly straightforward. The makefile for the examples in this book copy the new driver to the Windows System32\drivers directory. However, the old version will still be running in memory.

To use the new version you have to update the drivers for your device(s). Use the Update/Change driver option in the Device Manager properties for a device. Opt to "display a list of drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want".

For the Wdm1 driver, select "Other Devices". You should see the list of book software drivers that you have installed. Select the one you want from this list. You do not have to select the Have Disk button (unless you want to install the checked version, say).

If asked, opt to use the new driver even if the Device Manager suggests that the current version may be newer. Windows 98 will force you to browse for the driver files. W2000 uses the driver files in the System32\drivers directory.

As noted above, if the new driver returns an error during its initialization then Windows will say that the system needs to reboot. Rebooting may not cure the problem.

NT Style Drivers

As mentioned in an earlier chapter you must update NT style drivers in a different way. As usual, you must get your driver into the Windows System32\drivers directory.

Run the Control Panel Devices applet. Find your driver, stop it, and start it again. You can also run the book software Servicer applet; type in the name of your driver, press Stop and then Start. If you run an NT style driver in Windows 98 you must reboot the computer to use an updated driver.