Grade

11

TVL-ICT
COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NCII
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 5

DEVICE DRIVERS
I - INTRODUCTION

For your computer to work efficiently, it needs frequent maintenance and updates. One
component that may need attention is a driver. How do computer drivers work? What is the
best way to update them? Get the details on how these essentials keep you productive, along
with how to check for driver updates and perform them manually when needed.
New advances are made all the time, and new errors and threats are continually
identified, so driver updates help manufacturers to continue offering service to customers who
buy their products. You do not usually have to purchase new components if your device is
supported by driver updates.
Failure to update drivers can lead to big problems. In addition to missing new features
or performance upgrades, your device may be susceptible to hacks or viruses or it could stop
working altogether. If it is a critical component of your computer, such as the video card or
motherboard, it may leave your PC inoperable.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Identify Device Driver
• Update Device Driver
• Install/Uninstall Driver
• Create All-In-One Driver Pack

II - CONTENT

DEVICE DRIVER

A driver, or device driver, is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function
by communicating with a computer's operating system. All pieces of hardware require a driver,
from your internal computer components, such as your graphics card, to your external
peripherals, like a printer.
The driver files are designed to work seamlessly with the specific operating system you
have on your PC, so the operating system typically keeps them updated and running through
automatic updates. Updates are additional downloaded files that can install on their own to
keep everything functioning correctly.

THERE ARE TWO BASIC TYPES OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS DRIVERS:

1. User-mode drivers execute in user mode, and they typically provide an interface
between a Win32 application and kernel-mode drivers or other operating system
components.
2. Kernel-mode drivers execute in kernel mode as part of the executive, which consists
of kernel-mode operating system components that manage I/O, Plug and Play
memory, processes and threads, security, and so on. Kernel-mode drivers are
typically layered. Generally, higher-level drivers typically receive data from
applications, filter the data, and pass it to a lower-level driver that supports device
functionality.

WHAT HARDWARE DEVICE DRIVERS SHOULD BE UPDATED?

Below is a listing of recommended hardware devices that you should make sure are
updated. Updating your computer's drivers and other updates can resolve problems, improve
the performance, and increase the stability of your computer.
• BIOS updates
• CD or DVD drive drivers and firmware
• Controllers
• Display drivers
• Keyboard drivers
• Mouse drivers

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 • Modem drivers
• Motherboard drivers and updates
• Network card drivers
• Printer drivers
• Removable media drivers
• Scanner drivers
• Sound card drivers
• Video drivers

THE BEST WAY TO UPDATE COMPUTER DRIVERS

Most Windows drivers update automatically each time you get a Windows update. This
is why it is essential to allow automatic updates on your PC, even if you are working. If you
absolutely do not want an update to interrupt your work, go ahead and snooze it for a few
hours, but do not keep putting it off. The sooner an update is allowed to download and install,
the better your Windows-supported drivers will perform.

HOW CAN I MANUALLY UPDATE A DRIVER?

Occasionally, a full operating system update will not take care of a driver issue. This is
common when an individual driver update is released between major Windows 10 updates,
but you do not have to wait for an operating system update to take matters into your own
hands. A manual driver update can fix issues in many instances.

Here’s how to manually update a driver:

1. Locate the search box in the lower corner of the Windows taskbar and type “Device
Manager”
2. Select Device Manager, and choose your device from the list provided. You may have
more than one device to choose from in each category
3. Right-click on the device you wish to update. Select Update Driver
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software when prompted
5. The computer will initiate the driver update and walk you through any necessary steps

Quick note: Feel free to restart your computer for the update to take full effect. Generally, this
simple process will resolve driver issues.

HOW CAN I REINSTALL A DRIVER?

Occasionally, an update will not resolve your problem, and it may be wise to reinstall
your driver. Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall your device driver manually:
1. Locate the search box in the lower corner of the Windows taskbar and type “Device
Manager”
2. Select Device Manager and choose your device from the list provided. You may have
more than one device to choose from in each category
3. Right-click on the device you wish to update and select Uninstall
4. Restart your computer using the Start menu; do not do a hard restart by pushing the
power button
5. Your computer will attempt to reinstall the driver upon restart. Follow the directions to
complete the setup

One final option is to try a System Restore to return your computer to a point prior to when
your driver was giving you issues.

Quick note: If this still doesn’t fix your driver issues, it may not be a driver issue at all. You
could also be experiencing a hardware failure. If the component that’s giving you trouble is
physically damaged or failing, no amount of driver reinstalls, or updates will fix it.

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HOW TO ROLL BACK DRIVERS IN WINDOWS?

The example below shows you how to roll back a display adapter (video card) driver.
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager window, click the down arrow next to the category containing
the device whose driver you'd like to roll back, and then right-click the device.
3. Select Properties from the menu.
4. In the Properties window, select the Driver tab, then click the Roll Back Driver button.
5. Once the roll back process has finished, click the Close button.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE VERSION OF DRIVER IN WINDOWS

Microsoft Windows users can determine the version and date of their drivers by
following the steps below.
1. Open the Windows Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, locate and double-click the device you want to view the version.

Quick note: you need to click the '+' next to the device type before viewing the device. For
example, to view the video card, click the '+' next to Display adapters and double-click the
video card beneath it.

3. In the device Properties window, click the Driver tab.

4. In the Driver tab, the Driver Provider, Driver Date, and Driver Version of that device.

Quick note: If you see the driver is more than 1-2 years old, we recommend you check with
the manufacturer to see if there's a later version of the driver. Once you've visited the
hardware manufacturer's driver page, you can determine if you have the latest driver by
comparing the version available on the site with the one currently installed.

HOW TO CREATE ALL IN ONE DRIVER

Downloading all drivers may require ample time and wide variety resource. It may
occupy large space on a disc. And also, there are hundreds of different devices which may
requires hundreds of different drivers. As a technician we need to have all drivers in our hand
which is impossible to obtain. But using Driver Pack application which enable us to possess
most recent drivers for different kinds of devices. With this driver we can install any drivers for
any devices in any point of time.
Procedure in Preparing DriverPack (All-in-One Driver)
1. Download DriverPack app at https://drp.su/en/foradmin
2. Locate download section the click download
3. You will see a “DriverPack-Offline.torrent” downloaded file and the bottom corner of
the browser then click to install if download file is not visible press CTRL + J to view
downloaded files.

Quick note: You need a torrent downloader such as, bitTorrent/uTorrent in order to download
the torrent file. If you don’t have installed torrent app you can download bitTorrent application.
Using bitTorrent downloader is solely use in this procedure to download free application.
Downloading cracked/pre- activated proprietary software are strongly prohibited.
4. After clicking the file, then click ok to download it. Dialog box confirm the installation
of torrent
5. The installation is started, wait for several hours to complete the installation.

III – EXERCISES

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ACTIVITY I

Directions: Identify if the statement is TRUE or FALSE. Write your answer in your answer
sheet.
1. We don’t need driver during installation/formatting process.
2. All devices will not work without device driver.
3. Driver is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function by communicating
with a computer's operating system.
4. Updating device driver can only be done online.
5. Plug and play devices will work without requiring driver installation.
6. Restarting your computer for the update to take full effect.
7. Driver Pack application enable us to possess most recent drivers for different kinds of
devices.
8. Downloading cracked/pre-activated proprietary software are strongly prohibited.
9. Printer can able to print without installing its required driver.
10. Before installation all device drivers must backup for future used.

ACTIVITY II

Directions: Unscramble the words below to identify the hardware device driver that should be
updated. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

1. I P L D A S Y I V E D R R S _______________________________
2. N R C S O O L L E T R _______________________________ 3. S A Y D I P L R
D I V E S R _______________________________
4. W O N R E T K R D C A I V E R D R S _______________________________
5. S N D O U C A R D D R I V E R S _______________________________ 6. O B I
S P D A E U T S _______________________________
7. R L E E V A B M O A E I D M EDRRIVS _______________________________
8. I N T E P R R V D R I E S R _______________________________
9. M E M O D S D R R I V E
_______________________________
10. N N S E R C A R R I V E S D _______________________________

IV– SUMMATIVE EVALUATION (Use separate sheet of paper for your answers, do not forget
to write your name & section.)

A. Multiple Choice: Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your
answer in your answer sheet.
1. _________is software that allows your computer to communicate with the hardware or
any other device you want to install.
A. Device C. Driver
B. USB D. Plug and Play

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 2. To improve the efficiency and performance of a driver you need to _________ the
driver.
A. Uninstall C. Hide
B. Update D. Use

3. _________enables you to use previous version of driver when the driver you are using
causes system instability.

A. Plug and Play C. Driver

B. Device Manager D. Driver Rollback

4. User mode and __________ are the two types of Microsoft windows driver.
A. Kernel mode C. Update mode
B. Sleep mode D. Install mode

5. Each device controller that controls the devices of the computer system has
__________.
A. Cache C. Device drivers
B. Registers D. indexes

6. __________are drivers that include a digital signature.

A. Unsigned driver C. Self-signed driver
B. Signed driver D. Device driver

7. __________technology automatically detects a device and installs the drivers.

A. Plug and Play C. Cache
B. Registers D. indexes

8. __________ can be used to determine the version of files that a device driver installs
and their complete paths.
A. Device manager C. Driver
B. Device driver D. Device

9. Update won't resolve your problem and it may be wise to reinstall __________ driver.
A. Update C. Reinstall
B. Uninstall D. Install

10. Microsoft windows can determine the version and date of drivers by __________.
A. Driver tab C. Driver date
B. Driver version D. Driver provider

B. Sequencing: Directions: Indicate the correct order of the steps that must be completed
to roll back a device driver using letters A-E. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

____1. In the Properties window, select the Driver tab, then click the Roll Back Driver
button.
____2. Open the Device Manager.
____3. Once the roll back process has finished, click the Close button.
____4. In the Device Manager window, click the down arrow next to the category containing
the device whose driver you'd like to roll back, and then right-click the device.
____5. Select Properties from the menu.

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C. Discussion: Directions: Read carefully and answer the questions below based on your
understanding. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

1. What is the best way to update device driver? (5pts)

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________.

2. Why do we need to backup device driver before installing/formatting computer? (5pts)

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________.

KEY ANSWER

III – EXERCISES

ACTIVITY I

1. FALSE
2. FALSE 3.
TRUE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. TRUE
7. TRUE
8. TRUE
9. FALSE
10. TRUE

ACTIVITY II
1. Display drivers
2. Controllers
3. Display drivers
4. Network card drivers
5. Sound card drivers
6. BIOS updates
7. Removable media drivers
8. Printer drivers
9. Modem drivers
10. Scanner drivers
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References:

“What is driver”. Accessed November 18, 2020, https://www.computerhope.com/

jargon/d/driver.htm

“Types device driver”. Accessed November 18, 2020,

https://docs.microsoft.com/enus/windows-hardware/drivers/kernel/types-of-windows-
drivers

“Devices driver” Ismael Balana. Accessed November 18, 2020,

http:// cssnctwo.weebly.com/device-driver

“Device driver”. Accessed November 19, 2020, https://www.techopedia.com/definition

/6824/device-driver