Downloading Drivers for Windows 7

[NineLives]

Im wondering how to get windows 7 to automatically download drivers for itself because I KNOW that I read somewhere that it could do that.

I have a D-Link WDA-2320 Wireless G Desktop Adapter (Wireless Card) and I'm wondering how exactly I am supposed to download drivers for it. On the Microsoft website it says that it is compatible with windows 7 64-bit, but I don't know where to get the drivers. Is there some sort of built in windows 7 program that automatically searches and installs the appropriate drivers for my hardware?

Also should I use the drivers that came with my 5770, or should I just download the latest ones off of the XFX website?

[jay51]

goto dlink website for drivers ..
and xfx for gpu

[Arinoth]

I wouldn't recommend trying to install the drivers for your wireless g desktop adapter. I attempted to do the same with my g+ from dlink and it would brick my windows install (aka it would infinitely be looping the windows load screen on win 7). I think for some reason dlink and win 7 dont get along together with 'older' wireless g desktop cards even if their drivers are 'updated' but you can try at your own risk.

[Dar_ell]

Yea same thing happened with my d-link wireless adapter. It showed i was connected on the d-link program but the adapter didn't even show on my device manager. I like the built support for wireless on the W7, really helpful.

[NineLives]

I've decided to just buy a cheap usb dongle with wireless n for better speeds anyways. Thanks for the help guys!

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by NineLives

Is there some sort of built in windows 7 program that automatically searches and installs the appropriate drivers for my hardware?

Yeah, it's called Windows Update...

It's not perfect, but I find it works alright at getting driver updates for my hardware. Of course, downloading the most recent drivers manually is always the best way to go if you want to make sure that you're up to date.

Originally Posted by NineLives

Also should I use the drivers that came with my 5770, or should I just download the latest ones off of the XFX website?

Always download the latest drivers from the ATI website, not from XFX.

[YukonTrooper]

A lot of the time the drivers Windows 7 downloads are just generic drivers. For example, the HD audio driver that's downloaded if you're using an on-board Realtek solution. I always like to download the most up-to-date drivers from the manufacturer, but I understand how some people like the simplicity of having an OS that does everything for them. Future Mac users...

[martin_metal_88]

Zero have a point, downloading your driver yourself on the manufacturer site instead of the resseller site is better. Like for XFX reseller ) it's ATI ( manufacturer ). most of the time driver of a brand for GPU is full of crap and the driver from the OEM manfacturer is neat and clean. Windows Update will most of the time download some generic driver that are validated by MS to be working good so it's not aan everyday solution in many case. But many product like Nvidia can download driver from there. I strongly suggest to learn to do it yourself it's a well send 5 min to have a fully working computer.

[NineLives]

So should I buy this $30 wireless dongle, or let win 7 search for the appropriate driver for my wireless pci card?

See, I've looked everywhere and there are NO windows 7 drivers for the wda-2320!

I kinda want to get the wireless usb dongle because first of all, its portable, its faster than my old wireless b card, and its only $30!!!

[AkG]

If there are none to be had for win 7 (and a quick search on Dlinks site shows the latest to be for vista)...use the vista drivers. I've had to do that a couple times in the past (especially when win 7 was still beta and RC) and never had a hiccup.

YMMV