Network driver upgrade via Microsoft updates

CurlyWhirly · 14 Apr 2006 at 20:42

I have just been on the Microsoft update website and using the Custom (optional) updates I have this update available:

Should I install it via Microsoft or leave my current network driver as it is?

That update is newer than my current one which is below:

If it isn't broke don't fix it comes to mind but I had a problem with my router earlier on today as explained in this thread http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17562912

Would a driver update be a good idea?

Also I always thought that network updates were done with a BIOS update as my motherboard has onboard LAN :confused:

Werewolf · 14 Apr 2006 at 21:08

all it's doing is updating the windows driver for the network card, something that is always OS dependant (as the bios can't guess what OS you'll be using

).

I would say go for it, the fact the driver is up on "windows update" indicates it's been testes and shoudl be ok

I've used windows update to update the drivers for loads of hardware, and to date the only time i had a problem was when i let windows update a GF 1 to the latest drivers

CurlyWhirly · 14 Apr 2006 at 21:16

Thanks Werewolf

I will go ahead with the update then

benjo plz. · 14 Apr 2006 at 21:17

Better to go to www.realtek.com.tw and download the latest driver from there.

CurlyWhirly · 14 Apr 2006 at 21:20

Phnom_Penh said:
Better to go to www.realtek.com.tw and download the latest driver from there.

Any reason why?

When I go to the Realtek site I am not sure which driver to download

benjo plz. · 14 Apr 2006 at 21:23

It'll be a lot more up to date than microsoft update will be.

ftp://210.51.181.211/cn/nic/rtl8139abcd8130810xpciseries/rtlsetup-rtlnic(641)(0406).zip

CurlyWhirly · 14 Apr 2006 at 22:11

Phnom_Penh said:
It'll be a lot more up to date than microsoft update will be.

Cheers.

I have only had a router for a few weeks so I am a newbie as I haven't updated my network driver before.
I would like to know if I should log off the internet and uninstall the old driver or can I just install it while the old driver is still installed?

Thanks

benjo plz. · 14 Apr 2006 at 22:18

Yeh, just run the program, you don't need to do anything else

.

CurlyWhirly · 14 Apr 2006 at 23:02

Phnom_Penh said:
Yeh, just run the program, you don't need to do anything else .

Cheers all done

It's working okay.

p.s. I just realised that the updates are dated 20/3/2006 so they are around 3 years newer than the original drivers and it is usually better to use the latest version.

Thanks again mate