XP Hardware Drivers

sparkyb · 13 Sep 2014 at 13:52

Hi,

I am in the middle of resetting up my parents old windows XP computer. I have only got the base unit with driver discs at my house. Everything my parents connect to their pc is at their house - printer, scanner, camera etc.

My question please. To save a bit of time can i install the drivers at my house without attaching the printer etc until i return the pc to my parents house. I seem to remember for example that when installing the printer drivers it then asks for the printer to be connected? But can i ignore this or will it cancel the installation?

Thank you

malachi · 13 Sep 2014 at 15:37

Just a quick question. Will you connecting this XP computer to the internet?

sparkyb · 13 Sep 2014 at 16:11

Hi. Yes its connected to the internet now. Updated to service pack 3 plus all the other xp updates after

KIA · 13 Sep 2014 at 17:27

You will probably have to connect the printer before installing the driver, but it does vary.

malachi · 13 Sep 2014 at 17:32

To be honest, as XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, you run risks of whatever vulnerabilities which can infect that computer. You better of buying a newer version of Windows installing that before doing anything else.

Anyway most printer drivers allow you do install the drivers without attaching the printer or if you are unsure, copy the drivers to the hard drive.

sparkyb · 13 Sep 2014 at 17:44

Ok thanks. Probably best to wait to install the drivers at their house with the hardware to hand.

As for the internet risks, thank you for the advice which i will pass onto my parents. They have a new laptop which they use for the internet. But i think the desktop they gave me to fix is mainly used for printing etc rather than being on the net.

Cheers

riskyfrisky · 15 Sep 2014 at 10:33

Yep that's what I'd do. Hunt down the drivers for the hardware you're going to install, then download them ready to install at your parent's place.

I wouldn't worry too much about the vulnerabilities of XP, though of course it is a risk, however small it is. Is the PC even capable of running a Windows version above XP? In a lot of cases it's a better option to buy a new machine outright.