In this section A device driver is a component that Windows uses to interact with a hardware device, such as a modem or network adapter. Rather than access the device directly, Windows loads device drivers and calls functions in the drivers to carry out actions on the device. Each device driver exports a set of functions; Windows calls these functions. The driver functions contain the device-specific code needed to carry out actions on the device. Windows Server 2003 includes many features that help to ensure that the device drivers installed on a computer are reliable and up to date. Drivers are signed by Microsoft after they pass a series of tests for functionality and reliability. For a driver to earn this certification, it must pass a series of tests administered by the Windows Hardware Quality Labs ( WHQL). Due to stringent WHQL standards, using signed drivers typically results in a more stable system. Microsoft digitally signs drivers that pass the WHQL tests and Windows Server 2003 performs signature detection for signed drivers for various device types, which include the following: Keyboards Hard disk controllers Modems Mouse devices Multimedia devices Network adapters Printers SCSI adapters Smart card readers Video adapters Note During installation of some hardware devices, you may be prompted to choose Ignore on the driver signing dialog box. This indicates that the driver has not gone through digital signing. A digital signature indicates that a driver file is an original, unaltered system file that Microsoft has approved for use with Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 checks for a digital signature during device driver installation and issues a message if the driver is not signed. Windows Server 2003 checks a database of known problem drivers when a computer is started or when a device driver is loaded; if a driver is located in the database of known.
If you run into problems while installing a printer, or if you've added a printer but are unable to use it, you might need to install or update the printer driver so that it is compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Some drivers ship with Windows, are available through Windows Update, or are saved to your computer through the hardware installation process and are ready to install. In other cases, you'll need to install drivers using a CD or DVD provided by the printer manufacturer. To install these drivers, follow the steps for using the Printers folder. If the driver you need is not already stored on your computer or if you don't have a CD or DVD, try searching the printer manufacturer's website to see if you can download and install it from there. Show all To install or update printer drivers using the Printers folder Open Printers by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Printers. Right-click the printer for which you need a new driver, click Run as administrator, and then click Properties. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Click the Advanced tab. Click New Driver, and then complete the steps in the Add Printer Driver Wizard. To download and install printer drivers from a manufacturer's website To download compatible drivers from a printer manufacturer's website, first see which version of Windows you're running, and then search for compatible drivers. Open System Information by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking System Information. Click System Summary, and then review the OS Name and System Type to find out which version of Windows you're running. Go to the printer manufacturer's website and search for a printer driver that is.
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