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Device Drivers

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Celeste StewartThe problem with manually cleaning up a computer is that sometimes we delete files our computer actually needs. You have a few choices to restore your sound file.

The Recycle Bin

If you recently went a little crazy deleting files, you may be able to find them in the Recycle Bin where, if found, you can restore them. Since you’re not sure exactly what file is missing, this could be an exercise in futility. However, if you know the approximate date when you deleted files, you can change the view and sort the deleted file by date. For example, if you deleted a bunch of files on October 10th, go into Recycle Bin, click of View, and choose Details. Now, click on the Date field. This will rearrange the deleted files by date.

Look for clues such as File Type and File Location. If you find a file that appears to be a system file such as a DLL file that was deleted on the date when you deleted files and your sound stopped working, restore it right-clicking it and choosing Restore.

System Restore

System Restore is useful utility for restoring system settings to a previous state and may work in this case providing that you have a restore point from before the deletion. Go to Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore and select a restore point (if any) from before the deletion. This option does not cause data loss nor does it affect your program files. It only restores system settings such as device drivers and other system settings.

Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software is useful for recovering deleted files - even those that were accidentally deleted and emptied from the Recycle Bin. Like using the Recycle Bin, you’ll need to do a bit of detective work to determine which file to undelete.

Finding and Installing New Sound Drivers

Another option is to reinstall your sound card’s device drivers. If you have the original CD, you can use that. However, if you’re going to go through the hassle of doing this, you might as well use the most current sound drivers available. Go to your sound card manufacturer’s Web site and download the most current device drivers for your sound card. Use the Device Manager, which is found in the Control Panel, to update the drivers. Click on Sound, Video, and Game Controllers, find your sound device in the list and double click it. Go to the Driver tab and click Update. Browse your computer for the download and follow the prompts.

Hopefully, one of these tips will help you to find that lost sound file. If you need further support, take a look at the various remote tech support services featured at www.Filetonic.com/support.

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Comments [0]

Where can I get Unimodem Half-Duplex device?

Susan KeenanThe name itself, Unimodem Half-Duplex device, can be a bit confusing. In actuality, it refers to a driver and not an actual hardware device.

What is the Unimodem Half-Duplex device?

The Unimodem Half-Duplex device also referred to as the Unimodem Half-Duplex audio device is the driver for the sound hardware found in many computers. It is necessary to enable sounds.

What is an Audio Driver?

The audio driver enables your audio device to function properly in supporting audio playback.

Downloading the Unimodem Half-Duplex device with the Installation CD

In general, the driver for the Unimodem Half-Duplex device should be included on the CD that came with the motherboard/ computer. If you obtained the sound card from a secondary source, then the driver should be available with its CD.

Downloading the Unimodem Half-Duplex device through the Motherboard Manufacturer

If you locate the manufacturer of the motherboard, you can visit the web site and download the driver for the Unimodem Half-Duplex device from there. Make sure that you also have the version of your operating system handy as well.

Downloading the Unimodem Half-Duplex device with the Hardware Update Wizard

The Hardware Update Wizard is an excellent tool offered by Microsoft for locating the drivers your computer needs for its hardware. This Wizard assists with locating, installing, and configuring the correct driver for the hardware devices that exist on your computer. Make sure that your Wizard is enabled to search for drivers automatically. To do so, follow this path: Start→ Control Panel→ Double click on System→ Hardware→ Windows Update or Automatic Updates→ Click Automatically.

Downloading the Unimodem Half-Duplex device from other Websites

If you opt to download the Unimodem Half-Duplex device from another website, you can do so simply by conducting a Google search and selecting the website that you want to use. Some of these sites do not scan the file for viruses prior to the download and, in most cases, they state this on their website.

Protect Your Computer

Whenever downloading software from the Internet, you place your computer at risk of infection from spyware and viruses. Therefore, it is important that you have a reliable anti-virus application installed on your computer. Likewise, it is essential that you run this application on a regular basis, especially after downloading an application. .If you choose to download your driver from the Internet, then I suggest you also run an up-to-date anti-virus application such as ParetoLogic Anti-Virus Plus.

Comments [2]

Kat DelongCyberlink YouCam

As you know the HP Pavilion DV2000 comes with a built in webcam. For general computer use, you can go to the Cyberlink website and download a free trial version or buy the software download for about $35. Download the trial or buy the program here:

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/main_125_ENU.html.

If you have previously purchased a download but you need to reinstall the program, go to your order information page and find the “re-download” button. This should take care of it for you.

HP Computers and Acer Drivers

Many HP users have reported problems with using their installed webcam on various models. The best solution has been to download a particular driver from Acer that is for the Chicony webcam that is installed on most machines. You can find this driver download here: http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/SCANNER-Digital-CAMERA-WEBCAM/OTHER-SCANNERS/Acer-Extensa-5210-Chicony-Webcam-Driver-57.shtml .

Once you have found the drivers, follow these instructions:

  1. Download the file and unzip it to a desktop folder.
  2. Run the ‘setup.exe file’ in the folder that was unzipped.
  3. Let the installer run and restart the computer. It will install the webcam drivers.
  4. Open the Control Panel then go to Device Manager.
  5. Find the webcam in ‘imaging devices.’ Even though you’ve installed Acer drivers it may still be listed as ‘HP Pavillion Webcam.’
  6. Right click on the webcam and choose ‘Update Driver Software.’
  7. Choose ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.’
  8. Uncheck the ‘Show Compatible Hardware’ box.
  9. Scroll down and choose the Acer webcam.
  10. The system may ask you a question about the installation - tell it to install it anyway.
  11. After the installation, the webcam should be listed as Acer in the Device Manager.

If you have a Ricoh webcam installed rather than a Chicony, others have had success following these steps after downloading the Windows XP webcam driver.

If you are getting an error message when you try to use the webcam or these solutions don’t work for you, please let us know.

Comments [0]

Can you help with sound drivers?

Susan KeenanFortunately, lots of help is available when dealing with sound drivers. This assistance ranges from finding out what sound drivers you need to locating the driver downloads to troubleshooting faulty sound drivers.

Finding Out What Sound Drivers You Need

To find out exactly what sound driver you need, you need to locate the sound card on your computer. To do so complete the following path:

Start→ Control Panel→ Sound, Speech, and Audio Devices→ Sound and Audio Devices.

The dialog box for Sound and Audio Devices opens. Click on “Hardware” in the upper right hand corner. As you look through this last section, you should be able to see which sound driver you need for your sound card. Make sure you take note of the manufacturer for it.

Locating the Driver Downloads

Visit the website for the manufacturer of the sound driver. After a brief look at the site, you should be able to locate their area for downloading drivers. Read the directions for installing your sound driver. Some drivers are automatically installed onto your computer once you select to download them; others require following installation prompts. If you are replacing a faulty driver, I suggest uninstalling that one before installing this one.

Troubleshooting Faulty Sound Drivers

Fortunately, a number of troubleshooting options are located within the “Sound, Speech and Audio Devices” section. Instead of clicking “Sound and Audio Devices,” click on the “? sound” at the left hand side of the area underneath the title “Troubleshooters.” This pops up a new dialog box with several options. Click in front of the selection that describes the problem that you are having. Click “Next” to see a list of options for either solving the sound problem or investigating it further. I suggest reading through all of the options before making your selection so that you get the closest scenario and the greatest likelihood of solving the problem.

Common Troubleshooting Strategies for Faulty Sound Drivers

A number of simple strategies often solve most sound problems. Look through this list and use any that might apply to your situation.

  • Check the power cables.
  • Check the volume control.
  • Check to see if a CD or DVD that won’t generate sound on your computer will generate it on another.
  • Read the sound device documentation that you have or check the manufacturer’s website for information. If the mute button has been checked for any hardware device, it might disable the sound for other hardware.

How to Check Your Volume Setting

Open “Volume Control.” Adjust the setting if “mute” or a low volume setting has been selected. To do so complete the following path: Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ Entertainment→ Volume Control.

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Comments [0]

Kat DelongDriver detective is usually a good solution for keeping your drivers up to date, but as you’ve found sometimes it doesn’t work perfectly. I think you will have to download your sound card driver separately and then your audio problems should be fixed.

Driver Detective

In brief, Driver Detective is a download that you can use to streamline management of the drivers in your computer. It will find the manufacturers specific drivers for your computer. It uses Microsoft NET technology so that your system stays secure. It requires that you are running either Windows Visa, XP Pro, 2003 server or 2000 32 or 64 bits. You need a 300mhz or higher processor, 256 mb of ram and 22mb of disk space.

Find Sound Card

In order to download the right driver, you need to know what kind of soundcard is installed on your computer. Follow these directions to locate your sound card:

  1. Go to My Computer.
  2. Click on Properties, then click on the Hardware tab.
  3. Click on Device Manager to expand it. You should be able to tell what type of sound card you have.

Download Driver Update

Once you’ve found the manufacturer for your driver, go to that website. Most sites will have easily accessible download buttons for their drivers. On most websites, you can just push the button and let the system do the rest. If you are updating an existing driver, you may need to uninstall the driver that is on your machine in order to download a new one. If that’s the case, follow the above steps, but right click on the driver and select Uninstall.

High Definition Devices

Computers that are running high-definition devices for their sound systems can use this driver to optimize the performance.

Reinstalling your driver manually should solve your sound card problem. Let us know if you need more information.

Comments [0]

I can’t hear music CDs or watch video DVDs.

Kat DelongProblem with Drives

Most likely, you are having a problem with your CD/DVD drives that are stored in your computer. Most of the time, you will get an error message that can give you a hint about what the problem really is. There is often a problem associated with the Roxio software for CDs and DVDs, particularly older versions. There may also be a problem with new software or a Vista upgrade - have you put anything new on the computer recently? There are a few things you can do to check on the drives and then fix the problem if necessary.

Finding the Drives

You can see if the drives are still on your computer by getting into BIOS (the Basic Input/Output System) right at start up. The BIOS helps your computer start up and contains info about what your computer has on board. Right when you start the computer, press a key and it will open in BIOS. The key that you press is different for every computer, but most often it is F1 or F2, but sometimes just pressing Delete will do it. Check with the computer manufacturer’s website to find the BIOS key. Once you’re in BIOS you can see if the drives are listed on your computer.

Deleting Filter Device Drivers

Many CD/DVD third-part programs install filter device drivers into Windows. Sometimes these programs cause the drivers to stop working correctly. You may see a message like “The device could not start” or “One of the filter drivers for this device is invalid”. By going into the registry and deleting the upper and lower registry filters, you should get the drivers to work properly. Microsoft support has detailed instructions for deleting these registry entries here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060 .

Set Up System Restore

Before you get into your registry and start changing things, you should set up a system restore point so that if there are problems, you can easily go back to the beginning. To do this:

  1. Click on Start and then click on All Programs.
  2. Go into Accessories and then System. Click on System Restore.
  3. You will be able to create a restore point for the system to go back to in case of a problem.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Drivers

If that doesn’t work, you can uninstall and reinstall the CD drivers.

  1. Go to Start and right click on My Computer.
  2. Go to Properties, then Hardware and Device Manager.
  3. Find the CD driver and right click. Select Uninstall.
  4. The driver will be uninstalled.
  5. You will have to reboot your system, and Windows will reinstall the driver when you start it up.

One of these options should work to restore your CD/DVD functions. If you’re still having problems, tech support at www.filetonic.com/support may be better equipped to help you through this problem.

Driver Genius 8 - DownloadFast, Easy Driver Update Scan

Download Driver Genius 8!  

This software is updated every day and has 1 Million+ drivers in its database.

Click Download link above to scan your system and download Sound card drivers, Video card drivers and all the latest driver updates for your system.

Comments [0]

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