How do I identify my hardware so I can find drivers for it? There are many different ways to approach this problem. We'll cover some of the more common ways you can try.

 Is the computer a name brand? For example, Dell, Compaq etc.? If so, find the model number and use the alphabetical links above to visit the manufacturer's website to get the drivers.

 Is your computer a custom built computer (or clone as they are sometimes called)? If so, the best way for you to identify the hardware maker is to physically look at the card, or chip. Open up the computer case and look (after you have turned it off and unplugged the power cord.)

 Note: If you are looking for drivers for something that is built onto the motherboard, you'll need to look for the manufacturer and model number of the motherboard. An example of things that may be built onto the motherboard are: sound cards (sound chips), video, modem, network cards (nic). While that's not a complete list, it covers a majority of the more common items built onto the motherboard that people tend to need drivers for.

 On the other hand, if what you are trying to identify is a card that plugs into the motherboard, you'll need to take the screw out and pull out the card in your effort to identify it.

 With the case open, by examining the insides of the case and comparing it to what plugs into it in the back (i.e. sound cable(s), the video cable, etc.) it should be a fairly easy task to identify what is built onto the motherboard and what is not. Below is an example:

 Identifying the motherboard: Almost always the motherboard will have either the model number or the brand name on it somewhere most of the time, it will have both. Look for these to silk-screened onto the motherboard. In the above example, we'd look on the blue areas of the board for the makers brand name and model number. A good way to find out of you are on the right track is to type these numbers (model numbers are not always strictly numbers. They may be alphanumerical. An example of this might be: ga-7zxe) into Google. After looking at the Google results, it's fairly clear that ga-7xze is a Gigabyte motherboard and that we have found the model number in this example. (Yes, I know that the above motherboard in the picture is not a 7vxe board. It's just an example.)

 Identifying a card: See above. Identifying a card is more or less the same process. But, since there are so many different types and manufacturers, it is much harder if the card is not marked in some fashion. If you can find an FCC ID number, you can try that route in identifying it. Other things that might be tried are looking for numbers on the chips on the card in an effort to find generic drivers. (This would be more of a last resort. Ideally, you want to find the manufacturers drivers to make sure the driver is correct and that the hardware will run at it's best.)

 Note: Anyone who has ever spent any length of time looking for drivers has done this at one time or another and I thought I'd just bring it up. Spending hours or days of your time looking for a driver for something that can be replaced for $10 is not a good thing. You have to make up your own mind about how much your time is worth to you, but sometimes spending hours looking for a modem driver when a new modem can be purchased cheaply is probably not the best way to go about things. But, like I said, we've all done it at one time or another.

 If you need help TheTechBoard can offer some free personal assistance.