Tech-FAQs 
(Driver ?, Drivers ?)

What do I do when an error message appears indicating a “driver” problem?

• Check your installation. Driver error messages are rare with products from CWOL when installed on computers and operating systems that meet or exceed the specified system requirements. 
   

• The most frequent cause of driver error messages with firewire products from CWOL is if a device such as a WebCam or a DV camcorder is attached to a firewire card while it is being installed. It is very important to complete the firewire card installation before connecting a WebCam or DV camcorder to the card. The resolution is simple, just shut down the system and reinstall the firewire card without the device attached. After the firewire card has been properly installed and recognized by the operating system then attach the device to the card.
   

• Another reported cause of driver error messages is attempting to install a firewire card on an operating system with limited IEEE-1394 interface support such as Windows 98. Windows 98’s firewire support is limited to a short list of DV camcorders and it does not support firewire drives or WebCams at all. A resolution is upgrading to at least Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) as it fully supports the IEEE-1394 interface.
   

• Firewire card installation problems also appear when attempting to install on a computer with the Windows NT operating system. Windows NT doesn’t support the IEEE-1394 interface or OHCI compliant firewire cards. The resolution is to upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP, which fully support firewire.
   

• If a driver error message persists, contact the hardware manufacturer’s tech support for assistance. PC device drivers may be supported by either the hardware manufacturer or Microsoft. For example, the standardized device driver for OHCI compliant firewire cards is included with Windows and supported by Microsoft. 

Additional “Driver” Internet Resources:
www.DriverGuide.com (Join for FREE)
www.DriversHQ.com (fee for software) 
www.WinDrivers.com (fee for service) 
www.WinGuides.com (Free membership available)


Question not answered here? Ask us: Tech-FAQs@cwol.com


Driver Background Information
A driver also known as “device driver” is a software routine that translates generic commands from programs that use the device to specialized commands that are recognized by it. A device driver is required for successful device installations such as: (1) interface cards (video display adapter, sound card, network adapter, scanner controller, firewire card, SCSI host adapter), (2) internal devices (floppy drive, hard disk, CD-ROM) and (3) external peripheral devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, scanner, WebCam). 

Device driver software may be generated and supported by the hardware manufacturer. Some product’s device driver software is included with the Windows operating system, but not necessarily the most up-to-date version. If not available from the Windows operating system, the device driver software is packaged with the product. Device driver software is subject to frequent revisions due to improvements in the device or fixing a program bug. New device driver software versions generated and supported by the hardware manufacturer are readily available for downloading on the computer hardware manufacturer’s web site. 

Most PC generic/standardized device drivers are generated, supported, updated and included with Microsoft Windows products.

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