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How Do I Get Balky Hardware to Work?

Q: I upgraded from Windows 9x to Windows 2000 Pro, and now some of my peripherals won't work. How do I get all my hardware working with this new OS?

A: Virtually every hardware problem that crops up after you've upgraded to a new OS, Windows 2000 included, is due to old, balky, or just plain bad software drivers. Although Windows 2000 comes with an impressive number of drivers, there's always the chance it's missing the one you need.

Hunting for new drivers isn't brain surgery, but it can be a tedious. Here's our recommended plan of action, in order of priority:

• Point your browser to Windows Update, click the Product Update link, then scroll down to the Device Drivers section. Windows Update may have a replacement for the out-of-date driver. Check the box next to the name of your particular driver (listed by the name of the hardware component) and click Download.
  
  
• Head to the hardware maker's support Web site and look for a Drivers or Downloads link. If you can't find one, search the site by name and/or model number of the peripheral and the phrase "Windows 2000" (if possible).
  
  
• Surf to a driver-specific download site--DriverGuide is a good place to start--to sniff out unusual peripherals and their Windows 2000 drivers.
  
  

As you install the driver, be alert: A message may pop up with the warning that the driver is "unsigned," which may indicate that the driver is obsolete. (Signed drivers have been tested by Microsoft and are known to work with Windows 2000.) If this happens, use one of the techniques above to find a more current driver.

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