| When it comes to updating high definition audio | | | | XP launch System Properties via the Control Panel |
| device drivers, it's smart to plan for problems | | | | and click on the System Protection tab). Find the |
| with the update. After all, what if the update | | | | button for creating a restore point and click it. |
| doesn't go as it should? What if you downloaded | | | | Once you have created your restore point, you |
| the wrong driver files for your device? What if | | | | can then update your high definition audio device |
| your sound device no longer works after the | | | | drivers with confidence. This is because Windows |
| update? What if the drivers you downloaded are | | | | just took a detailed snapshot of your entire |
| corrupt? What if the newly released device | | | | system and all of its settings - including the |
| drivers are buggy and cause more problems than | | | | current device drivers installed at this point in time. |
| they solve? By planning for problems with high | | | | Should the HD driver update fail, you can simply |
| definition audio device drivers, you won't be left | | | | use System Restore to return the system to its |
| scrambling should something go terribly awry. | | | | previous state. Thus, your original high definition |
| The best defense against bad HD sound drivers is | | | | audio device drivers will also return. |
| a strong offense. Use Windows System | | | | Another way to rollback HD sound files is via the |
| Protection to create a restore point before you | | | | Device Manager though this may be less reliable |
| attempt updating these important audio files. This | | | | than manually creating a restore point. Use the |
| is super easy to do; it only takes a minute to | | | | Device Manager (it's found in the Windows Control |
| complete; and you'll have a means of rolling back | | | | Panel) to update the HD device drivers by finding |
| the drivers if the update fails or causes problems. | | | | the Sound, Video, and Game Controllers category |
| System Protection (and its sibling System | | | | and double-clicking your sound device. Click the |
| Restore) is available in Windows XP and above. In | | | | Driver tab to update the drivers and follow the |
| Windows Vista and Windows 7, go to Start and | | | | prompts. Should the drivers fail, you'll notice that |
| type System Protection into the Start bar and | | | | the Driver tab also includes a button labeled |
| type "create a restore point" into it. You'll see a | | | | "rollback driver." Use this button if you are |
| link appear. Click that link and Windows will launch | | | | unhappy with the update. It will undo the update |
| the System Properties dialog box and present | | | | and rollback your original high definition audio |
| you with the System Protection tab (In Windows | | | | device drivers. |