Driver scanner utility?

[evti]

I was wondering if there was such thing as a software utility that can scan your hardware and check to see if your drivers are all up to date. I found Device Doctor, but it gives me a lot of erroneous update prompts. I tried the Dell version (I have a Dell) but it just hangs at the "starting device scanner" page. Going to the Dell page for my laptop gives me a lot of updates, but for a bunch of different hardware. I have no idea why, since I put in my service tag (which should customize the software list, but apparently doesn't). Any ideas?

 

[Berryracer]

The only driver scanner that has always given me good results not some bogus updates that are not relevant to my computer is My Config

It's free too!

try it, when it finds drivers, it gives you the download links directly from the manufacturer

 

[AFurryReptile]

If Dell's site is giving you trouble, make sure you're running it in Internet Explorer, and add that site to your browser's Trusted Sites list. I'll bet that's your problem.

 

[cl-scott]

In general, driver finders/scanners are not to be trusted. An exception might be made for vendor specific scanners, but the more generic ones I'd advise keeping well clear of.

 

[vailr]

Try DriverMax:
http://majorgeeks.com/DriverMax_d5260.html
It's mostly very accurate, with a few misses.
Such as: an occasional non-Intel driver for an Intel device.
+++++++++++++++++
Edit: DriverMax updates by the use of aggregated driver update information. For example: a newer dated driver gets released somewhere, which you download and install. If you then run the DriverMax scanner program, and the newer-dated driver isn't already in their database, then that information is uploaded to their server. And can afterwards be offered as a downloadable driver update for other DriverMax users. However: they seem to mostly only consider the driver date, not the driver version number.

 

[hclarkjr]

i use this one http://www.driver-soft.com/ never gives me whacky results

 

[Nothinman]

In general, driver finders/scanners are not to be trusted. An exception might be made for vendor specific scanners, but the more generic ones I'd advise keeping well clear of.

Yea, I would never trust a 3rd party tool for that. And with how fragile Windows driver installation/updating is I barely trust the vendor tools too.

 

[vailr]

DriverMax updates by the use of aggregated driver update information. For example: a newer dated driver gets released somewhere, which you download and install. If you then run the DriverMax scanner program, and the newer-dated driver isn't already in their database, then that information is uploaded to their server. And can afterwards be offered as a downloadable driver update for other DriverMax users. However: they seem to mostly only consider the driver date, not the driver version number.

 

[evti]

If Dell's site is giving you trouble, make sure you're running it in Internet Explorer, and add that site to your browser's Trusted Sites list. I'll bet that's your problem.

I checked, and apparently I did this. I just added the Dell domain to trusted sites. It is still just hanging there.

I will try some of the suggestions given to me, thanks guys!

 

[Evander]

Try DriverMax:
http://majorgeeks.com/DriverMax_d5260.html
It's mostly very accurate, with a few misses.
Such as: an occasional non-Intel driver for an Intel device.
+++++++++++++++++
Edit: DriverMax updates by the use of aggregated driver update information. For example: a newer dated driver gets released somewhere, which you download and install. If you then run the DriverMax scanner program, and the newer-dated driver isn't already in their database, then that information is uploaded to their server. And can afterwards be offered as a downloadable driver update for other DriverMax users. However: they seem to mostly only consider the driver date, not the driver version number.

I tried DriverMax on my laptop. Installed a newer version of a card reader that the description said was signed but it is actually unsigned. Installed a newer version of wireless lan driver that caused it to stop working. There were other things it said were newer than what I was able to find from official sources but I didn't trust them. DriverMax is a legit program but you have to be careful. It does have a driver rollback option in case something goes wrong