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What are Device Drivers?
Before you can use a new hardware device, such as a printer, graphics board, or hard drive, you must install its device driver. A device driver tells your computer's operating system how to use a particular piece of hardware. The driver, which is a short piece of code that is added in to the operating system, contains information about the hardware device. With this information, your computer can communicate with the device.
Device drivers of Plug and Play devices are usually included in Windows 95; other new hardware devices usually come with a diskette that contains their drivers.
Some device drivers are contained on the QuickRestore compact disc (CD) that comes with your computer and in the WINDOWS/OPTIONS/CABS directory on your computer's hard drive. If, during installation, you are prompted to insert the Windows 95 CD, use your QuickRestore CD or click on Browse, then navigate to the WINDOWS/OPTIONS/CABS directory on your computer's hard drive.
If you have problems with a piece of hardware or if a device doesn't work at all in your system, you may need to get a new version of the device's drivers. You can usually find these on the hardware maker's Web site, or you can get them from the company's technical support department.