the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component,

Have you ever found a used computer component then attempted to install it on your computer only to find that you need the accompanying software CD? Did you get a great deal on a slightly used printer from the local Goodwill store and couldn't use it because your computer wouldn't recognize it? Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to accomplish a do-it-yourself upgrade and getting stumped by a missing disk. Do not dismay, although sometimes it will require some diligence, there are avenues that may be pursued to allocate the AWOL info. The only assumption that I will make is that your computer's operating system is Windows since it is a more common interface. Being a thrifty (some may say cheap) troubleshooter, I always try the cheapest and quickest possibilities first, then work my way up.

When installing any new diskless (if that's a word) component on your computer, the first thing you should try is the Add New Hardware option located in the Control Panel. Select the component in question and see if your system will recognize it. Windows has many proprietary and generic drivers stowed away for just this occasion, and will likely have the files required by most common brand name peripherals. Windows will then self-install the component and no further action will be required.

If such is not the case, don't throw up your hands yet, the search has just begun. Assuming that you have internet access, (oops, that's another assumption isn't it?) use a search engine to locate the home site of your component manufacturer. Most offer free downloadable drivers, upgrades, patches, and software for each of their particular models. Be sure to have the correct model number of the component in question as drivers can be very specific in nature, i. e. not all Hewlett-Packard Printers use the same driver, and they are not interchangeable. When you find the correct driver, save it to a floppy disk, jump drive, or whatever is handy. If you save it to the hard drive, take note of where it is being saved so you will be able to find it later. Go back to the Add New Hardware option in the Control Panel and when the installation program asks for the disk, just select the drive or file where the driver was saved. Windows does the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component, c

on that I will make is that your computer's operating system is Windows since it is a more common interface. Being a thrifty (some may say cheap) troubleshooter, I always try the cheapest and quickest possibilities first, then work my way up.

When installing any new diskless (if that's a word) component on your computer, the first thing you should try is the Add New Hardware option located in the Control Panel. Select the component in question and see if your system will recognize it. Windows has many proprietary and generic drivers stowed away for just this occasion, and will likely have the files required by most common brand name peripherals. Windows will then self-install the component and no further action will be required.

If such is not the case, don't throw up your hands yet, the search has just begun. Assuming that you have internet access, (oops, that's another assumption isn't it?) use a search engine to locate the home site of your component manufacturer. Most offer free downloadable drivers, upgrades, patches, and software for each of their particular models. Be sure to have the correct model number of the component in question as drivers can be very specific in nature, i. e. not all Hewlett-Packard Printers use the same driver, and they are not interchangeable. When you find the correct driver, save it to a floppy disk, jump drive, or whatever is handy. If you save it to the hard drive, take note of where it is being saved so you will be able to find it later. Go back to the Add New Hardware option in the Control Panel and when the installation program asks for the disk, just select the drive or file where the driver was saved. Windows does the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component,

this occasion, and will likely have the files required by most common brand name peripherals. Windows will then self-install the component and no further action will be required.

If such is not the case, don't throw up your hands yet, the search has just begun. Assuming that you have internet access, (oops, that's another assumption isn't it?) use a search engine to locate the home site of your component manufacturer. Most offer free downloadable drivers, upgrades, patches, and software for each of their particular models. Be sure to have the correct model number of the component in question as drivers can be very specific in nature, i. e. not all Hewlett-Packard Printers use the same driver, and they are not interchangeable. When you find the correct driver, save it to a floppy disk, jump drive, or whatever is handy. If you save it to the hard drive, take note of where it is being saved so you will be able to find it later. Go back to the Add New Hardware option in the Control Panel and when the installation program asks for the disk, just select the drive or file where the driver was saved. Windows does the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component,

odel number of the component in question as drivers can be very specific in nature, i. e. not all Hewlett-Packard Printers use the same driver, and they are not interchangeable. When you find the correct driver, save it to a floppy disk, jump drive, or whatever is handy. If you save it to the hard drive, take note of where it is being saved so you will be able to find it later. Go back to the Add New Hardware option in the Control Panel and when the installation program asks for the disk, just select the drive or file where the driver was saved. Windows does the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component,

the rest.

If the manufacturer is for any reason not available, there are many sites in operation that specialize in drivers and various types of installation software. The process will then be identical to the above procedure once the appropriate driver is located.

If at this point, your quest has been unfruitful, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. Keep in mind that a vast majority of situations will be resolved by the first three scenarios. As I said, some diligence may be required. If you are still left with a lifeless component, check back with the Goodwill store, yard sales, friends, or flea markets. Many have bins full of unwanted installation disks donated or discarded by previous owners. You may just luck out. Lastly, it may become necessary to procure the disk directly from the manufacturer via snail mail or contact them using their toll-free number.

If you have exhausted all of these options, chances are that the component was not such a good deal after all, and you might be better off just trashing it and buying another more cooperative model. In any case, 99.9% of driver related issues can be overcome by one of the methods listed above. It may take more time and patience than you wish to spend, but can be a worthwhile pursuit. Happy hunting!