Drivers First Motherboards

Review the options below for help on determining the chipset of the motherboard installed in your computer.

Install motherboard drivers or SP2 first? MSI Global. Contact Support. Thank you for choosing MSI. Please feel free to contact us with the channel below, we are happy to help.

User manual

The user manual is the quickest and easiest way to determine what chipset your motherboard uses. If you have any documentation that came with your motherboard, we recommend you refer to that first.

Windows identification

If you are looking for the chipset of the motherboard and are running Microsoft Windows, you can find the chipset information under the System devices category in the Windows Device Manager. The chipset of the motherboard is probably ALI, AMD, Intel, NVidia, VIA, or SIS. As there are multiple entries under System devices in Device Manager, look for an entry that mentions 'chipset' and one of the manufacturers listed above. An example of a motherboard chipset entry in Device Manager is shown in the picture below.

If there is no chipset entry in the Device Manager it may be because the chipset drivers are not installed on your computer.

If you are attempting to identify your chipset because you need to install drivers, most motherboards come with a CD that has them on it. If you do not have a CD that installs these drivers, continue to the next step to identify the chipset. Locate chipset drivers for download from our motherboard drivers page.

Motherboard identification

Another method of determining the motherboard chipset is by identifying the motherboard installed in the computer.

Once the brand and model of the motherboard are identified, you can visit the motherboard manufacturer's website for online documentation or a software utility to determine the chipset. A listing of motherboard manufacturers is available on our motherboard links page.

You can also try looking at the motherboard itself to see if the chipset information is printed on it. Unfortunately, the location of the chipset information varies by manufacturer and type of motherboard, so there's no one place to look for the chipset. Also, some manufacturers don't print the chipset name and series number on their motherboards or have the chipset covered with a heat sink. However, if you can find the serial number you can find the motherboard details with a serial number look up.

Additional information

• See the chipset definition for further information and related links.

This page contains steps on updating drivers and not Windows Updates. For help with Windows updates, see: How to update a Microsoft Windows computer.

Below is a listing of our recommended hardware devices to update. Updating your computer's drivers and other updates can resolve problems, improve the performance, and increase the stability of your computer.

BIOS updates

Computer BIOS updates should only be done when you are having compatibility issues with your hardware, or you feel your computer hardware is not performing as it should. Visiting your computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer page allows you to see if any BIOS updates are available for your motherboard and what they fix.

CD or DVD drive drivers and firmware

Updating the drivers for your optical drive (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD) may improve its performance. We recommend you visit our CD drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and their driver update pages to obtain the latest drivers.

Some manufacturers may also have firmware updates available for their CD drives. Firmware updates resolve hardware related issues you may be experiencing with the CD drive, such as being unable to read some CDs or may update the region code on your DVD drive. Unlike a driver update, these updates should only be performed for users who are experiencing hardware related issues with their drives. Most firmware updates are accessible through the manufacturer's CD driver page, see the CD drivers page for a listing of these links.

Controllers

Updating to the latest drivers for your computer controllers help with their reliability and the drives connected to them. If you're using a device separate from your computer motherboard, see the controller drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and drivers. If you are not using a separate component, the controller card may be updated by installing the latest drivers for your motherboard. These drivers can be obtained from your motherboard or OEM computer manufacturer. See the motherboard drivers page for additional information.

Display drivers

Unlike other hardware devices, display devices such as a computer monitor or flat-panel displays are often automatically detected and set up by the operating system.

If you are looking for a video driver, see the below video card drivers section.

Keyboard drivers

Drivers First Motherboards For Hp Pavilion

Unless your computer keyboard contains special keys, your keyboard should not require any drivers and should be set up by the operating system.

Users using a USB or FireWire keyboard may need drivers for their operating system to support the keyboard.

Mouse drivers

Unless you are utilizing a unique mouse with special buttons, wheels, or other features, drivers are not required. The mouse should automatically set up by the operating system.

Modem drivers

Updating the computer modem drivers can improve the reliability of the modem and may improve the speed. We recommend you visit our modem drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and their driver update pages to obtain the latest drivers.

Some modem manufacturers may also have firmware updates that upgrade the modem to support new standards, such as V.90, or correct hardware issues with the modem. Firmware updates should only be done if your computer or modem manufacturer recommends you update the modem or if you believe a firmware update corrects your issue. When updating your modem's firmware, verify you are using a firmware update designed for your modem. Updating the firmware with an incorrect version may cause the modem to no longer work. Firmware updates are usually also available through the modem drivers page.

Motherboard drivers, firmware, and updates

Updating the computer motherboard or motherboard chipset drivers helps with compatibility, reliability, and performance. It can also be beneficial to other hardware installed in the computer. See the motherboard drivers page for a listing of links to motherboard chipset drivers and motherboard manufacturers' drivers pages.

Network card drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a computer network card may help with the reliability of the network card in the computer. For a listing of computer network card drivers, see our network drivers index.

Some network card manufacturers may also have firmware updates that resolve compatibility issues or other hardware issues. These updates should only be done if your network card or computer manufacturer recommends an update. These updates are also available through the manufacturer's network drivers page.

Printer drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a computer printer may help with the reliability and compatibility of the printer. A listing of computer printer drivers is on our printer drivers page.

Removable media drivers

Drivers First Motherboards For Laptops

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a removable media device, such as a tape drive, may help with the reliability of the removable media device. A listing of computer removable media drivers is on our removable media or tape drive drivers page.

Scanner drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a scanner may help with the reliability and compatibility of the scanner. A listing of computer scanner drivers is on our scanner drivers page.

Sound card drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a sound card help with the compatibility, reliability, and the performance of the sound card. A listing of computer sound card drivers is on our sound card drivers page.

Install motherboard drivers or SP2 first? MSI Global. Contact Support. Thank you for choosing MSI. Please feel free to contact us with the channel below, we are happy to help.

User manual

The user manual is the quickest and easiest way to determine what chipset your motherboard uses. If you have any documentation that came with your motherboard, we recommend you refer to that first.

Windows identification

If you are looking for the chipset of the motherboard and are running Microsoft Windows, you can find the chipset information under the System devices category in the Windows Device Manager. The chipset of the motherboard is probably ALI, AMD, Intel, NVidia, VIA, or SIS. As there are multiple entries under System devices in Device Manager, look for an entry that mentions 'chipset' and one of the manufacturers listed above. An example of a motherboard chipset entry in Device Manager is shown in the picture below.

If there is no chipset entry in the Device Manager it may be because the chipset drivers are not installed on your computer.

If you are attempting to identify your chipset because you need to install drivers, most motherboards come with a CD that has them on it. If you do not have a CD that installs these drivers, continue to the next step to identify the chipset. Locate chipset drivers for download from our motherboard drivers page.

Motherboard identification

Another method of determining the motherboard chipset is by identifying the motherboard installed in the computer.

Once the brand and model of the motherboard are identified, you can visit the motherboard manufacturer's website for online documentation or a software utility to determine the chipset. A listing of motherboard manufacturers is available on our motherboard links page.

You can also try looking at the motherboard itself to see if the chipset information is printed on it. Unfortunately, the location of the chipset information varies by manufacturer and type of motherboard, so there's no one place to look for the chipset. Also, some manufacturers don't print the chipset name and series number on their motherboards or have the chipset covered with a heat sink. However, if you can find the serial number you can find the motherboard details with a serial number look up.

Additional information

• See the chipset definition for further information and related links.

This page contains steps on updating drivers and not Windows Updates. For help with Windows updates, see: How to update a Microsoft Windows computer.

Below is a listing of our recommended hardware devices to update. Updating your computer's drivers and other updates can resolve problems, improve the performance, and increase the stability of your computer.

BIOS updates

Computer BIOS updates should only be done when you are having compatibility issues with your hardware, or you feel your computer hardware is not performing as it should. Visiting your computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer page allows you to see if any BIOS updates are available for your motherboard and what they fix.

CD or DVD drive drivers and firmware

Updating the drivers for your optical drive (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD) may improve its performance. We recommend you visit our CD drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and their driver update pages to obtain the latest drivers.

Some manufacturers may also have firmware updates available for their CD drives. Firmware updates resolve hardware related issues you may be experiencing with the CD drive, such as being unable to read some CDs or may update the region code on your DVD drive. Unlike a driver update, these updates should only be performed for users who are experiencing hardware related issues with their drives. Most firmware updates are accessible through the manufacturer's CD driver page, see the CD drivers page for a listing of these links.

Controllers

Updating to the latest drivers for your computer controllers help with their reliability and the drives connected to them. If you're using a device separate from your computer motherboard, see the controller drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and drivers. If you are not using a separate component, the controller card may be updated by installing the latest drivers for your motherboard. These drivers can be obtained from your motherboard or OEM computer manufacturer. See the motherboard drivers page for additional information.

Display drivers

Unlike other hardware devices, display devices such as a computer monitor or flat-panel displays are often automatically detected and set up by the operating system.

If you are looking for a video driver, see the below video card drivers section.

Keyboard drivers

Drivers First Motherboards For Hp Pavilion

Unless your computer keyboard contains special keys, your keyboard should not require any drivers and should be set up by the operating system.

Users using a USB or FireWire keyboard may need drivers for their operating system to support the keyboard.

Mouse drivers

Unless you are utilizing a unique mouse with special buttons, wheels, or other features, drivers are not required. The mouse should automatically set up by the operating system.

Modem drivers

Updating the computer modem drivers can improve the reliability of the modem and may improve the speed. We recommend you visit our modem drivers page for a listing of manufacturers and their driver update pages to obtain the latest drivers.

Some modem manufacturers may also have firmware updates that upgrade the modem to support new standards, such as V.90, or correct hardware issues with the modem. Firmware updates should only be done if your computer or modem manufacturer recommends you update the modem or if you believe a firmware update corrects your issue. When updating your modem's firmware, verify you are using a firmware update designed for your modem. Updating the firmware with an incorrect version may cause the modem to no longer work. Firmware updates are usually also available through the modem drivers page.

Motherboard drivers, firmware, and updates

Updating the computer motherboard or motherboard chipset drivers helps with compatibility, reliability, and performance. It can also be beneficial to other hardware installed in the computer. See the motherboard drivers page for a listing of links to motherboard chipset drivers and motherboard manufacturers' drivers pages.

Network card drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a computer network card may help with the reliability of the network card in the computer. For a listing of computer network card drivers, see our network drivers index.

Some network card manufacturers may also have firmware updates that resolve compatibility issues or other hardware issues. These updates should only be done if your network card or computer manufacturer recommends an update. These updates are also available through the manufacturer's network drivers page.

Printer drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a computer printer may help with the reliability and compatibility of the printer. A listing of computer printer drivers is on our printer drivers page.

Removable media drivers

Drivers First Motherboards For Laptops

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a removable media device, such as a tape drive, may help with the reliability of the removable media device. A listing of computer removable media drivers is on our removable media or tape drive drivers page.

Scanner drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a scanner may help with the reliability and compatibility of the scanner. A listing of computer scanner drivers is on our scanner drivers page.

Sound card drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a sound card help with the compatibility, reliability, and the performance of the sound card. A listing of computer sound card drivers is on our sound card drivers page.

Video drivers

Updating or installing the latest drivers for a video card help with compatibility, reliability, and the performance of the video card. A listing of computer video card drivers is on our video card drivers page.

Some video card manufacturers may also have firmware updates. Firmware updates may resolve issues relating to the compatibility of the video card or resolve other hardware issues. Firmware updates should only be done if your video card or computer manufacturer recommends an update. These updates are also available through the manufacturer's network drivers page.

Additional information

• See our drivers and hardware definition for further information and related links.