Motherboards are the parts of computers that control almost all of their functions. Motherboard drivers are the software interface between your computer’s motherboard hardware and system software. Since the computer’s motherboard controls the entire system, fully-functioning and up-to-date drivers are important for the functions of the computer. To update motherboard drivers, a person must know the motherboard manufacturer and model.
A computer motherboard.
Originally motherboards were simple with a few extra features. These motherboards had a handful of necessary parts and ports where users could add whatever they wanted. While motherboards like this still exist, newer motherboards often have built-in networking and sound systems and possibly even external hard drive connections or video cards. These motherboards are much more complicated, both from a hardware and controller standpoint, than previous models.
Computer drivers are software systems that instruct computer components and software on the proper use of a piece of hardware. A basic understanding of the functions of the hardware in any modern operating system is included. Drivers provide additional information about using a specific make and model of hardware. For example, an operating system may know how to use a video card, but without the driver for that video card, many of its special features would not be used, since the system would not know they are there.
Motherboard drivers often end up separated into different installation packages that affect one aspect of the motherboard. The basic driver for any motherboard is for its chipset. This driver covers the basic functionality of the card; it’s the controller that sits right at the heart of a computer. Each additional section of the card would have its own separate drivers: one for network systems, one for sound systems, and so on. While these drivers are less important than the chipset, a motherboard with security issues or inefficiencies in one area can cause problems in others.
Updating a full set of modern motherboard drivers can be a time-consuming process. Some issues, such as network or sound updates, may come from the operating system update process. However, most updates will come from the motherboard manufacturer or the manufacturer of specific motherboard components. Some motherboard manufacturers will collect all necessary updates from their websites; others will direct users to places where updates can be found.
To find these motherboard drivers, the user must know the manufacturer and model of their motherboard. Although this information is often clearly printed on the board itself, most of the time an average user cannot see it. The necessary information is also usually in the card manual or on the computer manufacturer’s website, if the computer was purchased pre-assembled. Lastly, certain software programs will determine the type of motherboard.
