I believe drivers will halt my upgrade - Thoughts?

Lebon14 · 24 Jul 2015

Hi guys.
I've had my PC since 2010. Since then, only the PSU, hard drives and (very recently) video card have changed in my PC. However, it seems that my devices' manufacturers will not grant me, by the loof of it, with drivers. (See below my post for my config)

Motherboard : Gigabyte X58A-UD3R

X58 Express Chipset : Going to Intel's website and searching for this, although typing "X58" wields a suggestion, returns zero results. Going to Gigabyte's website, you find only drivers for Windows 7.

Intel ICH10R : Going to Intel's website and search for this, you get better results than the above. There seems to be drivers for Windows 8 available. But still, makes me nervous wheter or not there'll be drivers.

NEC USB 3 : Pretty sure Windows will have a default driver for it. However, I just don't use USB 3 even if I have 2 devices that use it. Why? Back panel only. Anyway, it'll be nice to have dedicated drivers for this if there are. But I think there is...

Realtek ALC889 "High-Definition" Audio : Woo! There are drivers for this readily available! Oh wait, I use an external sound card...

Realtek RTL8111E Network Chip: Woo, they are also available!

Marvel SATA III: ... I don't even use it because its performance are worse than Intel's SATA II. But still, need driver for that. I think.

Graphic Card : EVGA nVidia GeForce GTX 680

Upgraded from my old Asus nVidia GeForce GTX 460 1GB because my brother upgraded it to a 980 Ti. There's no doubt that new drivers will be made available coz this is in the line that are DX12 compatible.

Sound Card: HT|Omega Claro

They always been great with supporting their cards with new drivers, even the old cards.
http://www.htomega.com/faq19.html

On the 29th, heh...

Input devices

Logitech is the definitely the one I'm the most troubled with. They said that they would support all their devices currently on sale right now. I believe that blog entry made news sometime ago. However, my current keyboard and mouse uses the old "Setpoint" software and Logitech is trying to move to their new trademark "Logi" and their new software "Option" (I think?) that comes with the more recent hardware. Looking at my keyboard on their website, they only lists Windows 8.

KB: Wireless Keyboard K350 - Logitech Support
Mouse: Wireless Mouse M510 - Logitech Support

They still sell both as the "Wireless Combo MK550". See: Wireless Combo MK550 - Compact Keyboard & Mouse Combo - Logitech

I really need Setpoint. I need it for my customised buttons.

Others: Scanner (Canon CanoScan LiDE 220)
It's a recent scanner. They changed the software and I really son't like how it works now. But I digress. Since it's recent, you might think that there'll be drivers for it. There aren't even if Windows 10 is listed...

Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : CanoScan LiDE220

All and all, I'm missing the Intel chipsets, SATA III chip, audio card (even though they are on the way and that a work around is available), Mouse & keyboard and scanner. I know that, because my hardware isn't the most up-to-date, there'll be generic drivers from MS. However, they are kind of restrictive. Because of that, it's hard to even reserve Win10 knowing that.

Thoughts?

Cheers, guys.

Slartybart · 24 Jul 2015

Lebon14 said:

Hi guys.
I've had my PC since 2010. Since then, only the PSU, hard drives and (very recently) video card have changed in my PC. However, it seems that my devices' manufacturers will not grant me, by the loof of it, with drivers. (See below my post for my config)
.....

Win10 is very much driver aware.

For the most part Win7 or Win8 drivers will work if Windows cannot provide one for a device. Letting Windows provide drivers is the best choice now-a-days, only resorting to the OEM if a driver is NOT provided by Windows.

If you have the GWX app installed, launch it and run Check my PC. If it says "Your PC won't run Win10, press the more detasils (or similarly worded text link). I you don't have the GWX app installed, run the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant
Upgrade Assistant: FAQ - Windows Help

Win10 and Win8.1 are close cousins - if it passes the Win8.1 assistant tests, it will most likely run Win10.

You're sort of stuck at the moment for the definitive test - installing the Preview. MS has temporarily suspended the program in preparation for the Retail release.

Sometime after 29 July the Insider program will pen up again. You could wait until then, install a Preview release on a separate partition, dual boot Win7 and Win10 to see how your machine works in real world testing.

I can't guarantee you will have smooth upgrade, but lots of machines have been tested by millions of Insiders with all sorts of drivers. I don't think you'll have any issues, but to be on the safe side, create a system image of your machine before the upgrade in case you need to restore it to the time you made the image.

See: System Image - Create in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Lebon14 · 24 Jul 2015

Slartybart said:

Win10 is very much driver aware. For the most part Win7 or Win8 drivers will work if Windows cannot provide one for a device. Letting Windows provide drivers is the best choice now-a-days, only resorting to the OEM if a driver is NOT provided by Windows.

I do not like what I read there. >>I<< am the sole decision maker here. I want to install the drivers that >>I<< want to install. Not Windows. This is a big "No" in my book.

Slartybart said:

If you have the GWX app installed, launch it and run Check my PC. If it says "Your PC won't run Win10, press the more detasils (or similarly worded text link). I you don't have the GWX app installed, run the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant
Upgrade Assistant: FAQ - Windows Help

Win10 and Win8.1 are close cousins - if it passes the Win8.1 assistant tests, it will most likely run Win10.

Ran it with the expectation: "It'll detect nothing major". Sure enough. *shrug*

Slartybart said:

You could wait until then, install a Preview release on a separate partition, dual boot Win7 and Win10 to see how your machine works in real world testing.

I can't do that. My main system SSD is only 90GB and my spinners have dedicated one-partition for data. Sure, I could partition them but chances are the data is soooooooo fragmented on them that partionning would mean to move data and reformat them. So, that's just not possible.

I can't guarantee you will have smooth upgrade, but lots of machines have been tested by millions of Insiders with all sorts of drivers. I don't think you'll have any issues, but to be on the safe side, create a system image of your machine before the upgrade in case you need to restore it to the time you made the image.

See: System Image - Create in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

This is a good idea. Making a Win7 image (of ~70GB) before moving to Win10 (and upgrade my Retail Win7 licence at the same time). Look at this screenshot:

As you can see, I use A LOT of software. They take a very long time to install. Imagine that I have to format because of a screwed up upgrade and I have to re-install all of these + Win 7's very long list of updates (avoiding bad explicits here). I have for a weekend of work. PLUS, moving back my backed up data to their folders which includes the AppData folder with my software settings. Etc. Yep, definitely a weekend of work.

And that last link, Should it be for Windows 7 instead? :P

fracking4oil · 25 Jul 2015

Lebon14 said:

I do not like what I read there. >>I<< am the sole decision maker here. I want to install the drivers that >>I<< want to install. Not Windows. This is a big "No" in my book.

You can disable automatic downloads for drivers, he was just suggesting to let Windows do it.

How To Disable Automatic Device Driver Downloads In Windows 10?

or

How to block automatic reinstall of a driver or update from Windows Update

davehc · 25 Jul 2015

My own experience is that the "fix" in the first link does not work. Driver updates are still applied.
But there is no need to jump through all those hoops to get to the mentioned section.. Right click the Start icon and select System - Advanced system settings (one the left) and then the Hardware tab - Device installation..... As I say, it did not work for me.
Ditto the second link. Again, right click the start icon and select, at the top, "Programs and Features" -View installed updates. That is where it has been through successive OSs. I have not, to date, received any driver updates, but I would suggest that if you do follow the suggested procedure and hide the update, you will, fairly soon, be given it again.

But, having said that, I have had not the slightest indication of a problem with Windows 10 updates - but, a few years ahead yet!!

Nemix · 25 Jul 2015

@ OP for your configuration these drivers should be available independently or from Windows Update:

Intel Chipset - Available for Windows 10
NVIDIA Graphics - Available for windows 10
Realtek Audio - Available for Windows 10 *(You might have you use the onboard sound until Omega Claro gets Windows 10 drivers)
HT | Omega Claro - Not Available ATM *(Should be available shortly after the release of Windows 10)
Realtek Network - Available for Windows 10
Intel SATA - Available for Windows 10
Marvel SATA - Should be available through Windows Update or by default driver built into Windows 10 *(My guess is will not be available through Marvel)
Logitech Keyboard/Mouse - Might be available through Logitech shortly after Windows 10 launch *(Logitech has stated all current Logitech peripherals will work with Windows 10 whether or not they get software has not been said but seeing that your keyboard/mouse is pretty current Windows 7 generation, I think they may get Logitech updated software)
Canon Scanner - Should be available through Windows Update or by default drivers built into Windows 10 *(Since the scanner is recent Canon may provide Windows 10 drivers/software shortly after the release of Windows 10)

All in all I'd wait for those drivers or software you really need to become available before upgrading to Windows 10, example Logitech keyboard/mouse software and Omega Claro driver if you cannot live with using the Realtek onboard sound for now.

fracking4oil · 25 Jul 2015

davehc said:

My own experience is that the "fix" in the first link does not work. Driver updates are still applied.
But there is no need to jump through all those hoops to get to the mentioned section.. Right click the Start icon and select System - Advanced system settings (one the left) and then the Hardware tab - Device installation..... As I say, it did not work for me.
Ditto the second link. Again, right click the start icon and select, at the top, "Programs and Features" -View installed updates. That is where it has been through successive OSs. I have not, to date, received any driver updates, but I would suggest that if you do follow the suggested procedure and hide the update, you will, fairly soon, be given it again.

But, having said that, I have had not the slightest indication of a problem with Windows 10 updates - but, a few years ahead yet!!

The settings do not stick between new builds, otherwise both methods have worked for me.

Slartybart · 25 Jul 2015

Lebon14 said:

I do not like what I read there. >>I<< am the sole decision maker here. I want to install the drivers that >>I<< want to install. Not Windows. This is a big "No" in my book.

I felt that way for a long time too, until I helped other members resolve BSODs and other issues created by improper drivers. Windows really does give you good drivers - they have been tested with Windows in MS labs.

You can always install any driver you choose. The latest and greatest aren't always that

Lebon14 said:

I can't do that. My main system SSD is only 90GB and my spinners have dedicated one-partition for data. Sure, I could partition them but chances are the data is soooooooo fragmented on them that partionning would mean to move data and reformat them. So, that's just not possible.

Understood.

Lebon14 said:

And that last link, Should it be for Windows 7 instead?

Yes, sorry about that:
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup - Windows 7 Help Forums

Lebon14 · 25 Jul 2015

@fracking4oil @davehc Yeah, I'll probably desactivate them as I prefer to get my drivers independently.

Nemix said:

*info snip*

Where the heck are the Intel Chipset and SATA (Intel Rapid) drivers?! I haven't found them on their website. Link?
I will >NOT< use my on-board audio, being an audio enthusiast. I'll install that Win8.1 driver with the workaround if needed.

Slartybart said:

I felt that way for a long time too, until I helped other members resolve BSODs and other issues created by improper drivers. Windows really does give you good drivers - they have been tested with Windows in MS labs.

My experience is the total opposite. I've got only problems using Windows Update drivers. Drivers directly from the manufacturer is what I'm sticking to.

Nemix · 25 Jul 2015

Intel Chipset:
Latest Intel Chipset Device Software - Windows 10 Forums

Intel SATA:
You gotta use Microsoft default driver or Windows Update for now, until Intel gets Windows 10 SATA drivers up for your chipset (Windows 8.1 SATA is available so Windows 10 should be available shortly after launch).