Driver Sets

OEM Driver Detection Programs for Windows 10

Microsoft have listened to our feedback with Windows 10 and have committed to creating up to date installation media (every 6 months) opposed to many years. They have worked closely with most chip manufacturers to incorporate a basic wireless card or network controller driver inbuilt into Windows 10. Windows 10 will then look to Microsoft's servers and look for additional updates there. This has allowed the major OEMs to create Driver Detection and Update Programs, these programs look to the hardware IDs and then compare the installed driver version to that available on the OEMs server and automatically download the Driver Update if found. With Windows 10 Version 1809, this is the first time such programs have worked properly. The crux being in the past that the driver detection program couldn't connect to the internet and thus couldn't scan the system and check for updates.

Driver Installation (Use your OEMs Driver Update Program and then the Intel Driver & Support Assistant)

Touchpad Drivers for Windows 10

Many users have experienced issues with the inbuilt Touchpad Driver for Windows 8/8.1 and 10 and are unable to install the driver released for their Touchpad which was designed for Windows 7… However as Touchpad's haven't changed drastically throughout the years, sometimes forcibly installing the driver for a newer Touchpad leads to better results. For more details see:

This guide has about half a million views and most Dell systems where people had Touchpad issues have reported this guide fixing them.

Contents (mainly for Windows 7)

Identify Components

Before looking for system drivers it is important to identify what specific components you have in your system. For example many models have multiple wireless card variants and/or audio controller variants. The Service Tag in the Drivers and Downloads page should narrow down the drivers to be specific to your system however recently I have found it to not function correctly in many cases. I therefore recommend identifying hardware components using the Hardware IDs please review when using the unofficial driver sets:

Notes About Installing Drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog and via the Device Manager

Some of the unofficial driver sets will require the use of the Microsoft Update Catalog or manual installation via the device manager, for more information see:

Windows 7 – Drivers for Capable Systems Dell Provided only Windows XP or Vista Drivers

These were unofficial driver sets for old Windows XP and Windows Vista systems for Windows 7. These systems are now older than 10 years old and the unofficial driver sets linked to the chip manufacturer Intel. Intel have dropped Windows 7 Support as the Operating System is now at End of Life meaning many of these downloads are now unavailable.

Windows 8.1 – Drivers for Capable Systems Dell Provided only Windows 7 Drivers

I have not listed driver sets for systems Dell provided with Windows 7 or 8.1 drivers. It should be noted however that all of the systems Dell sold with Windows 7 64 Bit will run Windows 8.1 64 Bit and all the ones Dell sold with Windows 7 32 Bit will run Windows 8.1 32 Bit.

Drivers wise Windows 8.1 will contain most of the drivers for older hardware inbuilt into the Operating System moreover in general Windows 7 drivers can be used with Windows 8.1 with the exception for Dell System Software which is not needed for Windows 8.1. Some Drivers such as those for Bluetooth Devices which integrate to Windows Explorer should have a Windows 8.1 version installed… Before resorting to use Windows 7 driver you should look for more up to date drivers to see if they are available. Note in some cases Windows 8.1 will have a newer driver inbuilt than the latest Windows 7 driver but you will be informed of this upon installation of the driver if this is the case.

The following drivers are present for common hardware in Dell systems for Windows 8.1.

System Utilities – Free Fall Sensor

Hardware IDs:
ACPI\VEN_SMO&DEV_8800
ACPI\SMO8800
*SMO8800

Chipset

Hardware IDs:

Intel
PCI\VEN_8086

AMD
PCI\VEN_1022

SATA

Hardware IDs:

Intel
PCI\VEN_8086

Card Reader

Hardware IDs

Realtek
USB2.0
CRW
USB\VID_0BDA&PID_0129\20100201396000000

O2 Micro
PCI\VEN_1217
PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8231&SUBSYS_04931028&REV_03
PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8231&SUBSYS_04931028
PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8231&CC_018000
PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8231&CC_0180

Ricoh
PCI\VEN_1180
PCI\VEN_1180&DEV_0822

Network

Ethernet

Hardware IDs

Marvell
PCI\VEN_11AB

Broadcom
PCI\VEN_14E4

Realtek
PCI\VEN_10EC

Intel
PCI\VEN_8086

* See instructions for using the Unofficial Realtek Czech drivers website.

Wireless/Bluetooth

Hardware IDs

The link takes you to a page dedicated to the specific hardware IDs for almost all Wireless cards installed:

If using a Broadcom Bluetooth Device use the Broadcom Bluetooth Update.

Airplane Switch

ACPI\VEN_DELL&DEV_ABCE
ACPI\DELLABCE
*DELLABCE

Input

Check older driver to determine if the Touchpad is Alps/Synaptics/Cyprus or Elan

Logitech Setpoint offers enhancement in functionality for Dell branded Logitech Keyboard/Mouse bundles:

Video

Hardware IDs

Intel
PCI\VEN_8086

AMD
PCI\VEN_1022

NVIDIA
PCI\VEN_10DE

Additional Support for Switchable Graphics

Audio

Hardware IDs

IDT
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&111D

Realtek
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&10EC

Creative
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&1102

* See instructions for using the Unofficial Realtek Czech drivers website.

Misc

Broadcom USH

Alienware Onscreen Display

Hardware IDs

ACPI\VEN_CPL&DEV_0002
ACPI\CPL0002
*CPL0002

Intel Smart Connect Technology Application

ACPI\VEN_INT&DEV_33A0
ACPI\INT33A0
*INT33A0

This will give basic functionality. Utilities such as Dell Quickset designed for earlier versions of Windows will likely not function 100% correctly in Windows 8.1 but should be installed as newer versions of Quickset compatible for Windows 8.1 will be locked to specific systems. For Windows 8.0 it is unworthwhile installing and it is advised to clean install Windows 8.1 directly (unless the Windows 8.0 license is OEM). For more information about upgrading to Windows 8.1 via a clean install see Download Windows 8.1 Retail .iso and Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean install of Windows 8.1.

13 thoughts on “Driver Sets

  1. Hi Philip,
    I'm going to do a clean install of Window 7 Pro (64-Bit) on my recently new, Dell XPS-8700.
    On the Dell Drivers Download website, listed in the section that is specific for my system's service tag, there are two Video drivers available:
    1.) AMD Radeon R-series Desktop Graphics Driver (for the dedicated GPU that Dell installed)
    2.) Intel Integrated Graphics (for Intel's onboard video)
    I know that I need the AMD Radeon driver for the R9-270 graphics card in the system, but do you know if I need the Intel Graphics driver, too? My intuition is to install it, too, because it's listed on the Dell website for my system. If I do install the Intel graphics driver, do you recommend installing it before or after the AMD Radeon driver?
    P.S. I could probably get newer driver versions from the AMD and Intel websites (through their auto-detect utilities) instead of using Dell's drivers.
    Thanks.

  2. Hello, im an alienware M11x R2 user and I just updated to windows 8.1, are the drivers on this page compatible with my Hardware ?

    Because the lack of AlienFX on my computer really annoys me.

    sorry for my bad english, im French.

  3. Thank you so much Philip. Your driver-links are sometimes newer than the ones I find on the official sites, i. e. the synaptics touchpad drivers. Also, explaining how to use hardware IDs to find drivers opened up something completely new for me. Now I only need to find out, how to use those Intel RST and Chipset Utilities, first time I tried, they didn't work. This is really an awesome guide Philip, keep up the good work!

  4. If you have trouble with an older laptop that use the D-Dock and have SigmaTel audio, Mainly Latitude D series and some Inspiron laptops. you may have noticed that the 3.5mm speaker jack works for a split second and then cuts out on Windows 8, 8.1, or 10. there is a simple solution. Go into Device manager and make sure you have the SigmaTel drivers installed (Will Show up as "SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC"). Then go to the Services Application (Windows Key + R) type in "services.msc " and search for "SigmaTel Audio Service". Double-click and hit stop, then in the same windows go up to where it says "Automatic" and set it to disabled.

  5. What about the precision desktop lineup? I don't see any on your lineup list of computers. That would be great if you came up with driver sets for the precision models.

    1. I've not spent so much time with Precision or Alienware hardware…. moreover Windows 10 TH2 has most the system drivers inbuilt for most the components in these older systems. Is there anything in particular you are having difficulties finding driver wise?

  6. I've downgraded an Alienware Aurora R5 from Windows 10 to 8.1 and having difficulty finding drivers (Network Controller, PCI Memory Controller, PCI Simple Communications Controller, SM Bus Controller). I've tried the drivers from the Dell website but only some are able to successfully install, even the automatically search for drivers function is not able to find the drivers. How do I find the right drivers and install them successfully? It would be greatly appreciated.

  7. Providing the configuration I used for a Studio 1558 when I clean installed Windows 10 Creator's Update and some notes.
    I had gone through the upgrade process in July 2015 and had numerous issues. I ended up going back to Windows 7 Pro. The Studio 1558 is well known for display issues and almost every year I reinstall the OS. After, recovering the Factory image from my Recovery Disc and installing almost 7 years worth of Windows Updates, the performance sucked! Plus, it occupied over 32GB of space. I could not find a way to obtain the Windows 7 Pro ISO file in order to do a clean install. So, I decide to try the Windows 10 Creator's Update. It occupies slightly over 21GB of space.

    Studio 1558 Original Configuration:

    Memory: 8GB
    CPU: Core-i7 720QM
    Display: AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5470
    Drive: 500GB Hitachi
    Card Reader: Ricoh
    Internal CD/DVD-ROM: PLDS DVD+-RW DL-8ATS
    Wireless: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 AGN
    Bluetooth: Dell 365 Bluetooth
    OS: Windows 7 Pro x64

    Drivers in Order:

    0 Dell System Software – I did not install. Dell does not support the Studio anymore.
    1 Chipset – R242805* See NOTE 1.
    2 Intel Management Engine Interface – Win 10 is providing correct
    3 Ricoh Card Reader – Ricoh_Multi_Device_A00_R215879. From clean install guides.
    4 Free Fall Sensor – DRVR_WIN_R309372. From clean install guides.
    5 Intel Rapid Storage – Don't need with Win 10.
    6 Video – Win 10 is providing correct
    7 Touchpad – touchpad_synaptics_w84_x10_a02_setup-nvcd2_zpe. See NOTE 2.
    8 Audio – Win 10 is providing correct
    9 Ethernet – Win 10 is providing correct
    10 Wireless – Win 10 is providing correct
    11 Bluetooth – network_application_vy4f2_wn_12.0_a01. From clean install guides.
    12 Quickset – R272666*
    13 Dell Backup & Recovery – I did not install (I never liked it), I use Acronis True Image 2017.
    * From the Dell Driver & Downloads Support page for the Studio 1558.

    IMPORTANT: Restart after each driver install. Do NOT change any settings until all have been installed whether manually installed or allowing Win 10 to install. Be patient!

    NOTE 1: I tried several different installations beginning on April 20. The first attempt, I did not install R242805. When I looked under System Devices in Device Manager, there were numerous entries titled "Registers". Though, I encountered no issues, I did not like the somewhat generic looking entries. Installing the R242805, those entry titles are more detailed.

    NOTE 2: I haven't located where I found this. I believe it is from the Dell FTP site. But, I'm looking for the exact link.
    I tried several Touchpad drivers. The Synaptics 19.0.27.6 and the 19.0.27.3 completely failed to load the Touchpad. I had to use Alt+F4 to shutdown. The Generic 19.0.19.1 Touchpad was present but, flaky. The Dell 16.6.13.0 was also present, but flaky. I had trouble when performing Copy & Paste operations. I wound up using the Dell 16.2.10.3 and have had no issues. Worked quite well in Copy & Paste as well as customizing the Touchpad.

    General Notes: I used the service tag to get the Drivers & Downloads. But, you have to select the "Browse all drivers for the Studio 1558" that appears below all the Categories. Otherwise you'll see only a few of the Categories.
    The Studio has a discrete GPU. Do not install the Intel Media Graphics Accelerator shown on the Dell Drivers & Downloads Support page. The 720QM does not have an integrated GPU.
    I found that my original configuration had "RXXXXXX" files installed by Dell, at the time of purchase, that do not show up in the Drivers & Downloads for the Studio. I have no idea where they came from. Perhaps if I had my Filezilla properly configured I could find them on the FTP site.

    My Studio 1558 is functioning quite well. I've used it extensively since the clean install of Win 10 and no issues have shown up, yet. Time will tell.

    I hope this might help someone trying to perform a clean Win 10 install on a Studio 1558 configured like mine.

    1. 2 I would install this:
      https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26135/Intel-Management-Engine-Driver-for-Windows-7-8-1-for-Intel-NUC
      5 I am working on a guide on that. Can you right click the start button and select Device Manager. Then expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controller. Right click the Storage Controller and select properties then details and under properties select hardware IDs.
      7 Likely this one its the same version: https://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER00800892M/7/Touchpad_Synaptics_W84_X00_A00_Setup-WJWT5_ZPE.exe

      1. Thanks for the links.
        5 After clean Install without a Network connection:
        IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
        Standard SATA AHCI Controller
        PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B29&SUBSYS_04131028&REV_06
        Other devices
        PCI Simple Communications Controller
        PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&SUBSYS_04131028&REV_06

        Using your revised guides, I am starting over from the beginning and documenting the Device Manager details, the System Information (export) and the log files from each driver installation.
        I have created an Excel file to keep track of each different configuration, another Excel file to track the Device Manager details (time-consuming to create) as well as PNGs of the expanded Device Manager and a PDF to combine the PNGs.
        I want to understand the changes each driver installation makes and be able to perform ALL driver installations including those that Win 10 will update, without a network connection. Thus, keeping them in their proper order.
        I am thankful for your guides but I would like to understand more about the process and be able to provide an accurate installation list for the configuration I have of the Studio 1558. All the documentation I am creating will, I think, get me most of the way there.
        I have had the Studio 1558 for almost 7 years and I had no idea the upper USB port on the left side is also "eSATA" capable. In many ways, I am a typical "home" user, just turn the machine on and go to work. But, in trying to update to Win 10, I'm not a typical "home" user, in that I'd like to understand the logic behind the choices made for the various driver installation files.
        If possible, could you delete my other reply that is awaiting moderation. It will probably take me the rest of the day to finish documenting the "Clean Install without Network Connection" to get my base Device Manager details. Then I'll proceed with testing, using your revised guides.

        Regards
        Rick

  8. WOW. I "Wiped" the drive before performing the Clean Install and recovered 4GB of space. The windows 10 installation only occupied 17GB of space versus the previous 21GB before the "Wipe".

    Using your revised guides, I Clean Installed Windows 10, keeping the Network Connection off. I deviated from your guides on the Chipset and the IMEI. The files indicated in the guides would NOT install. I tried three different ways with "No Joy". Though I installed ALL drivers manually, I can't honestly say that I can tell a difference from the install configuration I did allowing Windows Update to install the Video, the IMEI and one of the High Definition Audio devices under Sound, Video and Game controllers. The Ethernet (Realtek) and Wireless (Centrino) drivers come in from the Win 10 ISO image.
    1 Chipset – I used "infinst_autol.exe" downloaded from the Intel Download Center. This file applied to my chipset whereas the "SetupChipset.exe" file did not. I chose to use the "infinst_autol.exe" over the original Dell file, because it is a slightly more recent version 9.1.1.1022 dated 10/28/2009. The original Dell file version 9.1.1.1013 dated 6/4/2009.
    2 IMEI – downloaded the Intel Management Engine Interface file from the Microsoft Update Catalog and performed the manual driver update via the Device Manager. It is the same driver that was used in Windows 7 Pro. The version is 6.0.0.1179.
    3 Intel Rapid Storage Technology – Using the link on the "Driver Installation Order – Windows 10", I located the "SetupRST.exe" that applied to my chipset. It is version 12.9.0.1001.
    9 Audio – I installed the original IDT file that changes one of the High Definition Audio Devices to IDT High Definition Codec.
    The rest of the drivers were installed in order and using the same files as stated in my original post, except the Audio as noted above. The Ricoh driver is step 4.
    The system is performing flawlessly. It goes to sleep and wakes up without problems. I've customized the Touchpad and performed numerous copy and paste operations. Checked the Card Reader, it works fine. Changed display settings to use a custom scale. I have yet to hear the fans increase in speed, which in the past, usually meant the display driver was getting ready to fail. I paired my phone using Bluetooth. I did not re-install the Sound Blaster x-Fi MB (I'm not an audiophile, I never used it) or the Turbo Boost Technology Monitor on this final configuration. I tried them with other configurations and though they would show up in the Start menu, they wouldn't execute.
    I have reinstalled three printers (I have an Epson TM-U220 and an Epson Workforce 840. The TM-U220 receipt printer is a royal pain to get setup properly and it must follow the 840. Also have an HP 6520 for Photos.), Office 2007, Malwarebytes, and CCleaner Pro.
    The boot up time is drastically reduced.
    I've captured a drive image so I can recover, if you would like me to test anything, I'd be glad to do so.

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