Adding new devices to your computer can lead to new problems. How do you tell if the problem is a software or a hardware issue? What can you do to fix it?
Each time you add a new accessory or other piece of equipment to your computer you are adding another story to a very tall and wobbly building. As the building grows taller there are more things that can go wrong. A new graphics card can have drivers that conflict with your sound card. The new network card could be attempting to share the same IP address as another one in your home. These and a million other things can make the happy transaction of buying a new accessory for your computer turn into a nightmare.
Preventing Disaster: Make A Backup
Every parts and accessory manufacturer will tell you to make a backup of your data before installing the new hardware. Take their advice and make sure that you do it before you plug in the new equipment. If you have it in your budget to buy a new portable USB drive to use as a backup device so much the better. If not, at least back up your documents that cannot be restored from other discs.
Diagnosing your hardware problem: Driver vs. Physical Issues
When you have a problem with a new piece of hardware the problem is probably due to one of two things. Either the new accessory is defective, or the software based device drivers are incompatible with some other part of your system. In the majority of cases, the latter is the most likely culprit. However, always check the new hardware for obvious signs of distress such as cracks, scratches, etc. just to be sure.
- Normally a physical problem with the hardware will be obvious in that the new component simply won't work at all.
- If using the component causes system crashes and blue screens of death then you can assume the problem is with the drivers or software.
Fixing Hardware Issues and Driver Conflicts
If you know that your problem is software or driver based then be sure to download and install the most recent updated code from the device manufacturer. Install the new drivers, reboot the computer, and see if the problems subside. If the problems persist, remove the device or disable it in the computer's settings, and reboot again. Unfortunately most driver conflicts simply cannot be fixed. If you determine that your problem is a device driver conflict then your only option is to return the accessory to the store and try to find a reasonably priced item made by a different manufacturer.
