A hardware device is any physical device that you plug into and is controlled by your computer. This device can be a network or modem card that you install inside your computer. It can be a printer or a scanner that you plug into the outside of the computer. When you plug or insert a hardware device into the appropriate port or expansion slot, Windows attempts to recognize the device and configure it for you using plug-and-play technology. Plug-and-play automatically tells the device drivers (software that operates the hardware and comes with Windows Vista) where to find the hardware device. After a hardware device is installed, you can change settings and options to customize the way the device works. Plug-and-play technology will recognize most any kind of hardware device, such as a mouse, modem, keyboard, game controller, laptop battery, or secondary monitor just to name a few.
All hardware devices can be managed or removed from the Control Panel. Most hardware devices are managed under the Device Manager, but some have their own program for managing them (for example, Game Controller is located in the Control Panel).
Windows includes plug and play support for hardware, making it easy to install and uninstall devices quickly. With plug and play support, you simply plug the device in, and Windows sets the device to work with your existing hardware and resolves any system conflicts. When you install a hardware device, Windows installs related software, known as a driver, that allows the hardware to communicate with Windows and other software applications. Plug and play tells the device drivers where to find the hardware devices. Plug and play matches up physical hardware devices with the software device drivers that operate them and establish channels of communication between each physical device and its driver. With plug and play, you can be confident that any new device will work properly with your computer and that your computer will restart correctly after you install or uninstall hardware. Microsoft recommends that you use only device drivers with the Designed for Microsoft Windows Vista logo, which have a digital signature from Microsoft, indicating that the product was tested for compatibility with Windows Vista. You might need to be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to install a hardware device. In order to install a plug and play device, you need to do the following:
Gather your original Windows Vista installation disc, the hardware device that you want to install, and the discs that come with the device, if available.
Turn off your computer before you physically install a hardware device, such as a network card or a sound card, inside your computer. To install a hardware device that plugs into the outside of your computer, such as a scanner, printer or other USB (universal serial bus) device, you can plug it in without turning off your computer. If your USB device uses a power cord, you need to connect the device to the power cord and turn it on before you connect the USB device to your computer.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to plug the new device into your computer.
Turn on your computer, or start the Add Hardware utility program in the Control Panel. Windows tries to detect the new device and install the device drivers. If Windows doesn’t recognize the new hardware device, the device might not be plug and play compatible or installed correctly. Turn off your computer, check the device documentation and installation carefully, and then turn on your computer again. If the device driver is not available on your computer, Windows asks you to insert into the appropriate drive the Windows Vista installation disc or the disc that comes with the device from the manufacturer. After the driver software is installed, you can disconnect and reconnect the device without taking any further action.
Follow the instructions on the screen until a message indicates that you are finished. Windows notifies all other devices of the new device so there are no conflicts and manages the power requirements of your hardware and peripherals by shutting them down or conserving power when you are not using them. If you are working in another program when you install or uninstall a device, plug and play lets you know that it is about to change your computer configuration and warns you to save your work.
Use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area to safely unplug or eject plug and play hardware. The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box helps you stop the device, so it’s safe to remove.
Before you install a new hardware device, be sure to carefully read the product installation guide provided by the manufacturer. If the hardware device comes with an installation disc, it is recommended that you use the manufacturer’s disc and related instructions to install the hardware. If the product documentation instructs you to perform a typical plug and play installation, turn off your computer, physically connect your hardware to your computer, and then turn on your computer again. In most cases, Windows detects your new hardware device and installs it or starts the Add Hardware Wizard. The Add Hardware Wizard installs hardware devices by asking you a series of questions to set up the necessary software for the new hardware device. If Windows doesn’t detect the new hardware, you can start the Add Hardware Wizard in the Control Panel and select the new hardware device to install it. You might need to be logged on as an administrator in order to install a hardware device.
Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click the Add Hardware icon in Classic view, and then click Next to continue.
Click the Search for and install the hardware automatically (Recommended) or Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (advanced) option, and then click Next to continue.
If necessary, select a hardware category or Show All Devices, and the click Next to continue.
Click the manufacturer and model, or click Have Disk to locate files, and then click Next to continue.
Type or use the name provided, and then click Next to continue.
Click Finish.
WINV-3.3.3
When you install a new operating system, such as Windows Vista, it is important to make sure that you are using the latest software drivers with your system hardware. If you are not using the latest software drivers, your hardware devices might not work to full capacity. You can view your system hardware using a Windows utility called the Device Manager. Device Manager provides you with a list of the hardware types, also known as hardware classes, which are attached to your computer. With the Device Manager, you can determine the software driver versions being used with your system hardware, update the software driver with a newer version, roll back to a previous driver version if the device fails with the new one, or uninstall a driver. After viewing your software driver version numbers, you can contact the manufacturer or visit their web site to determine the latest versions. Most manufacturers allow you to download drivers from their web sites for free.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Device Manager icon in Classic view.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to the hardware category you want to expand.
- Click the device you want to view.
- Click the Properties button on the toolbar.
- To work with drivers, click the Driver tab. You can any of the following buttons:
Driver Details. View driver details.
Update Driver. Update the driver.
Roll Back Driver. Roll back to a previously installed driver.
Disable. Disable the driver and the device.
Uninstall. Remove the driver.
- Click OK.
Click the Close button.
One reason you might want to view hardware settings is if you plan to install any legacy hardware. Legacy hardware is any device not designed for Windows Vista plug and play support. If you have a hardware device that is not designed for Windows Vista plug and play, it is important to find out current hardware resource settings to avoid conflicts during installation, such as having two devices with the same resource settings. Before you actually place a legacy hardware device in your computer, you should browse through the devices currently attached to your computer system and ensure that your computer has the available resources to install the hardware device. With the Device Manager, you can view the device resources that are being used with your system hardware and determine whether your computer has the available resources to install a legacy or plug and play hardware device. Generally, you cannot install non plug and play hardware without performing some manual setup with the Device Manager. Check with the hardware manufacturer for installation specifics.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Device Manager icon in Classic view.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to the resource category you want to expand.
- Click the device you want to view.
- Click the Properties button on the toolbar.
- Use the tabs to view or modify device settings and resources.
- Click OK.
- Click the Close button.
WINV-3.3.2
When you connect a new device to your computer, you can specify how you want Windows Update (New!) to find a software driver for the device. The default setting is to automatically check for a driver on your computer or online from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. However, if you want more control over the process, you can change it to have Windows ask you each time you connect a new device before to check for drivers or never check for drivers. You can use System Properties to specify the option you want.
A mouse does not require adjustments after you plug it in and start Windows. However, you can use Mouse properties in the Control Panel to change the way your mouse works and the way the pointer looks and behaves. For the mouse, you can switch the role of the buttons, or you can change the double-clicking speed. For the mouse pointer, you can modify its appearance using a pointer scheme, increase or decrease its speed, improve its visibility with a pointer trail, or set it to be hidden when you are typing. If your button has a wheel, roll the wheel with your forefinger to move up or down in a document or on a web page.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Mouse icon in Classic view.
- Click the Pointer Options tab.
- To adjust the pointer speed, drag the Motion slider.
- To snap the pointer to a button, select the Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box check box.
- To display a trail after the pointer, hide the pointer while you type, or show the pointer location, select the visibility check box you want.
- Click OK.
While your keyboard should just work when you start up your computer, you can use Keyboard properties in the Control Panel to adjust the rate at which a character is repeated when you hold down a key, and the time delay before it starts repeating. You can also adjust the blink rate of the insertion point.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Keyboard icon in Classic view.
- Click the Speed tab.
- To adjust the character repeat delay, drag the slider.
- To adjust the character repeat rate, drag the slider.
- Click OK.
See Also
See “Changing Language Options” on page 112 for information on changing languages and keyboard layouts.
When phone numbers or dialing settings to an Internet Service Provider or a network change, you need to update the phone dialing options your modem uses to make a dial-up connection. You can use Phone and Modem properties in the Control Panel to add, edit, and customize phone dialing options on your computer for one or more locations. For example, you can change country, region or area codes, disable call waiting, and set up a credit card number to pay for calls. You can also set access rules for dialing local, long distance, and international calls. If you no longer use a dialing location, you can remove it.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon in Classic view.
- Click the Dialing Rules tab, and then click a dialing location.
- Click Edit, and then click the General tab.
- Change the country/region or area code.
- Specify the dialing rules you want.
- If you want, select the To disable call waiting check box.
- To apply area code dialing rules, click the Area Code Rules tab, and then click New to create one.
To use a calling card, click the Calling Card tab, select a calling card option, or click New to create your own.
Click OK.
Click OK.
A modem is a hardware device that allows two computers to transmit information over a phone line. A modem translates the binary information from the computer to an analog signal (known as modulation) that can pass over the phone line. At the receiving end, another modem translates the analog signal back to binary information (known as demodulation) that can be used by the computer. If you are having problems with your modem, you can test it. With the results of the test you can consult the modem documentation or a support technician to help you fix the problem. If requested, you can change data transmission settings, such as data bits, parity, stop bits, or modulation.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon in Classic view.
- Click the Modems tab.
- Click the modem you want to change, and then click Properties.
- Click the Modem tab.
- Change the maximum port speed and speaker volume.
- Click the Advanced tab, and then click Change Default Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Change the setting for data bits, parity, stop bits, or modulation.
- Click OK.
- Click OK, and then click OK again.
Color management is a system that makes sure the color you see on your display or printer is the color you want. Not all hardware displays color in the same way; each hardware device uses different characteristics, or methods, when rendering and processing color on a specific device. Even programs don’t all render and process color the same way. Color Management controls the relationship between the device characteristics and the display conditions to produce the most accurate results. A color profile describes the color characteristics of a specific device. With the Color Management (New!) properties in the Control Panel, you can add or remove a color profile, associate a different color profile with a device, change the default profile, and change the color options, such as rendering intent and color space. Color profiles are typically added when you install a hardware device or software program that requires it. Windows Vista supports the standard ICC color standard and can add to it with Windows Color System.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Color Management icon in Classic view.
- Click the Devices tab.
- Click the Device list arrow, and then click the device you want to view.
If a device uses a color profile, it appears in the list.
- If you want to change the color profile, select the Use my settings for this device check box.
- Use the Add, Remove, and Profiles buttons to modify profile associations.
- To view all profiles on your computer or add a profile, click the All Profiles tab.
- To change specific attributes and characteristics of a profile, click the Advanced tab.
- Click Close.
WINV-3.5.3
If you need more space on your desktop to work, you can add a secondary monitor to your computer. This allows you to view and work with more than one full size window on the screen at the same time. One monitor serves as the primary display while the other serves as the secondary display. You can set different screen resolutions and different color quality settings for each monitor. You can connect multiple monitors to individual video cards or to a single card that supports multiple video ports. If you have a docked or undocked portable computer or desktop computer with two video ports on one video card, you use DualView to add a secondary monitor and expand the size of your desktop. DualView is similar to the multiple monitor feature, but you cannot select the primary display, which is always the LCD display screen on a portable computer and the monitor attached to the first video out port on a desktop computer. You don’t need to purchase and install another video adapter on your computer.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Personalize icon in Classic view, and then click Display settings.
- Click the secondary monitor.
- To change the screen resolution, drag the Resolution slider.
Changes to the screen resolution appear in the preview.
- Select the Extend the desktop onto this monitor check box.
- Click OK.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Personalize icon in Classic view, and then click Display settings.
- Click Identify Monitors.
- Click the monitor icons and drag them to positions that represent how you want to move items from one monitor to another.
- Click OK.
You can drag items across the primary monitor until it appears on the secondary monitor.
A game controller is a hardware device, such as a joystick or game pad, that controls a program, typically a game. You can use Game Controllers properties in the Control Panel to add, configure, and customize game controllers on your computer. For example, you can add older gaming devices so you can play those games on your computer. You can also test, calibrate, and troubleshoot your game controllers. If you no longer use a game controller, you can remove it from your computer.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Game Controllers icon in Classic view.
- Click the controller you want to test.
- Click Properties.
- Click the Test tab.
- Test the controller by moving or pressing each control, and then view the results.
- Click OK.
- Click OK.
Did You Know?
You can reset a game controller. In the Control Panel, double-click the Game Controller icon, click a controller, click Properties, click the Settings tab, click Reset To Default, and then click OK twice.
You can calibrate a game controller. In the Control Panel, double-click the Game Controller icon, click a controller, click Properties, click the Settings tab, click Calibrate, follow the wizard instructions, and then click OK twice.
If you no longer use a hardware device (not plug and play), such as a sound or modem card, or if you have an older hardware device that you want to upgrade, you need to remove the hardware device drivers and related software before you remove the physical hardware device from your computer. With the Device Manager, you can remove hardware devices and any related device drivers. Before you remove a legacy device, printing the device settings is a good idea in case you need to reinstall the device later.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Device Manager icon in Classic view.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to the hardware category you want to expand.
- Click the device you want to remove.
- Click the Uninstall button.
- Click OK.
- Click the Close button.
Did You Know?
You can quickly delete a printer. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, double-click the Printers icon, right-click the printer you want to delete, click Delete, and then click Yes.
You can safely unplug or eject plug and play hardware from the notification area. If the Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the notification area on the taskbar, double-click it, select a device, click Stop, click Close, and then unplug or eject the device.
Most plug and play hardware devices, such as a USB Flash drive, can be removed and unplugged at anytime as long as the computer is not using it. However, it’s not easy to know if the computer is done with it. If the Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the notification area on the taskbar, you can use it to quickly and safely remove the hardware. If you want to remove devices more quickly, you can select an option in the Device Manager to optimize a device for quick removal.
- Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click the Device Manager icon in Classic view.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to Disk drives to expand it, and then select the device you want to optimize.
- Click the Properties button.
- Click the Policies tab.
- Click the Optimize for quick removal option to remove a device without the Safely Remove Hardware icon, or click the Optimize for performance option (default) to remove a device with it.
- Click OK.
- Click the Close button.
