Windows Utility - Double Driver

Klink · 24-07-2008, 08:59 AM

So... with all this recent talk about regularly re-installing windows and making it less of a chore to have to download lots of stuff to get things back to where things were, I introduce to you Double Driver.

What is Double Driver?
Double driver is a small freeware utility that will scan you Windows installation for all of your installed drivers. You can either save the driver's as a simple list, or you can back them up to a thumb drive or alternative media so that when you boot into your fresh installation of windows, you dont have to go to all of those websites and download drivers for your bits and pieces again.

Furthermore, if you have a "branded" PC or Laptop (like a Sony or Dell etc) finding drivers to download for your branded model might be difficult or impossible. So this is another situation where you could extract those drivers prior to doing a windows reinstall. This should see you back up and running in minimal time.

Where do I get Double Driver?
You can get Double Driver from: BooZet Freeware » Products » Double Driver

lee · 24-07-2008, 11:06 AM

Tried it at work. The way it comes up with 940823094823095482304 folders you have to sift through to reload drivers, and even when you do, sometimes it misses ini files and stuff.

It is a very good idea, but please please please don't rely on it guys. TBH it's never actually saved my ass, I've always had to go hunting online for my drivers anyway.

Klink · 24-07-2008, 12:56 PM

Ummm I dont think you are talking about this particular piece of software. It does not display any folders for you to sift through... it simply lists all the drivers that are installed on your system.

Are you sure you tried this exact software?

See? No folders... just drivers.

Gryphen · 24-07-2008, 08:31 PM

Doesn't like Vista64....

D'Artagnan · 24-07-2008, 09:19 PM

I use DriverGrabber.exe Works a treat.

D'Art

Klink · 24-07-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gryphen

Doesn't like Vista64....

Hehe yeah not many things do like Vista64... Sorry Im trying to keep these mini-articles as mainstream as possible. But i'll try and remember to put system requirements in the future articles.

Gryphen · 25-07-2008, 11:12 AM

Hey it's cool, if/when I find a way around an issue with 64 I'll post it up as well, so that way the knowledge grows...

Keep going, I like seeing what apps are out there...

merctom · 25-07-2008, 11:37 AM

i've got it working alright on vista64... seems to be alright - i have to reinstall a compaq machine tonight so ill give you a run down on how it works

Gryphen · 25-07-2008, 11:45 AM

I'll have to try again then, witrh a fresh download... thx

merctom · 25-07-2008, 11:51 AM

just ignore the registry error - it doesnt need it to run, and looks like its picking up all the drivers i have - even the default windows ones...

Klink · 25-07-2008, 11:58 AM

Ahh I thought I was the only one getting the error. I didnt get it on a XP machine... just the vista laptop.

lee · 25-07-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klink

Ummm I dont think you are talking about this particular piece of software. It does not display any folders for you to sift through... it simply lists all the drivers that are installed on your system.

Are you sure you tried this exact software?

See? No folders... just drivers.

Yep, that exact program.

When you "backup" your system, it exports each one of those items you have ticked into it's own folder. Try it. You then end up with 98409302842109 folders.

If you were to selectively tick the drivers you needed, you would get a much smaller list of folders, but then again, how are you going to know exactly which drivers you're going to need before you format your PC?

Klink · 25-07-2008, 12:24 PM

Ok I see where you are coming from now... but I think you are exaggerating a little bit.

Each driver gets put into its own folder yes... and that folder comes under a category folder (like "USB" or "System"). Im yet to see it create more than 2 directories deep for storing your driver. It simply grabs your drivers and categorises them, imo making it easier to figure out which driver is for what device.

For example I have under the location I save my drivers in:
System > Volume Manager > *then the actual drivers for the Volume Manager*

Dunno about you... but I wouldnt want all of the backed up drivers to be plonked all into one directory.

lee · 25-07-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klink

Ok I see where you are coming from now... but I think you are exaggerating a little bit.

Each driver gets put into its own folder yes... and that folder comes under a category folder (like "USB" or "System"). Im yet to see it create more than 2 directories deep for storing your driver. It simply grabs your drivers and categorises them, imo making it easier to figure out which driver is for what device.

For example I have under the location I save my drivers in:
System > Volume Manager > *then the actual drivers for the Volume Manager*

Dunno about you... but I wouldnt want all of the backed up drivers to be plonked all into one directory.

I would!! Atleast that way when you need to reinstall them, you could click 'search this folder' and it'll find it. If you put search this folder and point to the root folder you dumped all the drivers into (in their own subfolders), it won't find what it needs. That means you have 96 folders to try (if you don't know what you're looking for.. ie XP comes up with "Unknown Device" in the device manager).

Also, as I said, even if you know the driver you need is in a particular folder, double driver can sometimes miss files when it's updating. Don't get me wrong, it's still handy to have, and whenever I have to format an unknown PC that I don't have the drivers for, I take a backup with Double Driver, it just has it's flaws.

2c.

Responseless · 25-07-2008, 12:33 PM

I've been thinking of reinstalling my laptop too... will give it a burl. Cheers.

thro · 25-07-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klink

Hehe yeah not many things do like Vista64... Sorry Im trying to keep these mini-articles as mainstream as possible. But i'll try and remember to put system requirements in the future articles.

Hmm to be fair, the single problem i have had with Vista 64 so far has been lack of wireless NIC drivers (work-around.. cat5. prefer connecting at gigabit speed anyway

).

Other than that, its certainly quicker than 32 bit, has the additional security features, and can access more than 3.whatever gigs of RAM

Klink · 25-07-2008, 01:45 PM

Fair enough Lee... different strokes..

Oh by the way... you did know you can point Windows to a root directory when installing a driver and tell it to include sub-folders?