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1225 - HOW DO I UPDATE MY COMPUTER'S VIDEO DRIVER?

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Daniel R. Bisque Posted: 08-26-2009 11:41 AM | Locked

Software Bisque Knowledge Base Article - 1225

HOW DO I UPDATE MY COMPUTER'S VIDEO DRIVER?

ISSUE

Software Bisque's latest software applications use OpenGL to display accelerated graphics (for smooth 2D and 3D animation, fast refreshes and image processing).  For the best experience, make sure that your computer has the latest version of OpenGL installed.   

RESOLUTION

Mac OS X

The latest version of OpenGL is included via OS X's Software Update feature.  Click the Apple icon, then click the Software Update command to make sure your Mac is up to date.

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Window 7, All 32-bit and 64-bit Editions

The latest version of OpenGL is distributed as part of your computer's video driver (the video driver communicates with the computer's video display hardware).  In order to obtain the latest version of OpenGL, you must install the latest video driver from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of your computer's video display adaptor. 

Since video drivers are updated very frequently; chances are you don't have the latest driver installed right now.  And, again a few months from now.

To Properly Update Your Windows Computer Video Driver (and OpenGL)

Windows Desktop Computers
  1. Determine make and model of your computer's video display adaptor.  Both are listed in the Windows Device Manager, under Display Adaptor (a sample screen shot for XP is given below).  See Windows Help for details about accessing the Device Manager from XP, Vista and Windows 7. 

 

  1. Visit the Downloads page of the video driver manufacturer: AMD, Intel, NVIDIA or S3 Graphics. Note, do not use Windows Update to obtain latest video drivers and do not use the video driver that is supplied by Microsoft as they (often) do not include the latest version of OpenGL.  If you use Windows Update, the latest driver will most likely not be installed.
  2. Download and install the latest video driver according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Windows Laptop, Notebook or Netbook Computers

Notebook and Netbook computers integrate video hardware (from third-party video hardware manufacturers) directly on the computer's motherboard.  For these systems, the computer manufacturer develops and distributes the video driver, not the video hardware manufacturer.

  1. Visit the Downloads page of the manufacturer of the computer (not the manufacturer of the computer's video hardware). Note, do not use Windows Update to obtain latest video drivers and do not use the video driver that is supplied by Microsoft as they (often) do not include the latest version of OpenGL.  If you use Windows Update, the latest driver will most likely not be installed.
  2. Download and install the latest video driver according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Related Article:

Getting Started with OpenGL  

APPLIES TO

Seeker, TheSkyX First Light Edition, TheSkyX Student Edition, TheSkyX Serious Astronomer Edition, TheSkyX Professional Edition, TheSkyX Theater Edition

KEYWORDS

SBKB, OpenGL, video drivers, download, latest, display adaptor

Last Reviewed: August 30, 2010

Daniel R. Bisque Software Bisque, Inc. 912 Twelfth St Golden, CO 80401-1114 USA Software Bisque Home Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Mountain Time (GMT-7:00)

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