Jo-Anne wrote:
Using Windows XP. I run Filehippo to let me know about updates. It's been
telling me for a while that I should download NVIDIA Forceware 280.26 WHQL
XP to replace version 111.9. I checked my computer with Belarc Advisor and
found the following NVIDIA items:

NVIDIA Quadro FX 360M [Display adapter]
NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 101.19 Version 6.14.11.0119

I have no idea whether I should install this update. I'd be very grateful if
someone could let me know if updating NVIDIA Forceware is important and if
the update could cause any problems.

Thank you very much!

NVIDIA is your display adapter. It makes sense to update the display
drivers *only* if you are not happy with what you have (video is not
smooth or is jerky, programs (especially games) complain about missing
features, the screen freezes.
If everything is running smoothly, there really is no need to update
the driver. It is even likely that with the new driver video may run
slower than before. That's because manufacturers optimize their drivers
for the newer hardware; if the card is an older one, the new drivers may
be optimized for newer hardware, and be sub-optimal for the older one.
In such cases, getting newer and newer drivers will make the video
perform worse and worse after each subsequent update. So, especially if
you're not a gamer, updating the video drivers is not necessary.
(The reason, if you're wondering, is that Nvidia drivers are
universal - the same driver works for *all* cards. If it is optimized
for the newer ones, it necessarily neglects the older ones. There is an
optimal driver # for every video card model, but figuring which one that
is and downloading that particular one, is more hassle than it's worth,
IMHO.)

--
You'd be crazy to e-mail me with the crazy. But leave the div alone.
*
Whoever bans a book, shall be banished. Whoever burns a book, shall burn.