What display driver do I need for my Dell laptop?

With many major manufacturers, identifying the correct device or display driver can be a relatively easy task ... if you're lucky. Dell, like many manufacturers, stymie this, though, because they make the same "badged" model with entirely different components inside, making it hard to know exactly what driver you need without knowing about the internal components of your specific system.

Today you can go to their website and get one model (say a 6000) with processors ranging from a Celeron to various types of Centrino processors, as well as at least three different types of graphical configurations.

Now, with major manufacturers such as Dell, you can usually track exactly what is in your machine through the serial number, or something similar. Dell happens to use a unique number called the "Service Tag" which you can enter into their website so they can pull up your original hardware configuration. After a bit of menu-hunting, you can find exactly what pieces, including what graphical setup, is in your sister's laptop.

By the way, having a laptop makes the process of identifying the Service Tag number especially easy because these numbers are usually on the bottom of the case itself (and will be on your Dell). Desktops can take a lot more maneuvering to find numbers that are usually in a dark corner on the back of the machine.

Specific to Dell, many models at some points in time have been shipped with driver/software CDs that are separate from the actual Restore CD. Your driver may be here: ask your sister if she remembers getting a CDROM with her unit when shipped from Dell.

Finally, you can also download the latest drivers from the Dell website, which is often the best choice. In many instances across manufacturers, their own video (or modem, or audio) drivers may work better than the actual component manufacturer's drivers.

Two links:

• Find Your Dell Service Tag
• Enter your Service Tag for Support

I hope that'll get your laptop up and running again with minimal fuss!