Install Vista Driver from Microsoft Update Catalog

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 6:47:00 AM9/12/08

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I downloaded an Acer LCD (AL1916w) driver from the Update Catalog. The
filename is quite long with a .cab extension. What is the setup and install
procedure for a Vista computer. As I understand, Vista looks in the driver
store for updates. Do I need to import into the driver store, if so, how?
Thanks!

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 6:49:46 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:354A224E-5D21-4E97...@microsoft.com...

Don't use hardware drivers from MS. Get it from Acer.....

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 7:23:01 AM9/12/08

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Acer does not publish a Vista driver for the LCD, only for XP.

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 7:29:58 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:731C1CEE-C86B-44BE...@microsoft.com...

> Acer does not publish a Vista driver for the LCD, only for XP.
>

Well in my Acer website it doesn't give ANY Windows version at all - it just
says that the driver is for "Windows". Have you actually tried installing
it? It's a Zip file......

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 7:30:34 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:731C1CEE-C86B-44BE...@microsoft.com...

> Acer does not publish a Vista driver for the LCD, only for XP.
>

here's the page:
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/monitor/al1916w.html

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 7:52:03 AM9/12/08

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I tried that same file, but Vista complains when I browse to the .inf file.
Is there a specific folder to store this driver where Vista can recognize
it's availability?

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 7:55:47 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9B9B6FB4-2025-4591...@microsoft.com...

>I tried that same file, but Vista complains when I browse to the .inf file.
> Is there a specific folder to store this driver where Vista can recognize
> it's availability?
>

Are you installing it as an administrator?

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 8:01:02 AM9/12/08

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Yes ...

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 8:06:58 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:39808AE2-52C1-4491...@microsoft.com...
> Yes ...
>

Have you tried unzipping to a folder and updating the driver through Device
Manager?

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 8:29:01 AM9/12/08

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Oh yes, I browse for the .inf file, then click to proceed, but complains "The
folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your
device. If the folder contains a driver, make sure it is designed to work
with Windows for 32-bit systems."

Gordon

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Sep 12, 2008, 11:32:36 AM9/12/08

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"Harv" <Ha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:3122885B-122F-4AD1...@microsoft.com...

> Oh yes, I browse for the .inf file, then click to proceed, but complains
> "The
> folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your
> device. If the folder contains a driver, make sure it is designed to work
> with Windows for 32-bit systems."
>

Sounds like you're SOL then. Doesn't vista have a generic LCD driver?

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 11:48:01 AM9/12/08

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Yes it does ... but would prefer a driver specific for that LCD.

I extracted the MS .cab file into a folder, and still no luck. It would be
preferable for Windows Update to install the .cab file as WU does not
download an optional update because it only sees a generic monitor.

I'll see what else I can do from here. Thanks for your help!

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Sep 12, 2008, 5:09:16 PM9/12/08

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Is this driver being offered by Windows Update?

Harv

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Sep 12, 2008, 8:14:10 PM9/12/08

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No, because the LCD device appears as a generic monitor.

PA Bear [MS MVP]

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Sep 13, 2008, 1:55:05 AM9/13/08

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Assuming "Update Catalog" means the Microsoft Update Catalog
(http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx), remember the First
Law of Computing: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Unless this driver was offered by Windows Update *and* Vista SP1 has not
been offered by Windows Update yet, leave well enough alone. If Acer offers
the update and it's applicable to your machine, you might install that one.
Ask Acer how to install it.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Harv

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Sep 13, 2008, 6:17:01 AM9/13/08

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To quickly summarize my original question ... how does one install a .cab
file (LCD driver) that was downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog? Is
there any documentation or Microsoft articles to explain the procedure?

Thanks!