WinDriver Expert ripe off WinDriversBackup website??
R.L
Hi, guys,
WinDriverExpert (freeware) was down for a while and now up
again (with a seperate prof.version).
However, the site seems to be a *copy* of the
WinDriverBackup's site (the format, the style, and some
content - look at the first few sentences of the site).
Windriverbackup have been around for a while, when
WinDriverExpert gone shareware with no freeware version.
WinDriverBackup
http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm
WinDriverExpert
http://www.zhangduo.com/driverbackup.html
--
RL
Faye
You are entirely right, RL. WinDriverExpert is a duplicate of
WinDriverBackup right down to the filehungry.com link id #. I would
say that constitutes plagiarism--only the table or line width is
changed.
REMbr...@inu.net
> "R.L" <ringomeinew(removehere)@hotmail(remove).com> wrote:
>WinDriverBackup
>http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm
>WinDriverExpert
>http://www.zhangduo.com/driverbackup.html
That's rather strange. I'm not sure the WinDriverExpert knows what he wants
the program to be licensed as. Zhang released v1.70 as freeware, but placed
some sort of a hidden time limit in the software. The timeout works on some
systems and not on others. I am using it successfully on 3 different machines.
I have received probably 20 emails from people who said the program timed
out on the second use and directed them to the author's site. After reading
the documentation again and trying it on my systems all I could tell them was
that the software works nicely in driver backup and restore, the timeouts only
affect some, it is licensed as freely distributable freeware and to simply set their
system clocks back when they need to use it.
The next version came out as shareware. Now I see v1.90 is listed as
"WinDriver Expert - FREE" and "Download The Free Personal Version."
The readme file contains this description. Am I reading the second sentence right?
" WinDriver Expert is a utility that enables you to detect hardware, backup driver or
drivers currently installed on your system. If you want to restore driver, find the latest
drivers for your hardware and install them into your computer, you might try the
Shareware version product My Drivers. With it, you may choose to backup a certain
driver or the entire drivers to an EXE automatic installer. If you have a hardware that
is troublesome, just remove it with the software."
Is he saying that we can backup a driver, or drivers with the free personal version...
but if we actually want to restore a driver, or drivers we need the shareware version??
I have no idea what the "WinDriverBackup" deal is. The program interface is slightly
different..
WDE is 486,918 bytes with no install and costs $29.00 for the "Pro" version.
WDB is 2,566,612 bytes with an install and costs $14.95 for the "Pro" version.
I recall being very confused awhile back. I never quite put it together the sites are nearly
identical and was totally confused with the two similar programs.
I've been playing around with both of these. I haven't tried either yet, as far as uninstalling
something and trying to use Windows to reinstall. It looks as though both programs are
fairly useless in that neither restores the files. They are getting the files from all over the
drive and placing them all into a single subdirectory. I don't see how having the files without
a proper install program can be beneficial. It will get the .inf file, but how is it going to know
this .dll goes into \system and this one goes into \progra~1, etc?
Overall, the WinDriverExpert is the best. It is smaller, has no install and you can copy and
paste the file paths from the window. Here is a paste of my numeric data processor:
C:\WINDOWS\System\battc.sys
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\wmilib.sys
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\WMILIB.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\System\compbatt.sys
C:\WINDOWS\System\apmbatt.sys
C:\WINDOWS\System\system.drv
C:\WINDOWS\System\supervga.drv
C:\WINDOWS\System\lmouse.drv
C:\WINDOWS\System\lmouse.vxd
C:\WINDOWS\System\acpi.sys
C:\WINDOWS\System\pci.vxd
C:\WINDOWS\System\pcimp.pci
C:\WINDOWS\System\power.drv
C:\WINDOWS\System\vpowerd.vxd
It would be easy to paste "pkzip" in, make a batch file and zip each file
with the paths recursed. Then zip2exe and there is an install.
WinDriverExpert also finds more files by far. For my HomeFree network card
it finds 46 files, which include the setup.exe and the cab files. There is the install
right there, which I happened to have on the drive. WDB on the other hand does
not scour the entire drive. It found only 13 files and all were system files.
Other packet scores: 31/17, 17/13, 17/13.
Or, try the v1.70 version that does restore any or all drivers for you:
WinDriver Expert v1.70 355,066 bytes.
http://woundedmoon.org/win32/drvexp17.html
If it "expires" reset your system clock and run it again. It makes no registry entries and
only places an .ini file on the drive. I can't figure what triggers the expire...
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Trevor Noble
> WinDriver Expert v1.70 355,066 bytes.
>
> http://woundedmoon.org/win32/drvexp17.html
>
> If it "expires" reset your system clock and run it again. It makes no
> registry entries and
> only places an .ini file on the drive. I can't figure what triggers
> the expire...
>
>
first run!! When I pressed the Ok button I was directed to www.drvn3.net
which then bounced me to http://www.zhangduo.com/ in the hope I would
purchase MyDrivers 2.11 for US$29............bah!
regds
Trevor
REMbr...@inu.net
> "Trevor Noble" <NOSPAMf...@eircom.net> wrote:
>> http://woundedmoon.org/win32/drvexp17.html
If you still have the program can you set your system clock back 2 years and install
it again?
I've yet to see it expire. There must be an internal clock check written into the
executable. I'm just curious. And I still cannot figure why it works on some systems
and not others.
Trevor Noble
Solved the problem!! Found a working link to an alternative called Win
Drivers Backup
<snipped from the site>WinDriverBackup is a free utility by JerMar Software
Corp. Using WinDriverBackup you can easily save all of your Windows driver
files in two mouse clicks. WinDriverBackup will identify all your driver
files and save them to a single, secure location.
<snip>
This one works is real freeware and doesn't mess you about. Get it at
http://www.hotwinfiles.com/software_details.asp?r=5327
While you are waiting for it to download do a search on the site using the
keyword freeware - and find such goodies as this freeware Norton Ghost
lookalike:
DrvClonerXP clones NTFS and FAT32 drive partitions, for the Windows 2000/XP
operating systems, by copying, byte-for-byte, the drive partition's
structure to another partition, creating a perfect duplicate.
and
DrvImagerXP makes backups (image files) of NTFS and FAT32 drive partition
structures (as well as floppy disks), for the Windows 2000/XP operating
systems, by copying, byte-for-byte, the drive partition sectors.
Enjoy!!!
Trevor
REMbr...@inu.net
> "Trevor Noble" <NOSPAMf...@eircom.net> wrote:
>Solved the problem!! Found a working link to an alternative called Win
>Drivers Backup
><snipped from the site>WinDriverBackup is a free utility by JerMar Software
>Corp. Using WinDriverBackup you can easily save all of your Windows driver
>files in two mouse clicks. WinDriverBackup will identify all your driver
>files and save them to a single, secure location.
>This one works is real freeware and doesn't mess you about. Get it at
>http://www.hotwinfiles.com/software_details.asp?r=5327
I had a previous message about these two Trevor. WinDriver Expert
finds a great more driver files than WinDriver Backup.
The real problem is that neither freeware versions can replace the
drivers should you need to replace them. They grab files from all
over your drive and place them into a single subdirectory. When
you need to replace them you don't know this file was from
C:\Windows\System and this one was from C:\Windows\System32.
Now, if you buy the shareware version you can replace the files back
where they belong.
And the freeware version of WinDriver Expert v1.70 does this, but it's
got that expire thing. I was curious if you would set your system clock
back 2 years and try it again. I'm still trying to figure why it expires on
some computers and not on others.
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Jacques
I have to say WinDriverBackup software produced by Jermar.com
is a piece of trash !!! The software extracts the driver files
incompletely. You might compare the number of extracted and backed up
driver files, WinDriver Expert usually extracts and backs up more than
WinDriverBackup, the trash !
I've put "WinDriver Expert" into my personal tool kit CD.
However, when restore drivers, we don't have to pay Zhang Duo,
Huntersoft, the registration fee $29.00. We might use the Hardware
Wizard provided by Microsoft Windows Control Pannel to restore each
drivers.
All in all, a great utility, I love "WinDriver Expert". If I
had more money, I would rather register the "My Drivers" for a change.
Do you agree ?
I don't know who copied who as far as web page is concerned.
But I am sure that "WinDriver Expert" is the first driver backup
utility that came to my mind.
Jacques
"R.L" <ringomeinew(removehere)@hotmail(remove).com> wrote in message news:<Xns93948CB76...@127.0.0.1>...
REMbr...@inu.net
> kangf...@etang.com (Jacques) wrote:
> However, when restore drivers, we don't have to pay Zhang Duo,
>Huntersoft, the registration fee $29.00. We might use the Hardware
>Wizard provided by Microsoft Windows Control Pannel to restore each
>drivers.
I was curious if this will work, as the various files in your driver packets go
to a great many directories in some cases. I was thinking that an install program
is necessary in order to place the files properly. Have you tried reinstalling a
driver packet in which files come from various directories with the hardware
wizard?
If so, and it works, the freeware version of WinDriver Expert is the way to fly.
Bjorn Simonsen
>> kangf...@etang.com (Jacques) wrote:
>
>> However, when restore drivers, we don't have to pay Zhang Duo,
>>Huntersoft, the registration fee $29.00. We might use the Hardware
>>Wizard provided by Microsoft Windows Control Pannel to restore each
>>drivers.
>
>I was curious if this will work, as the various files in your driver packets go
>to a great many directories in some cases. I was thinking that an install program
>is necessary in order to place the files properly. Have you tried reinstalling a
>driver packet in which files come from various directories with the hardware
>wizard?
I have, and worked just fine. I'm running the shareware version now
(My Drivers v2.11 ), but previously used the freeware version
WindriverExpert exactly for this purpose. That is, to make backup of
drivers and have them all stored in one place, so that if I needed to
reinstall any (or all) - all I needed to do was to point the Windows
hardware wizard to the appropriate directory. Easier this way compared
to having to find and insert various original program CD's one after
another when re-installing one or more drivers is required.
Also notice that *.inf files are copied as part of the backup, which I
guess means reinstalling a driver could be as easy as right-click the
*.inf file and choose install. Haven't tried that from the backup my
self though, so others will have to correct me if this does not work
at all from the backup, although I see no reason why it should not -
since it seems it is the original driver *.inf files that are copied.
It is also nice in another way beyond backup and restore: When you do
a backup you get to see what you got, what files various driver
installations have added. For instance - I've used this to compare
file dates and version numbers after installing supposedly new
drivers. For instance, in one case - I compared the files installed by
the supposedly newer version of a modem driver (higher version number
in the downloaded archive name) with the files I had backed up with
WindriverExpert just prior to the install, and found the "new" driver
in fact installed older files than what I already had prior to the
"new" install. (and since I had just made a backup, I didn't have to
go looking for the original driver CD that came with the modem, but
could just use the backup directory as source when prompted
to insert a disk).
> If so, and it works, the freeware version of WinDriver Expert
> is the way to fly.
I haven't tried the other candidate. I just notice the WindriverBackup
freeware download is over twice the size of that of the
WindriverExpert freeware. The latter runs right out of the directory
you unzip it to, the former comes with an installer. Personally I
prefer the "no installer" approach when possible.
All the best,
Bjorn Simonsen
REMbr...@inu.net
>>On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 01:14:07 GMT, REMbr...@inu.net wrote:
>>I was curious if this will work, as the various files in your driver packets go
>>to a great many directories in some cases. I was thinking that an install program
>>is necessary in order to place the files properly. Have you tried reinstalling a
>>driver packet in which files come from various directories with the hardware
>>wizard?
>I have, and worked just fine. I'm running the shareware version now
>(My Drivers v2.11 ), but previously used the freeware version
>WindriverExpert exactly for this purpose. That is, to make backup of
>drivers and have them all stored in one place, so that if I needed to
>reinstall any (or all) - all I needed to do was to point the Windows
>hardware wizard to the appropriate directory. Easier this way compared
>to having to find and insert various original program CD's one after
>another when re-installing one or more drivers is required.
Good deal then!
>Also notice that *.inf files are copied as part of the backup, which I
>guess means reinstalling a driver could be as easy as right-click the
>*.inf file and choose install. Haven't tried that from the backup my
>self though, so others will have to correct me if this does not work
>at all from the backup, although I see no reason why it should not -
>since it seems it is the original driver *.inf files that are copied.
I tried right clicking an .inf and there was an "install" available. It didn't
seem to work though.
>> If so, and it works, the freeware version of WinDriver Expert
>> is the way to fly.
>I haven't tried the other candidate. I just notice the WindriverBackup
>freeware download is over twice the size of that of the
>WindriverExpert freeware. The latter runs right out of the directory
>you unzip it to, the former comes with an installer. Personally I
>prefer the "no installer" approach when possible.
WDE finds all driver files also, where WDB does not.
Thanks Bjorn!
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Bjorn Simonsen
>I tried right clicking an .inf and there was an "install" available. It didn't
>seem to work though.
Well usually installing via a inf file goes pretty fast, sometimes you
hardly notice it. I'm not saying it is working when you suggest it is
not, but I'm just saying - try again sometime after having removed a
driver first, then see if it gets installed after right clicking the
inf in backup. If on the other this is what you just did - oh well.:)
Jacques
> > Bjorn Simonsen <bsus...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>On Wed, 11 Jun 2003 01:14:07 GMT, REMbr...@inu.net wrote:
>
> >>I was curious if this will work, as the various files in your driver packets go
> >>to a great many directories in some cases. I was thinking that an install program
> >>is necessary in order to place the files properly. Have you tried reinstalling a
> >>driver packet in which files come from various directories with the hardware
> >>wizard?
>
> >I have, and worked just fine. I'm running the shareware version now
> >(My Drivers v2.11 ), but previously used the freeware version
> >WindriverExpert exactly for this purpose. That is, to make backup of
> >drivers and have them all stored in one place, so that if I needed to
> >reinstall any (or all) - all I needed to do was to point the Windows
> >hardware wizard to the appropriate directory. Easier this way compared
> >to having to find and insert various original program CD's one after
> >another when re-installing one or more drivers is required.
>
> Good deal then!
>
> >Also notice that *.inf files are copied as part of the backup, which I
> >guess means reinstalling a driver could be as easy as right-click the
> >*.inf file and choose install. Haven't tried that from the backup my
> >self though, so others will have to correct me if this does not work
> >at all from the backup, although I see no reason why it should not -
> >since it seems it is the original driver *.inf files that are copied.
>
> I tried right clicking an .inf and there was an "install" available. It didn't
> seem to work though.
:) Attempting to install drivers by right-click .inf file is futile in
Microsoft Windows operating systems. I once contacted Microsoft
technicians, they told me that .inf can be used to install kernel
drivers only as well as registry information and simple file copy. So
it is not an accessible way to install drivers by right-clicking an
.inf file. You are suggested to follow the steps below,
Start "My Drivers v2.11"
Click "Restore" button on the right panel
Select a certain .inf you wanna install the corresponding to a
hardware.
Click "OK", then an installation of copying driver files and
writting registry will commence. This is the uniquely brightest
feature the author of "My Drivers" proclaims.
Any idea, let me know, thanks.
Sietse Fliege
I am beginning to see a pattern, here.
Huntersoft offers besides WinDriverExpert also Unknown Device Identifier
http://www.zhangduo.com/unknowndeviceidentifier.html
Compare this to Unknown Devices on this page :
http://www.halfdone.com/Development/UnknownDevices/
Note that the author of this program actually complains about being
ripped of.
See the news for June 20th on this page : http://www.halfdone.com/
and his e-mail to Freeware-Guide
http://www.freeware-guide.com/new.html News for June 22th
So, yes. HunterSoft ( http://www.zhangduo.com/ ) rips off!
--
Cheers,
Sietse Fliege