Windows 10: Ready to upgrade but driver concerns

I've finally plucked up the courage to upgrade from W7 to W10 but I have concerns about driver compatibility. The 'Get Windows 10' app says things are OK but I'm not convinced. For instance, these are current drivers that are out of date and since this list was compiled I've only been able to update Realtek card reader and HD audio:

mdmxsdk.sys Mon Jun 19 23:26:59 2006 (449716A3)
Conexant Modem Diagnostic Interface x86 Driver}OEM - none athttp://www2.conexant.com/support/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=mdmxsdk.sys

DKbFltr.sys Thu Oct 19 10:24:28 2006 (4537363C)
Dritek Keyboard Filter driver}http://www.dritek.com.tw/tech_support_en.htm
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=DKbFltr.sys

winbondcir.sys Wed Mar 28 07:51:32 2007 (460A0264)
Winbond MCE CIR Port driver (infrared receiver)}OEM - none at http://www.winbond.com/tw/
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=winbondcir.sys

int15.sys Tue Jul 3 04:03:24 2007 (4689AE6C)
Acer Inc. Empowering Technology eRecoveryService driver related }Acer Worldwide - Select your local country or region
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=int15.sys

xaudio.sys Fri Oct 19 00:36:53 2007 (4717E005)
Conexant modem audio driver}OEM - none at http://www2.conexant.com/support/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=xaudio.sys

UBHelper.sys Thu Jan 31 02:30:26 2008 (47A124B2)
NTI CD &DVD-Maker or NTI Backup NOW! or NTI CD-Maker by NewTech Infosystems (usually in Acer Empowering Technology)}OEM = none at http://www.ntius.com/en/us/support/oem_resources.asp#
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=UBHelper.sys

NTIDrvr.sys Thu Jan 31 02:30:42 2008 (47A124C2)
NTI CD-ROM Filter Driver by NewTech Infosystems (likely a part of Acer Empowering Technology)}OEM none athttp://www.ntius.com/en/us/support/oem_resources.asp#
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=NTIDrvr.sys

psdfilter.sys Mon Feb 18 14:49:54 2008 (47B98D02)
Acer eDataSecurity Management PSD Filter Driver by HiTRUST}http://support.gateway.com/support/d...p?cmpid=topnav
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=psdfilter.sys

PSDNServ.sys Mon Feb 18 14:50:35 2008 (47B98D2B)
Acer eDataSecurity Management PSD Named Pipe Driver by HiTRUST}http://support.gateway.com/support/d...p?cmpid=topnav
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=PSDNServ.sys

PSDVdisk.sys Mon Feb 18 14:50:56 2008 (47B98D40)
Acer eDataSecurity Management PSD Virtual Disk Driver by Egis Incorporated}http://support.gateway.com/support/d...p?cmpid=topnav
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=PSDVdisk.sys

HSX_CNXT.sys Tue Mar 25 23:38:29 2008 (47E97EE5)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems}OEM - none at http://www2.conexant.com/support/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSX_CNXT.sys

HSXHWAZL.sys Tue Mar 25 23:39:19 2008 (47E97F17)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems}OEM - none at http://www2.conexant.com/support/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSXHWAZL.sys

HSX_DPV.sys Tue Mar 25 23:41:22 2008 (47E97F92)
SoftK56 Modem Driver by Conexant Systems}OEM - none at http://www2.conexant.com/support/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=HSX_DPV.sys

SynTP.sys Fri Apr 25 18:18:01 2008 (48120439)
Synaptic Touch Pad Driver}http://www.synaptics.com/en/drivers.php[br]Thanks MasterChief!!!
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=SynTP.sys

nvlddmkm.sys Sat Jul 19 11:08:55 2008 (4881AF27)
nVidia Video drivers}http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx[br]Get from OEM for laptops
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=nvlddmkm.sys

RTKVHDA.sys Thu Sep 18 12:49:16 2008 (48D2322C)
Realtek HD Audio Codec Driver}http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...Level=3&Conn=2
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=RTKVHDA.sys

RTSTOR.SYS Thu Mar 26 09:00:00 2009 (49CB3600)
Realtek High-Speed USB Media Card Reader}http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&GetDown=false
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=RTSTOR.SYS

netw5v32.sys Thu Mar 26 17:10:37 2009 (49CBA8FD)
Intel Wireless WiFi Link Driver}http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Default.aspx
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=netw5v32.sys

iaStor.sys Fri Jun 5 03:42:33 2009 (4A287809)
Intel Storage drivers}http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Default.aspx XP, Vista and 7: Drivers & Software
http://www.carrona.org/drivers/driver.php?id=[b]iaStor.sys[/b]


Do you think any of these outdated drivers will cause problems? I haven't been able to find working download links for most of them.

Also, I have the Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card. The 177MB update Windows suggested for it screwed things up so I had to roll back. Does anyone know if it needs updating or if it will cause problems?

Any help really appreciated.

:)

 

Upgrade is ready but not upgrading ( from Win7 to Win10 )

Hi Winston,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

Sorry to know that you are facing this issue.

You can also use the media creation tool to upgrade your current PC to Windows 10 or to create a USB or DVD and install Windows 10 on a different PC.

Installing Windows 10 using the media creation tool: Windows 10 herunterladen

Keep us informed to help you further.

 

Upgrade is ready but not upgrading ( from Win7 to Win10 )

Here is my computer's update history. Thanks.

 

Hello- please see:
ASPIRE 6930 upgrade to Windows 10 - Acer Community - 373479

Their experience says no. Sorry.

 

Hi safe01 1st off I would do a complete backup of your OS Before upgrading to Windows 10. I suggest using Macrium Reflect Free version, and keep this image backup on a 2nd drive. Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free
This way will make sure if something goes wrong you can restore your original Windows 7 back.

Next backup your drivers to a usb device. Use this command from admin prompt:
Dism /Online /Export-Driver /Destination:X:\Drivers
Replace X with the drive letter of your drive. OR you can use this method.
Or use the freeware: Driver 4.1 Backup Download
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/61...le-driver.html

3rd Download your Windows 10 ISO from Tech Bench, here is the link:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9...-download.html

When you are ready to install Windows 10, you should remove any 3rd party AV program and firewall also.....these can be reinstalled AFTER your upgrade to Windows 10.

Does look like what dalchina posted is Correct!! Your Acer does not seem to work with Windows 10. You might want to re-think installing Windows 10 on your Acer.

 

You might just have to bite the bullet and get a new computer.
That being said the old rule of "if its not broken why fix it", applies.

I can tell you that even on newer hardware, the install could be a problem as
it was with me on two desktops. I'm a tech head too, and I found the
process very frustrating. YMMV.

 

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I'm glad I started this thread before going ahead and upgrading which I nearly did - from what you say it doesn't look good.

I'm actually very happy with W7. The only reason I'm thinking of upgrading is because W7 support ends in Jan 2020. Obviously my laptop may not last that long anyway but if it does (Hard Disk Sentinel says my hard drive is in excellent shape and has 1000+ days left) I don't want to continue using W7 unsupported.

Thanks again. Plenty for me to think about.

 

I'm going to be on the opposite here, but being experienced, I say go for it.

For the most part, what I'm seeing on your list is Acer proprietary eData crap, which you may not need.

I've done well over 100+ older laptop and desktop upgrades to 10 from 7, and out of all of them have had only one that gave me issues driver wise, and that one got solved by a full wipe, reinstall of 7 and then upgraded to 10 just fine.

Use macrium as indicated to back it up first, as OldMike indicated.

I think you'll be fine.

 

In my limited experience, laptops are trickier to upgrade than desktops.

However, I successfully upgraded an old (2008) Compaq CQ50-105NR. (AMD CPU, nVidia chipset, nVidia 8200m graphics.) It began life as a Vista machine, but had been upgraded to Win 7 X64. I had to fiddle with the drivers, but at the moment all is working except for the scroll feature on the Synaptics touch pad.

If you have the means to image the laptop's drive, and the time to spare, by all means try the upgrade. If it goes badly, you can restore your current system, and you'll have lost nothing.

 

Compaq's are basically HP's, the touchpad is likely having the same issue as my DV7's did, have to use an older synaptics driver.

Mine uses V 16.2.3.0 Dated 6/21/2012 to get full usage out of it.

 

Thanks for the latest round of replies. I'm feeling a bit more positive about upgrading now. I'll leave it for a while though and do a bit more research first.

I've managed to update a number of drivers without issues. Several had to be generic versions from the various manufacturers' sites because Acer only provides links to a small number of driver updates for my computer. Anyway they seem to be working fine. I'm not worried about any to do with this Acer Empowering, Security etc nonsense. I've never used this bloatware and probably should have uninstalled it years ago.

The drivers I still have some concerns about relate to the following:

1) Intel Matrix Storage Manager. I've made no changes here, but I'd like to know if it will cause any problems with Windows 10, and is it possible to upgrade to Intel Rapid Storage without issue?

2) This Dritek keyboard filter driver listed in my OP, DKbFilter.sys. I can't find anywhere to update it. All I've read is it's notoriously difficult to update. Acer only has a very limited number of product driver updates for my computer and doesn't include this.

3) There is a slightly more recent Synaptics Touchpad driver for W7 but I think I'll wait to see if mine works with W10 before updating.

4) Possibly my biggest concern is regarding my graphics card. I've been unable to find any updates for Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT and I just hope it works OK with W10.

As usual, any help with the above is really appreciated.

 

A question you might like to ask is
'what benefits will I get by upgrading to Win 10?' - e.g. will it
- increase productivity
- add features I really need
- allow me to use hardware or software I couldn't use otherwise
etc

There is a learning curve- and upgrading means initially your file associations will be set to MS defaults - mostly the universal apps.Even the appearance can be a little disconcerting at first (better after some tweaks). And to manage your legacy start menu, you'll need e.g. Classic Shell. (The Win 10 start menu makes a real mess of inherited folder-based start menus). Note that system restore is off by default, and parts of the Control Panel have moved to Settings.

If you want to try it, as above, use disk imaging first...

As part of the upgrade, you will receive a new set of drivers.

 

There's only one reason I'm thinking of upgrading - W7 support ends in Jan 2020. I'm very happy with W7 and it probably suits my ageing laptop better than W10. If I could be certain my laptop wouldn't make it to 2020 I wouldn't upgrade.

 

If I was in your place I might want to add a little more ram ....if you can ...4GB is right at the bottom ....kinda *Smile

 

One problem quite typical of upgrading older laptops to newer OS's for which they are not specified is that, although the OS runs, thermal management doesn't work properly. That reduces the life of the laptop.

For example my HP laptop which came with Vista ran Win 8, then Win 10 32 bits and 64 bits, but from Win 8 up I experienced thermal cutouts very quickly in Safe Mode, and sometimes in other circumstances, e.g. a particular boot disk. (4Gb was ok - some people are upgrading netbooks with 1Gb- the min. in the spec. for Win 10).

(Sure, there are other reasons for older laptops getting hot, but dust doesn't explain it cutting out so quickly in Safe Mode!)