23-29OBJECTIVE 3.5 MANAGE AND TROUBLESHOOT DRIVERS AND DRIVER SIGNINGO...

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Objective 3.5

Manage and Troubleshoot Drivers and Driver Signing

Objective 3.5

Manage and Troubleshoot Drivers and Driver Signing

Drivers enable Windows XP to communicate with hardware devices. Drivers act as part

of the operating system and, as a result, have the potential to cause Windows XP to fail

with a Stop error, also known as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This is the most dis-

turbing type of error Windows XP can display, and it causes any work that has not yet

been saved to be lost.

Most Stop errors are caused by problematic drivers. Although drivers act as part of the

operating system, they are usually written by the hardware vendors, not by Microsoft.

Hardware vendors might not use the same rigorous testing procedures as Microsoft

and, as a result, unhandled errors that cause Stop errors can occur. With the proper

skills, you can isolate the driver that is causing a problem and replace it with a more

compatible driver.

To reduce the number of driver problems, Microsoft offers driver signing. Microsoft

reviews and tests drivers written by hardware manufacturers to verify their stability. If

a driver proves to be stable, Microsoft signs the driver, and users can install it with min-

imal risk. In fact, you might choose to block any unsigned drivers from being installed

in your organization to prevent unpredictable driver problems.

To successfully answer questions in this objective, you must know how to configure

and use Windows Update. You must be able to navigate to a specific hardware device

in Device Manager; view its properties; and update, roll back, and uninstall its driver.

Objective 3.5 Questions