Updating to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8-Drivers question

[rickb278]

I have just done a clean installation of Windows 8 and then the update to Windows 8.1 from Windows Store.
After Windows 8 clean install..I went to the Dell site and I installed chipsets, and wireless network and nothing else...sound was working as well so I didnt install any Audio drivers. There were no other errors reported in Device Manager that needed sorting out. So those were the only drivers I installed. Then I did all the Windows Updates.
Following that I went to the Windows Store and installed Windows 8.1. Ive just checked in Device Manager and there aren't any errors at all so Im wondering if theres no need to Install any Windows 8.1 drivers apart from obviously I'll update Nvidia Graphics as usual. Am I right in thinking if there are no errors in Device Manager theres no need to update to the Windows 8.1 drivers? I know a lot of people say If it isnt broke dont fix it but I would appreciates peoples thoughts/experience with this.
Thanks

 

[Clintlgm]

I have just done a clean installation of Windows 8 and then the update to Windows 8.1 from Windows Store.
After Windows 8 clean install..I went to the Dell site and I installed chipsets, and wireless network and nothing else...sound was working as well so I didnt install any Audio drivers. There were no other errors reported in Device Manager that needed sorting out. So those were the only drivers I installed. Then I did all the Windows Updates.
Following that I went to the Windows Store and installed Windows 8.1. Ive just checked in Device Manager and there aren't any errors at all so Im wondering if theres no need to Install any Windows 8.1 drivers apart from obviously I'll update Nvidia Graphics as usual. Am I right in thinking if there are no errors in Device Manager theres no need to update to the Windows 8.1 drivers? I know a lot of people say If it isnt broke dont fix it but I would appreciates peoples thoughts/experience with this.
Thanks

Well if everything is working correctly you wouldn't need to update any drivers unless an issue arises. However if you want your computer to run to it full capacity you might want to at least update the Chipset drivers, IME drivers. If your system is UEFI you'll want to install the latest IRST driver. Video and Audio and Wi-Fi Bluetooth if your have it. If your happy with the way your running I wouldn't worry about it unless you have a problems arise.

 

[rickb278]

Now that brings another question to mind.
How does it work with the Intel Chipsets when you've already installed them once? I installed the latest Intel chipsets and HECI drivers (Management Engine Interface) for Windows 8 straight after the clean installation of Windows 8. I also installed Wireless drivers and Nvidia graphics updated drivers. If I installed chipsets again wouldn't that throw out the installation order of the drivers Ive already installed above.
Sorry if that sounds like a dumb question but I know its always chipsets first before anything else..so how does installing another lot of chipsets affect the driver installation order you've already done? I have UEFI on my PC and I know all of those drivers you mention above are listed on the Dell site for my PC but everything seems to be running OK

 

[fireberd]

I don't think you need to reinstall the chipset or other drivers as Win 8/8.1 will install most of what you need, but check the Sound. You may need to install the correct sound driver. If you only show "High Definition Audio Device" that indicates that only the generic, basic function, Windows installed sound driver and not the actual driver for your sound hardware.

Go to the Dell downloads for your specific model and download the correct sound driver (e.g. RealTek, IDT, Conexant, etc).

Do the same check for your Video, if you have HDMI audio. Windows may install the HD Audio Codec for that too. If you have Intel video, then get the correct Intel video driver. If you have AMD Radeon or NVIDIA go to those sites and get the correct driver (chances are what is on the Dell site is older drivers so get them direct from the appropriate vendor).

Other than that, unless some device is not working properly you should be OK.

 

[rickb278]

My Sound is working fine but youre right its just High Definition Audio Device..I know its Realtek at Dell site. Is there a big difference?
I went to Nvidia for the latest graphics but apart from that that's all Ive updated on Windows 8.1. there are no errors showing in Device Manager

 

[fireberd]

I would get RealTek. It adds more functions and control. You need the System Mixer as the default recording device for many audio applications. I don't think the HD Audio gives you that. RealTek has a nice control panel for setting options, too.

You can probably use the RealTek driver directly from RealTek. They even have a driver that includes Windows 8.1.
www.realtek.com