Studio 1745 - missing driver

Question

Hi,

I seem to have a missing driver on my brand new laptop :emotion-6: If I look under Device Manager, Other Devices is showing an ! . Under Other Devices it shows an Unknown Device this has a downwood pointing arrow on it. I tried update but is seemed unable to find a driver.

The computer seems to work perfectly well.

Any help or information on this would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Perky.

delite74 · Accepted Answer

Hi Perkymite,

I had the same on my 1745 after reinstalling Windows 7.

The only driver which is not automatically installed by win 7 nor downloaded by the win update process is the "Motion Sensor".

Just download and install it from Dell support (1745 Drivers, System Utilities section, ST Microelectronics driver)

This sensor is built in your computer and prevents your hard disk from being damaged when moving your laptop to fast...

Hope it helps...

perkymite · Accepted Answer

Hi delite,  Many thanks worked a dream.   Have you done the A02 BIOS upgrade?   I am not a techy but wondered how dificult it is. thanks again Perky

delite74 · Accepted Answer

Hi Perky,

Yes, I upgraded to A02 and Yes, it's easy.

There are two ways to upgrade, one from windows and one from the DOS. Just download the windows version (upgrade is more easy by this way).

Double click on the upgrade file, follow the instructions, click start to upgrade, and just wait several minutes until the process ends. That's it !

When upgrading the BIOS, you need to take care on the following :

1) Close all running programs before upgrading (including antivirus),

2) Insure your laptop is plugged in the power supply rather than running on battery,

3) NEVER, NEVER, NEVER interrupt the upgrade process, even if it seems to be blocked, because actually, it is not. The upgrade can take up to several minutes.

4) Keep in mind that once you upgraded to A02, it will not be easy to downgrade to A01 in case you want to go back (Dell now includes a protection in order to avoid downgrades).

5) Usually, do not upgrade the Bios if your are satisfied with your computer and if you don't encounter any problem. It's a particular software and that's what IT pros usually do (new Bios versions improve the way your computer handles hardware, but sometimes also introduce new bugs).

I only upgraded because of the bad Studio 1745 FAN control. I'm waiting for Dell to improve this FAN behaviour.

Unfortunately, Dell doesn't provide any release notes on what new Bios improves... I only found this thread:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19314738.aspx

Best regards,

delite74 · Accepted Answer

Hi Perkymite,

The webcam is not that kind of hardware handled by the Bios and has nothing to do with it.

The webcam is handled by a regular driver. Since you use it without any trouble with Skype, it means everything works well, in the way it should. Therefore, whatever the webcam software you will install, it will work unless it is locked for licence or business reasons.

"Webcam central" is only a regular software, among others, which use the webcam. After Googling it, it seems to be one of these free stuff provided by Dell with some laptops which integrate "Creative Labs" webcams.

If you like it, you can install it on your laptop (you have to try. may be it is locked to only be used by Creative Labs webcams or by given Dell Models, but that's for licence and business reasons, not technical ones).

Should it be the case, just google a litle bit and i'm sure you will find another one.... either freeware or opensource....

Delite,

delite74 · Accepted Answer

Hi Perky, I've just seen that the 'Webcam central' software is provided by Dell with the Studio 1745. You can dowload it from Dell here : https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Welcome.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fweb%2fmain.aspx Have a nice day,

perkymite · Answer

Hi Delite, Thanks for the information. I have decided to take the "if it is not broke do not fix it" route.:emotion-2: My laptop seems to work perfectly ok - no fan problems that I can detect.

At least I thought it was until my grandson came along with his new Studio 15 laptop. Whilst showing me his laptop I noticed he was able to use his webcam from something called Webcam Central (or might have been Centre). I do not seem to have that facility on mine at all. I know my webcam works because I use it on Skype and I thought that was it. Should I have a Webcam Centre where I can just switch it on?

Many thanks for you help.

Perky

perkymite · Answer

Hi Delite,   Many, many thanks for your help.    Sorry if I have been a bit of a pain, one thing leading to another. Kindest regards Perky.

delite74 · Answer

Hi Perky, You're welcome. Enjoy your laptop. See you,

perkymite · Answer

Hi Delite,

Thanks for that link. I have now downloaded Webcam Central and installed. I think I now have my Laptop back to where it should have been! Only one problem the guy looking back at me in the webcam is a lot older than I remember :emotion-1:

Many, many thanks for your help.

Perky

delite74 · Answer

LOL, I could give you my webcam but unfortunatly, the same guy is looking at me too...:emotion-8:

It looks like if these webcams do not work properly or may be they are able to show us the futur ... :emotion-5:

Delite74,

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Studio 1745 - missing driver

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