Realtek drivers

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I have a Windows 7 64 bit HP pc. It still has the original driver for the Realtek HD audio. The pc is 4 years old. The driver installed is 6.0.1.6531 for Realtek. Im sure this is an old one. Can I go to the Realtek website and download and install a newer one without upsetting the entire sound system on here? The newest driver according to Realtek is version 2.75. And if I can put the new on here, can I just install it over the new one as opposed to removing the old first? I will probably create a restore point before I attempt to do this just to be safe.
Thanks for any help

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Yes, you can do that as the wizard uninstalls the old driver, reboots then installs the new driver.

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I always recommend downloading the new drivers first, to a saved location of your choice, then uninstall the old driver withRevo uninstaller to remove all the bits and bobs left over every where. Then install the new driver.

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bassfisher6522, I see you recommend using Revo uninstaller and I’ve seen the same references many other times but I had a bad experience once a few years ago when using Revo. I don’t recall the details anymore but one of my friends had many driver issues with his laptop and I used Revo to uninstall a driver program he thought would be helpful. In the course of using Revo I went as deep as the additional locations went and it totally messed up his computer. I vowed then to never use Revo again but like the saying goes “never say never” and I’d like to reconsider that. If so many people can use Revo uninstaller, I should have the attitude of determining how to use it properly. In my friends case
I imagine I went to deep and/or other issues in his computer were factors. So my question is; when using Revo is it normally best just to accept the original uninstall locations without having to go deeper?

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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I imagine I went to deep and/or other issues in his computer were factors. So my question is; when using Revo is it normally best just to accept the original uninstall locations without having to go deeper?

It seems to me that Revo is really intended for computer experts. I had it on my XP machine, but rarely used it other than for the basic uninstall, as the various levels to which it will search were too intimidating for non-experts who do not understand how much risk they are taking. At least it scared the hell out if me.

I started a thread recently where I was advised to remove the offending programme using Revo, but discovered that only the Pro version works with a 64 bit OS. Unwilling to purchase something I am afraid to use except in extreme circumstances, I stuck to Add/Remove programmes in Control Panel.

Like cmptrgy, I would find it helpful if there were some sort of guide s to how deep it is safe to go with Revo.

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It seems to me that Revo is really intended for computer experts. I had it on my XP machine, but rarely used it other than for the basic uninstall, as the various levels to which it will search were too intimidating for non-experts who do not understand how much risk they are taking. At least it scared the hell out if me.

I started a thread recently where I was advised to remove the offending programme using Revo, but discovered that only the Pro version works with a 64 bit OS. Unwilling to purchase something I am afraid to use except in extreme circumstances, I stuck to Add/Remove programmes in Control Panel.

Like cmptrgy, I would find it helpful if there were some sort of guide s to how deep it is safe to go with Revo.

The problem with Windows Uninstall is that it leaves bits in the registry which is why when uninstalling AV programs, you need to use their specific uninstaller.

A much simpler free uninstaller than Revo to use, is IOBit Uninstaller which I’ve linked in Post #5.

It has a two click operation and uninstalls both 32 and 64 bit programs and includes a File Shredder option.

I’ve been using it for a while without any problems and as a fall back if you need it, Windows creates a restore point when installing/uninstalling any programs.

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Thanks Sudo, I’ll give it a try.

Your last sentence is reassuring, if I had known that Revo would have been much less intimidating.

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Realtek have a built in uninstall feature when updating their audio drivers as I’ve explained, but with their network drivers, I always download/save the new driver first and then fully uninstall the older one through Device Manager by checking the box to include the software – but I have occasionally used IOBit’s Uninstaller to use the deep scan without any adverse effects.

It’s possible Cmptrgy, there could have been something else going on with your friend’s computer, but I would recommend IOBit Uninstaller over Revo because of its simplicity of use.

I don’t think it tries to include anything else in its download, but read before clicking Next or Install if you want to give it a try http://www.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller.html

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I imagine I went to deep and/or other issues in his computer were factors. So my question is; when using Revo is it normally best just to accept the original uninstall locations without having to go deeper?

You are probably right with the PC having more issue’s than you were aware of. Easily, there could have been a download that attached itself to some other software on the PC and once the deemed software was removed, it caused havoc with the rest of the system, it happens all the time.

I would suggest giving Revo another shot, this time trying the Pro version (15 or 30 day trial). The pro version remove both 32 bit and 64 bit software, where as the basic version just removes 32 bit software.

Either way of removal is just fine.

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Back to the original post. Why is the driver being replaced? There is no mention of any problem. If the sound system is working properly then leave the driver alone.

Joe

--Joe

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thanks to everyone the new driver went on smoothly and the old one uninstalled prior to the new one through install shield wizard

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Back to the original post. Why is the driver being replaced? There is no mention of any problem. If the sound system is working properly then leave the driver alone.

Joe

normally I would agree with this with most device drivers but I disagree with your assessment in the sense that Realtek constantly improves & updates their HD audio drivers to resolve problems (especially driver conflicts or software conflicts) with other drivers.

Realtek HD Audio drivers can be downloaded from their official web site:
http://www.realtek.com.tw/
Just click on the “HD Audio Codec Driver” link, and click on OK or Yes to accept the license agreement to display the audio driver downloads and download the driver, which is actually version 6.0.1.7246 (R2.75).

However, HP may provide a customized or OEM version of the Realtek HD Audio driver on the HP web site.

Doing a recent search on the Microsoft Update Catalog site shows there are even newer versions of the Realtek High Definition Audio driver, like versions 6.0.1.7318 (for Win7/Win8.x) and 6.0.1.7334 & 6.0.1.7340 for Win8.1.

In short, update your Realtek HD Audio driver when playing the latest computer games or installing newer versions of Skype. But first, better to remove your existing Realtek audio driver, reboot and then install the new one.

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normally I would agree with this with most device drivers but I disagree with your assessment in the sense that Realtek constantly improves & updates their HD audio drivers to resolve problems (especially driver conflicts or software conflicts) with other drivers.

You can say that about almost any driver update. Look at the change logs for video driver updates. They are full of fixes for compatibility with various games and system issues.

I repeat, if the sound is working well for what the OP is doing on the PC then updating the driver just because the PC is “4 years old” is not the best idea. Drivers should be updated because there is a problem with PC/device usage.

Joe

--Joe

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Back to the original post. Why is the driver being replaced? There is no mention of any problem. If the sound system is working properly then leave the driver alone.

Joe

I need to give that a +1. Most users just want to update because it’s the newest but the thing is that newest often times comes with a bug.

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Revo is pretty easy to use with the defaults. Just let it
Create a System Restore Point
Do a normal Windows Uninstall
When the uninstall finishes, click next to let Revo search for leftover files and Registry items
Select all and delete when it presents with a list
Done.

The moderate default selection in Revo has never given me any problems. The only issue with the free version of Revo is that it doesn’t support 64 bit apps.

I tried the IO bit uninstaller and found it to be messier to use than Revo but that’s just my opinion. YMMV

Jerry

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