How can I access the driver files on my Windows XP

[TramMan]

I need to view the condition of my video driver to see if it requires updating, as my external video player will not recognize it has a disc installed

[ChuckFickens]

Your question makes no sense in as much as I can't see what your video drivers are to do with an external video player!

But to answer it anyhow, right click on the my computer icon, select properties, then click on the hardware tab and click the device manager button. you can then expand the display driver section and double click on the listing for your video card and you'll find the version number in the properties that open.

There are other, quicker ways to get to the same place, but going to the device manager means you can check any other driver versions or problems.

[TramMan]

Thank you Chuck, The problem is I have a new external video player (LG), and cannot get it to recognize that I have loaded a disk. I get an internal error message. I just don't know what to do, because I cannot even get the installation disk to load.

[ChuckFickens]

I'm still a bit confused (no change there!)

What is this external video player exactly, and if it's external why has it not recognising disks got anything to do with your computer?

[TramMan]

It is: an external GE20 Super Multi Drive H.L Data Storage/video/cd rom/music cd/burner/player made by Hitachi. it is connected by USB. I originally installed it by the download disk supplied with the unit. I have been playing around trying to get it to work for days! It will intermittently play a music cd. I've been afraid to uninstall the program, as I cannot find the cd activation key, and once installed, I will need the unit to recognize the installation disk (which it won't at this time). Once I install a disk the light comes on and then off and on trying to recognize a loaded disk - I keep getting the message that I need to load a disk! If all else fails, I'll just take it back to the retailer. Was just hoping that you had had experience with one of these externals.

[ChuckFickens]

Oh right, it's an external DVD burner.

You don't need to install any software for it to work, the software that comes with it is just a 3rd party cd/dvd writing application (nero burning rom, the activation key is normally one the paper sleeve for the CD BTW)

Open my computer and you should be able to see an icon in there for the drive when it's plugged in, if you can then it's working, you can always check by just pulling the USB lead out, the drive icon should disappear and it'll reappear again if you plug the lead back in.

If the icon doesn't appear remove the USB lead and then follow the instructions from my first post to open the device manager and once the device manager is open plug the USB lead in and you should see an extra device appear, if it does and it's got either a red cross or a yellow exlaimation mark there is a problem with the device, double click on it and you should see an error message, if you do what's the error?