Reference number: CH000550
How to determine what type of controller I have?
Question:How to determine what type of controller I have?
Answer:Before determining the type of controller you have, you must
determine what type of controller you are attempting to identify and
whether or not the controller is an expansion card or on the
motherboard. Today with most computers, the controller is integrated
onto the motherboard.
Graphics controller
The graphics or AGP controller is integrated onto the computer
motherboard and enables the graphics adapter to work with the
computer. To determine the type of graphics controller on your
motherboard, you must consult the documentation of your motherboard.
Your graphics controller will likely be a ALi, AMD, Intel, NVidia,
SiS, or VIA.
Users running Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP can also
find what type of graphics controller is detected by Windows by
opening the "System devices" category in Device Manager and looking for an AGP controller device. For example, 'Intel(R)
82815 Processor to AGP Controller' and 'SiS Accelerated Graphics
Port' are examples of what Device Manager may list for your
graphics controller.
ATA/ATAPI or SCSI controller
Although many computers have an integrated disk controller on the
motherboard, many computers may also utilize an expansion controller
card. If your computer disk drives are not connected directly to the
motherboard it is likely you are using this type of controller.
Motherboard ATA/ATAPI or SCSI controller
If the controller is integrated on the motherboard to,
determine what type of disk controller or ATA/ATAPI controller
the motherboard has, it is best to consult your motherboard's documentation
or visit the motherboard
manufacturers web page for online documentation.
Expansion card ATA/ATAPI or SCSI controller
If your controller is an expansion card and you do not have the
documentation to obtain additional information about this card, it is
very likely that the manufacturer, model, and/or FCC number can be
located by physically inspecting the card.
USB controller
Although many computers have an integrated USB controller on the
motherboard, many computers may also have an expansion USB controller
card. If your USB connectors are not connected directly to the
motherboard it is likely your computer is using an expansion card.
Motherboard USB controller
If your USB controller is integrated on the motherboard it is
generally best to consult the motherboard documentation or visit the motherboard
manufacturer's web page for online documentation regarding
your USB controller.
Expansion card USB controller
If your USB controller is an expansion card it would be best to
refer to the manufacturer's documentation or visit the manufacturer's
web page for additional information about your USB controller.
Note: If your USB controller is currently installed and working
and you are running Microsoft Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000,
or Windows XP, you can determine the type of USB controller currently
installed by opening the Universal Serial Bus controllers category in
Device Manager. For example, "SiS
7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller" indicates a computer is
using the SiS chipset.
If you are looking for additional information about determining
the version of USB your computer has, please see document
CH000602.
Reasoning:Product listing or specifications
Below is an example of how you may list your computer's graphics
controller in your product specifications.
Intel(R) 82815 Processor to AGP Controller
Below is an example of how you may list your computer's disk drive
controller in your product specifications.
Intel(R) 82801BA Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 244B
Below is an example of how you may list your computer's USB
controller in your product specifications.
Intel(R) 82801BA USB Universal Host controller
Drivers or installation
If you are looking for motherboard controller drivers, you can
find a listing of motherboard driver pages as well as controller
driver pages on our motherboard drivers
page.
If you are looking for drivers for a controller expansions card
such as SCSI controller or other disk drive controller, see our
controller
drivers page.
Replacement or repair
Graphics Controller:
Although it is not very common for a graphics controller to fail,
like any other part of your computer it is capable of becoming
faulty or bad. If you believe your graphics controller is bad,
it is recommended that you purchase a new motherboard instead of
trying to have the motherboard repaired.
Disk controller:
If you believe your disk controller has failed and the disk
controller is on the motherboard, we recommend you either substitute
the disk controller with a new expansion card and not use the disk
controller on the motherboard or have the motherboard replaced.
If you believe your disk controller has failed and the disk
controller is an expansion card, simply replace the expansion card.
Additional buying tips on computer motherboard can be
found
here.
Additional information:
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