drivers

/optimize:drivers — Hardware & Driver Audit

Checks driver versions, hardware configuration, and device errors. Produces a clear action list — most items here require manual steps, so the output is a prioritized report, not an automated fix.

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Step 1 — Run the diagnostic

Run scripts/01_diagnose.ps1 as Administrator.

Focus on: hardware.json, device_errors.json, smart_status.json.

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Step 2 — Collect additional driver detail

Run this PowerShell as Administrator for a deeper driver picture:

# GPU driver info
$gpu = Get-WmiObject Win32_VideoController | Where-Object { $_.Name -notlike "*Microsoft*" } | Select-Object -First 1
Write-Host "GPU: $($gpu.Name)"
Write-Host "Driver version: $($gpu.DriverVersion)"
$driverDate = [Management.ManagementDateTimeConverter]::ToDateTime($gpu.DriverDate)
Write-Host "Driver date: $($driverDate.ToString('yyyy-MM-dd')) ($([int]([datetime]::Today - $driverDate).TotalDays) days ago)"

# RAM speed vs rated
Get-WmiObject Win32_PhysicalMemory | ForEach-Object {
    Write-Host "RAM: $($_.PartNumber.Trim()) | Rated: $($_.Speed) MHz | Running: $($_.ConfiguredClockSpeed) MHz | XMP: $(if ($_.ConfiguredClockSpeed -ge $_.Speed - 100) {'ACTIVE'} else {'OFF - running below rated speed'})"
}

# BIOS
$bios = Get-WmiObject Win32_BIOS
$biosDate = [Management.ManagementDateTimeConverter]::ToDateTime($bios.ReleaseDate)
Write-Host "BIOS: $($bios.SMBIOSBIOSVersion) — $($biosDate.ToString('yyyy-MM-dd')) ($([int]([datetime]::Today - $biosDate).TotalDays) days ago)"

# Device errors
$errors = Get-PnpDevice | Where-Object { $_.Status -eq "Error" }
Write-Host "`nDevices in error ($($errors.Count)):"
$errors | ForEach-Object { Write-Host "  [ERROR] $($_.Class) — $($_.FriendlyName) — $($_.InstanceId)" }

# Driver dates (flagging old ones)
Write-Host "`nDrivers older than 1 year:"
Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object { $_.DriverDate -and $_.DeviceName } |
    ForEach-Object {
        try {
            $d = [datetime]::ParseExact($_.DriverDate.Substring(0,8), "yyyyMMdd", $null)
            if (([datetime]::Today - $d).TotalDays -gt 365) {
                Write-Host ("  {0,-45} {1}" -f $_.DeviceName, $d.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd"))
            }
        } catch {}
    }

# SMART
Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus | Format-Table -AutoSize

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Step 3 — Produce the report

Present findings clearly, grouped by priority:

🔴 Critical

• Any SMART failure predicted → immediate backup + disk replacement
• Device errors that affect core hardware (GPU, audio, network, storage controllers)

🟡 Important

• GPU driver > 6 months old → update via AMD Adrenalin or NVIDIA GeForce Experience
• RAM running below rated speed (XMP/DOCP off) → BIOS change, free performance
• Intel/AMD Chipset Device Software missing → download from motherboard manufacturer

🟢 Informational

• BIOS age > 12 months → check manufacturer site for stability/security updates
• Non-critical device errors (e.g. Bluetooth adapters not in use)
• Drivers older than 1 year that aren't causing issues

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Step 4 — Manual action guide

For every item that needs action, provide exact steps:

GPU driver update:

• AMD: Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition → Check for Updates
• NVIDIA: Open GeForce Experience → Drivers tab → Check for Updates
• Or download directly from amd.com / nvidia.com

XMP/DOCP (RAM speed):

• Press DEL at boot → AI Tweaker (ASUS) or equivalent → XMP / DOCP / EXPO → select profile I → F10 Save → reboot
• Benefit: typically +10-17% memory bandwidth, free

Intel Chipset Device Software:

• Go to your motherboard manufacturer's support page → search your model → Drivers → Chipset
• Download and install the INF package → reboot
• This resolves most "PCI Device", "SM Bus Controller", "Serial IO" errors in Device Manager

BIOS update:

• Download latest BIOS from manufacturer's support page
• Use EZ Flash (ASUS), Q-Flash (Gigabyte), or M-Flash (MSI) from within BIOS
• No USB drive needed if your BIOS supports internet flash

For specific device errors: include the InstanceId from the error list so the user can paste it into Windows Device Manager or search for the exact driver package.

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Step 5 — What can be automated

The only driver-related change that runs automatically (no reboot):

Install available Windows Update drivers:

$session = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session
$searcher = $session.CreateUpdateSearcher()
$results = $searcher.Search("IsInstalled=0 and Type='Driver'")
if ($results.Updates.Count -gt 0) {
    $toInstall = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.UpdateColl
    $results.Updates | ForEach-Object { $toInstall.Add($_) | Out-Null }
    $installer = $session.CreateUpdateInstaller()
    $installer.Updates = $toInstall
    $installResult = $installer.Install()
    Write-Host "Installed $($toInstall.Count) driver(s) from Windows Update"
    Write-Host "Reboot required: $($installResult.RebootRequired)"
}

Run this if the user wants to pick up whatever Microsoft has available, but note that GPU, chipset, and BIOS updates require the manufacturer's tools — Windows Update typically doesn't carry them.