Where to download drivers for Win 7 netbook?

[Bob E.]

Need Atheros wifi driver (AR9485) and Atheros ethernet driver (AR8152 v2.0).
It's for an Acer Aspire One 722-0473. I installed Win 7 Home Premium from a
universal installer (not supplied by Acer). Of course, it came only with
universal drivers.

Neither the Acer nor Atheros sites show any such drivers. I see tons of sites
that say they have these drivers. How does one choose a trustworthy source
for such drivers?

Thanks.

[Larry Sheldon]

Post by Bob E.
Need Atheros wifi driver (AR9485) and Atheros ethernet driver (AR8152 v2.0).
It's for an Acer Aspire One 722-0473. I installed Win 7 Home Premium from a
universal installer (not supplied by Acer). Of course, it came only with
universal drivers.
Neither the Acer nor Atheros sites show any such drivers. I see tons of sites
that say they have these drivers. How does one choose a trustworthy source
for such drivers?

What's wrong with ones like this?

http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=60&system=5

[Bob E.]

Post by Larry Sheldon
http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=60&system=5

"Unofficial Atheros Czech Drivers Site". How trustworthy is a site with a
name like that?

Found US site, official Atheros:

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

I see drivers for ethernet, wifi, trackpad, display, card reader, audio. Some
of these aren't currently working (LAN, wifi) and I see on a hardware listing
(Linux command "lshw") the manufacturer of the chip. But the others are not
listed and seem to be working (display, audio, trackpad, XD/SD card reader).

Do I install these other drivers even though they seem to work?

Thanks.

[Bob E.]

Post by Bob E.
http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

er... that's the official Acer site.

[Larry Sheldon]

Post by Bob E.

Post by Larry Sheldon
http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=60&system=5

"Unofficial Atheros Czech Drivers Site". How trustworthy is a site
with a name like that?

I was just looking at the DNS name.

Post by Bob E.
http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers
I see drivers for ethernet, wifi, trackpad, display, card reader,
audio. Some of these aren't currently working (LAN, wifi) and I see
on a hardware listing (Linux command "lshw") the manufacturer of the
chip. But the others are not listed and seem to be working (display,
audio, trackpad, XD/SD card reader).
Do I install these other drivers even though they seem to work?

My rule of thumb is subsumed under "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Unless a driver is missing, or broken, or a credible source reports some
condition in my worry-zone, I leave it alone.

[Larry Sheldon]

Post by Bob E.
How does one choose a trustworthy source
for such drivers?

As a general rule, I look for stuff in this order: the final product
maker, the chipset maker, trusted other sites (like CNET and others),
sites that come up dry on a search for complaints, and as a last resort
if I am sufficiently desperate, anybody that says they have what I want.

[Bob E.]

Post by Larry Sheldon
As a general rule, I look for stuff in this order: the final product
maker, the chipset maker, trusted other sites (like CNET and others),
sites that come up dry on a search for complaints, and as a last resort
if I am sufficiently desperate, anybody that says they have what I want.

I like your rules of hierarchy.

Thanks.