I did say that I expected some problems with Windows 7 and yes I found one pretty quickly too, shame the solutions wasn’t so quick though.

When using Vista the HDMI output to the television worked satisfactorily with both audio and video streams to the television. Bring on Windows 7, no such luck. The video was present, but no audio, so whilst watching on the big screen, it was lower quality laptop speakers for the audio. It was worse than that , the HDMI audio device was not seen i the sound panel, so it couldn’t even be turned on.  Onto the source of knowledge – scan all the Windows 7 forums -  only to find this was not unique, there were hundreds of posts out there referring to the same, or similar, problem, and the solution for each one, download and install a new driver.

OK so what is there to lose, nothing! So check the laptop manufacturer’s website (Dell), the latest driver is installed (although reading further i don’t think they had bothered to check many drivers against Windows 7 usage). So not being convinced it’s across to the chip manufacturer (Intel), the best driver is installed. Brick wall!

It was almost despair time when totally by accident I came across a Driver Robot,  utility that checks for the latest drivers. I’m no a fan of these, but again what’s to lose? Download the utility run it. It showed up over 20 critical updates, and top of the list was the HDMI. Still a bit wary. Scanning was fine, but a registration code was needed for driver download (there is a small fee for this). Download the driver, and install, system reboot, and hey presto what do you know its working. Faith has been restored.

I Have to admit to change of heart, but I think I will be using only one driver checking software utility from this point on, and having some trust it, that’s Driver Robot, it certainly proved itself for me.