Intel WLAN driver failed installation in Support Assistant - old driver offered?

[SpacemanSpiffey]

The HP Support Assistant has just notified me of some updated drivers. The first (HP Image Enhancement for System Logon) installed fine; the second (Intel WLAN Driver for Microsoft Windows 10) did not install - it comes up with a box saying 'Installation failed'.

I found another post on the HP support forums which say to check the currently installed driver (by going to Device Manager > Network Adaptors > Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265; then Driver tab) and, if it's a later driver currently installed, it can be disabled in the HPSA.

I've done this, and checked the currently-installed wireless driver on my system, and it is showing in the driver tab as version 19.51.4.2 with a date of 02/07/2017 (I'm not sure if that's February or July). By using the 'update driver' button, it has suggested that I have the latest version - both online and via Windows update.

I've checked on the support section of the HP website and, by entering in my serial number, it has shown me the list of drivers available for the Intel WLAN adapter: the latest version offered there is shown as 19.20.1.3 Rev.P, released November 3 2016. This suggests to me that I have indeed got the latest driver installed.

However, the HP Support Assistant is trying to install version 18.32.1.2Pp1 (Softpaq number: SP74466) which, considering the dates of the drivers listed above, must be years out of date.

Having said all that, I have two questions:

1. I assume that I have the latest available driver installed, which means that I can safely delete the update in the HPSA?
2. If I have the latest driver, why is the HPSA trying to push out a driver that's so out of date? Shouldn't it already be aware which drivers I have installed, and therefore not offer it as an update?

Any help is gratefully recieved!

[Riddle_Decipher]

@SpacemanSpiffey

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips, 

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you out 🙂 

As I understand you want information on how HPSA works,

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details: 

Did you know that HPSA obtains the drivers from the part's manufacturer site for the series and not your particular model?

While you respond to that, I have reviewed your concern and to answer your first question, you should be able to delete the offer for a new update, if you've successfully installed the same already.

That said, the HPSA works as a push service to update the drivers based on your product number, unlike the serial number which would be specific to your computer alone, the product numbers are a wide range of PC's with different parts.

I hope that answers your query.

Keep me posted,

If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[SpacemanSpiffey]

Thanks Riddle_Decipher for clearing the function of the HPSA up as an answer for my second question.

Regarding my first question, please can you confirm that the version of the driver I have is the latest one?

I ask as your post below seems to suggest that I can only delete the offered driver in HPSA if I've already installed it - which, as I've already said, I was unable to do because the installation fails every time I try (presumably because it's the incorrect driver for the specific hardware I have installed, but one that appears on another model with the same product number).

As a suggestion for the software decision makers, can I suggest that the HPSA take account of the serial number as well and only offer the drivers for the specific PC? This would be far better for consumers and would prevent a lot of confusion. I'm pretty good with computers, but I know a lot of people who would be completely baffled by this issue. I've recently switched from a Mac (mainly due to cost and flexibility of PCs versus Macs), but there's a lot to be said for having it 'just working'. If HP could get this sorted they'd be able to corner the market ...

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@SpacemanSpiffey

Thank you for replying with this detailed response 😉 

I appreciate your time and efforts,

I will certainly forward your feedback and suggestions to the appropriate team,

That said, the reason you aren't able to install it as I mentioned before is because the update isn't for your model and the best way to check if you have the latest version installed, is by going into the HP website:

Click here to find the updates based on your product number.

look for the release date of the update you require to confirm the same.

Keep me posted,

If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[SpacemanSpiffey]

Thanks Riddle_Decipher,

The link you provided was the one I found earlier, which tells me I have the latest driver.

I've removed the old driver suggestion from HPSA.

I'll know in the future that recommendations are for a much wider hardware range than I initially thought!

Thanks for your help! 

[Riddle_Decipher]

@SpacemanSpiffey

Thank you for the update,

I appreciate your time and efforts, 

I'm glad I could contribute towards identifying and leading you towards the solution for this concern.

Thanks for taking the time to let the community know that you accept my suggestions,

You've been great to work with and it has been a genuine pleasure interacting with you.

I hope both you and your product works great and remain healthy for a long time 😉 

To simply say thanks for my efforts to assist you, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos.

Take care now and do have a fabulous week ahead. 🙂