How to determine what type of controller I have?

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 an 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.

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.For More Our previous Topic.

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.