[German]Microsoft has released an update ‘Advanced MicroDevices, Inc. driver update for AMD SMBUS’, dated 03/31/2017, via Windows Update for all Windows systems with AMD CPU. Here are some details about this driver update package.

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I receive a comment about this update along Microsoft’s April 2017 patch day (although the driver doesn’t belong to Microsoft’s patch day). The reader reported, that the SMBus driver has been offered via Windows Update on all of his AMD Windows 7 machines.

The update changes the driver to version 5.12.0.31 (date 02/18./2015) – see Screenshot below.

The previous driver have had version 5.12.0.16 (dated 03/16(2011) – see screenshot below.

The diver is available via Microsoft Update Catalog

I checked Microsoft Update Catalog and found the driver is offered for all supported Windows platforms.

The driver package is 30 KB in size and release notes say, the driver is for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc Other hardware::

Description: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc Other hardware software update released in January, 2015

Company: Lenovo

Driver Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc
Driver Class: Other Hardware
Driver Model: AMD SMBus
Driver Provider: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Version: 5.12.0.31
Version Date: 1/18/2015

Supported Hardware IDs
pciven_1002&dev_4353
pciven_1002&dev_4363
pciven_1002&dev_4372
pciven_1002&dev_4385
pciven_1022&dev_780b
pciven_1022&dev_790b

Supported Update IDs
def0a545-77e8-495c-a2cd-599515773173

No mor details are provided.

What’s behind the SMBus driver update?

SMBus stands for System Management Bus, a two line bus used for communication between ICs. According to Wikipedia it helps to detect the state of several components. The driver belongs to the mainboard and the chipset.

The reason, why this driver exists: Windows ‘thinks’ it need such a driver. So if device manager shows an unknown device with the hardware id enlisted above, the driver will fix this issue. The new update installs an Null driver via SMBUSAMD.inf. The file SMBUSAMD.cat just contains a digital signature. I don’t know, why Microsoft intended to ship this driver package via Windows Update (and especially without providing any details).

Shall I install this driver?

My answer is No. In normal cases, a null driver shall not harm. But we have had a couple of null drivers shipped via Windows Update within the last months, that’s causing serious issues.

Within this MS Answers forum thread somebody experienced install errors during updates. Also within this forum thread it’s recommended to hide this update. If the driver has been installed and is causing issues, fire up device manager. Then search for SMBus entry, right click the entry and uninstall the driver. Then reboot the machine and hide the update.

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Um, just like the my thread name. WHERE DO I GET AMD CHIPSETS Drivers?(looking for 780/790 series)
Intel, I know TOO WELL, go intel.com, about intel, downloads, chipsets, etc.
Nvidia, just go nvidia.com>download drivers
ATi: ati.com>graphic drivers
Realtek: realtek.com.tw> downloads
Asus: too lazy to type....
(AS U CAN SEE I know where to find drivers)
BUT AMD WHERE would i find it?
the reason why im asking is because of the following reasons:
1. I might get a Phenom II build
2. For knowledge sake
3. Because what if my motherboard manufacture (gigabyte, asus) DOESN'T update their drivers on their site. then either I HAVE TO USE A year old drivers OR no chipset drivers when a new OS launches(win 7).
PS: If your mind has drifted away from the topic, don't worry. I'll ask it again:
OTHER THAN MY motherboard manufacture site AND MY INSTALLATION CD plz.
EDIT: MY ANSWER/SOLUTION IS THE LAST POST!!! JUST SCROLL DOWN