The Archos 9 PCtablet represented an early foray into the world of tablet computing, aiming to blend the functionality of a traditional PC with the portability and user-friendliness of a mobile device. This article provides an overview of the Archos 9, its features, and the importance of its touch screen driver, specifically version 5.5.0.6701, for optimal performance.
Understanding the Archos 9 PCtablet
The Archos 9 PCtablet was designed to be a versatile device that could handle both work and entertainment tasks. It aimed to be more than just a media player, seeking to offer a complete computing experience in a compact form factor.
Key Features and Specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7, providing a familiar and widely compatible environment for software installation and usage.
- Processor: Intel Atom Z515 CPU running at 1.2GHz, offering a balance between performance and power efficiency.
- Storage: 32GB Solid State Drive (SSD), enabling faster boot times and application loading compared to traditional hard drives.
- Display: 9-inch matte-finish touch screen, providing a comfortable viewing experience even in bright lighting conditions.
- Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for wireless internet access and peripheral connections.
- Webcam: Integrated webcam for video conferencing and capturing photos.
- Audio: Stereo speakers and a microphone for multimedia consumption and communication.
- Software: Pre-loaded with Lotus Symphony for document creation and editing.
- Weight: Approximately 29 ounces.
- Thickness: 0.67 inches.
The Vision Behind the Device
The Archos 9 sought to combine the best aspects of different computing devices:
- Desktop Power: Running Windows 7, it could run a wide variety of desktop applications.
- Netbook Portability: Its compact size and weight made it easy to carry around.
- Multimedia Expertise: Leveraging Archos’s experience in portable media players, it offered a high-quality multimedia experience.
The Importance of the Touch Screen Driver
The touch screen is a primary input method for the Archos 9 PCtablet. A properly functioning touch screen driver is crucial for ensuring accurate and responsive touch input. The driver acts as a translator between the touch screen hardware and the operating system, allowing Windows 7 to correctly interpret touch gestures and commands.
Functionality of the Touch Screen Driver
The touch screen driver version 5.5.0.6701 plays a critical role in the following aspects:
- Accuracy: Ensures that touch inputs are registered accurately on the screen.
- Responsiveness: Reduces latency between touch input and on-screen response.
- Gesture Recognition: Enables the device to recognize and interpret multi-touch gestures.
- Calibration: Allows for the calibration of the touch screen to ensure optimal accuracy.
- Stability: Prevents conflicts with other hardware and software, ensuring stable operation.
Consequences of an Outdated or Corrupted Driver
Using an outdated or corrupted touch screen driver can lead to several problems:
- Inaccurate Touch Input: Touches may not register correctly, making it difficult to interact with the device.
- Unresponsive Touch Screen: The touch screen may become slow or unresponsive, leading to a frustrating user experience.
- Driver Conflicts: Conflicts with other drivers can cause system instability or crashes.
- Limited Functionality: Some touch screen features, such as gesture recognition, may not work properly.
Obtaining and Installing the Touch Screen Driver 5.5.0.6701
While specific download links can become outdated, here’s a general approach to finding and installing the correct driver:
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Check the Archos Website: The official Archos website is the primary source for drivers and software updates. Navigate to the support section and search for the Archos 9 PCtablet.
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Alternative Driver Download Site:
Driver Download Link -
Identify the Correct Driver: Look for the touch screen driver specifically version 5.5.0.6701 or a later compatible version.
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Download the Driver: Download the driver file to your computer.
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Installation:
- Extract the Driver: If the driver is in a compressed format (e.g., .zip), extract the files to a folder on your computer.
- Device Manager: Open the Device Manager in Windows 7 (search for "Device Manager" in the Start Menu).
- Locate the Touch Screen Device: Find the touch screen device in the list of hardware. It may be listed under "Human Interface Devices" or "Unknown Devices."
- Update Driver: Right-click on the touch screen device and select "Update Driver."
- Browse My Computer: Choose the option to "Browse my computer for driver software."
- Select Driver Folder: Browse to the folder where you extracted the driver files and select it.
- Install the Driver: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
- Restart: Restart your Archos 9 PCtablet to complete the installation.
Troubleshooting Driver Installation Issues
If you encounter problems during the driver installation process, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Run as Administrator: Right-click on the driver installation file and select "Run as administrator."
- Compatibility Mode: Try running the driver installation in compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows.
- Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable your antivirus software, as it may interfere with the driver installation.
- Check Device Manager: Verify that the driver is installed correctly in the Device Manager. Look for any error messages or warnings.
- Contact Support: If you are still unable to install the driver, contact Archos support for assistance.
Additional Features and Considerations
Beyond the touch screen, the Archos 9 PCtablet offered several other notable features:
- Built-in Webcam: Enabled video conferencing and capturing photos.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Provided wireless connectivity for internet access and peripheral connections.
- Kickstand: Allowed for hands-free viewing of videos and other content.
- USB Port: Enabled connection to external devices such as hard drives, printers, and digital cameras.
- Lotus Symphony: Pre-loaded office suite for document creation and editing.
- Flash Support: Enabled streaming of high-definition videos from websites like YouTube and Hulu.
The Archos 9 PCtablet, with its focus on portability and functionality, aimed to be a versatile device for both work and entertainment. While it may not have achieved mainstream success, it represented an innovative attempt to bridge the gap between traditional PCs and mobile devices. Ensuring that the touch screen driver, specifically version 5.5.0.6701, is properly installed is essential for maximizing the device’s potential and providing a smooth and responsive user experience.