Downgrading Vista to XP

[hogyu]

Thanks to help in this forum, I managed to locate the necessary drivers for
XP running on my new laptop and figured out how to slipstream the SATA
driver into an installation disk. I haven't tried installing XP yet, but I
got to the point in the installation where the install routine identified my
drive and its partitions correctly.

I overlooked one problem, though. I have been unable to find an Intel HD
Audio driver for an Intel 943GML motherboard for XP. Gateway has one for
Vista, which was preloaded on my computer. I can't find anything on the
Intel site.

A few general questions:

-- Would it be reasonable to at least try loading audio drivers for this
chip and motherboard from the Web sites of other manufacturers?

-- Does Microsoft have any sort of a driver base that I can search for an
appropriate driver?

-- Does Windows Update identify uninstalled hardware drivers and try to
download them? I think not, but I'm not sure. And in any case, I'm still
trying to decide whether to go through the hassle of installing a new OS
without any sort of audio support.

I'm downgrading because several apps I need are either not yet available for
Vista or require that I buy new versions -- not even discounted upgrades!
Some software makers have seized the opportunity to make a killing, I think.
But without being able to use VoIP or use other audio apps, I'm not sure I
want to go through with this. I might just pick up an older used laptop and
wait for Vista to mature.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

You install the correct Driver, not ANY Driver.

 

[Michael Solomon]

Thanks to help in this forum, I managed to locate the necessary drivers
for XP running on my new laptop and figured out how to slipstream the SATA
driver into an installation disk. I haven't tried installing XP yet, but I
got to the point in the installation where the install routine identified
my drive and its partitions correctly.

I overlooked one problem, though. I have been unable to find an Intel HD
Audio driver for an Intel 943GML motherboard for XP. Gateway has one for
Vista, which was preloaded on my computer. I can't find anything on the
Intel site.

A few general questions:

-- Would it be reasonable to at least try loading audio drivers for this
chip and motherboard from the Web sites of other manufacturers?

-- Does Microsoft have any sort of a driver base that I can search for an
appropriate driver?

-- Does Windows Update identify uninstalled hardware drivers and try to
download them? I think not, but I'm not sure. And in any case, I'm still
trying to decide whether to go through the hassle of installing a new OS
without any sort of audio support.

I'm downgrading because several apps I need are either not yet available
for Vista or require that I buy new versions -- not even discounted
upgrades! Some software makers have seized the opportunity to make a
killing, I think. But without being able to use VoIP or use other audio
apps, I'm not sure I want to go through with this. I might just pick up an
older used laptop and wait for Vista to mature.

Thanks.

Why not just purchase an inexpensive soundcard that supports audio
capabilities that you require? Just check to be sure the card manufacturer
(there are tons of such Creative SoundBlaster cards around) has XP drivers
for the card.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Only the correct drivers should be used.
Incorrect drivers probably not install but if they somehow do, other
problems will probably be encountered.

The drivers Microsoft distributes are provided by the manufacturer and
distributed after meeting specific requirements.
If Microsoft has the drivers, so does the manufacturer but the
manufacturer may be new with more features.

"I might just pick up an older used laptop..."
I would avoid that since that will make it more difficult for
upgrading to Windows Vista in the future if you later desire or need
to.
Dell and probably other OEMs continue to sell computers with Windows
XP:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/winxp_inspn?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
Availability will probably stop January next year.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Michael;
I think you missed something, this is a laptop.

 

[Michael Solomon]

Michael;
I think you missed something, this is a laptop.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


Uh, thanks, Jupiter, I'm not having a good day!

 

[hogyu]

Thanks, Michael, but I think I mentioned that it was a laptop...

 

[hogyu]

You install the correct Driver, not ANY Driver.

 

[hogyu]

Well, that's sort of insulting, Mick. Let me ask the same question in
another way.

Given the same motherboard chipset and same audio chip, if Gateway hasn't
gotten around to putting out a driver and Dell has, would it be at least
worth trying to use the Dell driver?

SigmaTel doesn't post any reference drivers for its chip, its Web site says.

But I can use the Gateway drivers or the Intel drivers for things on my
computer like the SATA drive, and I've poached lots of drivers for the same
basic hardware over many years from lots of companies whose logos didn't
appear on the specific card or component in my computer -- Webcams, audio
board, video boards, modems, whatever.

Does anyone have any advice on whether this situation should be different?

Thanks.

Is there any reason

 

[hogyu]

Oops...sorry. I was replying as I went along down the list, and didn't see
that you had already noted that. Apologies, Michael -- not trying to rub it
in...

Michael;
I think you missed something, this is a laptop.

 

[hogyu]

Jupiter, my question here is the same one I asked earlier, and it's an
honest question. I've been around computers for a while, but it's seat of
the pants stuff not backed up by software insights or training.

Is there a difference between an audio driver for a Frammis motherboard
chipset with a Geek 347XL sound chip licensed by Dell vs. the same chipset
and sound chip licensed by Gateway?

If there is, I won't try it. If there isn't, I will. I have found working
drivers in unlikely places, after I traced the hardware back to a
manufacturer and, if the OEM didn't have drivers, onward to a different
licensee who was making the same product.

The chipmaker's Web site says:

"SigmaTel does not support end-user products, please contact the
manufacturer of your device for customer support, software or driver
downloads."

So by "manufacturer," I assume you mean Gateway (in my case) which probably
bought the motherboard in Taiwan and the chase goes on.

At this point, all I want to do is find any driver for this chipset that
will work on XP. Without having any details about the architecture of the
chip, I find it hard to believe that Sigmatel and/or Intel would not invest
the trivial money to put out an XP driver for this audio chip even if it was
only to support some notebook maker who wanted to keep loading XP for as
long as possible.

Sorry for the rant. It's late, and I'm frustrated.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Your assumption is correct, they mean Gateway since that is the brand
on the computer.

As for if other divers will work?
Possible if components are nearly identical.
But remember if there are other problems, consider the driver may be
at fault.
Perhaps someone else has a better answer.

 

[Michael Jennings]

Intel doesn't want to publicly offer either the Vista or the XP audio
drivers for your Mobile Intel® 943GML Express Chipset
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/943GML/index.htm
They point out that you're going to get basic audio from Windows
http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-009244.htm
If you feel like hanging up the slipstream on the absence of
an assured driver for audio, that's your choice. If you feel
like doing the slipsteam without or with maybe the wrong
audio driver, that's your choice. XP drivers do exist.
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/13284/ENG/readme_2k_xp.txt

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

No problem, good luck.

--
Michael Solomon
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
x86 and x64 Clean Install

Oops...sorry. I was replying as I went along down the list, and didn't see
that you had already noted that. Apologies, Michael -- not trying to rub
it in...