old ABIT KD7

[RJK]

ABIT kd7 SktA mobo / xp2000 / 768mb pc2100 (ddr266?) ...I think the fsb on
the cpu is only 100mhz anyway, ...

I've just installed XP Retail ...SP2 must have slipstreamed in with it,
because the hardware tree in Device Manager looks lovely, i.e. no yellow
blobs with exclamation points in them, in sight ! ...and a driver went in
for a PCI SB 1371 sound card - and even an Nvidia driver for the AGP 8x?
MX400 64mb card, and SB 1371 pci card, ...and a VIA compatible LAN driver


Is it best to leave things as they are, or pile in VIA's 4in1 chipset
drivers v4.56 that were released on the 26/05/2005 !!!
....that's over two years ago ?

I can see 5 Intel entries in System devices including a "processor to AGP
controller" and, as I say in as many words it looks like XP has done a
pretty good job but, when I cast my eye down through Sytem devices, I can't
see an "AGP to PCI to AGP miniport bridge !

Background:-

Wicked sod that used to work where I now work, sold THROWN together system
box containing old parts, to good natured/trusting chap there - I'll call
him "B".
So, I've taken the "best parts" from two of B's old system boxes, to make
a half-decent one.

regards, Richard

 

[RJK]

ooops, silly me, I looking in Device Manager on my machine, / NOT the KD7 !

....anyway I ran the 4in1 on it and I can now see a "VIA CPU to AGP2.0/AGP3.0
controller"
....I wonder if it was there before ?

regards, Richard

 

[RalfG]

There is a newer VIA chipset driver, dated August 2007 (drivers called
Hyperion Pro now) for download direct from VIA. The date of the 4in1 driver
wouldn't have mattered if that was the most current driver available for
your specific chipset (VT-400??). Hardware functionality is the important
consideration, not file date. For example, VIA recommends a 4in1 driver
dated 2001 for the chipset in one of my computers, rather than a newer
driver.

I wouldn't have expected to see any INTEL system driver entries for a VIA
chipset mobo, so that was likely an indication that the 4in1 drivers were
neccessary. Check Device Manager while booted in Safe Mode to see if any
ghost drivers (non-existant Intel or other hardware) were left behind and
uninstall those.

MS drivers tend to be on the minimal side (basic functionality) so to make
the most of the hardware you should download current drivers for the audio
and video cards from the respective manufacturers.

 

[RJK]

Thanks RalfG

....why I keep doing the "clean up" job after someone has ripped someone else
off for hundreds of pounds for a heap of old parts, is beyond me !

I ran the 26/05/2005 Via 4in1 (it was labelled Hyperion) and an AGP to PCI
miniport bridge is now showing up in there.
Now I have to try and find Nvidia forceware, (in my rather massive
collection), that supports MX400/440, I thin I'll try v45.23 or v52.16 ...or
v56.64, in reverse order. I'm sure that Nvidia give no information on
purpose so that we rush out and buy a new card, that's getting harder now
with AGP cards disappearing for PCI-e. and I'm sure it's a dirty trick that
Nvidia directs you to "forceware" for older cards in a big list, and then
bombs-out with a "hard-luck" message !

regards, Richard

 

[RJK]

oooooh! Nvidia v71.89 went in !!

regards, Richard

 

[RalfG]

No tricks here. Had no problem downloading Forceware version 93.71( November
2, 2006) for GeForce 4 series from the US site and ver 94.24 from the UK
site. Neither page worked with my download manager though. Those were both
from Nvidia's regular download pages.

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Had to use the legacy product driver selection in the "new format" download
page at Nvidia US to get the ver. 94.24 (May 17, 2007) driver there.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Still own an MX-420 PCI card, which is only useful as an emergency back-up
display adapter. Hopefully will never need it. One PC also has a GeForce 4
MX onboard graphics adapter. It was already inadequate for gaming when we
bought the computer.