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To install Nvidia nForce4 Platform Drivers or not?


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Just looking for opinions on whether to install the Nvidia nForce4 Platform Drivers or not after a clean Windows XP SP2 install.

 

With the v.6.70 Drivers (26Oct05), the tickbox options are:

 

-SMBus Diver

-Ethernet Driver

-Storage Driver

-Audio Driver

 

Ethernet & Audio are self explanatory.

 

But can someone in the know please outline the advantages & disadvantages of installing or not installing the SMBus & Storage Divers.

 

If you don't require Ethernet and Audio, is it best to not install the Platform Drivers at all?

 

Is the answer any different if you've installed XP(SP2) on a RAID array?

 

Thanks

 

PS. Is there any reason to consider using the nForce4 430/410 v8.22 (2Nov05) Drivers with the DFI nF4 UltraD?

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But what are the advantages & disadvantages of installing the SMBus & Storage Divers?

 

I've read where ppl have had problems after installing these two.

 

Also, what is the advantage of the audio driver in the nvidia package over the AUD_RealTek A3751 driver on the DFI Driver site?

 

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/dri..._FLAG=A&SITE=US

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install all, (if yuo run strped RAID) runs like a charm, also install the NV firewall, this enables you to get rid of Windows Firewall and saves yuo a fe clockcycles

Wait a minute. I thought we were NOT supposed to install the Nvidia firewall.

Besides I installed it on another computer with an Asus A8n board and it was a big hassle. Everytime something new came up it tried to block it. I had to remove it. It drove me nuts. Nutty nutty nuts I tell you! :shake:

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install all, (if yuo run strped RAID) runs like a charm, also install the NV firewall, this enables you to get rid of Windows Firewall and saves yuo a fe clockcycles

avoid the NV Firewall

 

get yourself a good firewall like a D-Link DI-604 4 port router or a free software firewall like ZoneAlarm

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For clarity...

 

You must install the nVidia nForce drivers currently version 6.70.

 

You must install the nVidia IDE drivers if you are using a RAID array.

 

You may at your choosing decide not to install certain components.

 

If you are not using a RAID array you can choose to pass on the IDE drivers and use the Microsoft IDE drivers from the OS.

 

I recommend passing on the nVidia Firewall software if you have a hardware or other software firewall installed.

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Ok, just to clarify the clarification, is this what you are recommending?

 

Use v.6.70 Drivers and select:

 

-SMBus Diver - MUST

-Ethernet Driver - optional

-Storage Driver - MUST for RAID, optional for non-RAID

-Audio Driver - optional

 

Any preference re the Audio driver in the nvidia package versus the AUD_RealTek A3751 driver on the DFI Ultra-D Driver site?

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I have a question along the same lines. The answer should help clarify things for folks.

 

ExRoadie said "You must install the nVidia IDE drivers if you are using a RAID array.

 

You may at your choosing decide not to install certain components.

 

If you are not using a RAID array you can choose to pass on the IDE drivers and use the Microsoft IDE drivers from the OS.

 

For those using SATA-II drives, like myself, installing the IDE drivers was the only way to see if I had SATA-II connectivity enabled via the device manager. If one had used their Hitachi tools and allowed SATA-II on the drive itself, would you get that feature enabled on the motherboard WITHOUT installing nVidia IDE drivers??? In other words, was my Hitachi working at SATA-II specs with the Windows IDE drivers intalled?

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