Do Via MBs still require Via Drivers?

[Caveman]

Currently running an Epox 8kHa+ board from several years back and it seems like everyone was complaining about how awful the via boards were because they required all this "extra work and hassle" of loading the Via drivers which other boards don'r have (right?)...

I never found the process too terribly difficult but admittedly, it would be nice to have a board just a bit more "plug and play"...

What is the current situation regarding MB's with Via chipsets...? Is it still a "painful" process?

 

[Don66]

The Via board I own doesn't take anymore trouble to install, than an Intel 875. (which I used to own.)

In fact, I believe that my Via is more stable than my old Intel.

Yes you should use the Via mobo drivers, like you should the Intel mobo drivers.

 

[EeyoreX]

A large number of motherbboards require drivers. As does nearly all other hardware require some kind of driver, be it specific to the model or generic, like USB driver for your USB devices. If people think/thought the mear fact of having to install drivers was/is a hassle I submitt they have to much time to complain about something that all hardware needs to some degree and have nothing better to do. I suppose one does not need to install the drivers. So long as one does not expect everything to work correctly and/or efficently. If people were/are complaining about a specific problem that is different.

\Dan

 

[Caveman]

What about a board with a SiS chipset? I assume it doesn't require drivers? And... since the MB drivers are probably the first things to be loaded, I'd assume that one must have these already burned on a CD, ready to go when prompted (by Win XP)?

 

[Caveman]

Dan, I did expect that sound and graphics cards would require drivers but in all honesty I thought it was crazy that a MB would require drivers when I built my rig almost 3 years ago... Any tips? I suppose just get them burned to a CD prior to building another rig and load when prompted by XP?

 

[Viper96720]

You can install the drivers after installing windows. Just download and install no need to burn to a cd.

 

[EeyoreX]

Generally speaking XP won't prompt you for motherboard drivers. At least not in my experience (I have used mostly Via and nForce chipset-based boards). I have run Via-based boards without the drivers without noticing a difference really. I almost always forget to install the 4 in 1 drivers. The more integrated the motherboard though, the more likely drivers will be needed. As was said above, you can install Windows and then the drivers.

\Dan

 

[Viper96720]

I usually get the drivers from the motherboard manufacturers website. Even though via arena may have a newer version for the via chipset boards.

 

[13black]

XP comes with the 4in1 drivers, don't know which version, and installs them for you. I always install the latest and greatest myself anyway. I'm running 2k pro at the moment so I no choice but to install the 4in1's. Well if I want ultra DMA, etc I do. The mother board drivers are one of if not the first thing I install after the OS.

 

[Caveman]

1) So, does XP prompt you for newer drivers or just automatically install what it has native and you have to overwrite (I hope not)...???

2) Does the SiS chipset require any driver installations?

 

[13black]

Originally posted by: Caveman
1) So, does XP prompt you for newer drivers or just automatically install what it has native and you have to overwrite (I hope not)...???

XP just installs what it has. You have to install the newer version your self.

 

[Caveman]

So, It seems like the fact that XP mindlessly installs drivers makes for dirty, "bloated" drivers...

Anyone know the answer to Q2?

 

[lenjack]

The SIS 655tx chipset uses a SIS raid driver, a SIS mini IDE driver, and a SIS AGP driver.