Drivers to install, things to avoid?

[DodgerLD]

Hello again ...

Here is my 'Other devices' list (no drivers installed yet [for the motherboard])

Multimedia Audio Controller -- Assume the appropriate driver is: 'Realtek ALC850 Diver' (?)

Other PCI Bridge Device, PCI Memory Controller, SM Bus Controller -- Not sure what these are. Would the 'Nvidia Chipset Driver Program' load drivers for these three devices?

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller -- Assume the appropriate driver is: 'USB 2.0 Driver' (?)

Now, I've heard the nVidia firewall is pretty crappy, and I have an SPI router + ZoneAlarm, so I don't think I need it anyway. Where and when is this installed? What was the other thing I needed to avoid?

Should I install the 'AMD Cool'n'Quiet Driver?

Sorry about all the questions!

Thanks.

 

[MacVista]

For my Asus K8N, i just installed the nForce3 package without the audio driver (which didn't work anyways when I tried to install it), since I got the Realtek ALC850 driver off Asus's website.

I installed the AMD Cool'n'Quiet but have it disabled in the bios so it's not really doing anything.

 

[Someonehelpme]

Go to the ASUS Website and go to the downloads/support tab and it will give you a list of drivers...can be sorted by latest. Don't get the nVidia firewall unless you have anything else. I use a router home and use the firewall from that. I hate software pop-ups. LOL
Cool 'n' quiet is on-demand fan control if I remember correctly. It works but I don't trust it. I'd rather suck up some more juice and know that my PC is always as cold as possible.

 

[secretanchitman]

just download the latest drivers from nvidia or asus.

but dont install the firewall...even if you have another one or not, it just plain sucks.

i dont know about the nvIDE stuff though.

 

[Slugbait]

The chipset drivers should be the VERY first thing you install after Windows. Not only do they make it easier to allow Windows to install other onboard devices, they also make it easier to install peripheral drivers, and they're also critical to the performance of the mobo.

With a hardware firewall, you're *mostly* protected until you get the critical updates. If you're paranoid anyway, start with AutoPatcher before going for the latest criticals.

One of the best ways to protect yourself while surfing is to modify your HOSTS file.

 

[DodgerLD]

What I did after installing XP (offline) ...

- I was prompted to install a driver for my printer, so I did that.
- Installed SP 2.
- Installed my video card driver.

I just installed the nVidia chipset drivers. (said 'no' when prompted to install the firewall, etc.)

... Is this OK? Should I install the chipset driver first next time?

I'm now seeing the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon in my system tray, for my SATA drive. I heard this is because SATA is hot swapable?

Thanks to all.