What is the SM Bus Controller?

[Eric1868]

I have just put together my new build. Installed XPpro64 and now am trying to get all drivers/devices working. I have updated BIOS and downloaded the newest 780i drivers. Initially I ran into a problem with the audio but resolved that through a Microsoft Hotfix.

My problem now is that under Device Manager I am showing 4 devices not working.
"Network Controller"
"Other PCI Bridge Device"
"Other PCI Bridge Device"
"SM Bus Controller"

I do have a Linksys PCI Wireless G card installed but have not been able to install drivers for it yet. Also, there seems to be no Ethernet devices listed in the network connections panel.

ORDER I INSTALLED:
- Firm ware update to HDD
- Partitioned HDD
- Installed Win XP Pro 64bit
- Updated 780i BIOS (NF78_P03.bin)
- Installed 780i drivers (nForce 9.46)
- Installed 8800gts drivers (169.28)
- Installed Hotfix for Audio found at (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=901105)
- Installed 780i audio drivers (WDM_R185)

SYSTEM:
CPU: Q6600
MB: EVGA 780i
GPU: (2x) EVGA 800gts 512
MEM: (4x) 2GB GSkill PC8000
NIC: Linksys WMP54Gv4

 

[themisfit610]

Could be that the ethernet on this board isn't covered by the nForce drivers, and requires a 3rd party driver.. You can probably find this driver on the eVGA website.

SM Bus, I've always wondered what it is... My best guess is System Management - I.E. reporting temperatures, fan controls etc... not really sure.

The PCI Bridge devices are usually handled via the motherboard drivers IIRC...

~MiSfit

 

[Modelworks]

SM bus is based on i2c

i2c is used on just about every microprocessor there is, from dvd players. to cell phones, calculators, etc.

Its basically a party line that a bunch of devices can use to pass information around without having to use the conventional address lines. The thing that makes it great is you can use just two wires and have tons of different devices on just those two lines all sending back data . Other methods would require a seperate data line for each device.

In the pc it can be used for anything the motherboard maker wants. From voltage readouts to temperature, is the case open type switches, to control fan speed, etc.

It doesn't need a driver for the hardware to communicate with the bus, but it does need a driver for the OS to communicate with the bus. So the motherboard will always be able to make use of the bus to control things when the bios/chipsets want to.

Its just you that can't communicate with it, without the drivers.

 

[lopri]

This might sound odd and it is indeed odd, but can you try re-installing the driver after taking out 3 sticks of your RAM? Please report back if it does anything.

 

[jdkick]

In my experience, drivers for SMBus devices are usually included with the chipset driver. I assume you've actually installed the drivers for the 780i and not just downloaded them? Try extracting the download to a directory and see if there an SMBus folder or related .inf file.

 

[krnmastersgt]

The drivers are included with the chipset drivers, all on the cd and the website, I haven't had any problems using my boards ethernet. So nothing comes up under the ethernet adapters in the device manager or your system just isn't able to use the ports to connect?

 

[lopri]

Yeah I'm kinda confused with what OP's questioning. Are you unable to install chipset drivers? Or are you having a trouble with the wireless adapter?

Well, the OP hasn't gotten back here since his original post, it's probably likely that he solved the problem. (or there wasn't a problem to begin with 😀 )