Unable to install Nforce2 driver

[Vizion]

Hi,

I am unable to install to Nforce2 driver for Abit NF7-S v2.0 . After a fresh installation of Windows XP pro with SP1, I began the installation of chipset driver. However, after I restarted for Windows to take effect, it doesn't boot to windows. I get a blank dark screen. The monitor is activate but show nothing. I waited for 10 mins and HDD shows no activity. So I reset the system and Windows reports that it was "unable to load windows on last attempt etc...", then I choose the last known configuration. It boots right into windows.
I then check in Device Manager and it shows couple yellow highlight in Other Device section, they are SM bus, Audio.. In the control panel, there are Nvidia Nforce panel and it failed to load when I double-clicked it. I then uninstall the drivers thru the Add/Remove program and able to remove only the drivers but not the Nforce utilitiy.

Everytime I attempt to reinstall the nforce drivers from both Abit CD and the one I downloaded from their website, same thing happens again. Windows won't boot, only boot when I choose Last Known Configuration.

What is going on here guys? Any solution to this?

[almondboy72]

same thing was happing to me but i had BSOD! i was so pist.. maybe the bios has to be updated or doesnt like something in ur system ram..cpu.. something do a memtest and what not

[aszyd]

Are you using the latest nForce drivers? The latest ones gave me issues with the IDE driver, so try to boot into safe mode, uninstall the drivers, then reboot regularly, reinstall but skip the IDE. However, when I was messing around with them, I soon found out that my computer also didn't like the Microsoft IDE drivers, performance was horrible. So what I had to do was install the nForce IDE drivers from an earlier driver version (the 4.27s to be exact).

[Vizion]

I forgot to mention that I couldn't get to SAFE MODE because it would freeze while loading files.

I do remember something about installing SW IDE during the drivers setup. I click Yes because it said it'd improve ide performance.

What is the latest driver for this Nforce2 chipset? I found different drivers on each different website(abit.com, nforce.com, abit.tw.com)

The latest one(5.03) I guest is at Abit taiwan website(abit.com/tw).

Where did you get yours that work?

[aszyd]

I got the 5.10 drivers from nvidia, and skipped installing the IDE drivers(they will increase performance over the microsoft drivers). I got the 4.27 drivers from here: http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?id=19 and just installed the IDE from them.

One thing I found out is that if you wait at the black screen, it will eventually go into Windows. Least thats what it did for me after a few minutes. It's very very slow though.

You might be able to try the 6.11 beta drivers, they have updated the IDE driver so it might work now.

[Vizion]

Oh whoa, what a great update from these drivers. The 6.11 betat works perfectly with IDE SW install. My rig is now working like I had hope. Thank you so much.

[aszyd]

Good to hear you worked it out.

[BigE4u]

Is there a way to find what version thats being used... so you'll know what to upgrade to/from? Im currently using the driver that came from the NF7s mobo install CD but have no idea which version.

EDIT: Would this be correct?(pic)

[aszyd]

Those are super old, probably the 2.03 drivers. You definitely need to update. You most likely never want to use the drivers supplied with the motherboard unless absolutely necessary to make the computer run. Nine times out of ten, they are out of date.

[BigE4u]

Back in the day when VIA chipsets were prefered.... i always used better ones than what were supplied on the install CD. Either way, i used the ones off the mobo CD this time just to get the system running and figure on updating at a later date. thanks

Ps- Why exactly did you just use the 5.10 drivers(skipping IDE) and use the IDE drivers only from the 4.27 drivers? wooopsy, they gave you issues, my bad.

[IanG]

Speaking of Nforce2 drivers, what are the latest ones that will work with an NF7?

[aszyd]

The latest official drivers are the 5.10's. The latest betas are the 6.11. Both should work on an NF7, however you may, or may not, have issues with the IDE drivers. Either version could give you trouble too. The IDE drivers are very touchy, that's why they put the "are you sure you want to install" question before it puts them on your system.

[TDOGZZ]

i also had major probs with the ide 5.10,so i did like aszyd did and used the 4.27,s ide driver with 5.10,s(worked fine)

after reading this thread i tried the 6.11,s and i had probs with the ethernet drivers so i tried using older ethernet drivers and no go(so i just went back to 4.27,s all around)just info

[BigE4u]

For me, i could careless about the ETHERNET drivers for now... i don't even have DSL or CABLE internet to take advantage of its use.

Ps- Perhaps i'll give the 5.10 drivers a whirl(w/o IDE) and use the 4.27 drivers for the IDE and see what happens.

[Vizion]

Make sure you guys are not overclocking while install these drivers. The beta drivers work out great for me, not a single problem.

[aszyd]

Originally Posted by Vizion

Make sure you guys are not overclocking while install these drivers. The beta drivers work out great for me, not a single problem.

If your overclock is stable then there is nothing to worry about.

[BigE4u]

I've been thinking... if its been said that the IDE drivers worked great from v4.27, why not just install all of it. I've download both 4.27/5.10 drivers but don't really feel like taking bits and peices from both. Any bad experiences from just using the whole driver(4.27)?

Ps- Btw... where do these "beta" stuff come from?

[TheCleaner]

****, i realised i updated my drivers from nvidia site, then had to reformat cus like an idiot installed novell netware support.. and couldnt get rid of the stupid login screen, even after uninstalling it.. then i just used the ones from the cd... although i havnt had any problem

for me, is this a case of 'if it aint broke dont fix it', bit like with bios'

the last thing i wanna do is install summit that creates a problem

[BigE4u]

I just answered my own question regarding just using the v4.27 drivers... i uninstalled the old and installed the newer, works like a charm.