Drivers

Post by **Claw** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:12 pm

Where do you go to get drivers for older kit?

Sometimes it's a real trawl when looking for drivers for kit that is only a couple of years old. I get there eventually, but like I say, it can take an inordinate amount of time. When googling, there are lists and lists of spoofs or "Install our app and we'll update stuff for you", which is pretty duff when the computer you are using in't the one that needs the update.

Any recommendations, please?

Post by **Trig** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:32 pm

<a href="index.php?showtopic=3117" target="_blank">index.php?showtopic=3117</a>

Post by **Claw** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:58 pm

Thanks Trig, but need SATA drivers to allow for the installation of Windows. Windows can't see the HDD without them. Maybe I should have explained that, sorry.

But, apps aside, it would still be nice to know of good reliable sites that don't give you the run-around.

Post by **Trig** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:57 pm

What version of windows are you installing, I created a Windows XP sp3 CD a while back with the Intel AHCI drivers built into it, failing that if you go into the BIOS you can usually set it so you run in IDE mode..

Post by **Nellyboy** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:45 pm

Win 7 has the sata drivers in it already.

Post by **Trig** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:35 pm

I'm guessing its not w7 or Vista though..

Post by **Claw** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:15 am

Yep, it's Windows 7....

It's a laptop with the Clevo D900T motherboard. BIOS options are RAID or ATA. XP Home currently installed, but it needs to be upgraded to Windows 7 pro 64bit.

Windows 7 disk takes a run at it but then can't see the HDD because it doesn't recognise the SATA378 controller...

At the moment I've only found SATA drivers for XP.

Post by **Trig** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:56 am

Just out of interest what specs the rest of it, if 7 doesnt recognise the SATA chipset thats not a good sign...
Have you tried the w7 upgrade companion?

Post by **Claw** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:38 am

What I've been looking for is alternative vendors who use this board and still have any remnants of support for it. Alienware held out some hope, but they only offered RAID drivers.

Like you say, the Advisor report makes things look grim.

Report attached...[attachmentid=228]

Post by **Trig** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:06 pm

I'd certainly get more RAM in there for a start..
Have you tried the other modes for the drive in the BIOS?

This thread <a href="http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-dev ... ta378.html" target="_blank">here</a> seems to suggest using the Vista driver..

Any particular reason your going for x64, your rig, especially with the RAM theres no need for x64 (unless your testing x64 apps perhaps) and it'll more than likely be slower than x32...

I'd image your existing Xp install and then try dropping w7 on there and trying the proggy I suggested, beware of BT drivers though if you ahve it as it seems to want to install some weird assed pay for program driver thing..

Post by **Claw** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:09 pm

This lappy isn't mine, I recently reflowed the motherboard and have been asked to put W7 64bit on it with their licence.

There isn't a Vista driver sadly, and the RAID option doesn't work either - just completely ignored by W7, it just doesn't see a hard disk.

It's not going to get 64bit due to the issues raised, 32bit may work as dual boot hopefully if it will install on the back of the XP Home already there. I'm just thinking aloud on that though...

The other issues you raise are also useful to bear in mind, thank you. I'll get stuck into this again after some food.

Thanks for the brainstorm here... we'll get it done somehow!

Post by **Claw** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:43 pm

Well, dual booting it on XP Home worked, if not a bit pants... took forever.

Hasn't recognised the audio drivers, and had to use XP's drivers for wireless.

Thanks for highlighting that driver proggy thing, that's saved me a lot of work too.