Is this the correct way to find XP drivers?

[vid83]

So I am downgrading from a computer that ships with Windows Vista 32-bit and I am going to downgrade to Windows XP Home 32-bit using a SP2 retail CD.

So I need drivers. Let me know if I am using the correct method to find drivers.

My desktop is the HP Pavilion m9500t customized desktop. HP has a site for each computer model that shows the motherboard information. I searched my computer model on HP's site and found this motheboard page for my computer:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01324212&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=...roduct=3911798

This link lists things such as
video graphics: Integrated graphics using Intel GMA 3100
Onboard RAID controller: ICH9R
onboard audio: Audio CODEC: ALC888S
LAN: 1 Realtek 8111C 10/100/1000 Mb/s (Gigabit Ethernet) Integrated LAN
and so on.

Notice how each component has a number. For example, video graphics is GMA 3100, Realtek LAN is 8111C.
Lets take the Integrated graphics Intel GMA 3100 as an example. I go to Intel's download site and searched GMA 3100.
The search results gave me a list of chipsets. Since the chipset for the motherboard is G33 express, I choose G33 on intel's site. Then choose XP Home. The site gives me a list of 2 downloads, one is a .exe version and one is a .zip version. I download the drivers to a folder.

Is this the correct method of finding drivers?

[MOVIEGEEK]

The m9500t only shows drivers for Vista 32-bit or 64-bit,if I were you I would stick with Vista.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2100&product=3911798&

[victoriabears]

i was one of those who, on buying my laptop with vista was intending on downgrading to xp, having used vista home premium for 3 weeks now, I am sticking with it, it connects fine with my other 2 pc's running on xp, and the only software that will not install is Publisher 2003, office 2003 installed like a dream.

On the laptop I have Vista seems more integrated and idiot proof than xp, it all updates silently and is very smooth.

I am guessing that a lot of the problems have been with older pc's/laptops being upgraded.

Even in win 98 days upgrades didn't work properly, a clean install is the way to go.

[SLK001]

Is this the correct method of finding drivers?

Yes, that's how I do it.

If you are having a problem finding a driver, go to the Control Panel/Device Manager and look at each highlighted problem device's properties under the DETAILS/Hardware IDs section and search using the particular Hardware ID.

IMHO, Vista sucks.

[vid83]

Are there drivers that I absolutely have to have and use during the install process?
If I know that I have drivers, can I just wait until XP is installed to install the drivers?

[vid83]

The m9500t only shows drivers for Vista 32-bit or 64-bit,if I were you I would stick with Vista.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&os=2100&product=3911798&

I know. I am letting HP tell me what drivers I need and I am also going to the intel's website to find drivers for XP.

[INFRATOM]

Why do you want to down grade to XP? Do you use a software that is not supported by Vista?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Are there drivers that I absolutely have to have and use during the install process?
If I know that I have drivers, can I just wait until XP is installed to install the drivers?

XP will install and work without certain hardware drivers but if you can't find drivers then what's the point of installing XP?

[vid83]

I received my computer today and I am going to try to get all my final questions answered here before downgrading to Windows XP Home 32-bit.

My desktop is the HP Pavilion Elite m9500t.

This is the site to my motherboard specifications:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01324212&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&produ...911798&lang=en
I have copied and pasted some of the information from the link above:
- Motherboard description: Motherboard manufacturer's name: Asus IPIBL-LB (HP/Compaq name: Benicia-GL8E)
- CPU/Processor: Socket: 775
- Chipset: Intel G33
- Video graphics: Integrated graphics using Intel GMA 3100
- RAID: Onboard RAID controller: ICH9R
- Onboard audio: Audio CODEC: ALC888S; 7.1 channel high-definition audio
- Onboard 1394: Agere LFW3227 controller chip

Questions:

1.) This desktop is customized with 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter]. Do I still need to install the video graphics driver that is on the motherboard (Intel GMA 3100)?

2.) Going to Intel's website and searching the Intel G33 chipset, I found the following drivers:
- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows* XP (exe)
- Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager
- INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 4, 3, 900 Series Chipsets
The link is: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2842&OSFull...bmit=Go%21#DRV
There are .zip versions also but the description says that it is for developers/advanced users.

Do I need all three drivers?

3.) The drivers link above lists two types of graphics driver:
- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows* XP (exe)
- Intel® Embedded Graphics Drivers (IEGD) - For embeded developers only.

When asking HP to provide me with drivers, HP gave me the Intel Embeded Graphics Drivers but not the Graphics Media Accelerator drivers. Which one should I download?

4.) For SATA drivers is the following correct?:
- Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager
Description: This driver provides support for high-capacity & fault-tolerant Serial ATA (SATA) RAID 5 arrays and high-performance & fault-tolerant SATA RAID 10 arrays on select Intel® 4 Series, 3 Series, 965, 975X, 955X and 945 chipset-based platforms. It provides support for high-performance SATA RAID 0 arrays & redundant SATA RAID 1 arrays on select Intel® 4 Series, 3 Series, 965, 975X, 955X, 945, 925, 915 chipset-based platforms. It also provides AHCI support on select Intel® 4 Series, 3 Series, 965, 975X, 955X, 945, 925 and 915 chipset-based platforms, as well as on Mobile Intel® 915/910 chipset-based platforms.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=2842&DwnldID=17268&st...ition&lang=eng

Or am I supposed to obtain it from the motherboard manufacturer (Asus)?

5.) I customized my computer with 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300 [DVI, HDMI, VGA adapter].
So my monitor will be connected to this graphics card rather than the motherboard.
I plan to install drivers for this card after the XP install rather than during the XP install process. When XP is installed but before I install the driver, will my monitor work?

6.) I may try installing XP first without slipstreaming any drivers with nlite. If that does not work and the computer does not recognize the the hard disk, will I still be able to get back into Vista so that I can create a slipstreamed disc?

[dan7099]

Getting the drivers for an XP downgrade is quite easy.You can get all Intel drivers from the Intel website, but you must make sure they are the right ones obviously.Your chipset is G33 so you must install drivers for (Intel® 3 Series Chipsets).Here is the link for the G33 drivers

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2842&OS FullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs= 44&submit=Go!


You don't download embedded Graphics Driver.

On the download pages list this is what you do.
The right Graphics Driver is.Download #1

,Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager,which is SATA#2(you need to slip stream it into XP so that when you install xp it will automatically install the SATA driver also so the harddrive will work)You need to use NLITE http://www.nliteos.com/download.html ,to slip stream in the SATA driver and then burn a new XP bootdisk with it.Just extract the SATA driver to a folder and then open Nlite and insert the driver.

#4(ChipSet Driver)INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 4, 3, 900 Series ChipsetsAfter

download the Audio Driver,Realtek ALC888s driver here http://drivers.softpedia.com/progDownload/Realtek-HD-Audio-Driver-R161-Download-25755.html

Download the LAN Driver here, http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/NETWORK-CARD/REALTEK/Realtek-RTL8111B-RTL8168B-RTL811...-XP-XP64.shtml



After you get XP up in running then install the rest of the drivers beginning with the ChipSet driver 1st(It's a must!)You can install the onboard graphics driver until you get your video card driver installed for you better video card,but you don't have to, your screen will just look a little weird until your get you other graphics card working. download 2.

[classfour]

I wouldn't touch this job without a recovery disc!

BTW: Vista CAN be tamed. Google: Vista Hidden Administrator Account

Vista can be user friendly = it takes patience

[vid83]

Getting the drivers for an XP downgrade is quite easy.You can get all Intel drivers from the Intel website, but you must make sure they are the right ones obviously.Your chipset is G33 so you must install drivers for (Intel® 3 Series Chipsets).Here is the link for the G33 drivers

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2842&OS FullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs= 44&submit=Go!


You don't download embedded Graphics Driver.

On the download pages list this is what you do.
The right Graphics Driver is.Download #1

,Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager,which is SATA#2(you need to slip stream it into XP so that when you install xp it will automatically install the SATA driver also so the harddrive will work)You need to use NLITE http://www.nliteos.com/download.html ,to slip stream in the SATA driver and then burn a new XP bootdisk with it.Just extract the SATA driver to a folder and then open Nlite and insert the driver.

#4(ChipSet Driver)INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 4, 3, 900 Series ChipsetsAfter

download the Audio Driver,Realtek ALC888s driver here http://drivers.softpedia.com/progDownload/Realtek-HD-Audio-Driver-R161-Download-25755.html

Download the LAN Driver here, http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/NETWORK-CARD/REALTEK/Realtek-RTL8111B-RTL8168B-RTL811...-XP-XP64.shtml



After you get XP up in running then install the rest of the drivers beginning with the ChipSet driver 1st(It's a must!)You can install the onboard graphics driver until you get your video card driver installed for you better video card,but you don't have to, your screen will just look a little weird until your get you other graphics card working. download 2.

Thanks dan.
However, I've decided to stick with Vista because I discoved that my voice recorder worked with Vista 32-bit (it didn't work with the computer with Vista 64 bit and even sony said that it would not work with Vista but it does). Also, I found out that I can upgrade my OEM Premiere Pro 1.5 to Premiere Pro CS4 for only $299 using the upgrade CD.
XP Home retail Cd is $173. The price difference is $126. So I'll only be spending $126 more if I stuck with Vista.
At first the cost for me to stick with Vista would have been $500 ($150 for recorder and $350 for academic version of Premiere Pro CS4) so it would have been alot cheaper to downgrade to XP.