The Fundamentals:
Topology of this web page: Below you will find links to the individual subject areas
in structure of a FAQ area. (eg. How to manually integrate a driver).  [Link to FAQ] ![[to driver FAQ area]](../buttons/dok-vsm.gif)
In the main area you will find general information on driver installation.
Both mainboard chipsets require the same Nvidia driver package.
With nForce 3 its easy. Fundamentally nothing speaks against the complete
installation of newest Nvidia driver driver package 5.11 from the 02.11.2005
For nForce 2 the official driver is still driver package 5.1
You do not miss. If one looks the updates to the driver 5.1, one pushes only into
the following new singles driver Versions:
nForce2 users report, this driver 5.11 runs also with mForce 2. No miracle if one,
e.g., another LAN/network of drivers applied, no changes take place.
If you take a look at Nvidia's Driver Website, you will find an up to date Audio Driver,
''Version: 4.62" which was released in August 2005.
This driver can be used with nForce 2 and 3.
It has been tested by my self and other users and should be free from bugs.
This version is indentical with the nForce 4 Audio Driver Version 6.66
Pers. final opinion to the new audio driver: Heights are to set more priorities, the sound is
minimal cleaner.
If you wish you can use this driver and it can be downloaded here.
Download for Windows XP / 2000 Version: 4.62  Zip File 10,4 MB
There is also nothing to stop you using the original Realtek audio driver.
However in my own personal opinion the Nvidia audio driver produces a better sound
and offers more setting options to change the sound.
Recently there have been reports of PC startup problems with S-ATA2 and nForce3.
Although it is attatched to the S-ATA1 via a jumper there have been recognition
problems. This subject is listed in the FAQ with a solution. [Link]
With nForce 2 the choice of driver is more difficult.
We remember the BIOS and the question on whether APIC should be used before
Windows installed.
Whoever left this informative step out should now go back and carry it out.
If we have loaded Windows with APIC support, we can risk taking on the complete
Nvidia Driver 5.1 including the IDE Driver.
If you chose the safer solution of not installing APIC you should not use the
IDE driver from the driver package 5.1
If you do install it, Windows will usually hang after you start up the PC and you will
see only a blank screen.
Eventually after a few minutes the PC will quit the blank screen and switch itself off.
Nothing speaks particularly on the contrary to install the driver package 5.1
without the IDE Driver.
Instead of the nForce IDE driver there is the Microsoft IDE driver located in
the Windows device manager which functions well.
One disadvantage of the Microsoft IDE Driver however is that there is by necessity
a minimally slower transfer of data via the IDE controller.
The original nForce IDE driver is optimised for the Chipset and offers a minimally
better speed performance of data transfer via the IDE controller.
At this point I can already see the disappointed looks of users who decided not
to load APIC. ''Great advice'' you will be saying, ''my computer runs safer but
it has lost performance''
For that reason there is a second solution, I would't want to advise you on one
solution without providing you with a backup.
From the Nvidia Driver Archive you can download the driver package 4.27
Download here: Older Mainboard Drivers in the Nvidia Archive
The nForce IDE driver from this packet doesn't present any problems under APIC.
Please install the complete packet without limitations. Afterwards you will find a
nForce IDE driver in the Windows device manager.
Basically you have installed a complete nForce driver, it is just an older version.
I don't want to withold driver package 5.1 from you howver.
We are now going to carry out an unusual procedure.
Normally before installing a nForce driver we would uninstall the old one using
Add/Remove Software from the Control Panel.
In this case we are going to leave this out as we want to keep the IDE driver from
package 4.27.
OK, we can now start the driver package 5.1 Set Up and install it over
the already present 4.27 Version.
In my experience there are no resulting disadvantages, you can trust me I have
done this dozens of times.
Caution ! After start up the Set Up routine you have the choice of which drivers from
package 5.1 you wish to install.
Apart from the IDE driver accept all of the other ones.
The IDE Driver from Packet 5.1 is best left out . We want to avoid the problem of
the PC not starting mentioned earlier.
Now you have the Driver package 5.1 installed on your PC, only that it is installed
with the remaining drvers from package 4.27.
Should you wish to integrate the IDE 4.27 driver at a later date it can be downloaded
here [Link] as a ZIP file.
It is not clear from users experience why the IDE 5.1 Driver running when APIC
isn't installed provokes an error. ![[perplexed]](../verbluefft-smilie1.gif)
Some users also experienced an error even under APIC as they had virtual disk
drives installed. However the errors were caused by the virtual drives rather
than the software.
I personally use Nero Image Drive and have not been able to detect the error.
We will have to leave it as a puzzle as it hasn't been tested enough so solve the
problem.
Nvidia users are sometimes driver test users.
In the case of Audio Drivers lets take a look at nForce 3 above.
There is no difference in the use.
I will leave it up to you whether to use the audio driver from package 5.1
or to use the actual driver from package 4.62.
There is also nothing to stop you using the original Realtek audio driver.
Realtek ![[Realtek Audio logo]](../buttons/Realtek_butt.gif) driver download view below, in area download links.
Newer nForce Drivers in the FTP Download area at Nvidia:
On the Nvidia FTP Server in the meantime miscellaneous newer driver in Beta
versions are on offer.
Versions are: 6.13 , 6.53 , 7.13. They appear to be stable when run on nForce 4.
For nForce2 and 3 they are applicable with limitations.
The new drivers don't offer Memory Control support for nForce 2 , as the Memory
Controller on the Athlon 64 is integrated in the CPU.
The new IDE Drivers are also problematic for nForce 2.
You must check if an AGP driver is present in the driver package.
Drivers like the 7.13 Version set themselves on a PCIe Express graphics card
connection. A driver for the AGP Slot is not available.
The new LAN Network driver has been positively rated by users.
There is a discussion in the AOA - EPoX MotherBoards Support forum UK
Here there is also a mixed driver package for nForce 3 on offer, which in my opinion
is the best alternative if you want to update a driver. ![[wink]](wink-smilie.gif)
Unfortunately downloads are only possible after registering, but with kind
permission of user ''DeathEvil'' we have been able to mirror this download on this
web page. ![[Daumen hoch]](Smilie-daumen.gif)
Download: [Link] Driver 6.13 Mix Compilation Information:
Driver Archive File ''rar'' , Size 6.92 MB. 32-bit Driver
Similarities between nForce 2 und 3:
When completely intstalled you will see the following views of the drivers in the
Windows device manager: [Screenshots of the device manager]
Should a Driver Update to follow 5.1 be released, follow the instructions
and uninstall the Driver using Add/ Remove Software panel.
The optional removal of the driver since Packet 5.1 was released is not a problem.
If you wish to keep the IDE Driver make sure that the relative box remains
unchecked during the uninstall and it will remain in place.
You can view screenshots of the uninstall process by clicking on this link
[Screenshot Driver Choice or Uninstall]
You are never safe from nasty surprises with Nvidia. There will probably sometimes
be drivers released that contain errors.
Take the last IDE Driver as an example as to how Nvidia gets round problems.
Help and solutions are usually found first in user forums.
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Always be a little sceptical of new drivers. Leave the testing of them to other
users who have a lot of experience.
Take a look in the forums and read the reports about new drivers or pop back
here to this site. We intend to test all of the new drivers as they are released.
It will take a few days of use and testing until we can confirm that the drivers
are functioning perfectly.
If you are installing a new driver its wise to set up a Windows System Restore
point. It is the easiest way to place your system back to working order should
the need arise and guarantees that you will always have a good functioning
system.
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On this note, ''all the best for your worry free nForce 2 or 3 system''
even if its not so easy it is a good and fast system to choose.
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Further
with individual subjects from the FAQ
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Choosing an
optional driver from a driver package.
Optional selections. |
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Manually
integrating a driver using the Device Manager in
the Control Panel
Integration of indivdual single
drivers. |
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What does an
extracted driver packet look like ?
Extracted Archive after the Set Up
routine has been started. |
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Changing the IDE
Driver after encountering problems.
Changing the driver using the
Device Manager in the Control Panel. |
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The Driver Set Up
routine won't start or doesn't run correctly
What are the causes? How can I
help myself ? |
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After the Driver
installation my Audio Hardware is listed as
unknown
hardware in the Device Manager. What can
I do ? |
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Audio Driver and
possible 5.1 Center, Bass error
No sound coming from the Center or
Bass Loudspeaker |
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Audio Driver ''NV
Mixer'' options and settings
What do the individual settings option mean ? |
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Figurative
indication of the nForce drivers in the Device
Manager of the
Control Panel. What do
the entries look like when the drivers are
installed ? |
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The Nvida Setup
that I have is a file. How do I extract the
archive ?
Extracting the drivers so that all
the folders are correctly displayed. |
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USB 2 isn't
functioning. Where can I find a nForce USB 2
Driver ?
What needs to be considered with
nForce in order that USB functions properly. |
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Microsoft IDE
Driver: Slow data transfer from the hard drive. - Error
checking to ascertain whether the Ultra DMA Mode
is active for the hard drive. |
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AMD Athlon 64
Cool & Quiet operation and driver ![[AMD mini logo]](../logos/AMD-minilogo.gif)
* only socket 939 for
nForce 3 and 4 * |
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NVIDIA ForceWear
Network Access Manager error
These can occur with driver
versions from 5.1 on with Microsoft XP
Professional. |
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S-ATA2 Problems
with hard drive recognition and Windows startup -
nForce3
Windows startup errors in
connection with S-ATA2 Hard Drives. |
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Memory allocation
and Dual Channel operation with nForce 2
Not directly a subject about
drivers, but it is asked frequently. |
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Caught in the web page Frameset ? Please, click on [Home]
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Mainboard Treiber Download from NVIDIA The actuall driver downloads from Nvida Differences of nForce4 Chipset Features Feature List for nForce4 Platform by Nvidia. Technical Information. nForce Driver 6.13 Mix Driver compilation, mentioned in the text above nForce Individual IDE Driver Download 4.27 The single IDE Driver version 4.27 as a ZIP File Download nForce Individual Audio Driver Download 4.62 Newest actual Audio Driver version, release August 2005 nForce Individual Ethernet/Network driver 5.11 Driver version, release Nov. 2005 as a ZIP File Download 25,8 MB nForce Individual IDE Driver Download 6.66 The single IDE Driver version 6.66 as a rar File Download. Recommendation for nForce 3 nForce Individual IDE Driver Download 6.70 The single IDE Driver version 6.70 as a rar File Download. Recommendation for nForce 4 Mainboard Treiber nForce4 - Version: 6.86 MIX
Driver MIX download for Windows XP 32bit for all kind of nForce4 Chipsets. IDE/S-ATA driver 6.70 included ! Download from our download portal. Older Mainboard Drivers in the Nvida Archive Older driver versions where needed NV Removable Sata Tweak Tool [Zip Archive]
For questions an help request regarding nForce drivers
Nvidia