Help "Unconfuse" Me with ATA/INF Drivers

lmaz806 · 07-31-2001, 07:01 PM

Hello again to this wonderful group. I need some help in sorting out what ATA or INF drivers should be installed or not installed. I am so confused on this whole issue, the more I read the more confused I get. Same as to which bios is best. (What do you expect from a Pennsylvania coal miner!) My system specs are listed below and I hope that is enough info to set me straight and tell me what I should have installed or uninstalled. The only real "problem" I have been having is when I first boot up my Plextor is not listed (drive F) but if I restart the computer 1 or 2 times it then shows up. I have easy cd creator 5.01 installed but I removed the direct cd. I also have clonecd installed in case this makes a difference. Hope some one can straighten this old guy out. I am all ears (eyes) and I appreciate this great and helpful forum. Thanks in advance.

Lou

*Asus CUSL2-C Black Pearl (rev 1.04)
*Bios 1006.A
*Intel Pentium III 1GHz
*512MB Micron PC133 CL2
*ThermoEngine #V60-4210 CPU Cooler
*Maxtor 40GB 5400RPM HDD/
Master/Primary Promise Ultra 100 Controller (PCI Slot 6)
*Western Digital 60GB 5400RPM HDD/
Master/Secondary Promise Ultra 100 Controller (PCI Slot 6)
*Plextor 16/10/40A CD-RW/
Master/Primary IDE
*Pioneer DVD-106S 16x DVD-40X CD-ROM/
Master/Secondary IDE
*Iomega Zip100 Drive/
Slave/Secondary IDE
*GeForce MX 32MB DDR on AGP
*Soundblaster Live Value (PCI Slot 4)
*USR #2977 56k Modem (PCI Slot 3)
*Realtek #RTL8139A 10/100 Ethernet Card (PCI Slot2)
*Enlight EN-7237 case
*Enlight 300w Power Supply
*USB Visioneer 4400 Scanner
*Win_2000 SP-2

Miles · 07-31-2001, 08:08 PM

IMAZ806, thanks for your kind words, I'll take a shot at answering your question...

The INF drivers are not an option they basically tell the chipset what hardware to read and how to read it...check out this post from Ozzie...If you follow his instructions you cannot go wrong in installing the INF drivers.

The ATA drivers on the other hand offer a bit of controversey, especially with SP2 installed they have been know to create scenarios much like the one you posted...Check Kongo's answer in this post , one of the best explanations I have ever read about the problems associated...The drivers that come with SP2 should be sufficient to handle everything you have when coupled with the Promise drivers.

If you did not install the INF's in a similar manner to the one Ozzie listed in the post above you could have problems...I had major problems with the INF's when I first got my board, but a similar post to this one (also by Ozzie) straightened mey out and alleviated my probelems for good...Hope this might help and not confuse you further...

**SKI** · 08-05-2001, 02:49 PM

FWIW...

Hey lmaz806,

I agree with milesc3, as far as he went. You do need the INFs. With your particular configuration, I have to say you don't need or want the ATA drivers. The Promise drivers will provide ATA 100 for your HDDs (both of which are on the PCI card). Since none of the drives you listed on the mobo IDE controllers are capable of ATA 100, the win2k native drivers should enable them to perform to full potential. As milesc3 noted, the ATA drivers are a can of worms at best. I prefer to avoid them and use the native OS drivers as much as possible.

Just my $0.02

BTW, nice list of toys, there!

lmaz806 · 08-06-2001, 12:52 PM

Just got back from out of town and I would like to offer my thanks to Miles and Bill for helping to set me straight. Like I said before this forum is great and everyone does their best to help, no mater how small the "problem" is. As far as the INF drivers go, do either of you fine gentlemen know the lastest and greatest version this old boy should have. (and if I'm not being too much of a pain, the link to them would be nice....hint - hint) I am going to uninstall the Intel ATA drivers and direct cd when I get home from work to see if that clears up my "disappearing" cd-rw problem. Just one more thing, I will be changing the motherboard and processor on my gateway toy (slot 1 pent III 500 & a lot of little stupid irritating things going on) and I was considering the TUSL2-C with a 800-850 chip for now (a tualatin down the road) or should I wait for a board that uses DDR memory with the tualatin? And by the way Bill you are one lucky guy, my "Toys" keep me from being a premium beverage expert so you have the best of both worlds!!!! Thanks again

Lou

**SKI** · 08-06-2001, 04:17 PM

Hey imaz806,

Here's the latest "production" INF drivers. Props to Mushkin Rules for his usual good stuff! This is lifted from one of his posts: credit where credit is due... Here's a link to the original thread: HISTORY VERSION & INFO for INTEL INF DRIVER

QUOTE:

Intel INF 2.90.009 (Version 2.90 Production Version
Build 009 - 25 June 2001) adds this new features:
- Added digital signature files for the devices 2448 (Intel® 82801 BAM PCI Bridge) and 244C (Intel® 82801BAM LPC Interface Controller) under Windows* Me and Windows* 2000 operating system. These files were not signed in the previous build.
Download driver here: ftp://download.intel.com/design/sof...infinst_enu.zip
Download Release.pdf: http://developer.intel.com/design/s...ty/relnotes.pdf
Manual: ftp://download.intel.com/support/chipsets/chipset8.pdf

ENDQUOTE:

IMHO waiting for DDR is the way to go if you're set on a Tualatin. The comparisons I've seen imply that Tualatin "needs the help" DDR memory provides to really compete with P4 and the AMD stuff. I'd wait at least that long...other cool stuff is coming, too. Some of it might even get you to pass on Tualatin and get something else. Another option might be changing to AMD/DDR now (unless you're set on Intel). I need to build another rig myself: It'll probably be another CUSL2-C, running Linux (without all the bells and whistles this time LOL). I've got a lot of pieces sitting here already, and I have to economize for a while (Air Conditioner died last week

and cost a bunch to get fixed). As for the beverages...budgeting is required (ROFL =]) and I guess I'd rather have 1 good sip than a gut full of the cheap!!! (easier on the brain, too!)

lmaz806 · 08-07-2001, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the links Bill. I know what you mean about the one sip thing because the gut full of cheap also means one bad headache in the morning!!!! I am not stuck on Intel (but I do like the stability) but I will never use anything with a VIA chipset of any kind. Tried the A7V133 and could not believe that there was more patches for the VIA chipsets than what is on my grandmother's 60 year old quilt. And then you still couldn't use an ide zip100 and of course there was the usb thing. I'm not an overclocker and the big game I play is Links 2000 but I need to be able to bring a file home from work on a zip disk and copy it to my hard drive, I need to do it without locking up my whole system. Here is a link to a motherboard someone told me about.

http://www.ecsusa.com/products/p6s5at.htm

He said the board is under $90.00 and is a solid board, (Premium beverage savings) but I'm still leaning to another CUSL2-C because of the good luck I have had with my Black Pearl (so far). The only thing that scares me with the CUSL2-C is the problems people seem to have flashing the bios. Flashed the bios in the A7V133 many times (new bios every couple of days) without a problem and it seems like a lot of people have dead mobos after flashing their CUSL2-C.

Again I appreciate all the help.

Lou

**SKI** · 08-08-2001, 03:36 AM

Hey imaz806,

That mobo looks interesting... and in the long run the DDR memory sticks won't gp to waste. I think I'd try it out with a low $ Proc 1st though... I'd hate to spring for the big bones and be disappointed, what with all the new stuff that's in the pipeline.

I'm about to flash my CUSL2-C BIOS up to 1008 final (with tweaks from X86). I'll let you know how it goes (in a few days). What I've read is that if you are careful and follow correct procedure it's no biggie to get right...we'll see!

I haven't run any VIA chipsets yet, but the things I keep hearing about the Iwill KK266-R have got me thinking about it. Ozzie, Mushkin Rules and Skull are all running one variation or another of this board, and they're all very pleased with it. Not sure about the issues you have had trouble with. It might be worthwile to go over to the AMD proc/VIA chipset forum and ask around... Otherwise, why not wait a bit? I hear P4/DDR is only a matter of time.

Frankly, if flat-out stability is what you want, I'd either go to an Intel mobo or buy another CUSL2. I'm probably going to build another CUSL2 (Celeron or low $ P-3) for my Linux box: I know what to expect, and I really don't want to troubleshoot another mobo if I can avoid it (ROFL 8-) ). Besides, I have quite a few of the parts on hand already, and after my air-conditioning probs last week every "bone" counts!

My next "performance" rig will probably be an AMD/VIA/DDR config, considering what's currently available. If I can get a P4/DDR mobo when I'm "ready", I'll go that way instead. Depends on what's available whan I have the $$$

In the meantime I plan on trying some overclocking on my 1 GHz P-3/CUSL2-C setup. I've got quite a few parts for hi-performance air cooling on order....."film at eleven" as they say!

BTW, I'm glad if I can help a bit...Stay in touch. Us "old guys" have to stick together

07-31-2001, 07:01 PM	#1
lmaz806 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pocono Mountains, PA Posts: 23	Help "Unconfuse" Me with ATA/INF Drivers Hello again to this wonderful group. I need some help in sorting out what ATA or INF drivers should be installed or not installed. I am so confused on this whole issue, the more I read the more confused I get. Same as to which bios is best. (What do you expect from a Pennsylvania coal miner!) My system specs are listed below and I hope that is enough info to set me straight and tell me what I should have installed or uninstalled. The only real "problem" I have been having is when I first boot up my Plextor is not listed (drive F) but if I restart the computer 1 or 2 times it then shows up. I have easy cd creator 5.01 installed but I removed the direct cd. I also have clonecd installed in case this makes a difference. Hope some one can straighten this old guy out. I am all ears (eyes) and I appreciate this great and helpful forum. Thanks in advance. Lou Asus CUSL2-C Black Pearl (rev 1.04) Bios 1006.A Intel Pentium III 1GHz 512MB Micron PC133 CL2 ThermoEngine #V60-4210 CPU Cooler Maxtor 40GB 5400RPM HDD/ Master/Primary Promise Ultra 100 Controller (PCI Slot 6) Western Digital 60GB 5400RPM HDD/ Master/Secondary Promise Ultra 100 Controller (PCI Slot 6) Plextor 16/10/40A CD-RW/ Master/Primary IDE Pioneer DVD-106S 16x DVD-40X CD-ROM/ Master/Secondary IDE Iomega Zip100 Drive/ Slave/Secondary IDE GeForce MX 32MB DDR on AGP Soundblaster Live Value (PCI Slot 4) USR #2977 56k Modem (PCI Slot 3) Realtek #RTL8139A 10/100 Ethernet Card (PCI Slot2) Enlight EN-7237 case Enlight 300w Power Supply USB Visioneer 4400 Scanner Win_2000 SP-2
(Offline)

07-31-2001, 08:08 PM	#2
Miles Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5,558	IMAZ806, thanks for your kind words, I'll take a shot at answering your question... The INF drivers are not an option they basically tell the chipset what hardware to read and how to read it...check out this post from Ozzie...If you follow his instructions you cannot go wrong in installing the INF drivers. The ATA drivers on the other hand offer a bit of controversey, especially with SP2 installed they have been know to create scenarios much like the one you posted...Check Kongo's answer in this post , one of the best explanations I have ever read about the problems associated...The drivers that come with SP2 should be sufficient to handle everything you have when coupled with the Promise drivers. If you did not install the INF's in a similar manner to the one Ozzie listed in the post above you could have problems...I had major problems with the INF's when I first got my board, but a similar post to this one (also by Ozzie) straightened mey out and alleviated my probelems for good...Hope this might help and not confuse you further... __________________ Regards, Miles ________________________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 w/ Enzotech Ultra \| ASUS Blitz Formula SE \| 2 x 2Gb Mushkin XP2-6400 DDR-2 \| XFX 8800 GTX XXX\| 2 - Seagate 750GB Barracuda ES \| PCP&C 1KWSR \| Lian Li G70 \| Windows Vista 64-bit Ultimate \| Dell 2407 FPW Monitor
(Offline)

08-05-2001, 02:49 PM	#3
SKI Comms Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tempe, AZ (or wherever my luggage is) Posts: 8,488	FWIW... Hey lmaz806, I agree with milesc3, as far as he went. You do need the INFs. With your particular configuration, I have to say you don't need or want the ATA drivers. The Promise drivers will provide ATA 100 for your HDDs (both of which are on the PCI card). Since none of the drives you listed on the mobo IDE controllers are capable of ATA 100, the win2k native drivers should enable them to perform to full potential. As milesc3 noted, the ATA drivers are a can of worms at best. I prefer to avoid them and use the native OS drivers as much as possible. Just my $0.02 BTW, nice list of toys, there! __________________ Never try to teach a pig to sing... It wastes your time, and annoys the pig.
(Offline)

08-06-2001, 12:52 PM	#4
lmaz806 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pocono Mountains, PA Posts: 23	Thanks for the Help Just got back from out of town and I would like to offer my thanks to Miles and Bill for helping to set me straight. Like I said before this forum is great and everyone does their best to help, no mater how small the "problem" is. As far as the INF drivers go, do either of you fine gentlemen know the lastest and greatest version this old boy should have. (and if I'm not being too much of a pain, the link to them would be nice....hint - hint) I am going to uninstall the Intel ATA drivers and direct cd when I get home from work to see if that clears up my "disappearing" cd-rw problem. Just one more thing, I will be changing the motherboard and processor on my gateway toy (slot 1 pent III 500 & a lot of little stupid irritating things going on) and I was considering the TUSL2-C with a 800-850 chip for now (a tualatin down the road) or should I wait for a board that uses DDR memory with the tualatin? And by the way Bill you are one lucky guy, my "Toys" keep me from being a premium beverage expert so you have the best of both worlds!!!! Thanks again Lou
(Offline)

08-06-2001, 04:17 PM	#5
SKI Comms Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tempe, AZ (or wherever my luggage is) Posts: 8,488	Hey imaz806, Here's the latest "production" INF drivers. Props to Mushkin Rules for his usual good stuff! This is lifted from one of his posts: credit where credit is due... Here's a link to the original thread: HISTORY VERSION & INFO for INTEL INF DRIVER QUOTE: Intel INF 2.90.009 (Version 2.90 Production Version Build 009 - 25 June 2001) adds this new features: - Added digital signature files for the devices 2448 (Intel® 82801 BAM PCI Bridge) and 244C (Intel® 82801BAM LPC Interface Controller) under Windows* Me and Windows* 2000 operating system. These files were not signed in the previous build. Download driver here: ftp://download.intel.com/design/sof...infinst_enu.zip Download Release.pdf: http://developer.intel.com/design/s...ty/relnotes.pdf Manual: ftp://download.intel.com/support/chipsets/chipset8.pdf ENDQUOTE: IMHO waiting for DDR is the way to go if you're set on a Tualatin. The comparisons I've seen imply that Tualatin "needs the help" DDR memory provides to really compete with P4 and the AMD stuff. I'd wait at least that long...other cool stuff is coming, too. Some of it might even get you to pass on Tualatin and get something else. Another option might be changing to AMD/DDR now (unless you're set on Intel). I need to build another rig myself: It'll probably be another CUSL2-C, running Linux (without all the bells and whistles this time LOL). I've got a lot of pieces sitting here already, and I have to economize for a while (Air Conditioner died last week and cost a bunch to get fixed). As for the beverages...budgeting is required (ROFL =]) and I guess I'd rather have 1 good sip than a gut full of the cheap!!! (easier on the brain, too!) __________________ Never try to teach a pig to sing... It wastes your time, and annoys the pig.
(Offline)

08-07-2001, 09:33 AM	#6
lmaz806 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Pocono Mountains, PA Posts: 23	Thanks Again Thanks for the links Bill. I know what you mean about the one sip thing because the gut full of cheap also means one bad headache in the morning!!!! I am not stuck on Intel (but I do like the stability) but I will never use anything with a VIA chipset of any kind. Tried the A7V133 and could not believe that there was more patches for the VIA chipsets than what is on my grandmother's 60 year old quilt. And then you still couldn't use an ide zip100 and of course there was the usb thing. I'm not an overclocker and the big game I play is Links 2000 but I need to be able to bring a file home from work on a zip disk and copy it to my hard drive, I need to do it without locking up my whole system. Here is a link to a motherboard someone told me about. http://www.ecsusa.com/products/p6s5at.htm He said the board is under $90.00 and is a solid board, (Premium beverage savings) but I'm still leaning to another CUSL2-C because of the good luck I have had with my Black Pearl (so far). The only thing that scares me with the CUSL2-C is the problems people seem to have flashing the bios. Flashed the bios in the A7V133 many times (new bios every couple of days) without a problem and it seems like a lot of people have dead mobos after flashing their CUSL2-C. Again I appreciate all the help. Lou
(Offline)

08-08-2001, 03:36 AM	#7
SKI Comms Moderator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tempe, AZ (or wherever my luggage is) Posts: 8,488	Hey imaz806, That mobo looks interesting... and in the long run the DDR memory sticks won't gp to waste. I think I'd try it out with a low $ Proc 1st though... I'd hate to spring for the big bones and be disappointed, what with all the new stuff that's in the pipeline. I'm about to flash my CUSL2-C BIOS up to 1008 final (with tweaks from X86). I'll let you know how it goes (in a few days). What I've read is that if you are careful and follow correct procedure it's no biggie to get right...we'll see! I haven't run any VIA chipsets yet, but the things I keep hearing about the Iwill KK266-R have got me thinking about it. Ozzie, Mushkin Rules and Skull are all running one variation or another of this board, and they're all very pleased with it. Not sure about the issues you have had trouble with. It might be worthwile to go over to the AMD proc/VIA chipset forum and ask around... Otherwise, why not wait a bit? I hear P4/DDR is only a matter of time. Frankly, if flat-out stability is what you want, I'd either go to an Intel mobo or buy another CUSL2. I'm probably going to build another CUSL2 (Celeron or low $ P-3) for my Linux box: I know what to expect, and I really don't want to troubleshoot another mobo if I can avoid it (ROFL 8-) ). Besides, I have quite a few of the parts on hand already, and after my air-conditioning probs last week every "bone" counts! My next "performance" rig will probably be an AMD/VIA/DDR config, considering what's currently available. If I can get a P4/DDR mobo when I'm "ready", I'll go that way instead. Depends on what's available whan I have the $$$ In the meantime I plan on trying some overclocking on my 1 GHz P-3/CUSL2-C setup. I've got quite a few parts for hi-performance air cooling on order....."film at eleven" as they say! BTW, I'm glad if I can help a bit...Stay in touch. Us "old guys" have to stick together __________________ Never try to teach a pig to sing... It wastes your time, and annoys the pig.
(Offline)

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