Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

I've been holding off on installing SP2 because of various issues
and the possibility of screwing up my home wireless network.

Now, I've run across this article:

"The automatic download blocker that Microsoft implemented in
August will expire April 12, at which time SP2 will be automatically
installed on machines running Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack
1."

I always run Windows Update manually so I can choose which updates
that I prefer to install.

Do I absolutely have to install SP2 before April 12th. Is there no
alternative?

Thanks!
Scott

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Leave the auto updater off, and you'll have no problem. Microsoft
provided a way for businesses to leave AutoUpdate on but avoid
downloading SP2 - that's what is expiring. With auto-update turned off,
you will not see SP2 auto-download.



Scott wrote:
> I've been holding off on installing SP2 because of various issues
> and the possibility of screwing up my home wireless network.
>
> Now, I've run across this article:
>
> "The automatic download blocker that Microsoft implemented in
> August will expire April 12, at which time SP2 will be automatically
> installed on machines running Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack
> 1."
>
> I always run Windows Update manually so I can choose which updates
> that I prefer to install.
>
> Do I absolutely have to install SP2 before April 12th. Is there no
> alternative?
>
> Thanks!
> Scott

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Ed,

Whew!!!! Yes, I keep the Auto Updater off...because I want control
over what I install.

Anyway, I suppose the time will come when it makes sense to install
SP2. I've got a 3-year old GW 700XL desktop with XP Pro Version 2002
and SP1 installed...plus a newer GW 400SP notebook running XP Pro.

Should I expect any problems?

Interestingly enough, I bought a GW E-3400 on eBay awhile back, and
it came with XP and SP2 installed. When I hooked it up to my Linksys
wireless router (via ethernet cable), it connected to the network with
no problem.

So maybe I'm worrying too much.

Thanks!
Scott

"Edward J. Neth" wrote:
>
> Leave the auto updater off, and you'll have no problem. Microsoft
> provided a way for businesses to leave AutoUpdate on but avoid
> downloading SP2 - that's what is expiring. With auto-update turned off,
> you will not see SP2 auto-download.
>
> Scott wrote:
> > I've been holding off on installing SP2 because of various issues
> > and the possibility of screwing up my home wireless network.
> >
> > Now, I've run across this article:
> >
> > "The automatic download blocker that Microsoft implemented in
> > August will expire April 12, at which time SP2 will be automatically
> > installed on machines running Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack
> > 1."
> >
> > I always run Windows Update manually so I can choose which updates
> > that I prefer to install.
> >
> > Do I absolutely have to install SP2 before April 12th. Is there no
> > alternative?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Scott

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Scott,

If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as yours
running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.

Good luck and happy computering,

Turner

"Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
news:424DFE17.C679931F@uslink.net...
> Ed,
>
> Whew!!!! Yes, I keep the Auto Updater off...because I want control
> over what I install.
>
> Anyway, I suppose the time will come when it makes sense to install
> SP2. I've got a 3-year old GW 700XL desktop with XP Pro Version 2002
> and SP1 installed...plus a newer GW 400SP notebook running XP Pro.
>
> Should I expect any problems?
>
> Interestingly enough, I bought a GW E-3400 on eBay awhile back, and
> it came with XP and SP2 installed. When I hooked it up to my Linksys
> wireless router (via ethernet cable), it connected to the network with
> no problem.
>
> So maybe I'm worrying too much.
>
> Thanks!
> Scott
>
> "Edward J. Neth" wrote:
>>
>> Leave the auto updater off, and you'll have no problem. Microsoft
>> provided a way for businesses to leave AutoUpdate on but avoid
>> downloading SP2 - that's what is expiring. With auto-update turned off,
>> you will not see SP2 auto-download.
>>
>> Scott wrote:
>> > I've been holding off on installing SP2 because of various issues
>> > and the possibility of screwing up my home wireless network.
>> >
>> > Now, I've run across this article:
>> >
>> > "The automatic download blocker that Microsoft implemented in
>> > August will expire April 12, at which time SP2 will be automatically
>> > installed on machines running Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack
>> > 1."
>> >
>> > I always run Windows Update manually so I can choose which updates
>> > that I prefer to install.
>> >
>> > Do I absolutely have to install SP2 before April 12th. Is there no
>> > alternative?
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> > Scott

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Turner,

That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware drivers
first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA GeForce2
2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?

Thanks!
]Scott5

Turner Morgan wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as yours
> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
>
> Good luck and happy computering,
>
> Turner
>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Scott,

All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).

I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).

As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
number of computer will be different!

Regards,
Turner

"Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
> Turner,
>
> That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
> drivers
> first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
> GeForce2
> 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
>
> Thanks!
> ]Scott5
>
> Turner Morgan wrote:
>>
>> Scott,
>>
>> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
>> yours
>> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
>>
>> Good luck and happy computering,
>>
>> Turner
>>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Turner,

OK...thanks much!

Scott

Turner Morgan wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
>
> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
>
> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
> number of computer will be different!
>
> Regards,
> Turner
>
> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
> > Turner,
> >
> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
> > drivers
> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
> > GeForce2
> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > ]Scott5
> >
> > Turner Morgan wrote:
> >>
> >> Scott,
> >>
> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
> >> yours
> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
> >>
> >> Good luck and happy computering,
> >>
> >> Turner
> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Turner,

I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the Nvidia
website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84, 02/24/2005.
I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I got a
blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I ended
up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the readme.txt
for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the Update
Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
driver's setup program?

Thanks!
Scott

Turner Morgan wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
>
> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
>
> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
> number of computer will be different!
>
> Regards,
> Turner
>
> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
> > Turner,
> >
> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
> > drivers
> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
> > GeForce2
> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > ]Scott5
> >
> > Turner Morgan wrote:
> >>
> >> Scott,
> >>
> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
> >> yours
> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
> >>
> >> Good luck and happy computering,
> >>
> >> Turner
> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

I ran into the same problem when I used the nVidia driver from the Windows
update site. The latest driver from the nVidia site is the only way to go.
Oddly, the Windows update site flags it for updating, even tho it is newer.
Well, so much for letting Micro$oft take control of your computer via automatic
updates!!! ... Ben Myers

On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 13:18:17 -0500, Scott <golden@uslink.net> wrote:

>Turner,
>
>I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the Nvidia
>website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84, 02/24/2005.
>I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I got a
>blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I ended
>up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
>Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the readme.txt
>for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the Update
>Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
>driver's setup program?
>
>Thanks!
>Scott
>
>Turner Morgan wrote:
>>
>> Scott,
>>
>> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
>> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
>> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
>> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
>> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
>> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
>> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
>> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
>> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
>>
>> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
>> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
>>
>> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
>> number of computer will be different!
>>
>> Regards,
>> Turner
>>
>> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
>> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
>> > Turner,
>> >
>> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
>> > drivers
>> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
>> > GeForce2
>> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> > ]Scott5
>> >
>> > Turner Morgan wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Scott,
>> >>
>> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
>> >> yours
>> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
>> >>
>> >> Good luck and happy computering,
>> >>
>> >> Turner
>> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Ben,

I did get the update from Nvidia's website. I ran their setup install file
and got a blue screen on reboot. Do you think it would work any better
to to to Display/Update Driver tab and search for the .inf file?

Scott

Ben Myers wrote:
>
> I ran into the same problem when I used the nVidia driver from the Windows
> update site. The latest driver from the nVidia site is the only way to go.
> Oddly, the Windows update site flags it for updating, even tho it is newer.
> Well, so much for letting Micro$oft take control of your computer via automatic
> updates!!! ... Ben Myers
>
> On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 13:18:17 -0500, Scott <golden@uslink.net> wrote:
>
> >Turner,
> >
> >I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the Nvidia
> >website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84, 02/24/2005.
> >I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I got a
> >blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I ended
> >up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
> >Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the readme.txt
> >for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the Update
> >Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
> >driver's setup program?
> >
> >Thanks!
> >Scott
> >
> >Turner Morgan wrote:
> >>
> >> Scott,
> >>
> >> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
> >> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
> >> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
> >> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
> >> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
> >> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
> >> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
> >> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
> >> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
> >>
> >> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
> >> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
> >>
> >> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
> >> number of computer will be different!
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >> Turner
> >>
> >> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
> >> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
> >> > Turner,
> >> >
> >> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
> >> > drivers
> >> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
> >> > GeForce2
> >> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!
> >> > ]Scott5
> >> >
> >> > Turner Morgan wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Scott,
> >> >>
> >> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
> >> >> yours
> >> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
> >> >>
> >> >> Good luck and happy computering,
> >> >>
> >> >> Turner
> >> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Just a thought NVIDIA's site says to make sure virus program is off when
you do there drivers. Tim
"Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
news:4254746C.27130237@uslink.net...
> Ben,
>
> I did get the update from Nvidia's website. I ran their setup install file
> and got a blue screen on reboot. Do you think it would work any better
> to to to Display/Update Driver tab and search for the .inf file?
>
> Scott
>
> Ben Myers wrote:
>>
>> I ran into the same problem when I used the nVidia driver from the
>> Windows
>> update site. The latest driver from the nVidia site is the only way to
>> go.
>> Oddly, the Windows update site flags it for updating, even tho it is
>> newer.
>> Well, so much for letting Micro$oft take control of your computer via
>> automatic
>> updates!!! ... Ben Myers
>>
>> On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 13:18:17 -0500, Scott <golden@uslink.net> wrote:
>>
>> >Turner,
>> >
>> >I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the
>> >Nvidia
>> >website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84,
>> >02/24/2005.
>> >I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I
>> >got a
>> >blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I
>> >ended
>> >up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
>> >Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the
>> >readme.txt
>> >for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the
>> >Update
>> >Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
>> >driver's setup program?
>> >
>> >Thanks!
>> >Scott
>> >
>> >Turner Morgan wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Scott,
>> >>
>> >> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website.
>> >> If it
>> >> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally
>> >> transparent
>> >> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS
>> >> firewall
>> >> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that
>> >> came
>> >> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
>> >> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce
>> >> video card
>> >> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia
>> >> website
>> >> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when
>> >> I can
>> >> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
>> >>
>> >> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps
>> >> cross
>> >> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
>> >>
>> >> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same
>> >> brand/model
>> >> number of computer will be different!
>> >>
>> >> Regards,
>> >> Turner
>> >>
>> >> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
>> >> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
>> >> > Turner,
>> >> >
>> >> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all
>> >> > hardware
>> >> > drivers
>> >> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
>> >> > GeForce2
>> >> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks!
>> >> > ]Scott5
>> >> >
>> >> > Turner Morgan wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Scott,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age
>> >> >> as
>> >> >> yours
>> >> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Good luck and happy computering,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Turner
>> >> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Tim,

That's a good point. And, yes, I did make sure my Norton AV was disabled
before installing.

Scott

Tim wrote:
>
> Just a thought NVIDIA's site says to make sure virus program is off when
> you do there drivers. Tim
> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
> news:4254746C.27130237@uslink.net...
> > Ben,
> >
> > I did get the update from Nvidia's website. I ran their setup install file
> > and got a blue screen on reboot. Do you think it would work any better
> > to to to Display/Update Driver tab and search for the .inf file?
> >
> > Scott
> >
> > Ben Myers wrote:
> >>
> >> I ran into the same problem when I used the nVidia driver from the
> >> Windows
> >> update site. The latest driver from the nVidia site is the only way to
> >> go.
> >> Oddly, the Windows update site flags it for updating, even tho it is
> >> newer.
> >> Well, so much for letting Micro$oft take control of your computer via
> >> automatic
> >> updates!!! ... Ben Myers
> >>
> >> On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 13:18:17 -0500, Scott <golden@uslink.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Turner,
> >> >
> >> >I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the
> >> >Nvidia
> >> >website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84,
> >> >02/24/2005.
> >> >I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I
> >> >got a
> >> >blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I
> >> >ended
> >> >up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
> >> >Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the
> >> >readme.txt
> >> >for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the
> >> >Update
> >> >Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
> >> >driver's setup program?
> >> >
> >> >Thanks!
> >> >Scott
> >> >
> >> >Turner Morgan wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Scott,
> >> >>
> >> >> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website.
> >> >> If it
> >> >> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally
> >> >> transparent
> >> >> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS
> >> >> firewall
> >> >> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that
> >> >> came
> >> >> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
> >> >> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce
> >> >> video card
> >> >> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia
> >> >> website
> >> >> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when
> >> >> I can
> >> >> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
> >> >>
> >> >> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps
> >> >> cross
> >> >> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
> >> >>
> >> >> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same
> >> >> brand/model
> >> >> number of computer will be different!
> >> >>
> >> >> Regards,
> >> >> Turner
> >> >>
> >> >> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
> >> >> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
> >> >> > Turner,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all
> >> >> > hardware
> >> >> > drivers
> >> >> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
> >> >> > GeForce2
> >> >> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks!
> >> >> > ]Scott5
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Turner Morgan wrote:
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Scott,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age
> >> >> >> as
> >> >> >> yours
> >> >> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Good luck and happy computering,
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Turner
> >> >> >>

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

I never use M$ Update hardware drivers. They've always corrupted
machines I support.

OEMs like GW and Dell use non-retail versions of components, so it's
best to use drivers from those sites. Sometime retail drivers work,
but there's no guarantee since they might look for features the OEM
version doesn't have (to keep the costs down).

If you've added a retail card, then use the vendor's site.



On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 23:41:31 GMT, ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net
(Ben Myers) wrote:

>I ran into the same problem when I used the nVidia driver from the Windows
>update site. The latest driver from the nVidia site is the only way to go.
>Oddly, the Windows update site flags it for updating, even tho it is newer.
>Well, so much for letting Micro$oft take control of your computer via automatic
>updates!!! ... Ben Myers
>
>On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 13:18:17 -0500, Scott <golden@uslink.net> wrote:
>
>>Turner,
>>
>>I went to update the video drivers by getting this driver from the Nvidia
>>website: NVIDIA Display Driver for Windows 2000/XP...version 71.84, 02/24/2005.
>>I went to Add/Remove Programs and went thru setup. When rebooting, I got a
>>blue screen, which said the computer was halted to avoid damage. I ended
>>up rolling back to the original driver and then had an icon issue (see
>>Icon Arrangement post below), but I solved that. I see in the readme.txt
>>for the drivers, it says to go to Display in Control Panel and the Update
>>Driver tab. Is this method preferable to doing a full install thru the
>>driver's setup program?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>Scott
>>
>>Turner Morgan wrote:
>>>
>>> Scott,
>>>
>>> All I can say is I installed SP2 via the MS Windows Update website. If it
>>> messed with any of the drivers in the computer, it was totally transparent
>>> to me (it even discovered I am using Zone Alarm and turned the MS firewall
>>> off!). As far as I know, all the drivers for all the hardware that came
>>> with the computer are still there except the ones I have specifically
>>> updated. The specific updated drivers include the nVidia GeForce video card
>>> that came with the computer; those drivers I get from the nVidia website
>>> rather than Gateway and those drivers have been kept up to date (when I can
>>> remember every few months to check for updates, anyway).
>>>
>>> I did not do anything special prior to installing SP2 (except, perhaps cross
>>> my fingers! Let's face it, any kind of major upgrade is a gamble).
>>>
>>> As I said, good luck. Everyone's situation, even with the same brand/model
>>> number of computer will be different!
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Turner
>>>
>>> "Scott" <golden@uslink.net> wrote in message
>>> news:4250877A.BC50B98B@uslink.net...
>>> > Turner,
>>> >
>>> > That's good to know! I've read that it's better to update all hardware
>>> > drivers
>>> > first. The one that I know has newer drivers available is the NVIDIA
>>> > GeForce2
>>> > 2MX 400 video card. Are you still using your original drivers?
>>> >
>>> > Thanks!
>>> > ]Scott5
>>> >
>>> > Turner Morgan wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> Scott,
>>> >>
>>> >> If it is any consolation, I also have a GW 700XL about the same age as
>>> >> yours
>>> >> running Win XP Pro. I installed SP2 and have had no problems.
>>> >>
>>> >> Good luck and happy computering,
>>> >>
>>> >> Turner
>>> >>



----------------

"Jim, you think he's with Jesus now? We only have 30 seconds." - Larry King to "Passion" star Jim Caviezel, on the Pope.

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000 (More info?)

Sorry, but I have to take strong exception to the statement that only drivers
from the name-brand computer manufacturer's site should be used. Long
experience here has shown the opposite.

At this time (and going back maybe 6, 7, or more years), there is zero
motivation for a name brand computer company to use "special" hardware. It
costs more to manufacture special than to manufacture standard off the shelf.
It costs oodles more to support special hardware in terms of special drivers and
a special supply of spare parts, not to mention tech support, such that it is.

There is no difference whatsoever between chipsets used in OEM hardware and
retail hardware. About all you will find these days in differences are smallish
ones like graphics cards with less memory (e.g. a 32MB card instead of 64MB or
128MB) or a graphics chip with less power (a slower nVidia GForce chip for
example). Drivers are written so that they autodetect and use the exact memory
size on the card they find when the system boots up. Driver software does not
care whether the graphics chip is a slower or a faster one. nVidia's single
graphics driver set support all the versions of its chips. ATI and Matrox (Is
Matrox still in the league?) are very similar. Intel's Extreme Graphics on the
motherboard are the same.

The same reasoning goes for motherboard chipsets, audio, network, USB and
whatever else you want. The computer industry has truly become more of a
commodity industry than any other as far as the electronic guts of a computer
are concerned. Differences among name brands exist in the styling of the
computer chassis, customization of the BIOS splash screen (Dell and IBM give
their BIOSes a specific look-and-feel user interface), and choice of
manufacturers. But most of the parts are interchangable unless there are
physical differences in size, shape, connectors, etc. as with motherboards and
power supplies.

A number of years ago, there was the "Gatrox" fiasco, caused by Gateway's
stubborn insistence on Matrox manufacturing a PCI graphics card with a cheaper,
less capable RAMDAC chip. Back then, the RAMDAC chip imposed limits on the
refresh rates and/or color depths available with a graphics card. But the
standard off-the-shelf Matrox drivers worked 100% perfectly with the Gatrox
card. (Nowadays, the RAMDAC functions are built into the graphics chip itself.)

Trust me on this one. I've ripped apart and put back together thousands of name
brand computers (all brands) in the last 10 years. I read and decipher all the
inscrutable markings on integrated circuits... Ben Myers

On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 07:57:47 GMT, Jed Taylor <aspc-clone-gateway@offthedial.com>
wrote:

>I never use M$ Update hardware drivers. They've always corrupted
>machines I support.
>
>OEMs like GW and Dell use non-retail versions of components, so it's
>best to use drivers from those sites. Sometime retail drivers work,
>but there's no guarantee since they might look for features the OEM
>version doesn't have (to keep the costs down).
>
>If you've added a retail card, then use the vendor's site.
>
>
>

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