Nvidia IDE SW Driver

[Ruroni]

So I've performed a search here and at nforceHQ forums, and have read threads upon threads, and I'm still unsure as to whether or not I should install the nVidia IDE drivers, or use the default MS ones.

My system's performance was starting to waver, I was having trouble burning some files, and I was occassionally crashing due to windows explorer. So I performed a clean install, and was wondering if perhaps these drivers were behind it all, or if by leaving them out, I'm missing out on some serious performance boost.

Miracle pill?

The NVIDIA IDE SW driver replaces the ATA drivers (that come with Windows) with
drivers that are optimized for nForce2-based desktop computers.

The NVIDIA IDE SW driver reduces the storage sub-system bottleneck, enabling the
processor and other system level hardware to be more productive and efficient.

In most cases, the NVIDIA IDE SW driver is not a requirement for your operating
system to work properly.

nForce2 platform processors can significantly reduce the CPU time required to
retrieve data from and/or store data on your hard disk (or other IDE devices)
using the IDE logic inside nForce2 MCP and nForce2 MCP-T.

Or begging for trouble?

The NVIDIA IDE SW driver may contain design defects or errors known as
errata, which may cause the product to deviate from published
specifications. Current characterized errata may be available upon request,
depending upon product.

Please post your experience and opinions, along with your vote.

Thanks

 

[Interitus]

If you want a corrupted OS installation, then sure install them. Happens 90% of the time.

 

[darkconz]

I installed them and it works fine (same thing before and after installation of the IDE drivers - no error other than my CD burner which has an error on both MS/nVidia drivers)

 

[cybersol]

There is the normal chipset IDE driver and then the optional fast SW drivers. My OS is located on an IDE drive. I installed both of these IDE drivers the first time and my OS was corrupted beyond repair within a day. I stopped using both NVidia IDE drivers (by unchecking the IDE box in the chipset install) and instead use the default XP drivers. I have had no corruption problems for over 2 weeks. I for one will not be using NVidia IDE drivers anytime soon. YMMV.

 

[sreams]

Originally posted by: Interitus
If you want a corrupted OS installation, then sure install them. Happens 90% of the time.

This statement is blatantly incorrect.

-S

 

[wgoblin]

I have a8n sli deluxe and i installed the new v6.39 nvidia drivers just last night right on top of the old ones that came with mobo...It seems now ncq is default turned ON. But everything is running in light speed...And perfect. Much better than original drivers.

Only confusion was when it asked me to install audio drivers which completly replaced realtek drivers(sorry offtopic). Restored the system and installed them without audio and everything is great

Si i think it might be good. Unless i get data corruption. I hope not.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: Interitus
If you want a corrupted OS installation, then sure install them. Happens 90% of the time.

As screams pointed out, I have always used the sw drivers and have yet to have a problem with them on any system I have built.

Where did you get this information from to determine that they fail 90% of the time?

 

[govern1]

I have always used them as well, never any OS corruption issues. It does seem the new ones fixed the NCQ problems too. I would also like to know where the "90%" figure comes from? The new ide drivers from NVidia are excellent, by far the best they've put out to date.
Just for some background to qualify my opinion, I have used, in my own systems, two NForce 2 (8RDA+ & NF7-S), an Nforce 3 (VNF-250) and now an NForce 4 (A8N-SLI). I have installed the SW ide drivers on all of them. It failed 0% of the time.

Shawn

 

[DerKaiser]

I've been using them on my nForce2 system for literally years and have never had any problems.

 

[Mem]

I've been using them on my nForce2 system for literally years and have never had any problems.

Same with my DFI NF2 Ultra,btw the SW IDE drivers have matured over the years,I think people are still remembering the first version that did have problems.

 

[Tanclearas]

I've always used the nVidia drivers for my nForce-based motherboards. The only time I had a problem was when I enabled NCQ. The new driver set seems to have addressed the NCQ problem, but I will admit that it's only been a day running with NCQ enabled.

 

[lumpeh]

I've had them installed since i setup on thursday and as others have said it has NCQ enabled by default
Haven't noticed any performance improvements as such though.

 

[Megatomic]

The SW IDE drivers have been golden since the 2.41 driver debacle. Go for it.

 

[Dijital]

the new 6.39 drivers will work fine.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Interitus
If you want a corrupted OS installation, then sure install them. Happens 90% of the time.

Thanks for showing everyone how much you don't know.

Second everyone else; I used it on my MSI nForce2 & now on my MSI nForce3 with NO trouble; CDRW, DVDRW, etc etc all work great.

I recently switched from an Asus K8V SE Deluxe (VIA K8T800 based) to my MSI K8N Neo Platinum (nForce3-250gb based) and I have to say I notice a tangible performance increase in general. :thumbsup: for nForce!

 

[majmera]

I am using the nVidia SW drivers and haven't seen any issues. Not sure if the performance is better or worse (did not have the default drivers for long enough).

 

[ribbon13]

My mom's computer would not boot with them (Asus A7N8X Deluxe and Western Digital WD1200BB), but it was an easy fix, safe mode and rollback drivers.

 

[VirtualLarry]

At least for the NF2 platform, I recommend not installing them, based on how they seemingly interfere with proper operation of various CD-burning programs. The Via IDE drivers are mostly the same way. As for data-corruption with the NV IDE drivers on an NF2, I didn't do enough extensive testing to say, but I've never personally encountered any. I'm curious about how many of you had issues with them, and are running non-standard DRAM / FSB clocks, and how many of you have active northbridge cooling. That could be one cause of data-corruption, an overheating NB. (Also the cause of some sound distortions, supposedly, and if the IDE is handled by the same chip, well..) But it's also possible that certain HDs have "quirks" in them, and the MS IDE driver being as well-tested as it is, has programmed workarounds for those drives, that the NV IDE ones have not, and that is causing problems. (Having seen the ECNs for older IDE RAID controller drives from a certain mfg, you would probably be amazed at how many drives have wierd "issues", and how much work goes into implementing workarounds in the drivers for them.)

 

[sharpnsmart]

I bought my A7N8X Deluxe board 2 years ago, and used every NV IDE driver ever made in that time. I never once had a problem and I used 2 different harddrives, and 3 different cd and dvd burners in that time. I've used NERO, DVD Architect, RecordNow Max, and just about every CD/DVD program out there and they've all worked 100%. I also built 2 A7N8X systems with NV IDE drivers for friends that were perfect.
I am now using an A8N-SLI Deluxe, and I've tried both of the NV IDE drivers that came out since this board was released. Again, it's flawless!
I have NO idea why others are having trouble. They must be doing something wrong, or overclocking (I don't overclock). I just don't get it.