Questions on revamping an older system

[JCROCCO]

I have an older P4 that I want to add a faster HD and 2GB ram and load WindowsXP. I already have a good video card for it. I have 3 questions.

1) Do I need the drivers for the mobo or will windows have them? It is an MS9118E socket 478 mobo. I dont have the drivers disk for the sound, integral NIC and USB stuff. Will it load and work anyway?

2) The MOBO specs says Ultra ATA/133 via VT8233A - 2 channel - up to 4 devices. How do I know the mobo, or the bios, can read an new Ultra ATA/133 160GB 7200 rpm 8 meg cache. If it cant read it all, would I still be able to use most of it?

3) Should I bother to install or update the bios to the most current, if its not?

FTR:

To replace the HD and Memory, it only costs $150 total, so it will be worth it (before telling me to go with new).

Thanking you in advance for any helpful advice.

 

[Peter]

1) The OS will install, you'll end up with assorted "unknown" devices. Install VIA's chipset drivers, figure out what LAN solution the board has, download drivers for that. (BEFORE you reinstall, because without LAN, you'll have trouble downloading anything ...). Your USB stuff will need its own drivers as well.

2) You should have support for >128GiB drive sizes if ...

3) ... the BIOS isn't from the dark middle ages. Yes please, update that first.

 

[JCROCCO]

The computer IS working. Is it best to update the bios before working on it, or can I do it after installing the HD, but before the OS?

How to know the exact bios I need? I never have done it, been too afraid really. I know where to find them usually, but never updated one.

 

[jameswhite1979]

Can you supply the full details of this motherboard. That way you/we can find the BIOS update to allow support for your new HDD and other benefits. There should be a readme file or details on the site how to flash the BIOS but it will involve a floppy disk formated as MSDOS startup disk with the flash program and update file copied to it. Once this is flashed to the latest version install the new HDD and memory and install Windows. Even if windows supports all the devices itself I strongly suggest that you get the latest copies from the manufactures website they will all be there for download so get before you resintall and copy to CD or USB ready.

Goodluck should be all fine.

 

[JCROCCO]

Thanks, It is a Matsonic MS9118E revB I think

http://mb.ematrix.ru/demo/txt/...ards/matsonic_ms9118e/

 

[taltamir]

update the bios first, make sure everything works, if not revert to older version. very VERY rarely do i see issues with upgrading bios, usually it improves things.

Putting in the extra ram is as simple as turning the computer off, plugging it in, and turning it on...
There is a small chance that the computer will NOT turn on afterwards. in which case you need to reset the cmos. To do so unplug the computer's power cord, remove the battery from the motherboard, wait one whole minute (for the capacitors to discharge!) and then plug it back in.

The HDD should be supported by your motherboard without any issues. Put it in last.

Installing windows XP is not a problem at all, can be done at any time. I would do it last.
any driver you need should be available online... the key drivers to look for are:
1. NIC - network interface card. This allows you to get internet (and thus update other drivers)
2. Chipset
3. Video
4. Audio

 

[JCROCCO]

How or where do I find the required drivers . . . for free. If not free, I dont mind paying for it, just dont want to be scammed. What are trustworthy sites, free and payed, to find bios and driver updates?

 

[krnmastersgt]

You should never have to pay for drivers on hardware you've already paid for, unless you're in the unfortunate situation where the hardware company goes out of business and only a few people have copies of the drivers (very very rare thankfully). Try searching the company websites for the drivers, if you can't find theres always google or contacting the company for help or asking back here for someone kind enough to help you find them.

 

[Regalk]

First get the Via 4.43 all in one drivers frm www.viaarena.com
This should have most of the drivers you need
Then download the driver for the video card - assuming you are not using onboard video.

 

[JCROCCO]

I do have the driver for the video, it is an add on card.

The company website, Matsonic, doesnt seem to have driver download info. I had found numerous websites with links to areas in Matsonic.com, and they do not come up, just the main screen. Maybe it isnt the correct website, but links on driver websites did point me there.

I dont mind paying for a membership to a site, like driverguide, if it works. Anyone have a membership or have had problems with that site?

Anyone have ideas on where to get the drivers elsewhere?

 

[Peter]

Matsonic used to rebadge ECS/PC-Chips mainboards. Go by CPU type, socket, and chipset vendor to find the same product on www.ecs.com.tw and/or www.pcchips.com.tw - then get the latest BIOS for that.

As I said, download your drivers from the chipset makers - VIA obviously in your case for the core chipset; then you'll need to figure out what LAN and audio solutions it uses. Device Manager will tell you all that.

 

[Regalk]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
I do have the driver for the video, it is an add on card.

The company website, Matsonic, doesnt seem to have driver download info. I had found numerous websites with links to areas in Matsonic.com, and they do not come up, just the main screen. Maybe it isnt the correct website, but links on driver websites did point me there.

I dont mind paying for a membership to a site, like driverguide, if it works. Anyone have a membership or have had problems with that site?

Anyone have ideas on where to get the drivers elsewhere?

You did not read my post properly

WWW.VIAARENA.COM go there and get 4.43 VIA ALL IN ONE