*UPDATED 7/15/04* Complete guide to bioses, drivers, and needed files for the MSI K8N Neo Platinum

Question

Complete newbie's guide to bioses, drivers, and needed files for the MSI K8N Neo Platinum:
Last Updated: Thursday July 15th, 2004
Bioses:
(In order of date released.)
1.1b3 - (Download)
- Pre-1.1, given to reviewers to use in their reviews and benchmarks.
- Less stable, but supposedly you get slightly better overclocks.
1.1 Official - (Download)
1. This is AWARD BIOS release
2. This BIOS fixes the following problems of the previous version:
- Memory always run DDR 200 when install single side DDR on DIMM2 & DIMM3.
- Windows 2000 can't format the RAID IDE HDD when plug in Promise 378 controller.
1.2b5 - (Download)
1.2b7 - (No Download Yet)
1.2b10 - (Download)
- First attempt to fix false temperature readings. Fixes it for some people with Newcastle cores and doesn't fix it for anybody with Clawhammer cores.
1.2b12 - (Download)
- Second attempt to fix false temperature readings. Fixes it for some people with Newcastle cores and some people with Clawhammer cores.
1.3b1 - (Download)
- Another attempt to fix temperature problems?
- Possibly fixes cold boot/power light issues?
1.2 Official - (Download)
1. This is AWARD BIOS release
2. This BIOS fixes the following problems of the previous version:
- System can't resume from S3 sometimes when install USB device.
- Support K8 Sempron CPU.
- Turn off keyboard LED in S3.
--Quick Guide for flashing BIOS, provided by MSI--
1. Create a MS-DOS boot diskette, then copy the the .exe and the bios file to the floppy disk. Both of these files can be found in the package you downloaded.
2. Press "Delete" and go to BIOS setup while computer bootup.
Check BIOS advanced features and see if BIOS flash write control is enabled
(This option must be enabled. If you can not find this setting, it means the BIOS can be
flashed.)
3. Boot from MS-DOS boot diskette and get a:\> prompt.
4. Type "", then press ENTER
5. The flash program will then ask "Do you want to save BIOS?", please press "N" for no. The when you see Press 'Y' to program or 'N' to Exit, please press "Y" to continue.
6. After flashing complete, remove floppy and reset the system .
7. Press DELETE or F1 when prompted at first reboot after flashing.
8. Load BIOS optimized defaults, then save settings and exits.
Drivers & Needed Files:
(Note: All these drivers are for Windows XP.)
Leaked Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 4.40
(Please use at your own risk, these are LEAKED drivers. Password for the .zip file is "ocworkbench rules". Also, you will need to rename the WinXP_2K folder in IDE to either WinXP or Win2K else the installer doesn't pick it up.) Thanks for the link Wonkanoby!
*NEW* Leaked Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 5.03
More leaked drivers? Seems some parts of the drivers are older and some are newer.
1. Windows XP Service Pack 1A (Web Install) -or- Windows XP Service Pack 1A (Full Install)
2. Microsoft DirectX 9.0b (Web Install) -or- Microsoft DirectX 9.0b (Full Install)
3. Nvidia nForce3 Chipset Drivers Version 4.24
4. AMD Athlon 64 Processor Driver Version 1.1.0.14
5. Nvidia Video Card Driver Version 56.72 -or- Omega Nvidia Video Card Driver Version v1.5303
(The Omega drivers are third party drivers optimized for gaming, most prefer these over the standard Nvidia drivers.)
5. ATI Video Card Driver Version 4.7 -or- Omega ATI Video Card Driver Version 2.5.51
(The Omega drivers are third party drivers optimized for gaming, most prefer these over the standard ATI drivers.)
6. Onboard Sound Driver (Realtek AC'97 Audio Codec) Version A3.61
It is HIGHLY reccomended that you install the drivers/needed files in the order listed above. Please note that there are two #5's because you either install one or the other depending on your video card, do not install both of them.
You will come across a problem here though. You can't install the chipset drivers without installing the Windows service pack and DirectX first, but the Windows service pack and DirectX installs need the internet to download files and you won't have working internet until you install the chipset drivers. Here's what I did to get around this. Instead of downloading the web install versions of Windows service pack and DirectX, download the full version and and put them along with all the other drivers on a backup hard drive or burn them to a CD, this way you will have all the drivers you need when it's time to install them and none of them will require the internet to download files.
Another note when installing drivers. Apparently the Nvidia chipset drivers also come with drivers for the onboard sound, but people seem to agree that the Realtek onboard sound drivers are better. When you are installing the Nvidia chipset drivers, just be sure to uncheck the box for sound drivers when it asks you which drivers you would like to install. Now you can safely install the Realtek drivers without any chance of conflicting sound drivers. Thanks for the tip Wonkanoby!

Answer 1

Quote
Originally posted by RLiu818
Quote
Originally posted by Deviation56
Quote
Originally posted by RLiu818
You CAN install the nforce drivers BEFORE installing SP1.  The only requirement to install the nforce drivers is DX9.
So is SP1 still recommended to install before the nforce drivers?
The installer still reccomends to install it beforehand for full USB 2.0 functionality... I would have put what you said in there but I wanted to keep it as simple as possible.  
oh.  IIRC the installer just says USB 2.0 will be fully functional after SP1 is installed.  So after you install SP1 you go into device manager and u click update driver and it will auto search and update the driver.
Simplicity-wise, i guess its pretty much equal.  It might take less preparation to just copy DX9 full onto a CD and install that first, then nforce driver, then right away you have yoru internet connection.
but i dunno.. i guess i will try it your way this time when my RMA"d board comes.
i will be fomratting and doing a fresh install later on today and will let you know if i come across any problems