T60 Clean Install Question

I posted this in the Superguide thread but it's rare anyone visits there. I'm reinstalling today so I would appreciate any responses.

This is regarding a clean Vista install. There are some drivers that Vista automatically finds such as, ATi X1400, HD Definition Audio, AHCI and Bluetooth. Is it still necessary to install video, audio, Intel Matrix Storage Mgr and Bluetooth drivers (something I don't use on my system anyways)?

p.s. I have a copy of Vista Ultimate 32 and 64 MS sent me free. Which do you guys suggest I should use?

Lastly is it necessary installing the Chipset driver and System Interface Driver? I've installed it in the past and did not see any additional entries in system devices.

TIA

 

1.) From my own experience and what I have read. I usually like to install the most current driver(s) from the manufactur than to use the one that Windows provides.

2.) Go with Vista Ultimate x64. I have Business x64 and it runs well. I would go with 64 bit unless you know you have to use some programs that you know are not compatible with the 64 bit OS(ex: 16 bit programs)

3.) I would install the Chipset and System Interface driver. They seem pretty important. What do you lose by installing them?

I am not sure which guide you are following, but I followed Stallen's guide exactly and my clean install turned out great. Machine works perfectly.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm using the super guide within the Sticky. Can you give me a link to Stallen's guide?

nvm, I found it by doing a search.

 

I have been a Vista 64 advocate for the longest time, but in this case I would recommend Vista 32 unless you need to use specific 64-bit applications. T60 hardware limits addressable memory to 3GB, so you will not gain any additional memory from using 64-bit OS. The only benefits you will realize are more registers and longer words only when you are running 64-bit applications. There are very few 64-bit applications on the market other than science and engineering packages.

 

But even so. in 64-bit the system tables will be twice the size. I second the recomendation that he not make the switch to 64-bit addressing.
-Renee

 

I am curious. Can you explain this? What is limiting the addressable memory to 3GB?

 

Thanks to all I installed Vista Ultimate 32 instead of 64. The only two drivers I needed to install were my fingerprint reader and power manager. Vista found my 945PM Intel chipset, USB2, audio, video, modem, bluetooth, LAN, WLAN and Wifi.

I was reading some responses by Swarmer and he recommends not installing and drivers Vista finds as it makes the system more stable. So far so good as I did my updates and the system is working great.

Now to install my programs, yeah fun.

 

The T60 BIOS sets the Top of Lower Usable DRAM (TOLUD) address at the 3GB mark, so that 3GB of RAM are usable, and maps the address range 3GB to 4GB to PCI and other system devices. Therefore, accesses to this memory range get routed to the PCI bus and devices, and the physical memory sitting at this address doesn't get touched.

The 965 north bridge on T61's Santa Rosa platform added a memory remap registers so it can reclaim the use of memory between TOLUD and 4GB line.

See 965GM Datasheet Chapter 4.4.