Installing Windows XP on Asus G1S

Installing Windows XP on Asus G1S

If you do not feel comfortable with Vista, you can install Windows XP SP2 to your Asus G1S. Unfortunately this downgrade is not officially supported by Asus, so you will need an original Windows XP installation disk from some other computer. I have tried this procedure with Dell's OEM Windows XP SP2 installation disk with success.

See also initial bechmark results between Vista and XP.

Warning! This procedure will remove your current Vista operating system from your hard disk, and may render your laptop unusable until you re-install Vista from the recovery DVD. Also, this procedure requires that user know hows to install Windows XP, understand how to partition a disk and how to install drivers. If you do not know how to do all this, or you feel unsure how to proceed, please work with someone who is experienced in installing Windows XP.

Backup your valuable data before you attempt to follow this procedure!

Before installing XP, you may also want to upgrade your G1S's BIOS to the version 205 [or newer]. The latest BIOS allows you to install XP smoothly. If you have more than 2GB of RAM installed, you need to upgrade your BIOS to version 300 [or newer] - see "Upgrading Asus G1S BIOS" and "Changing Asus G1S Hard Disk IDE/SATA Compatibility Mode" for more info.

However, if you do not want to upgrade your BIOS, or you do not want to enable SATA compatibility mode, you need to create a special installation disk with slipstreamed SATA driver before you try to install XP - see "Creating Windows XP Installation Disk for Asus G1S".

Yaadah, yaadah, yaadah … I have talked enough, so let's get started.

First you should download the drivers, hotfixes and utilities listed below, and unzip the files to USB memory stick or burn them to CD for easy access. You will need over 500MB for complete download. And downloading will take some time, as Asus's download site seems quite slow.

You may also want to install freeware 7-zip utility in order to be able to unzip the downloaded files and unpack the video driver's EXE-file [any other suitable zip-utility may be used, but I used 7-zip out of habit].

After you have downloaded all drivers and hotfixes, you can install XP from Windows XP SP2 installation disk. You may want to preserve the 8GB Vista recovery partition just in case, if there is later a need install Vista for some reason - so make sure that that 8GB recovery partition is not active. Otherwise windows will try to use this recovery partition as C: and your Windows will be installed in some other drive letter like D: or E: - and this is something that you do not want to happen.

The C: SYSTEM primary partition size should be something like 20 - 60GB depending of how much space you would need for your programs. The D: DATA partition can occupy rest of the disk space. I recommend to select NTFS file system for C: and D:, if you do not have any compelling reason to choose FAT32. [This procedure does not support dual-booting Vista/XP or multi-booting. If you need Vista/XP dual/multi-boot feature, you need to change partition sizes accordingly and install proper boot loader(s). See this wiki link "How to Make Dual-Boot System" for more information.]

After the basic XP installation is done, you can proceed and install Asus G1S specific drivers and hotfixes. The drivers are listed below in the order of recommended installation.

After you have installed all the drivers [and had numerous reboots], you can open the Device Manager from Start | My Computer | Properties | Hardware | Device manager. There should not be any devices with yellow marker. If there are one or two devices marked with yellow, you can try to reinstall the driver by right-clicking the particular device and select "Update Driver…". Finally, you should install at least the hotfixes and the useful utilities.

At this point you will have Asus G1S running Windows XP SP2. You can congratulate yourself - Good job!

TROUBLESHOOTING

Help! My Wireless Console is not working!

After installing the wireless console, install Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Software 11.5.0.0 from here.

Uninstalling Drivers Cleanly

This is a short guide on how to uninstall drivers "cleanly". It is recommended to always uninstall the current nVidia driver before installing a new one to avoid problems detailed below:

  • Removing drivers in the conventional way does not remove the old drivers fully and hence can conflict with the newer drivers.
  • This can cause complications such as instability in games and annoying errors from poor performance to graphical glitches.
  • If you want to make sure you uninstall the old driver cleanly follow this guide.

Driver Cleaners

There are three driver cleaning software. Two are freeware but one you have to purchase.

Updating the nVidia Driver

Once you have found the drivers you want to install:
1. Click Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> and select Nvidia Drivers
Select yes when prompted and select to reboot right away.
2. On reboot Tap F8 (or whatever you use) to get into advance boot options and select Safe Mode.
3. An option will come up to install driver for vga device select "no".

Once done, reboot and install your driver based on the "Have Disk Method" for XP. Now, this method is recommended, but a simple installer-based installation of a nVision driver works too.

That's all there is to it, simple but effective.

Important Notes

  • As stated before its best to uninstall a driver before installing a new one on top of your existing drivers.
  • Also XP and Vista has a driver 'roll back' feature, due to the complexity of drivers and its nature it is not recommend to use it.
  • Fully uninstall a driver before installing a new one is best for maximum stability and to avoid issues such as driver crashes (as oppose to using the 'roll back' feature)

(Credit goes to "Dox" from laptopvideo2go forum. Some parts are edited to better fit the topic.)

Webcam

You may encounter problems with webcam driver as it seems that Asus have used three different webcams in G1S series. If the Chicony driver wont' work, you may also try D-Max GD-5A35A Camera Driver V6.21.70.004 or Azurewave AM-1C007 Camera Driver V2.7.0828.1

Realtek Audio Driver and SP3

You may have problems with installing sound driver for Windows XP SP3. Please visit this link for help:
Microsoft TechNet Forums » Windows XP IT Pro » Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) » Realtek HD Audio device.
Mirrors for download: [http://www.filewatcher.com/m/kb888111xpsp2.exe.720088.0.0.html]

Here are instructions from the forum. KB888111 can be installed on top of SP3 as follows:

  1. Download KB888111XPSP2.exe
  2. Use 7-zip or WinRAR to extract
  3. Extract KB888111XPSP2.exe to a folder such as C:\KB888111XPSP2
  4. Open Device Manager, search for the Unknown PCI device
  5. Right click on the Unknown PCI device to update the driver
  6. Point the driver path to this "C:\KB888111XPSP2\commonfiles\"
  7. Install 'Microsoft UAA Function Driver for High Definition Audio'
  8. Finally, Install the Realtek Driver

Ethernet/LAN driver

Some people have been reporting problem while installing the Ethernet/LAN driver. For a reason unknown the driver doesn't always get installed. For a fix you can try installing it manually: Open the Device Manager and select the Ethernet device. Right-click on the device and uninstall the driver [just in case]. Then re-install the drive by right-clicking the Ethernet device and selecting "Update Driver". In the Hardware Update Wizard select option "No, not this time" and press "Next". Select option "Install from a specific location (Advanced)" and press "Next". Select option "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install" option and press "Next". Select "Show All Device" and press "Next". Click on "Have Disk" option and browse to the directory where you Ethernet driver is saved. Install the Gigabit Ethernet driver. This should do it.

Turbo Memory - Intel(R) ICH8 Family PCI Express Root Port 3 - 2843

After you have installed all the drivers and hotfixes, and when you open the device manager Start | My Computer | Properties | Hardware | Device manager and scroll down to System devices, you may find the the device "Intel(R) ICH8 Family PCI Express Root Port 3 - 2843" has a yellow exclamation point. This device is for Turbo Memory, which XP cannot use anyway, so you can disable this device by right-clicking the device and selecting "Disable".

Cannot Boot Vista Anymore

Read this article Install Windows XP In a Dual Boot With Pre-Installed Vista. Here are the steps taken from this article:

  1. Download freeware VistaBootPRO
  2. Install the software [Make sure that you have installed .Net Framework 2.00]
  3. Open VistaBootPRO, ignore the prompt to backup your BCD.
  4. Go to the System Bootloader tab, select "Windows Vista Bootloader" in the first section and "All Drives" in the second section and then click Install Bootloader .
  5. Go to the Diagnostics item on the menu bar and select "Run Diagnostics". VistaBootPRO will default back to the Manage OS Entries page and you will see that you now have entries there for "Earlier versions of Windows" as well as "Microsoft Windows Vista".
  6. Restart your system and select the operating system you would like to boot to.

How to Enable Hard Disk Enhanced Mode

If you have installed XP using the SATA "compatibility" mode and you want to enable the "enhanced" mode, you need to install the SATA drivers manually. Please see section "Driver/SATA" below in the drivers section for detailed instructions.

Downloading Windows XP Drivers

I have made suggestions where to save each driver and utility. For instance the first driver "Intel Mobile PM965 Express Chipset 8.3.1.1009" would be saved and extracted under folder Driver/Chipset.

Please note that, as you cannot use Ethernet or wireless connection before you have installed proper drivers, you *really* need to download the drivers BEFORE you start installing XP.

There is also RAR-package (200MB) containing all drivers listed below.

Ps. The drivers in this guide are "good enough" and are regarded as stable. However, if you are experienced XP tweaker, there are also some Updated Drivers available, but they are not tested yet by the wiki writers.

ASUS DOWNLOAD SITES

Asus has several download sites. The links that I have provided are pointing to the Global server. However, you may want to use some other server for faster downloads, and in this case you need to modify the download links accordingly.

Global http://dlsvr01.asus.com/
Europe http://dlsvr02.asus.com/
USA http://dlsvr03.asus.com/
China http://dlsvr04.asus.com/
Japan http://dlsvr05.asus.com/

DRIVERS

[Drivers/Chipset]
Intel Mobile PM965 Express Chipset 8.3.1.1009
Installation: Run infinst_autol.exe [reboot]

[Drivers/ACPI]
Asus ATK0100 ACPI Utility Driver 1043.2.15.62
Installation: Unzip ATK0100_XP_061027.zip and run 2KSETUP.EXE [reboot]

[Drivers/Display]
nVidia 8600M GT Driver 169.28
Download: Go to link above and download the "Driver" and "Modded INF"
Installation: Unpack the 16928.exe with 7-zip, replace the original nv4_disp.inf with the downloaded nv4_disp.inf and finally run Setup.exe. During the setup a popup window will appear and ask whether you want to accept unsigned driver - press CONTINUE to complete driver installation. [reboot]
Notes:
- 169.28 is the most reliable driver for Asis G1S notebooks at the moment.

- You can also try 179.xx series drivers that are known for stability for the GeForce 8600M GT/GS video cards. Also, Dox's 17x.xx series drivers perform quite well in games.

- But, if you are using TV output, 169.28 is highly recommended, since the other drivers don't warranty TV output for a good reason. Those drivers do not perform well (or do not perform at all) specially with S-Video output.

- You may also find 18x.xx series drivers. Till now they are known to be very unstable for GeForce 8600M GT/GS, since they overheat and generate artifacts.

- Check also 3D Mark 06 benchmark result published by "Covert" on laptopvideo2go forum. The benchmark is done on a GeForce 8600M GT with nVision drivers. These benchmarks are done on Vista, and obviously in XP the performance will be a little better. Please look at all the values before you make up your mind. And remember to read other users' review before you download a new driver.

[Drivers/Audio]
Realtek HD Audio Driver 1.84
Note: If you have Windows XP SP3, please see Troubleshooting Realtek Audio Driver and SP3 before installing this driver.
Installation: This is a bit tricky one. Run WDM_R184.exe [reboot]. After reboot, open the Device Manager from Start | My Computer | Properties | Hardware | Devices Manager and scroll down to System devices. Select the yellow marked PCI- Device, right-click and select "Update Driver ..". and select "No, not this time", and "Install the software automatically". The system should find "UAA Bus Driver". However, another windows will popup announcing that "Found New Hardware". Just press Cancel - we will install this modem in the next step.
Original Realtek FTP-site: ftp://202.65.194.212/pc/audio/WDM_R184.exe

[Drivers/Modem]
Asus Motorola SM56 Modem Driver 6.12.11
NOTE: Install audio driver before this modem driver
Installation: Unzip Modem_XP_071122.zip and run ssetup.exe

[Drivers/Ethernet]
RTL8111B/RTL8168B/RTL8111/RTL8168/RTL8111C 5.686
Installation: Unzip PCIE_Install_5686(installshield 12_1.16).zip and run Setup.exe
-or alternative driver from Asus-
Asus REALTEK GbE & FE Ethernet PCI-E NIC Driver 5.678.1003.2007
Installation: Unzip LAN_XP_071122.zip and run Setup.exe

[Drivers/Wireless]
Intel Pro/Wireless LAN Drivers and Management Utility 11.5.0.0
Installation: Run 11.5.0.0_x32.exe

[Utility/Wireless Console]
Asus Wireless Console 2.0.10
Note: Install Wireless Console before Ethernet/Wireless/Bluetooth drivers.
Installation: Unzip Wireless_Console_XP.zip and run setup.exe

[Drivers/Bluetooth]
Asus Bluetooth Driver 5.10.15
Note: Please first install the Wireless Console Utility before this Bluetooth installation
Installation: Unzip Bluetooth_XP_071205.zip and run setup.exe [reboot]

[Drivers/Touchpad]
Asus Synaptics Touchpad Driver 9.0.2.0
Installation: Unzip touchpad_XP_070928.zip and run Setup.exe [reboot]

[Drivers/Camera]
Asus Chicony Camera CNF6131 Driver 61.005.028.250
Installation: Unzip CMOS_Camera_Chicony_CNF6131_XP_071227.zip and run 2ksetup.exe [reboot]

[Drivers/SDMMC]
Asus Ricoh SD/MMC/MS Card Reader 3.51.01
Installation: Unzip Ricoh_XP_071130.zip and run setup.exe [reboot]

[Drivers/eSATA]
JMicron JMB360 eSATA driver 1.17.31.00
Installation: Unzip JMB36X_WinDrv_WHQL_R1.17.31WHQL.zip and run setup.exe [reboot]


[Drivers/SATA]
Intel® Matrix Storage Manager RAID/ACHI Driver 7.8.0.1012

Note: Install this driver only if you have selected "SATA Compatibility Mode" from BIOS, and want to change it back to "SATA Enhanced Mode" for improved hard disk performance.

Installation: This is a bit tricky one. We will extract the driver for "Intel ICH8M 3-port SATA Controller - 2828" into a temporary folder C:\sata-driver, and use the "Have Disk"-method to install the driver. After installation we need to reboot and activate the "SATA Enhanced Mode" from BIOS.

1. Create an empty folder C:\sata-driver
2. Copy the driver iata78_enu.exe into the folder
3. Open the command window as follows: Select Start | Run, enter cmd, and press OK.
4. Enter following command in order to unpack the driver files into folder C:\sata-driver:

C:\sata-driver\iata78_enu.exe -A -P"C:\sata-driver"

5. The driver installation application will start, and it will ask if you want to accept the license agreement. Just press "Yes", and program will extract the driver into folder C:\sata-driver
6. Open the device manager: Start | My Computer | Properties and select the Hardware-tab and open the Device Manager
7. Open the "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" tab
8. Right-click to the "Intel ICH8M 3-port SATA Controller - 2828" and select option "Update Driver…"
9. From Hardware Update Wizard select option "No, not this time" and press "Next"
10. Select option "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)" and press "Next"
11. Select option "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install" and press "Next"
12. Select button "Have Disk…"
13. Browse to C:\sata-driver\Driver and select file "iaahci.inf" and press "Open"
14. Select driver "Intel(R) 82801 HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller" to install
15. After the driver is installed, you need to reboot your laptop
16. When your computer reboots, press F2 on the boot splash screen and you will enter BIOS. Navigate to Advanced tab and select IDE Configuration Option. Here you can set SATA Operation Mode from Compatible to Enhanced. Finally, navigate to Exit tab, save your changes and reboot.

Hotfixes

[Hotfix/Q923232]
Hotfix Q923232 - Fix for Intel dual-core system when resuming from standby
Installation: Unzip Hotfix_CPU_XP_061101.zip, select your language and run WindowsXP-KB923232-v3-x86.exe [reboot]

[Hotfix/Q918005]
Hotfix Q918005 - Fix for battery consumption on portable computers
Installation: Unzip Hotfix_BATT_XP_060721.zip, select your language and run WindowsXP-KB918005-v2-x86.exe [reboot]

[Hotfix/Q896256]
Hotfix Q896256 - Fix for mobile multicore system performance issues
Installation: Unzip CPU_HotFix_XP_060220.zip, select your language and run WindowsXP-KB896256-v3-x86.exe [reboot]

USEFUL UTILITIES

[Utility/Direct Console]
Asus Direct Console 0.9
Installation: Unzip Direct_Console_061109.zip and run Setup.exe

[Utility/Media]
Asus ATK Media Utility 1.16
Install: Unzip ATKMedia_XP_ASUS.zip and run setup.exe

[Utility/Hotkey]
Asus Hotkey Utility 1.00.0023
Install: Unzip ATK_Hotkey_XP.zip and run setup.exe

[Utility/Power4Gear]
Asus Power4Gear Utility 1.18
Installation: Unzip P4G_XP_ASUS.zip and run Setup.exe

[Utility/Email LED]
Asus Email LED Utility 1.4
Installation: Unzip ChkMail_XP_060220.zip and run SETUP.EXE

[Utility/Splendid]
Asus Splendid Utility 1.02.19
Installation: Unzip Splendid_XP_071122.zip and run setup.exe [reboot]

[Utility/Life Frame 2]
Asus Life Frame Utility 2.0.20
Install: Unzip LifeFrame2_XP_071122.zip and run setup.exe

[Utility/Chipset]
Intel Chipset Identification Utility 3.22
Note: Use this program to identify your chipset etc.
Installation: Run ChipUtil.exe

OTHER ASUS UTILITIES

[Utility/Net4Switch]
Asus Net4Switch Utility 1.0.0005

[Utility/NB Probe]
Asus NB (Notebook) Probe Utility 3.0.0026

[Utility/Power4Phone]
Asus Power4Phone Utility 1.0.0.10

[Utility/Multiframe]
Asus Multiframe Utility 1.0.0005

[Utility/Video Security]
Asus Video Security Utility 3.0.1.8

[Utility/Game Face]
Asus Game Face Driver and Application 1.27

MICROSOFT UTILITIES

[Utility/MS DirectX 9c]
Microsoft DirectX 9c Runtime
Installation: Run directx_nov2007_redist.exe

[Utility/MS Installer 3.1]
Microsoft Installer 3.1
Installation: Download and run WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe [reboot]

[Utility/MS NET 2.0 SP1]
Microsoft NET Framework 2.0 SP1 Runtime x86
Note: Needs Microsoft Installer 3.1
Installation: Run NetFx20SP1_x86.exe

[Utility/MS Powertoys]
Microsoft XP Powertoys
Here you will find some nice free utilities for XP.

Other Driver Download Mirrors

After getting bad download speeds from some of the sites above, I compiled a package with all drivers listed here (except the nVidia driver) on the 22.02.2008.
Asus_G1S_Drivers_22_02_2008.rar (almost 200MB)
MD5 Hash: 396b8f6896bd5ba3b948cabb360b1213

Download a freeware WinMD5 utility to check the MD5 checksum of your downloads.

Updated Drivers

Here are the latest drivers reported by the wiki readers. You may install these drivers if you want instead of the drivers listed in the guide, but the drivers listed in the guide above are "good enough" and known to work.

External Resources

An old-timer's guide to installing Windows XP

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page revision: 46, last edited: 25 Dec 2008 19:05
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