Is it a D975XBX2 problem or a Vista problem?

I built this Bad-Axe 2 system about a week ago, installed Vista Business 32-bit (retail), and disabled the secondary SATA controller. The Intel Express Installer Driver CD would not run under Vista, but since everything seemed to be okay (except for the HDD light always on) I didn’t bother downloading the Intel Vista drivers.



For the past few days I’ve been moving apps and data to this new box and learning the ins and outs of Vista. Other than a few minor programs not being compatible and needing to upgrade some to their latest version, everything seemed fine. I spent several hours playing with the new system while WinAmp played my classic rock n’ roll mp3’s.



Yesterday I decided that it was time to watch an mpeg video, which I hadn’t tried before. Tried first using WinAmp, but it would not play the video. Next tried VLC, but got a BSOD. Upgraded VLC to the latest version, but still a BSOD when trying to play a video. Installed Nero 7 and also got a BSOD when trying to play either mpegs or DVDs.



Decided that maybe I needed to update the mobo drivers after all. Downloaded and installed the chipset, LAN, and SigmaTel audio drivers. Now the video would play, but there was no audio - - not even from mp3s. Flashed the BIOS to ver 2507. Still no audio (but now the HDD light works).



Rolled back the audio driver from “SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC” to “High Definition Audio Device” and now I have audio again, but the BSODs are back for Videos.



Here’s the system details:

D975XBX2 Bad-Axe 2 mobo

Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz CPU

4GB (2x2GB) Crucial PC2-5300 RAM

WD1500ADFD Raptor 150GB boot drive

Two WD5000YS Caviar RE2 500GB data drives

eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS video card

Sony DRU-830A Dual Layer DVD±RW writer

SIIG 1394b PCI-e Firewire card

Gigabyte 3D Aurora 570 II case

PC Power & Cooling Silencer Quad PSU

Two Dell 2707WFP 27” monitors



After spending all that money for Vista, I hate to wipe clean and do a WinXP install, but I’m fresh out of ideas!



I’d sure appreciate any suggestions, advice, etc. that you may have.



Thanks,

Nick

 

Well I think the simplest and easiest thing to do is a system restore. You're not going to have all the updated drivers and what not, but that's what is seeming to cause you all the problems.

 

Couple of notes about Intel chipset drivers. First, you will probably get most if not all of the drivers you need through the Vista install, if not at first, then later, through automatic updates. If you end up with some unknown devices in Device Manager, then you may have to get Vista chipset drivers.



Second, do NOT install the Intel XP chipset drivers. While they might be OK for Vista, they also might not. Intel has been publishing updated Vista drivers for various chipsets. Suggest checking their site to see if your chipset drivers are there.