Intel chipset software

Question

Hi all, I checked for updates for my computer and I see this? What does this do and should I download it.

Chip Set: Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, Driver, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.6.0.0.1014, A07

Release Date
06/22/2004
Category
Chipset

volcano11 · Answer

The chipset drivers control how your motherboard and all integrated devices on the motherboard communicate with Windows.  If your system is running OK, there is no need to update the chipset drivers.   Only rarely would this be necessary.  The adage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' applies in this case.   Steve

meggi · Answer

Thank you kindly for the reply.....I agree with you also.  I really do not have lots of problems with my system, but I do have some occasionally.  Like everyone else that uses Microsoft Windows.  When I received my new system a few months ago it came with restore, I am sure that you know about that.  Tell me if I am wrong, but every several months it is a good idea to do just that, restore it to the point is was when you got it.  Just keep the data backed up on an external drive.  Yes, it is somewhat of a pain in the neck to do this, you sort of waste a day putting everything back again, but it does reduce those annoyances that you encounter when your system starts to bog down.  Like you said if it ain't broke don't fix it.  The problem is you do not know always if some of the updates will make your system run a whole lot better!  I guess it is sort of a gamble.  Thanks again for the reply.

meggi · Answer

Yes, I mean the hidden partition, not the restore points.  I too 'try' to keep an eye on what is installed, what I down load. ect.  However, no one is perfect.  Maybe I gave the impression that I do numerous restores from the hidden partition, that is not the case.  However, I did have a problem shortly after I received the computer and I am glad that I was able to restore my computer to the point is was when I received it.  You can bet on it I backup all my data frequently, over the years I have found it is cheap insurance and really does not take that long to do.  Again thank you for your reply.

volcano11 · Answer

Personally, I rarely have to start over because I am aware of everything installed on my systems and keep the bad stuff off by keeping my Windows critical updates up to date, my antivirus software up to date, and periodically running Spybot and AdAware to keep the spyware/malware off.

Note that there are two possible programs you could be referring to in terms of System Restore. Newer Dell compupters (those shipped after July 15, 2004) have a special hidden partition on the hard drive for a program called PCRestore. Running this program returns to the factory shipped condition, and could do what you suggest, but you would still have to reinstall any programs you have added since you received the computer and backup and reinstall all data files, including e-mail, music, movies, spreadsheets, internet favorites, address books, documents, etc. (You should have backups of all of these things anyway).

System Restore, that comes with Windows XP is somewhat different. It creates restore points on a daily basis, and because of this, the oldest restore points are overwritten to make room for newer restore points. System Restore will not work the way you want because, after a couple of weeks, the original configuration data will be overwritten. System Restore is really only there to help you recover from a disaster caused by the installation of something bad. It only restores the Windows registry and device drivers to a previous state, and does not affect any data you have added.

Steve

msgale · Answer

No -It is NOT a good idea to restore your system every few months, in fact it is a very bad idea.  At this point in time whether you use Windows XP Pro or Home we are using an operating system and application software equal to that found on UNIX boxes and mainframes.  Do you think that systems used to maintain the customers data bases at the phone companies or used to produce you bank statements or used by airline reservations systems are rebuilt every few months?  At one time I was a UNIX sustem Administrator, one of our systems crashed, the system disk died.  The disk with all the data was OK.  There was no backup of the system disk.  I was able to restore the system back to day one, however no matter how hard I tried I was never able to restore the system to match exactly to it configuration just before the crash.

meggi · Answer

I am not disagreeing with you.  However, I am sure that you have seen others that make it a practice of at least annually formatting there hard drive and re-installing there operating system.  There rationale is that it removes all the garbage that accumulates over a year of trying programs, downloading junk and programs that alter your system in ways that you are not aware of.  Well to each his own...but I would rather not do anything like there drastic nature unless absolutely necessary.

Denny Denham · Answer

meggi,

I think there is some confusion as to what you meant when you said, "Tell me if I am wrong, but every several months it is a good idea to do just that, restore it to the point is was when you got it." That implies using the PC Restore by Symantec utility on the system, which is not the same as doing a clean reinstallation of the operating system and applications. Using PC Restore periodically is definitely not a good idea (and it's not what you meant, since you also specified backing up data). Whether reinstalling the operating system periodically is a good idea is a matter of personal preference. If a user is careful about what is installed on a system and conscientious about general system maintenance (disk cleanup, defrag, etc.) a periodic reinstall is not necessary. On the other hand, a large number of users perform the procedure anyway, and if it makes them feel secure, certainly no harm is done by it.

msgale · Answer

Excuse me - but either using the Symantec Utility or reinstalling the OS and factory installed software is effectively the same, both should resore you to the as shipped configuration.  That is assuming that you use the same defaults Del did when they build the system.  The only differences are 1 - some dell items that I am told are on none of the Dell supplied disks - possible trial software, and 2 - the issue of SATA and Raid drivers.  Lets think this through, I buy two identical Del computers a few days apart.  One comes with with the Symantec restore function and the other doesn't.  Both crash, the root partition, the one with the OS get overwritten.  Can't I restore each one to essintially vanilla condition?  If I can then Symantec restore is essentially equal to reinstallation using defaults.

meggi · Answer

From what I understand, Dell's Symantec restore (this is a Symantec limited type of restore that Dell and Symantec collaborated on) loads prior to anything and you can only access it when the Dell screen appears.  You press and hold the control key than the F11 key and release them together.  Than the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears. (poof like magic).....Than click the Restore button and in about 2 min. It is done, drive wiped clean, everything is back to the way it was.  NOw as far as the the two other hidden areas, I am not sure if they are rebuilt, probably not.  I imagine that it they are damaged or corrupted, all bets are off.  I have also used Norton Ghost 9.0 to copy the two hidden parts of the drive and the main drive after I installed everything I wanted on the C drive.  But, I have no idea if it Norton 9.0 will work and restore the two hidden sectors plus the main C drive..  The only way I would know if I use it and I am not going to even think about it unless I am totally desperate.  Has anyone had any experience with Norton Ghost 9.0, the latest version? Take care

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Intel chipset software

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