Only the correct drivers should be used.
Incorrect drivers probably not install but if they somehow do, other
problems will probably be encountered.

The drivers Microsoft distributes are provided by the manufacturer and
distributed after meeting specific requirements.
If Microsoft has the drivers, so does the manufacturer but the
manufacturer may be new with more features.

"I might just pick up an older used laptop..."
I would avoid that since that will make it more difficult for
upgrading to Windows Vista in the future if you later desire or need
to.
Dell and probably other OEMs continue to sell computers with Windows
XP:
[url]http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/winxp_inspn?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1[/url]
Availability will probably stop January next year.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
[url]http://www3.telus.net/dandemar[/url]
[url]http://www.dts-l.org[/url]


"hogyu" <moneyko******.com> wrote in message
news:%23iHg1rO6HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Thanks to help in this forum, I managed to locate the necessary
> drivers for XP running on my new laptop and figured out how to
> slipstream the SATA driver into an installation disk. I haven't
> tried installing XP yet, but I got to the point in the installation
> where the install routine identified my drive and its partitions
> correctly.
>
> I overlooked one problem, though. I have been unable to find an
> Intel HD Audio driver for an Intel 943GML motherboard for XP.
> Gateway has one for Vista, which was preloaded on my computer. I
> can't find anything on the Intel site.
>
> A few general questions:
>
> -- Would it be reasonable to at least try loading audio drivers for
> this chip and motherboard from the Web sites of other manufacturers?
>
> -- Does Microsoft have any sort of a driver base that I can search
> for an appropriate driver?
>
> -- Does Windows Update identify uninstalled hardware drivers and try
> to download them? I think not, but I'm not sure. And in any case,
> I'm still trying to decide whether to go through the hassle of
> installing a new OS without any sort of audio support.
>
> I'm downgrading because several apps I need are either not yet
> available for Vista or require that I buy new versions -- not even
> discounted upgrades! Some software makers have seized the
> opportunity to make a killing, I think. But without being able to
> use VoIP or use other audio apps, I'm not sure I want to go through
> with this. I might just pick up an older used laptop and wait for
> Vista to mature.
>
> Thanks.[/color]