This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL, specifically designed for systems running Windows XP 64-bit. These drivers are part of the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program, which aims to provide users with updated graphics drivers for their NVIDIA notebook GPUs. However, it’s crucial to understand the context of these drivers within the broader ecosystem of notebook support.
Understanding the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program
The NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program is designed to offer reference drivers that can be installed on compatible NVIDIA notebook GPUs. This means that NVIDIA provides a baseline driver that should function correctly on a wide range of supported hardware. However, the crucial caveat is that notebook Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, are ultimately responsible for providing certified drivers specifically tailored for their individual notebook models.
Why OEMs Matter:
Notebook OEMs customize their systems, including the graphics implementation, to optimize performance, power consumption, and overall stability. These customizations often require specific driver modifications. Therefore, NVIDIA strongly recommends that users first check with their notebook OEM for recommended software updates before installing the reference drivers. Using a reference driver without OEM approval might lead to unforeseen issues, and OEMs may not offer technical support for problems arising from such use.
Pre-Installation Considerations for Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL
Before proceeding with the installation of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL, it’s imperative to take certain precautionary steps:
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GPU Compatibility: Verify that your notebook GPU is listed in the "Products Supported" section below. Installing the driver on an unsupported GPU can lead to system instability or driver malfunction.
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System Backup: Creating a backup of your current system configuration is highly recommended. This allows you to revert to a previous state if the new drivers cause any problems.
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Dell-Specific Update: If you own a Dell Inspiron 1420, Dell XPS M1330, Dell XPS M1530, or Dell Latitude D630/D630c, it is absolutely essential to install the designated Dell software update before installing these graphics drivers. This update addresses potential compatibility issues and ensures proper driver functionality.
Release Highlights and New Features
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL marks the initial release from the Release 265 family of drivers (versions 265.xx to 269.xx). This driver package introduces several enhancements and new features:
Performance Improvements:
- Significant performance gains for GeForce 400 Series GPUs in various PC games compared to the preceding Release 260 drivers.
- Improved performance specifically for Final Fantasy XI on GeForce 400 Series GPUs.
NVIDIA SLI Enhancements:
- New SLI Profiles: Support for Scalable Link Interface (SLI) has been added for the following games, allowing for improved performance on systems with multiple NVIDIA GPUs:
- Alien vs. Triangles Demo
- Endless City Demo
- Lionheart: Kings Crusade
- Moscow Racer: Legends of USSR
- Rift: Planes of Telara
- Shaun White Skateboarding
- Enhanced SLI Profiles: Existing SLI profiles have been optimized for the following games:
- Age of Conan
- Arcania: Gothic 4
- Civilization V – DX11
- Lost Planet 2
- World Of Warcraft
Other Key Features and Updates:
- HD Audio Driver: The package includes the installation of HD Audio driver version 1.1.13.1.
- PHYSX System Software: The PHYSX System Software is updated to version 9.10.0514, providing enhanced physics processing capabilities in supported games and applications.
- Adobe CS5 Support: These drivers support the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5), enabling faster performance in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL provides GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD video playback using Adobe Flash 10.1.
- MotionDSP vReveal Support: Support for the latest version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software, including HD output capabilities. A free version of vReveal with SD output support is also available for NVIDIA customers.
- OpenCL 1.0 Support: Full support for OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling GPU-accelerated computing in various applications.
- OpenGL Support: Supports OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, and OpenGL 4.1 on GeForce 400 series and later GPUs, ensuring compatibility with the latest OpenGL-based games and applications.
- International Driver Availability: Users with non-US English operating systems can download the appropriate international driver for their language.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL supports a wide range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs, including:
GeForce 400M Series:
- GTX 480M, GTX 470M, GTX 460M, GT 445M, GT 435M, GT 425M, GT 420M, GT 415M
GeForce 300M Series:
- GTS 360M, GTS 350M, GTS 250M, GT 335M, GT 330M, GT 325M, GT 320M, 310M, 305M
GeForce 200M Series:
- GT 230M, GT 240M, G210M, GTX 285M, GTX 280M, GTX 260M, GT 220M
GeForce 100M Series:
- G 110M, GT 130M, GTS 160M, G 105M, G 103M, G 102M, GT 120M
GeForce 9 Series:
- 9600 GT, 9400
GeForce 9M Series:
- 9400M G, 9650M GS, 9200M GS, 9500M GS, 9400M GS, 9800M GS, 9300M GS, 9800M GT, 9100M G, 9800M GTS, 9500M G, 9700M GT, 9600M GS, 9650M GT, 9400M, 9300M G, 9800M GTX, 9600M GT, 9700M GTS
GeForce 8M Series:
- 8800M GTS, 8600M GT, 8400M GT, 8200M G, 8800M GTX, 8800M GS, 8600M GS, 8400M G, 8700M GT, 8400M GS
Quadro FX Notebook Series:
- 5000M, FX 3800M, FX 3700M, FX 360M, FX 1600M, FX 380M, FX 370M, FX 3600M, FX 2800M, FX 2700M, FX 880M, FX 770M, FX 570M, FX 1800M, FX 1700M
Quadro NVS Notebook Series:
- NVS 2100M, NVS 5100M, NVS 3100M, NVS 150M, NVS 160M, NVS 140M, NVS 320M, NVS 130M, NVS 135M
ION Notebook Series:
- ION (Notebooks), ION LE (Notebooks)
Important Notes:
- Notebooks featuring Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this driver release.
- Sony has selectively joined the Verde program, offering support for specific VAIO notebooks: Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M and Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not supported at this time; users should contact Sony for driver support.
Download Links
Before downloading, remember to check the compatibility and backup your system.
Alternative Download Links:
It is always a good idea to have backup download options available. Here are five alternative download links for the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL, though their availability may vary:
- Softpedia: (Search Softpedia for "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL")
- Guru3D: (Search Guru3D for "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL")
- DriverGuide: (Search DriverGuide for "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL")
- MajorGeeks: (Search MajorGeeks for "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL")
- Nvidia Legacy Drivers Archive: (Check Nvidia’s official website for legacy driver archives)
Disclaimer: While these links are provided for convenience, their availability and safety cannot be guaranteed. Always exercise caution when downloading files from third-party sources and ensure you have up-to-date antivirus software.
In conclusion, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.58 WHQL offers performance improvements and new features for a range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs running Windows XP 64-bit. However, users are strongly advised to prioritize OEM-certified drivers whenever possible to ensure optimal system stability and compatibility. Always back up your system before installing any new drivers.