The nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000 represents a significant update to the graphics drivers available for a wide range of NVIDIA graphics cards operating under the Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems. Released as a beta, this driver package aimed to deliver performance enhancements, new features, and expanded hardware support, marking a key point in NVIDIA’s driver development timeline. It is crucial to remember that, being a beta release, users should consult the release notes for a comprehensive understanding of fixed issues and potential known issues before installation.
Key Highlights of the 91.31 Beta Driver
This driver update brought several notable improvements and additions:
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GeForce 7950 GX2 Support: A primary feature of this release was the introduction of support for the GeForce 7950 GX2 graphics card. This meant users with this high-end card could finally leverage its full potential under Windows XP and 2000 with NVIDIA’s official driver support.
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NVIDIA Control Panel: The nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000 incorporated the new NVIDIA Control Panel, offering users a more streamlined and intuitive interface for managing their graphics settings. This control panel provided granular control over various aspects of the display, 3D rendering, and other graphics-related parameters.
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NVIDIA PureVideo Enhancements: This beta driver introduced improvements and new features to NVIDIA’s PureVideo technology, designed to enhance the video playback experience. These enhancements included:
- Noise Reduction Post Processing: This feature aimed to reduce unwanted noise artifacts in video content, resulting in a cleaner and more visually pleasing image.
- Image Sharpening Post Processing: This feature sharpened the details in video content, making the image appear crisper and more defined.
- Improved Inverse Telecine Algorithm: Inverse telecine is a process used to convert film-based content (typically 24 frames per second) to video (typically 29.97 or 30 frames per second). An improved algorithm meant better accuracy and fewer artifacts during this conversion.
- Improved De-interlacing Algorithm: De-interlacing is the process of converting interlaced video (where each frame is composed of two fields) to progressive scan video (where each frame is a single complete image). A better algorithm resulted in smoother and more natural-looking video.
- Improved Compatibility with Third-Party MPEG-2 Decoders: This enhancement ensured better compatibility and stability when using third-party software for decoding MPEG-2 video content.
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DirectX 9.0c and OpenGL 2.0 Support: The driver maintained support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0c and OpenGL 2.0, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of games and applications that utilized these graphics APIs.
Supported Products
The nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000 supported a diverse range of NVIDIA graphics cards, including:
- GeForce Series: A vast range, starting from the GeForce2 MX series and spanning to the GeForce 7950 GX2. This included numerous models within the GeForce3, GeForce4 MX, GeForce4 Ti, GeForce FX, GeForce 6, and GeForce 7 families.
- Quadro Series: Professional-grade cards, beginning with Quadro2 MXR and extending to Quadro FX 5500 and Quadro NVS series cards.
A comprehensive list of supported cards is available in the original article’s details.
Unsupported Products
It’s important to note that certain older NVIDIA cards were not supported by this driver release. Users with these cards were advised to continue using the ForceWare Release 70 drivers. These unsupported cards included:
- TNT2 series (TNT2, TNT2 Pro, TNT2 Ultra, TNT2 Model 64 (M64), TNT2 Model 64 (M64) Pro)
- Vanta series (Vanta, Vanta LT)
- GeForce 256, GeForce DDR
- GeForce2 GTS, GeForce2 Pro, GeForce2 Ti, GeForce2 Ultra
- GeForce2 MX Integrated graphics
- Quadro, Quadro2 Pro, Quadro2 EX
Installation and Considerations
Before installing the nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000, users should:
- Review the Release Notes: This is essential due to the beta nature of the driver. The release notes detail known issues and fixed bugs, allowing users to make an informed decision about whether to install the driver. The original link is: https://download.nvidia.com/Windows/91.31/91.31_ForceWare_Release_Notes.pdf
- Back Up Existing Drivers: It’s always a good practice to back up your current drivers before installing new ones. This allows you to easily revert to the previous version if you encounter any problems.
- Ensure System Compatibility: Verify that your graphics card is listed as supported by the driver. Installing a driver intended for a different card can lead to instability or malfunction.
- Clean Installation (Optional): For optimal results, consider performing a clean installation of the driver. This involves uninstalling the previous driver and any associated software before installing the new driver.
Download Links
While locating the original driver package directly from NVIDIA might be challenging today, here are several alternative download locations for the nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000. Remember to exercise caution when downloading files from third-party websites and ensure you have appropriate virus protection:
- TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/7675/
- Softpedia: (Check Softpedia or similar driver repositories for archived versions)
- DriverGuide: (Check DriverGuide or similar driver repositories for archived versions)
- Guru3D Driver Section: (Guru3D’s driver archive may contain this driver)
- Archive.org: (Using Archive.org, search for the original NVIDIA download page, if archived)
Disclaimer: Please note that I cannot guarantee the safety or functionality of files downloaded from third-party websites. Download and install at your own risk.
Legacy Significance
The nVIDIA ForceWare Beta Driver 91.31 for Windows XP/2000 represents a snapshot of NVIDIA’s driver development efforts during a specific period. While these drivers are now quite old, they remain relevant for users who still maintain systems running Windows XP or 2000 with compatible NVIDIA graphics cards. They highlight the importance of driver support in maximizing the performance and features of graphics hardware. Remember to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before installing any legacy driver on your system.
The release of the beta driver signifies NVIDIA’s commitment to providing ongoing support and improvements for its products. Even though it’s a beta version, it showcases the new features and enhancements that NVIDIA was working on at the time. Users who choose to install this driver should be aware of the potential risks involved with beta software and take appropriate precautions.