GeForce GPU - Local network access freezing mouse cursor

[sk9392]

Hi, I'm running into a really weird issue. My config is: GA-EX58-UD4 motherboard, GeForce 7800 GTX, Realtek RTL8111. I installed the unofficial NVidia driver from retroweb (the issue I'll describe happens no matter what driver I install - one from mdgx, BFG's 7800 GS driver, official NVidia 77.72 driver with 6800 Ultra forced, etc.). My PC is connected via LAN to a local network with an SMB share. When I try to access a heavy/large file - e.g. a disc image mount via SMB, a large .BMP file or a video file on the SMB share, then the mouse cursor freezes on screen and stays frozen for a good minute or so. The folder on Network Neighborhood I'm trying to access also freezes for that duration. It resumes normally after a bit of wait, but as soon as I try more files to access (e.g. just clicking on a different image file on the share), it'll freeze again.

This problem happens only after the GPU driver installation, not before. The issue persists even after I try R Loew's FIXINTR, FIXINTR5 or FIXEOI patches (I use only one of these at a time as instructed in manual). I also tried installing a PCI-e LAN card (it also has Realtek RTL8111), but same issue. The motherboard has Award BIOS and I can see during the PCI listing at boot, that the network controller and display controller share the same IRQ. I tried changing it in Win98 device manager, but the IRQ setting can't be changed.

The interesting thing is, if I go ahead and install/update any driver via device manager, this whole problem just (temporarily) goes away - though at next boot it reappears if there is no driver installation/update. I'm completely lost on how to solve this - could anyone please help me?

The only way that currently comes to mind is somehow forcing driver update (e.g. mouse) at every boot. If anyone knows how to do that or has a more elegant solution, I'd be really grateful for any help!