I've got a prime example that it may help with: A biostar mobo (gf8200c m2+ v6.0), clean xp install, chipset drivers etc installed, but it will not finish the LAN driver install, saying that i need to install the pcie card to finish the driver install even though the lan port is integrated on mobo

Doing my head in that one, so I'll have to put a pci lan card in temporarily.
If Slimware doesn't work, you can try Driverpacks. You may already have already been there. If not, go to
Driverpacks.net and download driverpack.lan 11.01. You'll find drivers for most everything else there also. Before Slimware, they saved my arse a time or two, and may do it again. BTW, I'm curious what you use to clean pc's that are too infected to use normal spyware/malware removal tools? Have you had to use Unhide.exe yet?