Best order for installation on a new build

[lavagirl669]

When doing a new build, what order do you recommend for installing Drivers?
This would be after build is complete and first boot and BIOS setup.

OS?
Chipset Drivers
Audio Drivers
Video Drivers

 

[Cerb]

1. OS.
2. Whatever you need for 'net access.
3. Updates.
4. Anything else.

It really doesn't matter much, except that some drivers like DirectX 9 to already be installed. And all that seems to do is make you restart after you install it, and then it magically finds that new hardware.

 

[lavagirl669]

thanks

I've heard that best order is:

OS
SP1 (I've got that on a CD so I don't have to connect)
Chipset Drivers
Audio Drivers
Video Drivers
DX9 Last
Then connect (I'll be using Roadrunner)

What do you think?

 

[Jojo7]

Originally posted by: lavagirl669
thanks

I've heard that best order is:

OS
SP1 (I've got that on a CD so I don't have to connect)
Chipset Drivers
Audio Drivers
Video Drivers
DX9 Last
Then connect (I'll be using Roadrunner)

Actually, I had always been tought to do sound/video after directx. Everything else on that list looks good though.

 

[Tostada]

You should do the chipset drivers pretty early, because things can act funny until you install them.

I always do:

Windows XP
Chipset drivers
SP1
XP Update Rollup
DirectX
Video drivers and all other drivers
get online, Windows Update

Whatever order you do it in, it's always good to do SP1 and the Update Rollup before you get online. I've seen machines get worms within 60 sec of going online if you don't.

 

[Caveman]

How do you do an update rollup before getting online? Is this another "slipstream" affair?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Cerb
1. OS.
2. Whatever you need for 'net access.
3. Updates.
4. Anything else.

It really doesn't matter much, except that some drivers like DirectX 9 to already be installed. And all that seems to do is make you restart after you install it, and then it magically finds that new hardware.

Let me put an * next to #2... if you have no hardware firewall (cable/DSL router), don't let your computer run nekkid through the Internet, it might come down with worms. Throw ZoneAlarm basic on there, put on your antivirus software, and have an antivirus offline-update file pre-downloaded so you can bring it up to speed without going online to do so. Many AV companies offer these, just browse their sites (for McAfee, it's called a "SuperDAT," for example).

I guess I'll add my personal preference:

1) OS

2) OS service pack (SP4 for Win2000, for example)

3) DirectX 9.0B

4) IE6SP1

5) FastPatch (a collection of 36 Win2000/IE/WMP/OutlookExpress patches run in a chain, with QChain.exe last to make it all come out in the wash at the reboot)

6) Chipset drivers (covers audio, AGP port, IDE and memory controllers for nForce/nF2)

7) Video drivers and dial-up-modem drivers (wooohoo!)

8) ZoneAlarm basic and AVG Free Edition

9) Windows Update

10) Office Update

11) Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2

...more or less I have most of the loot on CD, including the full-version IE6SP1 installer, so that helps.

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Jojo7

Originally posted by: lavagirl669
thanks

I've heard that best order is:

OS
SP1 (I've got that on a CD so I don't have to connect)
Chipset Drivers
Audio Drivers
Video Drivers
DX9 Last
Then connect (I'll be using Roadrunner)

Actually, I had always been tought to do sound/video after directx. Everything else on that list looks good though.

I do sound and video after directx also, mainly because I do Windows updates first, and Directx just comes down off windowsupdate.com
I do however install the chipset drivers 2nd, (unless it's necessary to install them first for net access - NForce2)

 

[XBoxLPU]

My order is:

OS with SP slipstreamed
Chipset Drivers
DX 9
Video
Audio
Windows Update

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: Caveman
How do you do an update rollup before getting online? Is this another "slipstream" affair?

No, it's 9MB of critical updates for XP SP1 that MS released as one package.
linky

It's nice because you don't have to wait for the download, and you also don't have to reboot 50 times like you would if you downloaded the individual patches.

 

[XBoxLPU]

I have most of the updates saved to another HD or CD so I don't have to download a lot of windows updates. Not fun with 56k after ever reinstall

 

[Cerb]

Good point, Mech. I've been spoiled w/ a firewall since 56k finally got here, and now w/ broadband, a router is mandoatory, so easy to forget that one!

 

[Caveman]

Tostada: Thanks so much, I downloaded the patch via your link. THANKS!l

 

[lavagirl669]

cool link Tostada, thanks!

Yes, I agree on not connecting until the SP1 and stuff is on there.