Can I install the Catalyst driver and control panel before DirectX 9?

[mshan]

I own a Windows XP Home SP1a install cd.

When doing a fresh installation of Windows, can I install the ATI Catalyst driver and control panel before I install DirectX 9c (as part of SP2)?

 

[xtknight]

Do you have DirectX 9.0 (not C) right now? That Radeon doesn't even fully support DirectX 9.0c, so I see no problem at all with doing that.

 

[mshan]

Does Windows SP1a include earlier versions of Direct X 9.0? (if so, which version?)

Also, is there any downside to using 9.0c with my 9700 Pro? Or would be using 9.0a or 9.0b improve performance or compatability with games of my video card?

 

[xtknight]

Service pack is irrelevant to DX version so I'm not sure what version you would have had.

No, no downside. The 9.0c-only features will simply not be used.

Regardless of all this it's a better idea to install the driver after you install the DirectX. I don't know why you'd want to do it otherwise?

 

[mshan]

I have a very finicky ATI HDTV Wonder.

I am trying to figure out how to do the most troublefree install and I am trying to avoid having SP2 install it's (ATI) Radeon 9700 Pro driver before I install my Catalyst driver and control panel.

Just realized, though, that since I am already connected to a dsl modem, I can just download DirectX 9.0c from Microsoft's website before I install the Catalyst drivers and SP2.