Fresh Install - Favorite Programs / Their Order...

[Bulldog13]

Greets,

Here's the scenario. Either you just got a brand spanking new computer. Or the current one you have, the hard drive died, and you didn t back up.

What programs, drivers, OS would you install in what order (linux guru's feel free to chime in)?

First thing I would do:

Format New HD (obviously)
Install Windows XP with SP1 slip streamed.
Defrag (Would you use a 3rd party defrag tool?)
Windows Update (Optimumly, with all the updates I need already on a CD, so we don't have any pesky IE cache bloat from hitting a webpage or 2)
Defrag
Any need motherboard drivers
Video Card drivers
Defrag

Now you fill in the rest....what programs would you install in what order for optimum efficiency. Assume this is a gaming rig, so throw in whatever games you want. Assume you run a tight rig, so stability and speed are always key. If you install regular kazaa you will be drawn and quartered. Not any type of bloat. Assume this computer is for gaming, CD copying, Word Processing, Internet Browsing, Programming (either VB or C/C++), and some media manipulation ( (S)VCD / DivX) and creation. All other programs for general functionality.

Bottom line: What programs, in what order, with what optimizations. SPEED and STABILITY BABY!

 

[Bulldog13]

^ for the afternoon ppl

 

[hamburglar]

That's so many defrags. Are you sure that's necessary?

 

[notfred]

How I install windows:
1) Install Windows.
2) Open windows update. Select one of the "you have to do this one by itself" things. Install it. say "no" to rebooting.
3) Quit windows update, must do this so it doesn't complain that you havent rebooted. Repeat above step until no more "you have to do this one by itself" things are available.
4) Quit and start windows update one more time. Install everything that remains.
5) Install vid card drivers, say "no" to reboot.
6) Install any other neccesary drivers. "no" at reboot promt.

Now, reboot.

Whenever I first need a program after that, I'll install it.

 

[Zugzwang152]

all those defrags aren't needed. install all your most used programs first, and then defrag afterwards once.

 

[igowerf]

Yeah. You wouldn't need to defrag right after a fresh install. Why don't you just install everything you want first and then defrag?

I usually do this:
Install Windows
Install motherboard drivers
Install video drivers
Windows update (including service packs and whatnot)
Install all other drivers
Norton Systemworks
Office applications
Developer applications
Random utilities as I need them