Help me with a fresh install

[KillaBong]

I just want to know what you think is the best order to put everything on. I am confused when to put on the windows updates because I have never done this before. Should I put it on cd (can I put them on cd?) and install right after windows, or should I just install the motherboard's drivers and let it update from the internet?

I'm doing this for my 9800 pro that got here today, so I'm anxious, but I can't find my xp pro disk. I know it's here, so in the meantime I would like to know when I should put on the windows updates.

 

[ojai00]

Slipstream SP1 to Windows XP

I usually install XP, then service pack 1, then do a Windows Update. Most of the drivers install by itself so I don't really pay any attention to them unless it's required (like a network driver to get online, etc.). Hope this helps.

 

[asadovsky]

You mean you reformatted your computer just to install the new video card? (just wondering)

 

[digitalman]

after installing xp, i do all the updates and drivers first. while xp does find a lot of the drivers, installing the mobo's 4-in-1 type driver does make your computer run better. the newer and more specific a driver is to your equiptment, the better things will run. this does not take into account if someone writes crappy drivers then you will have problems no matter what. in that case stay with the M$ generic ones.

after updates and drivers, i'll install office and its service packs/updates. then any individual apps and thier respective updates. I figure it is best to get them all done right from the start.

if you really spend a lot of time tweaking and setting everything right, you could ghost the disk and burn it to a cd. if you ever want to return your computer to this state, just pop the cds back in and in a matter of minutes you are back.

if you choose to ghost it, i HIGHLY recommend using 2 partitions on your computer. the first for the sys & apps the other for your data. when you ghost your computer, just image the main partition not the entire disk, then when you want to restore things, you won't loose your data drive with all your stuff. just restore that one partition with your custom restore disk.