Help needed w/AMD/nVidia XP clean on new system

[McPudd]

I?m new to AMD and nVidia both for their chipsets and video cards.

I will be doing a clean install of WinXP Pro SP2 into a new system build.
I do not plan to overclock anything.

The hardware includes the following basic parts:
Asus A8N-SLi PREMIUM nForce4 Socket 939
1 x Asus Extreme N7800GTX TOP/2DHTV (2 slot) PCIe VIVO video card
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Dual Core S939 Toledo PIB CPU
2GB OCZ Dual Channel EL DDR PC-3200 400MHz Titanium CL 2-3-2-5 Unbuffered
Enermax Noisetaker 701AX (600W) [EG701AX-VE SFMA] PSU
D-Link Express EtherNetwork DI-604 Router
2xHitachi Deskstar 500GB 7K500 SATA-II 3.0 Gb/s 7200RPM HDD
16 MB Buffer; FDB; NCQ. NOT RAID.
Plextor PX-716AL Double/Dual DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW internal E-IDE
HDA X-Mystique 7.1 Gold PCI DDL Digital Sound Card
Etc

I will have the following on a DVD-R disc ready to install:
nForce4_amd_6.66_winxp2k_international.exe
Cool&Quiet1018.zip
77.77_winxp2k_english_whql.exe

Since I will use a PCI sound card so will disable the on-board in BIOS.
I will need to use the ethernet LAN port on the motherboard to connect to a wired router then on to a DSL modem.

I have 2 SATA2 HDDs but will not use a RAID array.
I just have 1 IDE device (the burner) and am told is should leave the XP IDE drivers already installed alone and skip nVidia?s IDE drivers.

I?ve also seen advice regarding ?do not install something called NAM and or Active Armor firewall?.
I already will be using a router and if I added a software firewall it would be the ZoneAlarm free (w/XP?s firewall diabled) I?m used to.

From other posts, the best way to install nVidia software for the motherboard and video card appears to be:
Skip the Asus motherboard and video card discs. Use it later for any extra Asus utils I may want later.

Run the nForce4_amd_6.66_winxp2k_international.exe file

I?m not used to nVidia?s terminology.
Based on the above, and from the install screen I?ll be offered, what exactly are the names of items I should select to install and the names of those I should skip?

Flash Motherboard BIOS to 1007.002 beta w/bin file on previously made XP bootable floppy.

Install Asus Cool & Quiet v1018 from Cool&Quiet1018.zip

Once the motherboard software is installed, run 77.77_winxp2k_english_whql.exe to install the video drivers.
I think I know what this part involves.

TIA for any help with the above or tips

 

[Peter]

Just proceed as you would normally. Do not install NVidia's "network management suite" software since the firewall therein has been found to corrupt FTP traffic. Do not install NVidia's IDE drivers since they perform worse than Microsoft's. Cool&Quiet drivers are best taken from AMD not Asus. Apart from that, your plan sounds good.

 

[Fenuxx]

Originally posted by: Peter
Just proceed as you would normally. Do not install NVidia's "network management suite" software since the firewall therein has been found to corrupt FTP traffic. Do not install NVidia's IDE drivers since they perform worse than Microsoft's. Cool&Quiet drivers are best taken from AMD not Asus. Apart from that, your plan sounds good.