How to disable XP automatic video driver install?

[HO]

Ok, here's the deal. I have a video card for which Microsoft has a driver embedded in XP Pro. When I install the card and boot, XP installs the MS provided driver without any prompting from me. I then have to "update" the existing driver to the version provided by the card manufacturer. I would much prefer doing a clean install, but XP beats me to the punch every time.

How do I do this? Boot up is Safe Mode?

 

[MrChad]

What video card?

 

[cubby1223]

Safe mode also does hardware installation (I don't know why, it just does). But anyways, the video card manufacturer certainly knows that XP will automatically load the built-in drivers, so the manufacturer has written their software driver update to take this into account and make sure the newest version is properly installed.

Just a situation where this is the way it works.

 

[gsellis]

Repeatable solution?

Custom install with a PnP directory specified in the setup AND newer drivers than the Windows drivers. Read up on unattended installation. You will either need a setting in unattend.txt (OemPnpDriversPath) or modify the default registry key for DevicePath in the HIVESFT.INF. You also will need that path installed as part of your install (unattended docs again - $OEM$\$1\Pnppath to create C:\Pnppath)

 

[rbV5]

Best way I've found is to use "cab cleaner" from the drivercleaner distribution. It cleans the driver.cab file and service pack cab files that hold the video drivers. Unplugging the network cable prevents Windows from finding the drivers and installing them on the net as well.

You'll only have to clean the cab files once, and any Service pack you install later, but it will enable you to "cancel" out of a video driver install after a reboot into windows, and then install your own driver pack on a clean system.

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: rbV5
Best way I've found is to use "cab cleaner" from the drivercleaner distribution. It cleans the driver.cab file and service pack cab files that hold the video drivers.

Video drivers *only* or does it trash ALL the drivers? I don't think I want to toss them all.