Installing XP

[jpetermann]

When you install XP, should you go ahead and have all of your hardware hooked up (usb devices, printer and the such) or should you install and then load them in one at a time? I know in previous Windows, it was better to install only one item at a time. But with XP not wanting you to change your system very often, maybe it is different... What do you think?

 

[KnickNut3]

You're pretty much fine with everything in there, because one of the greatest things about XP is that it recognizes all your hardware and installs drivers for it automatically. You never have to pop in a disk! When you install XP, the first time it finishes booting you are all set, with video, sound, and peripherals all completely installed. Becomes a half hour job to reformat now instead of a 5 hour one.

It's probably better with the activation, too, though if I remember right, you have a few days to do it, enough time to put all your hardware in first.

Good luck.

 

[Raincity]

The instal FAQ actually recommends that you disconnect devices like printers and usb devices before you install. The driver base does not cover everything like KnickNut3 says. Recent devices and chipsets are not in the XP driver base.

Rain

 

[KnickNut3]

Ok, printers, maybe pop them out. A brand new USB? Ok... but what I meant is, unless it's brand new, you don't need to go ripping out your sound card and doing it one at a time, as if you were building it and installing an OS for the first time, like many had to do for previous Windows versions.

 

[SKORPI0]

Build my new system w/ all the hardware hooked up and made a clean install of XP w/ no problem. Easiest process I've even encountered.