New system - 1. Partiotion or not? 2. And best install sequence?

[mrnab]

Hi,

I'm about to build a new Athlon 64 system with windows xp pro and had 2 questions:-

1. Is it best to partition or not with respect to OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE (my main concern)? I read somewhere (but for some reason the link is not not working) that it is best NOT to partition when using XP as it runs better without partitions

2. What is the best sequence of installing drivers etc after you've installed XP that will give you best performance / stability? Again, I read once that it's best to install service pack 1, then the graphics card drivers, then service pack 2

Any help much appreciated!

 

[KoolDrew]

1. Either use just one big NTFS partition or have 2 partitions. One will be for OS/apps/games while the other will be used for MP3's/data and anything else of the sort. This way if you reinstall Windows you have the stuff on this partition. Any really important stuff on this partition should however be backed up onto a CD as hard drives die all the time and soemthign may happen where you need to format that partition.

2. In the following order

- Service Pack 2 (it may be better to slipstream it
- Motherboard Chipset Drivers
- Video card drivers
- Sound card drivers
- Then connect any remaining devices and if they do not function properly install the drivers for them. Most products come with drivers, but many times these are not needed and it is best to use the Windows built-in drivers.
- Get the rest of your Windows Updates


You may also have to install your NIC drivers.

Also the reason it is best to keep everything on one partition other then data like MP3's is because just having a seperate partition will increase seek times when acessing the partition. Many people reccomend making more partitions to prevent fragmentation, but just use PerfectDisk (best defragger ever) and you should not have to defrag too much depending on if you make alot of system changes frequently.

 

[mrnab]

Thanks for the quick reply koolDrew!....but what about service pack 1?? Or does SP2 contain that as well??

 

[KoolDrew]

All updates in SP1 are included in SP2.

 

[mrnab]

Thanks again!

One more question - what do you mean by "it may be better to slipstream it"?

 

[KoolDrew]

When you Slipstream SP2 you are adding it to initial installation of Windows XP. This way as you are installing Windows XP SP2 will already be installed so you do not need to download it. This is reccomended as some people have problems updating to SP2. IF you need intructions on slipstreaming read this Slipstreaming Windows 2000/XP guide.

Slipstreaming is optional but reccomended. You will have to make a bootable disk after adding SP2 into the initial installation. So for this you need a CD burner.

 

[mrnab]

KoolDrew, where's the best place to get drivers from eg for an nFoorce4 motherboard - from the manufacturer or from the chipset maker?

 

[mrnab]

Also, when I first install win XP, will I still need to install separate SATA drivers with my new SP2 CD?

 

[m3rcury]

Do a search for "nlite nuhi" on google (without quotes). nLite is a program that will let you

1) slipstream service packs
2) slipstream hotfixes
3) integrate drivers
4) remove windows components you dont want (my fav feature)

So get that, and its just point and click and it'll create a slipstreamed iso for you. (you can skip the steps you dont want to do, like remove components). Also, you can just integrate your SATA drivers so that you wont have to use a floppy during install. Best of all, the program is free, and works perfectly.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
When you Slipstream SP2 you are adding it to initial installation of Windows XP. This way as you are installing Windows XP SP2 will already be installed so you do not need to download it. This is reccomended as some people have problems updating to SP2. IF you need intructions on slipstreaming read this Slipstreaming Windows 2000/XP guide.

Slipstreaming is optional but reccomended. You will have to make a bootable disk after adding SP2 into the initial installation. So for this you need a CD burner.

Edit - Kooldrew knows this... just quoting for effect.

Plus, it means that you do not have to worry if the machine is network connected when you do the install. If you install without SP2 or certain SP1 hotfixes on a network, there is a good chance that it might be infected with certain worms before you can access SP2. That same slipstreamed disc also gives you a Recovery Console to boot from if you need it.