Proper Windows XP installation steps?

[elmo_gr]

OS: Windows XP 32bit SP1

Hardware: MSI 760GM-E51, Athlon II x2 250, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler, 2x1GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333, MSI R4770 Cyclone, Creative Soundblaster Audigy2 ZS, Samsung Spinpoint F3 250GB HDD, Lite-On iHAS224 DVD Writer, Corsair CMPSU-400CX Power Supply

I would like to know the proper sequence for updating Windows and installing drivers. I usually install Windows, run every Windows update to DX 9.0c and SP3, install motherboard drivers, install CPU drivers, install GPU drivers, and finally install audio drivers. Is the the preferred/best way to do a fresh install of OS + drivers?

 

[pcgeek11]

OS: Windows XP 32bit SP1

Hardware: MSI 760GM-E51, Athlon II x2 250, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler, 2x1GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333, MSI R4770 Cyclone, Creative Soundblaster Audigy2 ZS, Samsung Spinpoint F3 250GB HDD, Lite-On iHAS224 DVD Writer, Corsair CMPSU-400CX Power Supply

I would like to know the proper sequence for updating Windows and installing drivers. I usually install Windows, run every Windows update to DX 9.0c and SP3, install motherboard drivers, install CPU drivers, install GPU drivers, and finally install audio drivers. Is the the preferred/best way to do a fresh install of OS + drivers?

IMO:

Install Windows XP
Install MB Chipset Drivers
Install GPU Drivers
SO on for any other Drivers... audio etc...

Then Update Windows to current ( run until no more Security or critical updates are shown as it may take multiple runs ) I Do not let Windows Update any hardware drivers, Ever.

Then I install any and all applications.

 

[elmo_gr]

Some drivers require DX 9.0c or later be installed before updating, i.e. GPU drivers and audio drivers. Should I just disregard that?

 

[pcgeek11]

Some drivers require DX 9.0c or later be installed before updating, i.e. GPU drivers and audio drivers. Should I just disregard that?

If the driver " Requires " DX X.X installed it will tell you that when you go to install it. Then you will need to install DX X.X before the driver. The Most important part is:

Install OS then Install Motherboard Chipset drivers first and reboot before installing any others which for the most part can be installed in any order Video, Audio, NIC etc...

 

[rasczak]

I've usually done the following,

mb chipset drivers
nic drivers
video drivers then all other peripheral drivers.

i do nic second, in order to pull down the latest security patches as quickly as possible.

 

[JackMDS]

I've usually done the following,

mb chipset drivers
nic drivers
video drivers then all other peripheral drivers.

i do nic second, in order to pull down the latest security patches as quickly as possible.

+1