quick question before I install Windows 7?

[Shaolinmonkk]

hello everyone, when I finish installing Windows 7, should and can I trust Windows 7 to find all of the CORRECT drivers for my motherboard, soundcard, videocard etc?

or should I just do it the old fashion way and install all the drivers myself?

 

[postmortemIA]

recently windows update uses manufacturer's drivers, but usually they are bit dated. I'd install mobo + sound + video myself, rest is less important ( media readers, monitors, etc)

 

[Zaap]

2nded. I'd install the drivers yourself. I'd check the motherboard manufacturer's website for the drivers. And ATI or nVidia for the card drivers. (Video drivers above all else I'd never just trust to Windows update.)

If it's an Intel motherboard (as in chipset type, not necessarily brand) then I'd go to Intel.com under support/latest drivers and use their online driver update utility. I've found that to be the best and easiest way to make sure all Intel chipset and component drivers are the latest.

 

[sm625]

I've had windows 7 update actually offer me a chipset driver as an optional download. Same with sound, video, usb, LAN, etc.

 

[Ketchup]

Pretty good advice, but I think it's hard to answer without know what you have?

Typically, the newer the hardware, the greater the chance you will need a manual install, but Windows is getting better and better with that.

 

[SimMike2]

Windows 7 is almost certainly going to install all the correct drivers before you even have a chance to install the latest drivers. So the question is do you install the updated drivers afterwards. If you are using a manufacturers CD that came with the board, no. Download the latest drivers from the Internet.

 

[Shaolinmonkk]

someone told me I should have AHCI enabled in the Bios before I install Windows 7.

can someone please tell me what AHCI is or why should I enable it first?

 

[Ketchup]

http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-ahci-and-ide/

Basically AHCI is just a different way for the OS to access your drives, and supports additional features vs IDE. I have used both on my machine and don't notice a difference. This may not be the case with SSDs however.

 

[sm625]

Usually you have to install the motherboard drivers because windows cannot find a LAN driver, and without that it cannot go online.

But I've never had a problem with what it installs if it is able to find it!

 

[-Slacker-]

Video drivers are pretty much mandatory.