When installing Windows, which comes first: drivers or Windows Update?

[TechnoPro]

In an ideal setting, Windows would be slipstreamed with SP2 and all updates, but this is not an option in a lot of cases I encounter.

So the question remains, what is a best practice when it comes to loading a fresh copy of XP. SP2 -> Windows Update -> Drivers ?

Does it make any difference? I have always assumed it did, but I never came across why...

 

[KoolDrew]

1. SP2
2. Drivers
3. Windows Update

Thats the way I do it. SP2 should definitely be installed first or slipstreamed.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
1. SP2
2. Drivers
3. Windows Update

Thats the way I do it. SP2 should definitely be installed first or slipstreamed.

I agree completely about SP2. But what is the logic behind the rest? I actually do pretty much what you do:

[1] SP2

[2] Major drivers (chipset / video)

[2a] NIC drivers if not natively detected

[3] Windows Update

[4] Minor drivers (audio / modem / etc.)

I got that from a guide off the net years ago.

 

[KoolDrew]

I just like everything working and then I continue with updates.

 

[n7]

Personally, i have SP2 slipstreamed.

So i do...
1. Windows
2. NIC drivers
3. chipset drivers
4. Windows updates
5. Video card drivers
6. Sound card drivers

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: n7
Personally, i have SP2 slipstreamed.

So i do...
1. Windows
2. NIC drivers
3. chipset drivers
4. Windows updates
5. Video card drivers
6. Sound card drivers

That's my routine also, unless I already have the chipset drivers available, in which case they get installed before the NIC drivers.

 

[KoolDrew]

Since n7 posted driver order too here is exactly what I do.

1. Windows
2. SP2
3. Chipset drivers
4. Video drivers
5. Sound drivers
6. NIC drivers
7. Install drivers for anything else needed such as Printer.
8. Windows Update
9. Install stuff and configure Windows to my needs and personal preferences.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter

Originally posted by: n7
Personally, i have SP2 slipstreamed.

So i do...
1. Windows
2. NIC drivers
3. chipset drivers
4. Windows updates
5. Video card drivers
6. Sound card drivers

That's my routine also, unless I already have the chipset drivers available, in which case they get installed before the NIC drivers.

I used to do that too, but it seems every time i reformat, there are new Hyperion 4 in 1s available, so i now need NIC drivers first to get online to get them