When to load drivers on a new build?

[sblake]

When is the proper time to load the motherboard drivers on a new build and a clean install of Windows 7 64bit. Do you install them after windows is installed but before windows updates or after the windows updates?

 

[vailr]

When is the proper time to load the motherboard drivers on a new build and a clean install of Windows 7 64bit. Do you install them after windows is installed but before windows updates or after the windows updates?

Probably doesn't make any significant difference.
However: wait until the motherboard chipset-specific drivers have been installed, before installing any optional driver updates that may be offered at the Windows Update web site, manufacturer's video card drivers, etc.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

For OS installation, I always follow a pattern of preparation:

1) Get your disk-controller's drivers onto a USB drive to be "ready"
2) Collect the chipset, network and audio drivers on the same USB drive or a CD
3) Download and have ready the video driver.
4) Have ready either the download or CD for a firewall/Anti-virus software installation

Pretty much, everything gets installed in that order. It shouldn't matter whether you get the Windows updates before or after, but "after" is probably better.

 

[piasabird]

Dont do anything with the computer on the Internet until the Updates are installed and the anti-virus and security software is installed. Sometimes the updates will refuse to install if you install the Anti Virus and security software first. Dont ever try to do something unwise like install 120 updates at once. You will be sorry and extremely board.

OS (maybe also Windows firewall)
Chipset Drivers (Nic)(Integrated Sound)
Service Packs
Updates
Video Card Drivers (I dont use)
Anti-Virus
Anti-Spam

The chipset drivers allows windows to see all your hardware. So install it early. Usually includes NIC drivers, Integrated Sound.

I just reinstalled Vista, and it works a lot better with the optional updates.

 

[MCZ]

Typically recommend installing anything hardware related as soon as you boot into your freshly installed OS. I usually go NIC, chipset and other board related controllers/drivers etc, video and then move on to the Windows Updates. Ultimately, it really shouldn't impact your PC 's performance.

 

[karalmarks]

I install drivers for my mobo right away after windows is installed. For my boards in the past I needed the drivers in order to eve get on the internet. Plus you need to install your mobo drivers so your other devices, example gpu, are recognized. once I have my drivers install I let windows 7 do its thing till its fully updated. Plus if your like me, my mobo has 2*2.0 usb slots and 6*3.0 slots, the 3.0's didnt work until i installed the drivers.

 

[TriStarGod]

The first thing I do is download and install firefox (or chrome). You might need to install the LAN (or WIFI) driver from the included DVD if you can't access the net. Then I browse to the mobo's website and download every necessary driver. After that, I browse to any add-on sites (graphics card, tv tuner, etc) and download every necessary driver. Finally, I download my internet security suite installer. Then I start installing, starting from the mobo's drivers and ending with the internet security suite. I only restart the computer only after a major install (i.e. graphics card, internet security, etc.).

 

[Big Roger]

My list sorta goes:

1: Install Windows with only one HDD or SSD drive attached
2: Install Windows SP1 from a disk (change page file, customise the desktop and resolution and disable system restore, hibernation). Restart.
3: Install chipset drivers from a USB stick and restart.
4: Install all other drivers from stick and restart if necessary.
5: Make sure certain services, features and programs are turned off/disabled/uninstalled that I know I don't need.
6: Run DPC latency checker to check for driver issues and then install MSE from the USB drive.
7: Install latest Samsung SSD Magician from stick and optimise Windows.
8: Plug in ethernet cable and allow a windows update and activate windows.
9: Finally, install the most important programs for my system.
10: Plug in all other drives/peripherals and download any drivers that I don't have.