XP Pro Install /Configuration riddles

[hzerler]

Dear Forum members, I am a public health worker striving to harness the power of original interactive multi-media presentations to help kids and families to stay healthy. This post is about installation of Windows XP Pro with SP1, and SP2. Needing a high-powered video/DVD editing/authoring workstation, on a shoestring budget (under$1500.) I am building my own PC. I am ready to assemble an Asus P5AD2-E Premium mb with Intel 925XE chipset, LGA775 P630 3.0 ghz processor with 2 megs L2 cache, with 2x512 dual channel PC5400 675 mhz RAM, 2 x WD 200gig SATA hd?s connected to mb ICH6R RAID, an internal Plextor 716 SATA dual layer DVD burner and an ATI All-in-Wonder X600 256 meg PCI-express video card. Everything is officially ?Windows compatible? but my problem is that all this hardware has many levels of BIOS settings, updates for firmware and drivers, and configuration options. The physical assembly is easy, but the configuration of this stuff and installation of the OS has me stumped. In the past I have found that, once Windows XP is running, the multiple changes involved in the PNP ?found new hardware? procedures, plus running updates of BIOS, firmware, and drivers, tends to screw up the Registry, plus who knows how many other kinds of settings and processes, (and maybe screwing up the Hardware Abstraction Layer??) Plus Intel advises that I must run their special chipset utility so that Windows will know how to optimally manage this very new CPU and Mb. And I want to use features of Intel Matrix Storage Technology. Not to mention that I am wanting to join the existing home LAN of my two current PC?s for cable broadband internet access. SO I am trying to get a beautiful clean install, but foresee a field of windmills between me and my quest. If I have to rely on the ?tech support? of these hardware makers I will probably take an intentional overdose of jumper blocks. I desperately need advice on strategy and tactics, especially in what order to proceed once I first power up all this virgin equipment, and how to keep XP from choking on all this configuration. I have tried to learn all I can from reading on this and other websites, and my current plan is: first update the mb BIOS; second, use the updated BIOS to configure and partition my hard drives in RAID 0 with mb controller, and once thery are recognized, third, to make sure my Plextor SATA optical drive is recognized, fourth to start my XP Pro w. SP1 install from the optical drive. Then I will apply SP2. Then I will run Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility. But THEN what? Set up Intel Matrix Storage Technology? Or must that happen before OS install? Can I stop XP from auto-installing any outdated drivers, espcially for the ATI video card? My past experience is that the ATI driver install routine, in particular, is a multi-part nightmare that requires no trace of a previous driver install, but when it chokes it always leaves stuff that ?add/remove programs? doesn?t mop up. Should I install my Norton System works first, so that I have a better shot at getting back to ?clean? restore points, either with Clean Sweep install monitoring/uninstall help, GoBack system restore or Ghost imaging? Or do I just yell banzai and storm the hill, click ?OK? to every XP pop-up and dialogue, and if it doesn?t work out re-format the hard drives and start over? If any of you can advise me, Thank You for your generosity to share your knowledge and experience, Harry

 

[mechBgon]

As a public service, I have paragraphed your post for readability

Dear Forum members, I am a public health worker striving to harness the power of original interactive multi-media presentations to help kids and families to stay healthy. This post is about installation of Windows XP Pro with SP1, and SP2. Needing a high-powered video/DVD editing/authoring workstation, on a shoestring budget (under$1500.) I am building my own PC.

I am ready to assemble an Asus P5AD2-E Premium mb with Intel 925XE chipset, LGA775 P630 3.0 ghz processor with 2 megs L2 cache, with 2x512 dual channel PC5400 675 mhz RAM, 2 x WD 200gig SATA hd?s connected to mb ICH6R RAID, an internal Plextor 716 SATA dual layer DVD burner and an ATI All-in-Wonder X600 256 meg PCI-express video card. Everything is officially ?Windows compatible? but my problem is that all this hardware has many levels of BIOS settings, updates for firmware and drivers, and configuration options. The physical assembly is easy, but the configuration of this stuff and installation of the OS has me stumped.

In the past I have found that, once Windows XP is running, the multiple changes involved in the PNP ?found new hardware? procedures, plus running updates of BIOS, firmware, and drivers, tends to screw up the Registry, plus who knows how many other kinds of settings and processes, (and maybe screwing up the Hardware Abstraction Layer??) Plus Intel advises that I must run their special chipset utility so that Windows will know how to optimally manage this very new CPU and Mb. And I want to use features of Intel Matrix Storage Technology. Not to mention that I am wanting to join the existing home LAN of my two current PC?s for cable broadband internet access. SO I am trying to get a beautiful clean install, but foresee a field of windmills between me and my quest.

If I have to rely on the ?tech support? of these hardware makers I will probably take an intentional overdose of jumper blocks. I desperately need advice on strategy and tactics, especially in what order to proceed once I first power up all this virgin equipment, and how to keep XP from choking on all this configuration. I have tried to learn all I can from reading on this and other websites, and my current plan is:

1. update the mb BIOS
2. use the updated BIOS to configure and partition my hard drives in RAID 0 with mb controller
3. once they are recognized, to make sure my Plextor SATA optical drive is recognized
4. start my XP Pro w. SP1 install from the optical drive
5. Then I will apply SP2
6. Then I will run Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility.

But THEN what? Set up Intel Matrix Storage Technology? Or must that happen before OS install? Can I stop XP from auto-installing any outdated drivers, espcially for the ATI video card?

My past experience is that the ATI driver install routine, in particular, is a multi-part nightmare that requires no trace of a previous driver install, but when it chokes it always leaves stuff that ?add/remove programs? doesn?t mop up. Should I install my Norton System works first, so that I have a better shot at getting back to ?clean? restore points, either with Clean Sweep install monitoring/uninstall help, GoBack system restore or Ghost imaging? Or do I just yell banzai and storm the hill, click ?OK? to every XP pop-up and dialogue, and if it doesn?t work out re-format the hard drives and start over?

If any of you can advise me, Thank You for your generosity to share your knowledge and experience, Harry

 

[mechBgon]

And now for my advice:

1) Read your Asus owner's manual. Section 5 is almost always a step-by-step walkthrough of setting up RAID. The BIOS section will talk all about setting up the ICH6R SATA controller for RAID mode. Personally, I would bail the whole RAID0 thing in favor of two independent disks so you can pull from one while saving to the other.

2) For Windows setup, you would follow Asus's instructions, which I'm sure you'll find include feeding the RAID drivers to Windows Setup on a floppy diskette during the first stage of Windows Setup (if using RAID).

3) I would add that if you want to eliminate exposing your vulnerable WinXP SP1 system to worm attack, do not plug in your network cable (or turn on your wireless network) until you have Service Pack 2 installed and the Windows Firewall enabled. More security "best practices" on this page.

4) Don't worry about trying to stop Windows from loading drivers or stuff. After installing Service Pack 2, update to the drivers of your choice (video, chipset and otherwise) and take a snack break If you're going to use the latest ATI drivers you'll need .NET installed (hit Windows Update for it, reboot, then go back to Windows Update for a patch for it).

5) The tech support at the Forums is a good resource, just try to pick the right section of the Forum (and don't cross-post to several). Many helpful people here with firsthand knowledge

6) I hope you have a good-quality power supply in the 400W area for that beastie. If you need a suggestion, Fortron Blue Storm is one you might consider, being a 24-pin unit from a reputable manufacturer.

 

[psiu]

I have found that a good idea is to:

1) install hardware a piece at a time (so start with basic mobo, cpu, ram, video, hd, optical).
2) do the windows install. SP1A should be sufficient, turn on the firewall, hop online and commence your windows updates. restart as needed.
3) download firefox
4) install peripheral drivers (digital camera, printer, monitor, etc.), and optimized drivers (mobo, graphics card). remember to do any reboots as necessary, and always follow the install directions (such as install driver first, then hardware). Simply following the exact directions (especially the order of things) helps a lot I've found over the years. The few seconds saved by not restarting every time it wants to (and piling up the restarts needed) and by not reading the manual and checking the order of things comes back to haunt you later.
5) install your most basic utilities and software. check out the Software forum for good free programs. so, security software (first!) and basic utilities.
6) might be worth doing a backup at this point. Lots of people like the Norton Ghost program. Check out the Hot Deals forum, I think I saw it for cheap over there a few days ago.
7) install your major software (office apps, any games, graphics), media players/codecs, customize things to your liking (extensions in browsers, desktop, blah blah).
8) post on ATOT
9) ....
10) profit!

 

[imported_Kensai]

Kudos to mechBgon for public service. As the others state.
Go Mobo - VGA - Others for driver order and always have SP2.
Then install your firewall / antrivirus software, firefox, windows updates, programs.
Make an image of your HD.

 

[hzerler]

Thanks to mechBgon [ ". . .and also with you . . ."] and all who took the time to share your expertise, Harry Z.

 

[charles555]

No one adressed his BIOS and config questions... so Harry post up some specific questions, like how you want your FSB and DDR settings to be, or "what do I set the AGP aperture to?" and we can help one by one.

 

[compusaguy]

My god, don't ever post on a forum again without an interpreter.

No wonder you are a public health worker!