In what order does one install Drivers?

[RubberCement]

True advice: NEVER install video drivers from WU site; sometimes the NIC drivers from there are bad, too.

 

[immagikman]

This is one of the best questions I've seen on the forum....good Question and even better discussion.

P.S.

Norton!!! hehehehehe

 

[tamalero]

Chipset,video,nic,sound,modem. Before connecting to the internet Get firewall, antivirus and antispyware installed.Then go online and get them updated first then do the driver and os updates..Oh and definately reboot the computer after the antivirus/firewall/antispy updates.

...because there's sooooo much danger in connecting to the MS update site.....

too funny!

say "Norton" and I'll pee my pants

said that to thousands of people who got infected by viruses, which exploited windows holes ( only needed you to get connected, and bang, you're infected already )

as for the original question:

firewall and antivirus is a MUST before going online.
then download the MS patches

I usually go

1.- antivirus, firewall, NIC
2.- windows update, video drivers, cpu drivers (cool & quiet )
3.- chipset drivers ( usually they're installed via windows update )
4.- sound and other devices.

True advice: NEVER install video drivers from WU site; sometimes the NIC drivers from there are bad, too.

fully agree here, for NIC and videocard, stay away from windows update.
they once ruined my Marvell nic...

but for general stuff such as mouse drivers..etc.. windowsupdate is the way to go.

 

[piratepast40]

At the website for SP2 dl it says there might be issues with OEM dics such as my Dell.

Many OEM OS discs won't install on a different system. You could allways spring for a new copy of XP Pro with the free Vista upgrade. They're all over the place for $139.

 

[sweetpants]

LAN first...get online capability up and running so you can find latest drivers. Often, while doing a MS update, it'll download drivers for you.

I reinstalled winxp on my now deceased dell 4 times. There was a specific order to the driver installs. I have a CD with an app on it called Autopatcher. It automatically patches WinXP up to Jan07. I can always download the newest drivers and put them on a usb key. Heck, all of the products come with Driver CDs why should I expose my virgin PC to the dark dangerous internet?

Please tell me you're not going with Vista right now....WAIT!

Sweet lord almighty no! god forbid. Im just gonna install WinXP from my Dell OEM disc and bother Microsoft for an activation code 😉

But there is an order to it, and if you dont follow it things get messed up.

That's because in the Dell Desktop System Software or the Notebook System Software there is a contained ICH driver that a lot of people don't know about. That's why it has to come first.

With homebuilt computers it's not necessarily the same. I usually do chipset, video, windows, audio. That's just me though.

 

[Eviltwin17]

it usually doesnt matter, but generally its a good idea to install the motherboard drivers first so you can get full functionality of all the parts in your computer, then install any main hardware drivers like the graphics card and processor(if there are any). Then install stuff like sound cards, tvtuners etc.

 

[grant8844]

You will NOT be able to move your Dell OEM Windows XP software over to your new system.

Microsoft will not give you a new product ID and your old Dell product will not work

 

[4Ryan6]

You will NOT be able to move your Dell OEM Windows XP software over to your new system.

Microsoft will not give you a new product ID and your old Dell product will not work

Well I took a Sony Vaio WinXP Home OEM and put it on a completely different machine and the only thing MS asked me was the OP/SYS on more than one machine, I said no, because it wasn't and got the activation key, so I don't see why a Dell OEM would be any different.

 

[sillywabbit]

FYI, i just built a similar build. If you plan on putting the harddrives in the bottom harddrive cage, pick up some right angled SATA cables---keeps the center fan from scraping the cable.

 

[piratepast40]

You will NOT be able to move your Dell OEM Windows XP software over to your new system.

Microsoft will not give you a new product ID and your old Dell product will not work

Well I took a Sony Vaio WinXP Home OEM and put it on a completely different machine and the only thing MS asked me was the OP/SYS on more than one machine, I said no, because it wasn't and got the activation key, so I don't see why a Dell OEM would be any different.

I tried that with an HP OEM disc on a new build and MS told me to contact HP. Here's a link that talks about different types of licences: http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=685493&SiteID=25
Here's a quote from one of the forum members that talks about the different license agreements:

There are two different types of OEM installations. One is the OEM/SLP install. That version of windows is Modified a bit by the Manufacturer to read a certian BIOS and will only install if the criteria are met. That version of windows does not have to be activated by the user. An OEM Systembulder Windows build is for the small system builder, or even the end user that builds computers as a hobby.

Both have different EULA's and requirements in order to be legal.

Guess it depends on which version the OEM supplies.

 

[Guest]

Before installing Windows you must revert to a minimum hardware configuration. Remove soundcard, USB devices and all PCI cards.

BS.First try if it all works, and usually it does. for me at least.

 

[4Ryan6]

Well after going through my records I've also done it with an HP Oem and theres not one piece of the present machine HP, so thats one up and running HP OEM and one Sony OEM, and for me thats the solid facts.

I did tell them in each situation the M/B had been changed without spilling all the details, and they asked me if the installation was on more than one machine, and I said No, and that was the end of the questions.

I don't care what someone else said, these are the present absolute facts, my machines are up and running, end of story.

 

[mikeph056]

Well, my first question would be, if you can connect to the internet to post here, could you not download all driver updates now, save them to a USB stick and then just copy them over?

Autopatcher does not contain SP2. It is made to update computers that already have SP2.

SP2 is available as a standalone download here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

NEVER EVER EVER connect to the internet without firewall/antivirus software installed. Once (after completely reformatting with DBAN) I forgot to unplug my ethernet cable and as soon as I finished the install of XP I was getting errors. I didn't even open Internet Explorer nor even install any programs. The cause was some virus. In the end I had to reformat again and reinstall XP. I didn't have to I guess I could have just removed the virus, but I wanted a clean install damn it!

Next question: Is your Dell cd a Backup image cd or is it an actual installable copy of Windows? Also is it XP Home or Pro? It may or may not install depending.

OEM install cds WILL NOT accept Retail cd keys. Not even those generated by Microsoft.
Read more info here:
http://www.petri.co.il/use_oem_version_to_upgrade_xp.htm

I recommend buying a retail copy! I do not support anything else!

That said it is also possible to:

1) Find a friend with a retail copy of windows.
2) Modify it to accept oem keys.
3) Install XP. Do not install other programs etc.
4) Try to activate, when it fails call Microsoft. Tell them it was installed from a retail cd. They will ask for some numbers off the cd to prove it is a retail copy (that's why a friend with a retail is a must). They will charge $10 to generate a new key. They will say to download a Key changer and change to the key they generated. It will NOT work, but say it does.

5) Reinstall from friend's retail cd, enter the new cd key from Microsoft. (As stated before if using SATA you will need to provide drivers during setup (look for the message to press f6) so the setup program can see the drive. I do not know if USB can be used to do this as I always have a floppy drive in my computer builds for legacy things like this). You can always use the one from your old computer and remove it after.
6) Install SP2 (if the retail cd from friend doesn't have SP2 on it already)
Note: Several drivers are made for SP2 only so SP2 first may be a must.
7) Install drivers. Reboot whenever prompted. I like this way:
7a) Chipset
7b) Video Card
7c) Audio Card (if applicable)
7d) LAN (I always have a seperate NIC/Sound card etc. I don't use any onboard stuff if I can help it)
7e) Others
8) Autopatcher
9) Install virus/firewall Programs
10) Connect LAN cable connect to internet, update only virus/firewall programs. Reboot as neccessary. Once you have them all you shoud be good.
11) Activate Windows
12) Install your programs
13) Make an image backup so you don't have to go through all this crap again.

Edit: As for installing all components one by one... I would say first try all at once, if you have problems after, then try one by one... Just remember not to activate windows XP until everything is working as it can deactivate on you if you mess around with hardware too much.

 

[McPhisto]

Hmm can I update DirectX without being connected to the internet. From what I remember of downloading directx updates, they have to connect to the internet to download themselves. Or maybe its just me. Worst comes to worst I just install a game. They all come with Direct X blah blah latest version, eh?

You can download a full version of DirectX here...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4b1f5d0c-5e44-4864-93cd-464ef59da050&DisplayLang=en
It'll probably be more upto date than most versions on game install CD/DVD, unless the game has just been released.

You didnt say what OS you are planning to use, but im guessing XP, one point to note is that using XP with SATA2 you will need to have the drivers for your mobo downloaded( and bung them on a floppy or usb ) and during the install tell it to use those drivers otherwise it will be a crappy Sata 1 driver. I had to reinstall cos of this crap

Does anyone know about this issue? Also where could I find such a driver?>

Your motherboard installation CD should come with SATA drivers, although you likely need to transfer them to a FD or USB key. Apparently SATA drivers can also be slipstreamed to the XP install cd too, but I have't tried this myself so far.

I'm using an EPox 9NPA+ Ultra and didnt need to install any SATA drivers and it works without any problems, however, I also have an ASRock 939DualSATA2 which did require me to install SATA drivers.(both installs using XP Pro with Sp2 slipstreamed)

 

[tamalero]

Make sure all bios settings are in order.

Lets just say you just install Windows XP with no service pack.

1 - DirectX needs to be updated so that your screen will run smooth.
2 - Chipset driver or updates this will make sure your computer will stable.
3 - Service Pack 2 if computer is stable, if not. You have a problem, Installing service pack 2 will help installing other drivers.
4 - .NET needs to be installed if using ATI GPU card and if you want catalyst Controller to be installed.
5 - Video Driver or updates driver for other GPU card, like drivers for AVIVO components.
6 - Sound Card driver or updates.
7 - Lan Driver and Modem Driver.
8 - Printer and Scanner Driver.
9 - Monitor Update.
10 - Unless You have your own Firewall and Antivirus. Firewall and Antivirus from Zonelab and get Security Suite Trials for 15 Days. Uninstall it later after everything is working fine.
11 - Updates from internet.
12 - Intall the rest of you Peripherals and drivers.
13 - Adobe Acrobat, and Photoshop if any.
14 - Office Programs.
15 - The rest is up to you.

That's how I install the software on my builds. and don't have much problem.

Thanks a lot, when I build my box (if ever) Ill be sure to print out this thread to consult.

So, I checked at the Kingston website which is very easy to use and tells me that the ram and mobo that I picked out are very compatible! Woo Hoo!

Just for curiosity's sake, what kind of performance increase do you think I would get from switching to DDR800 ram. That is from this setup:
e4300 stock
2gb 667mhz ram
evga 7900gs

From what I hear it would be negligible, not really worth bothering for.

sorry to tell you man but... no idea why you need to "update directX"
unless he wants to game before going to install the rest of the hardware. its a dumb thing
besides, if you have a non SP2, usually when you go to windowsupdate, it will tell you to update to the latest DX version.

*edit* my reply was to rexter, no idea why it replied to you insteath of him x_x

 

[RJ]

It is better not to take chances. Have your protection on before going online.

Oh and I read the post fine print NORTON

now piss your pants RJ

I just find it amusing that every computer I've worked on that's been compromised has had Norton installed.

Ironic, no? 8O

 

[RJ]

http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/ddr2/index.htm

This is the intel page which writes about the known issue when trying to run non 1.8v ram on a P965 board. They say that only DDR800 1.8v ram is okay. What I want to know is will my selected Kingston DDR667 1.8v ram work with this board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820134046

harumph, I had just though that I had gotten this specific issue over with

Right, just want to get this whole P965 ram issue out of the way though.

It's not specifying that ram be DDR2-800, it wants 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 timings and 1.8v when you're using 800 memory. You should be fine with the 667.

 

[RJ]

Chipset,video,nic,sound,modem. Before connecting to the internet Get firewall, antivirus and antispyware installed.Then go online and get them updated first then do the driver and os updates..Oh and definately reboot the computer after the antivirus/firewall/antispy updates.

...because there's sooooo much danger in connecting to the MS update site.....

too funny!

say "Norton" and I'll pee my pants


Hey I had a tech support guy try to get me to reinstall winxp again just because I connected to the internet without the microsoft updates. And thats with ZoneAlarm AVG and Spybot. He insisted that my just connecting to the network without the latest microsoft updates my PC was completely compromised.

Also, I am planning to purchase Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite for 3 Machines for 70 dollars. I read a review of it in which the summary was: very good firewall and antivir, but somewhat lacking in antispyware.

So, is the ZoneAlarm Internet security suite good? and what is a good free or cheap AntiSpyware that at least offers realtime protection? (e.g. Spybot S&D, Spyware Sweeper, Spyware Doctor??)
I've used Zone Alarm Pro for years and no issues. It's got spyware and the firewall.

 

[RJ]

Chipset,video,nic,sound,modem. Before connecting to the internet Get firewall, antivirus and antispyware installed.Then go online and get them updated first then do the driver and os updates..Oh and definately reboot the computer after the antivirus/firewall/antispy updates.

...because there's sooooo much danger in connecting to the MS update site.....

too funny!

say "Norton" and I'll pee my pants

said that to thousands of people who got infected by viruses, which exploited windows holes ( only needed you to get connected, and bang, you're infected already )

as for the original question:

firewall and antivirus is a MUST before going online.
then download the MS patches

I usually go

1.- antivirus, firewall, NIC
2.- windows update, video drivers, cpu drivers (cool & quiet )
3.- chipset drivers ( usually they're installed via windows update )
4.- sound and other devices.

True advice: NEVER install video drivers from WU site; sometimes the NIC drivers from there are bad, too.

fully agree here, for NIC and videocard, stay away from windows update.
they once ruined my Marvell nic...

but for general stuff such as mouse drivers..etc.. windowsupdate is the way to go.

Kinda 8O paranoid 8O to think there are infections just sitting there, waiting for you before you even establish an IP address! Yes, if you leave the comp on for a while without doing something about protection, some dick without a life will probably hack into your setup because he doesn't have a girlfriend to hack into. :mrgreen:

I always DL drivers from the manufacturer's website so I have current drivers/firmware ahead of time. It's just a matter of burning them to a CD or DVD to transfer them to the new comp.

 

[billdcat4]

Hey everyone Im back!

Thanks for all of your input. From 730 AM today to 2 PM now I got a full page of replies that answer most if not all of my questions. Lets go over it all now:

Q) Will I be able to use my Dell OEM disc to install WinXP?
A) Yes, I just have to bother MS for an activation code. My friend did the same exact thing last November, he said that they were very easygoing about it.

Q) What should I do when I set up my PC?
A)

Well, my first question would be, if you can connect to the internet to post here, could you not download all driver updates now, save them to a USB stick and then just copy them over?

Thank you, I tried to say that several times yesterday. Ive have access to 2 other PCs in the house in which I can DL drivers for. Ive got some 7 USB keys with a total storage space of 5.25gb. I already have the Nvidia Forceware and the Sound card drivers on my key from weeks ago.

Thank you McPhisto for the link to the DirectX dl, its 90 percent done now.
Thank you Mike PH056 for the link to the standalone SP2.

So, the order is:
SP2, Autopatcher up to Jan 07, Chipset, LAN, Video, Audio
Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite (15 day trial until I can get around to buying it), DirectX

So to me that order seems just fine. I can do all that without having to connect to the internet.




On to my latest idea: How about instead of buying all new parts, I could start by just buying a cheap case, PSU, the intel mobo, and a cheap hard drive.
I have a Pentium 4 540 LGA775 CPU left over from my dead box, as well as 1gb of ddr2 533 ram, and a PCI express Radeon X800GT. The thing is, any or all of those parts could have been fried. I can get a friend to Memtest the ram, but I assume that if the CPU works, then it works.
My friend also has a spare Intel HSF left over from when he upgraded to a Arctic Freezer. I would just have to get some Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste.

So here are my choices for this idea:
A good case, ugly but reliable and with a window!
Already decided on the mobo
Good PSU: 450watts, dual 18a on 12v rails only $53
WD 160gig retail, so its got a 5yr warranty w00t

So all of that together would only be $280, it should work with my reused parts as well as allow for upgrades in the future (e4300, 2gb ram, 7600gt or 7900gs, sound card etc.) This is my cheapest solution and would give me the same performance that I had in my PC before it died.


Okay, then I'm going to go check Intel's site to make sure that the 540 is fully supported. Thanks for all your help so far, this thread will be a guide to many others in the future. yay??

 

[mikeph056]

Autopatcher is up to February now by the way.

Also, I believe Direct X 9.0c (last version for WinXP) is included in SP2. There are however updates to it. Direct link is here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...c4-6315-4d8e-9543-8e28a4e18c4c/dxwebsetup.exe
Any other questions feel free to ask me.

 

[billdcat4]

Autopatcher is up to February now by the way.

Yea I know, but when I made the disc a couple weeks ago Feb07 wasnt out yet.

I still have the install files so I guess I can just download the Feb07 update and burn it along with the others on a *NEW* updated disc.

Any other suggestions?

 

[madmurph]

Kinda paranoid to think there are infections just sitting there, waiting for you before you even establish an IP address! Yes, if you leave the comp on for a while without doing something about protection, some dick without a life will probably hack into your setup because he doesn't have a girlfriend to hack into.

I had a friend that worked for Dell -- don't hold it against me, I said "had" -- and according to the Big D, six seconds unprotected on the Internet and your system starts downloading spyware, malware, and all other manner of toasties.

 

[billdcat4]

Kinda paranoid to think there are infections just sitting there, waiting for you before you even establish an IP address! Yes, if you leave the comp on for a while without doing something about protection, some dick without a life will probably hack into your setup because he doesn't have a girlfriend to hack into.

I had a friend that worked for Dell -- don't hold it against me, I said "had" -- and according to the Big D, six seconds unprotected on the Internet and your system starts downloading spyware, malware, and all other manner of toasties.

Mmhmm, but is there ANY way to use a PC for a couple of years and not ever get one little bit of spyware?

My method should make it pretty safe though eh?

 

[madmurph]

So, the order is:
SP2, Autopatcher up to Jan 07, Chipset, LAN, Video, Audio
Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite (15 day trial until I can get around to buying it), DirectX

IMHO, got to disagree. Read one of the prev. posts by the guy that works in a comp tech shop. I'm pretty close to agreement with him. I've built hundreds of computers, and chipset is always first, so all the parts on the m/b are talking to each other. Vid card is next. You should always download drivers directly from the manufacturer, so you should already have the latest mb and vid drivers, making that a non-issue regarding online upgrade. Doesn't it make sense that you want those two things working properly before you do anything else? Soundcard or LAN, is a tossup. I've always done sound first, especially if it's an add-in card, because they can be a mb resource hog. This way you get your mb resources allocated properly before messing it up with other stuff. Since your not going to go online until everything is working properly, it doesn't matter when the LAN is installed -- some onboard LAN will automatically pick up a windows driver, anyway. (And then I still install the manufacturers driver, in the end.) Then install your other peripherals.
Finally, set a restore point. This way -- assuming everything is runnning well -- if any of your online downloads screws something up, you know the cause, and you can backtrack to a stable point in the install. It'll save you a ton of time and aggravation. Before plugging the little cable in, make sure your anti-virus and firewalls are all set up, as other posters have cautioned. And I agree with another of the ^^^posters that minor MS drivers for KB and mouse, etc. are inconsequential, and you can take the windows update for those.