Driver install steps

Question

I installed a new HDD on my comp and did a fresh install of windows xp using the dell xp cd that came with the comp. What are the steps (ie. the order) for installing the drivers? I typically begin with the video card and sound card. How important are the motherboard chipset drivers? Is it necessary to reboot everytime a new device/driver is installed, or can I do it all at once and reboot once?   On a side note, I have read mixed opinion on the dell oem version of winXP... from an unbiased standpoint, what are the key diffrences between the retail and dell versions? performance wise?   yes... i am a newbie to this kinda stuff... i appreciate any help!

volcano11 · Answer

I installed a new HDD on my comp and did a fresh install of windows xp using the dell xp cd that came with the comp. What are the steps (ie. the order) for installing the drivers? I typically begin with the video card and sound card. How important are the motherboard chipset drivers? Is it necessary to reboot everytime a new device/driver is installed, or can I do it all at once and reboot once?   The chipset drivers must be the first drivers installed aftere reinstallation of Windows.  After the chipset drivers the order is not important, but many devices will not install unless the chipset drivers are present.  I recommend rebooting after each driver install, just to make sure everything is still working.   On a side note, I have read mixed opinion on the dell oem version of winXP... from an unbiased standpoint, what are the key diffrences between the retail and dell versions? performance wise?   There is absolutely no difference between the retail and dell versions of Windows XP in terms of performance.  The only difference is that the retail version can be installed on any single computer and the Dell version can only be installed on a Dell computer.   Steve

doanster · Answer

Thanks! Another question: I installed my chipset drivers AFTER my other drivers as an afterthought... how can I correct this?

volcano11 · Answer

For devices integrated on the motherboard, Windows will not recognize the need for drivers until the chipset drivers are installed.  If you find that a device doesn't work, you will need to uninstall it and its drivers, then reinstall the drivers.   Steve

msil217 · Answer

My 2¢, I started reinstalling Windows XP in 2002, by a Dell tech's instructions.

He never mentioned installing ANY drivers. So I never did.

Well, recently, I reinstalled Windows from scratch a few times. I have the original XP CD, no service packs.

This time, after a fresh install of Windows, I attempted to install the chip set driver.(I had tried installing the chip set drivers before, same result)

Windows told me that Windows already installed the appropriate driver, so there was no need. So the installation was automatically aborted.

For whatever reason, Windows already has all the drivers I need. Weird, huh??

But of course, if I was to run something that required open GL on my video, THEN I would need to install the ATI driver.

And the modem driver XP supplies is OK, but the one from the company works better.

I also seemed to have read you really do not need intel application accelerator, unless you use a RAID configuration, (I don't), or maybe SATA.. I use neither, and with IAA, I never noticed any improvement in performance, not even at PCPITSTOP, which my computer passes all tests.

But, if you require the chipset drivers, and the other drivers, by all means, install them!!! :)

Message Edited by msil217 on 02-12-2005 05:18 AM

aviator686 · Answer

My 2cents. I just did a clean install of XP on my Dim 8200 two days ago. Right after the OS loaded, I immediately installed SP2. The only driver I had to install after SP2 loaded was the video card driver. I guess XP loaded the chipset driver for me. I checked my Dim Resource CD before I did the clean install and the chipset driver was not even listed for XP OS but there were chipset drivers for Win ME and 98. So far no problems after the clean install of XP. The system is running like it is brand new.
Dim 8200 2.4
768mb ram
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
SB Live
Gainward 64mb Geforce 4 TI-4200
NSW 2005
NIS 2005
Win XP SP2

volcano11 · Answer

For many older model computers, like the 8200, that are based on chipsets that were released before the initial release of Windows XP, the chipset drivers are native to Windows. Any model based on a chipset released after the intitial release of XP need to have the chipset drivers installed as the first device drivers.

Steve

msil217 · Answer

Thanks, Steve, I was wondering why you said chipset drivers were important.:) I do have a laptop that was manufactured last year, and I may or may not have installed the chipset drivers. Since it is a Celeron, it did not come with Intel Application accelerator on the restore CD. I did have to install the video driver, or the screen area would have been small. I also installed the modem, and sound drivers.

MY 4400 Desktop was shipped March 26, 2002.

aviator686 · Answer

I got my 8200 back in Jan, 02 and have never had a problem with it. Origionally shipped with Win ME. Use it as a backup to my other system a Dim 4550.

Windows General

Driver install steps

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