Building Question

[teddyv]

Hello All,

I am in the process of getting all the pieces for my first system build (EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra, 3000+ Venice, Sonata II, eVGA 6600GT, Corsair ValueSelect 1GB, Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 160g). To say I have a few questions would be an understatement, I'd sure appreciate any advice, tips or pointers to detailed building "How To's."

I have seen the excellent "How to Build" often posted here but it has little to no detail on what to do once the computer is assembled and posts. I am up to posting and going into the Bios to set the CD as the first boot but pretty much lost from there. Specifically:

1. Should Memtest and any other specific utils be run before loading the OS?
2. Once any tests are run I take it that XP w/SP2 should be loaded.
a. I believe it is not necessary to load the raid drivers with the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra to use a Sata drive - can I just ignore these drivers if I have no interest in RAID setups? Is there a "no raid" Bios setting I need to make? Are there other steps I need to prepare for during the XP install (yes, I currently use WinMe...)
b. I have a comcast cable modem, will the XP install automatically set that connection up for me? What info do I need?
c. After the OS has installed do I install Norton AV and Zonealarm before going online for XP updates?
3. When the OS has loaded do I go get XP updates or do I then load the various drivers?
a. I've read the XP IDE drivers are far better than the ones I will get with my Mobo. Is this also true with other drivers? Is it better to use a new mobo driver package (if there is such a thing) downloaded from the Epox website or just use the ones on the mobo disk? Is there a "menu" that allows me to pick and choose which drivers to install and which to ignore?
b. Do I install the 6600GT Drivers or use the Mobo or the XP ones?
c. Is there a definite progression of which drivers to install first? In other words, first NF4 drivers (except IDE, ???) then GPU, then Monitor, etc.
4. Do I need to flash the Bios anywhere in here?

Thanks for reading and for any advice.

 

[TwoBills]

Go to tweakguides.com and download their free guide.

 

[teddyv]

Good stuff thanks! Any more advice, particularly on installing differing types of the same the drivers (like IDE...)?

 

[Jakebrake]

Here is a good guide as well. Mechbgon's Guide

 

[teddyv]

Yes I saw that, it is a really excellent piece for the first time builder. Matter of fact, the questions I posted above were the ones I had after reading that guide.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Originally posted by: teddyv
Hello All,

I am in the process of getting all the pieces for my first system build (EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra, 3000+ Venice, Sonata II, eVGA 6600GT, Corsair ValueSelect 1GB, Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 160g). To say I have a few questions would be an understatement, I'd sure appreciate any advice, tips or pointers to detailed building "How To's."

I have seen the excellent "How to Build" often posted here but it has little to no detail on what to do once the computer is assembled and posts. I am up to posting and going into the Bios to set the CD as the first boot but pretty much lost from there. Specifically:

k, let me give it a go.

Originally posted by: teddyv
1. Should Memtest and any other specific utils be run before loading the OS?

I never do and its never been a problem, but if you're really worried then you can try it.

Originally posted by: teddyv
2. Once any tests are run I take it that XP w/SP2 should be loaded.

Not sure about any tests. Just make sure to check your temps. That's the important thing. I would recommend getting a program called Motherboard Monitor 5. It allows you to look at your case/processor temps from inside windows.

Originally posted by: teddyv
a. I believe it is not necessary to load the raid drivers with the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra to use a Sata drive - can I just ignore these drivers if I have no interest in RAID setups? Is there a "no raid" Bios setting I need to make? Are there other steps I need to prepare for during the XP install (yes, I currently use WinMe...)

I think you'll need the SATA drivers that your motherboard should provide. When I installed a SATA hard drive for a friend WindowsXP wouldn't detect it unless I loaded the drivers.

Originally posted by: teddyv
b. I have a comcast cable modem, will the XP install automatically set that connection up for me? What info do I need?

You'll need to install the chipset drivers because those hold your ethernet drivers (I find it retarded that WindowsXP doesn't even include basic ethernet drivers..) Once you install the ethernet drivers then you should just be able to plug in an ethernet in to computer then in to your modem and it should work.

Originally posted by: teddyv
c. After the OS has installed do I install Norton AV and Zonealarm before going online for XP updates?

I would recommend installing XP updates before a firewall/antivirus just to avoid any chance of confliction. However, its not a big deal.

Originally posted by: teddyv
3. When the OS has loaded do I go get XP updates or do I then load the various drivers?

I would first install the chipset drivers. BTW, from a personal experience, I once installed the graphics card drivers then before restarting the computer, downloaded the graphics card driver that WinXP provided. That's a no-no. In fact, don't bother getting any hardware drivers from WinXP (except maybe using XP IDE drivers).

Originally posted by: teddyv
a. I've read the XP IDE drivers are far better than the ones I will get with my Mobo. Is this also true with other drivers? Is it better to use a new mobo driver package (if there is such a thing) downloaded from the Epox website or just use the ones on the mobo disk? Is there a "menu" that allows me to pick and choose which drivers to install and which to ignore?

I've read that too, and I'm using the XP drivers for my primary ide and secondary ide channels. Other than those, I wouldn't recommend using WinXP drivers. Just get them from the manufacturers.

Originally posted by: teddyv
b. Do I install the 6600GT Drivers or use the Mobo or the XP ones?

Definantly from nVidia. BTW, there are certain drivers that are madly tweaked for performance called XG drivers based off nVidia's drivers. Give them a shot if you want. They even improved performance on my brother's 6800GT in counter-strike 1.6!

Originally posted by: teddyv
c. Is there a definite progression of which drivers to install first? In other words, first NF4 drivers (except IDE, ???) then GPU, then Monitor, etc.

Not really, it is recommended to install chipset drivers first.

Originally posted by: teddyv
4. Do I need to flash the Bios anywhere in here?

You can if you want to. Its recommended to, but not really required unless you experience some issues with your motherboard. Its also recommended if you're an overclocker.

Originally posted by: teddyv
Thanks for reading and for any advice.

Hope I was able to clear some stuff up. I typed this rather quickly.

 

[mechBgon]

I'll reinforce my recommendation that you get a Netgear RP614 or similar router, to go between your cable modem and your computer

For the EPoX board, it'll probably arrive in no-RAID mode, with a Venice-compatible BIOS, and no special SATA drivers are likely to be required. Just give it a try without them, and if WinXP Setup sees your hard drive, you're home free.

Order in which to proceed... if it were me, I'd do this:

First get these items pre-downloaded and put them on a CD:

• nVidia 6.66 mobo drivers
• nVidia 78.01 video drivers
• Symantec/Norton Intelligent Updater
• Latest version of ZoneAlarm

1) unplug network cable

2) install WinXP w/SP2 and fully enable DEP like this. Set strong passwords on Admin-class accounts. Create your Limited-user account if you're going to try one out. Enable Automatic Updates when Windows Setup asks.

3) install the nVidia 6.66 motherboard driver package, but you can answer no to the SW IDE driver if you want to, I generally do. Reboot.

4) install your 78.01 video-card drivers, and reboot again

5) install ZoneAlarm (you're still offline here)

6) install Norton AntiVirus, and update its virus definitions offline using the Intelligent Updater file you pre-downloaded. Configure Norton, do not leave it in Nerf Mode, you want to go through the options and enable Heuristics (maximum), scanning of Expanded Threats like spyware/adware, and scanning within compressed files. Take no prisoners, that's what I say :evil:

7) Connect to the Internet, directly to the modem or through your router as the case may be. Update your antivirus software, reboot, and check for any further updates... Norton can take several rounds to get fully up-to-speed on its engine and other bits.

8) run your system through the Windows Update site a few times, and also try Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

9) if anyone else will be using the computer, make that Visitors account I mentioned and make it Limited-class, so no one comes along and nukes your work by installing 50 types of spyware/adware/viruses

10) you may need to install EPoX's driver for the onboard audio and possibly the network interface, depending how they did theirs.


I would set the memory voltage to 2.7 volts right off the bat too. Hope that helps some

 

[ones3k]

This is all you must do, its very simple:

1) since this is your first build, first read the motherboard manual front to back
2) Then install your hardware into the case and make sure everything is plugged in.
3) Attempt to boot system. If the system completes its POST (power on self test) it will say so on the screen and you should hear a beep. It will then look for an OS. Once you get to this point, you are all set and it means your system will start up.
4) If your system doesnt start up the first time (it may not). First remove all hardware except CPU, ram, vidcard. Then continue to add hardware from there. Double check everything is plugged in and make sure your power button is plugged into the motherboard =)
5) Now that your system is booting up, go into the BIOS and make some configurations. Most of the settings will be at appropriate values, you will have to change the boot order and you may have you manually override your RAM memlock value. For instance, my motherboard runs my ram at 100mhz (ddr200) by default, so i have to set it manually to 200mhz (ddr400).
6) Install windows
7) run windows update
8) install antivirus (if you use it, i personally have never used it and i almost never get viruses)
9) install firewall (again, if you use it. I never use these either =P)
10) install all your drivers, programs, etc
10b) install porn
11) By now, you should have a good feel for the stability of your system. If you experienced random crashes, lockups, etc then you may have a problem somewhere.
12) Now you need to stress test to check for system stability. Download and run prime95 overnight. You may even want to run loops of a 3d game or 3dmark, whatever you want, or possibly run prime95 AND loops of 3dmark This will stress your videocard too. You want to put some stress on your components to see if they are stable under load. IF you have a problem somewhere your computer will either crash or report errors during the stress testing period. If something is seriously wrong (serious heat issues, bad memory, bad cpu, etc) programs like prime95 will fail out very quickly.


I usually use no specific order for installing drivers. But this order works fine:
a) all mobo drivers off their CD, this will include onboard ethernet, onboard sound, chipset drivers, etc
b) videocard drivers
c) any other drivers you need.