Format/Installation sequence?

[lost0822]

Well i'm needing to reformat tonight with my new build since some things still are just not right. Do you guys have any suggestions as to what order i should re-install everything..i'm hearing that could be the source of my problems, maybe i did something out of order the first time. i game a lot if that makes any difference. thanks.

 

[CraigRT]

I always do it like this:

OS
mobo/chipset drivers. (incl direct-x)
network drivers for internet access if they are not already there.
windows updates.
every other driver in any particular order afterwards... usually start with video because i want to work with a good res/refresh rate.

 

[chocoruacal]

There's a lot of voodoo out there on this subject. Your best bet is to install any Windows updates first, so that you don't get a virus/trojan the first time you connect to the net :roll: Then install any drivers. Then install programs. I wouldn't worry about the order of the drivers.

 

[mbackof]

Like Chocoruacal said, you don't want to have the PC on an internet connection for long without Windows patches and a virus scanner with up to date .dat files. I usually do this:
Install OS
Install mobo/chipset drivers
install network drivers
install video drivers
install windows updates
install virus scanner and update the .dat files
install utilities - winzip, spybot, etc...

 

[mechBgon]

The top link in my signature touches on the topic of protecting your system from worms when it's in its vulnerable just-built state. As for the order to proceed, I'd go

Unplug network cable
Install Windows
Give all accounts strong passwords to thwart share-hopping worms
Patch Windows with SP2 offline (go get it in advance and burn to CD)
Enable WinXP's firewall
Install Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1

so now you have the known weaknesses eliminated, plus a firewall and DirectX 9.0C. Next...

Install mobo chipset drivers, reboot
Install video drivers
Install other drivers
Take a snack break while running Defrag

so now you have a patched, firewalled system with its drivers installed.

Install antivirus software and configure it to play hardball
Plug in network cable
Update antivirus software
Check for Windows Updates
Run Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1 for more dirt on your security


Hope that helps

 

[overclock]

first slipstream sp2 into windows. a great easy method described here.

go to and learn how to do an unattended install. avoid the nlite program.

ghost it for a backup and enjoy.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
The top link in my signature touches on the topic of protecting your system from worms when it's in its vulnerable just-built state. As for the order to proceed, I'd go

Unplug network cable
Install Windows
Give all accounts strong passwords to thwart share-hopping worms
Patch Windows with SP2 offline (go get it in advance and burn to CD)
Enable WinXP's firewall
Install Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1

so now you have the known weaknesses eliminated, plus a firewall and DirectX 9.0C. Next...

Install mobo chipset drivers, reboot
Install video drivers
Install other drivers
Take a snack break while running Defrag

so now you have a patched, firewalled system with its drivers installed.

Install antivirus software and configure it to play hardball
Plug in network cable
Update antivirus software
Check for Windows Updates
Run Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1 for more dirt on your security


Hope that helps

You say "configure it to play hardball"...what exactly do you mean by that?

And further...what antivirus software would you say "plays hardball" the best right now?

-Shiz

 

[MustISO]

avoid the nlite program.

What's wrong with nlite? I used it today although I haven't done an install with the CD yet.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: tHa ShIzNiT

Originally posted by: mechBgon
The top link in my signature touches on the topic of protecting your system from worms when it's in its vulnerable just-built state. As for the order to proceed, I'd go

Unplug network cable
Install Windows
Give all accounts strong passwords to thwart share-hopping worms
Patch Windows with SP2 offline (go get it in advance and burn to CD)
Enable WinXP's firewall
Install Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1

so now you have the known weaknesses eliminated, plus a firewall and DirectX 9.0C. Next...

Install mobo chipset drivers, reboot
Install video drivers
Install other drivers
Take a snack break while running Defrag

so now you have a patched, firewalled system with its drivers installed.

Install antivirus software and configure it to play hardball
Plug in network cable
Update antivirus software
Check for Windows Updates
Run Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1.2.1 for more dirt on your security


Hope that helps

You say "configure it to play hardball"...what exactly do you mean by that?

And further...what antivirus software would you say "plays hardball" the best right now?

-Shiz

By "hardball," I mean:

• It scans all files and email attachments, no exceptions
• It scans within compressed files
• It uses heuristics
• If it finds an infected item, it will either delete it or at least quarantine it
• If it finds an infected item, it will NOT ask the user for a judgement call, it will act autonomously
• If it's possible to lock the antivirus program so people cannot disable it, that can be a good idea if it's a multi-user computer
• The computer should check for fresh antivirus definitions at least once a day (at work, our systems check every 15 minutes for new virus definitions now)

How many people use your computer, and if it's more than just you, do you trust the other peoples' judgement as much as your own or moreso?

 

[Smilin]

Format/Installation sequence?

It's generally better to do the format before installation instead of the other way around.