Do you install dx or gfx drivers first?

dx being?....

On assumption that you mean DirectX, its included with Service Pack 2, just get your windows updates done first and you won't need to install DX.
 
Direct X should be after the graphics drivers, as should the updates unless SP2 is required for said driver.

You should be on and up and running with basic security before you go online ideally. Couple of nasty exploits about if you do not have basic security up and running.
 
Yewen said:
Direct X should be after the graphics drivers, as should the updates unless SP2 is required for said driver.

You should be on and up and running with basic security before you go online ideally. Couple of nasty exploits about if you do not have basic security up and running.
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Not really, most XP disks now are slipstreamed with SP2, so your comment is an impossibility for some.

Its all about preference and whats easiest. You can hover around 1000's of forums and sites, and everyone has a different idea of what should go first, but in reality there isnt much difference. The handiest tip though, is to defrag the drive after every update, install or uninstall, this will yield more visable results if you wanted to make a comparison.
 
The way I normally do it is(Although now I often use a fully slipstreamed XP disk);

Windows XP
Graphics driver
Motherboard driver
Other drivers
Service pack 2
Defrag
Avast
Spybot
Connect to the internet
Zonealarm
Winamp
Winrar
Ultramon
Defrag
 
direct x first.

graphics card >> graphics drivers >> direct x >> program.
program >> graphics drivers >> direct x >> graphics card.


Thats the way data flows, and direct x is the underlying API that the drivers talk to, so it should be there first. and it is, with every version of windos its been shipped with. tbh though, it shouln't make much of a difference how you install them, but i like to install software in a logical working order, to minimise problems

API >> drivers >> regular software. does me good:)
 
t31os said:
Not really, most XP disks now are slipstreamed with SP2, so your comment is an impossibility for some.

Its all about preference and whats easiest. You can hover around 1000's of forums and sites, and everyone has a different idea of what should go first, but in reality there isnt much difference. The handiest tip though, is to defrag the drive after every update, install or uninstall, this will yield more visable results if you wanted to make a comparison.
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If it is slipstreamed onto the disk then fine, but if your downloading it then the priority should be some protection for the net.

Been got by a couple of viri on some peoples PC's while downloading SP2. Rare, but you need the protection to be there before the OS is patched really. Quite a few nasty programs prey on un-upated hardware while your updating.

I have my XP disk as release, no service packs or anything, and I have a slipstreamed SP2 one. But I just run a ghost image of the OS drive to quickly restore a fresh install, as you say 1000's of ways to do it, just be careful browsing the net with a unprotected OS.
 
Yewen said:
If it is slipstreamed onto the disk then fine, but if your downloading it then the priority should be some protection for the net.

Been got by a couple of viri on some peoples PC's while downloading SP2. Rare, but you need the protection to be there before the OS is patched really. Quite a few nasty programs prey on un-upated hardware while your updating.

I have my XP disk as release, no service packs or anything, and I have a slipstreamed SP2 one. But I just run a ghost image of the OS drive to quickly restore a fresh install, as you say 1000's of ways to do it, just be careful browsing the net with a unprotected OS.
Click to expand...

Yes very valid point there mate, i seem to forget this because i've had a router for long time now and don't ever seem to have an issue with dodgy files coming down the line. Perhaps i've been lucky, but i did encounter the dodgy file issue in the past so i hear ya on that one.
 
Yeh you can get the dodgey files, but they wont even activate due to the firewall.

Just can be a pain if you get the one that does the reboots. :p
 
Yewen said:
If it is slipstreamed onto the disk then fine, but if your downloading it then the priority should be some protection for the net.

Been got by a couple of viri on some peoples PC's while downloading SP2. Rare, but you need the protection to be there before the OS is patched really. Quite a few nasty programs prey on un-upated hardware while your updating.

I have my XP disk as release, no service packs or anything, and I have a slipstreamed SP2 one. But I just run a ghost image of the OS drive to quickly restore a fresh install, as you say 1000's of ways to do it, just be careful browsing the net with a unprotected OS.
Click to expand...

you only need a firewall for that. you dont need to install anything else:)
 
Download service pack 2 seperate, keep the ethernet unplugged while you install windows etc.... then plug it back in once you have sp2 installed.

Thats what i use to do. However every PC i work on is generally done from home, or most people i know have a router so this problem never comes up.

Gave up on crappy software firewalls some time ago, they just don't cut it compared to the hardware alternative, and of course more software = less performance, the same as anything, the more you add, the slower it gets. I'm personally dropping using any anti-virus, because i'm a performance freak, and although i keep getting told my system will handle it, i can see the difference between having it and not. Unless you literally disable the services the AV runs, its still has impact on performance. I would not however recommend not having an anti-virus or firewall if you dont have a router.

I've dealt with viruses and hackers manually a few times in the past, it comes with using a PC for a long time, you generally know when something is up.
 
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