Looking for a computer set-up checklist?

defender · 29 Jun 2006 at 00:32

I'm clearing out my system and starting from scratch again with a new hard disk and a fresh install of Windows XP w/ SP2 (I made a CD with SP2 integrated).

It's been a while since I've done this and I'm sure it'll be a walk in the park but I did want to pop by and ask a few questions. I guess the first is whether there is a checklist anywhere of all the necessary software/applications/drivers to be installed starting from the OS?

I know my motherboard manual tells me to install chipset software, intel accelerator, audio/usb/lan drivers, etc. and then I need to update all the drivers with the latest version after setting up my net. I know it's not very hard but it'd be nice if there was a checklist I could just run through as I'm doing it.

Oh, and where's a good BIOS optimisation guide? As mentioned below I'm running a P4 2.4b on an Abit AI7 with 1gb ram and as of tomorrow a 320gb SATA-II Barracuda.

Cheers!

Yewen · 29 Jun 2006 at 01:48

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17180569 Not BIOS but a good windows one.

Just install drivers, security software, connect to net, update.

That is the order I do things in, keeps me relatively secure while I get the updates.

Or you get them ready before you do the OS install, and stick in a disk to get you up to date.

SiriusB · 29 Jun 2006 at 03:36

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34836

A video tutorial for how best to setup and tweak a fresh WindowsXP install.

Obviously if you will need to substitute various drivers for the ones you require, but as long as you follow the order then you shouldn't have any issues.

One section of the guide shows the author disabling various Windows XP services. Whether or not you do this is completely optional. However I can tell you that you will not break anything by disabling the services shown in the video. In fact I have disabled all the services shown in the video and more!

EDIT: There is no sound in the video other than some extremely dodgy background music! Also, the order in which the author carries out his installations while considered the "best" way, it is by no means set in stone.

SiriusB

defender · 29 Jun 2006 at 10:20

Awesome, thanks a lot guys!

bledd · 29 Jun 2006 at 11:00

windows updates!

give firefox a run too, its a nicer browser than IE

defender · 30 Jun 2006 at 12:12

Was actually thinking about making the move from IE to Firefox!

Btw, is it even worth bothering with the drivers that come with the motherboard? These include the Intel Chipset Software, Intel Application Accelerator RAID (I don't use RAID anyway), audio drivers, LAN drivers and USB drivers.

Won't the latest versions of all these be installed anyway when you install the service packs and do a Windows Update?