Windows renistall: Drivers

weyland yutani · 10 Dec 2013 at 11:41

I fancy reinstalling Windows 7 (x64) but I'm unsure which drivers I need. Is it safe to assume the list of drivers from my motherboard manufacturers site are all current?

http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-GD65--B3-.html#/?div=Driver&os=Win7 64

I know I need chipset, Ethernet, usb3, audio etc but I'm unsure about the Intel stuff near the top of the list:

Intel Smart Connect Technology Driver
Intel Rapid Start Technology Driver for 6x Series
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Floppy Driver (F6)

Im installing onto a single HDD so no fancy raid or SSD setup. I dont see a driver for Intel sata, only Marvell. Is this all handled by the chipset or is it one of the other Intel drivers??

Is it better to install all these before updating windows too? Cheers.

Joshct · 10 Dec 2013 at 14:24

If you have a spare machine to download drivers from, just go ahead and reinstall, then grab drivers one by one (start with all the chipset drivers). If not grab as many as you can before hand, or at the very least all network related drivers.

I install plenty of intel rapid storage bla bla on various dell systems at work, never seen any problem caused by them and they do occasionally seem to be the driver that solves the missing driver issue.

I generally get all the drivers installed before win update yes, not sure if it's best practice or not, it's just easier to get the machine up and running and then take care of software / updates etc.

ShakenNstirred · 10 Dec 2013 at 17:49

win 7 will find most if not all the drivers

weyland yutani · 11 Dec 2013 at 07:59

Not sure about that, windows never installed USB3 or Audio drivers etc on my current install.

I wish manufacturers would make these things more clear, guess I'l just install everything they listed and hope for the best.

Duke · 11 Dec 2013 at 08:18

The ones you listed are the main ones to have ready. I would just have the ethernet driver to hand in case it isn't picked up and then grab the rest that Windows Update doesn't install after. You only need to look on Device Manager to work out what is needed except the Intel chipset drivers which you should do any way.

darael · 11 Dec 2013 at 09:31

I agree with Duke, your network drivers should be downloaded and ready. I've been caught out once or twice where Windows hasn't got the drivers for the network adapter.