Proper Driver Installation Order
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| Motherboard BIOS Files | ||
| Pre- Install |
Motherboard BIOS - Flash
Update (or immediately after the OS install) |
Use the
newest BIOS files prior to any install. Check with the manufacturer of your Motherboard. |
|
|
Primary Platform Drivers | |
| 1 | OS - Operating System Fresh Install on a Hard Drive |
Fresh Operation System Installation Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 are recommended. Alternatives: Linux or Intel/x86 versions of UNIX |
| OS - Drivers for: RAID, SCSI or non-integrated drive controllers | A floppy disk with drivers for the Windows "F6" setup option is a must for SCSI, RAID or other non-integrated drive controllers. | |
| 2 | Operating System - Update Packs |
Service Pack or Cumulative Patches Such as Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Windows 2000 SP4. |
| 3 | Motherboard - Chipset
Drivers A very important install. The most often overlooked step. |
Chipset Software Installation Utility Intel (chipsets) Intel INF Utility named: infinst_enu.exe VIA (chipsets) VIA 4in1 INF Utility 4in1xxxx.exe or NVIDIA, SiS, ALi chipset driver updates. |
| 4 | Operating System -
Multimedia APIs (Multimedia Subsystem Updates) |
Install the latest
Microsoft DirectX. Microsoft DirectX v9.0c |
| 5 | Final Motherboard Drivers |
Install any additional, updated IDE or SCSI drivers. Intel (non RAID chipsets) File named: iaaxx_enu.exe Intel (RAID chipsets) File named: iaarxxx_enu.exe |
| All Other Drivers | ||
| 6 | Video | See the specific
manufacturer's website for current drivers. Primarily ATI, Matrox and NVIDIA websites. |
| 7 | Sound | See the specific
manufacturer's website for current drivers. Primarily Creative, Philips and Yamaha websites. |
| 8 | LAN Adapters | See the specific
manufacturer's website for current drivers. Primarily 3com, Intel, Linksys, Netgear and other websites. |
| 9 | Modem | See the specific
manufacturer's website for current drivers. Primarily Creative, US Robotics, Zoom and other websites. |
|
*10,
finally, install drivers for any other devices not listed above. |
||
And that's the gist of it.