[CJLMTLCA]

I'll be re-installing windows due to some hd/partition reconfiguring and want
some advice. My curent install is about 2 years and running ok for the most part.
I made this checklist:

01 - finalize bios settings
02 - install windows
03 - install chipset drivers
04 - move pagefile
05 - change some default windows settings
06 - install PerfectDisk7
07 - defrag C
08 - install norton personal firewall
09 - install norton anti-virus 2006
10 - install norton ghost 9
11 - connect to the information superhighway
12 - activate windows
13 - norton update
14 - windows update
15 - install catalyst
16 - off / install x-fi
17 - on / install x-fi drivers
18 - off / install tvwonderelite
19 - on / install tvwonderelite drivers
20 - install usb keyboard
21 - install usb mouse
22 - install usb joypad
23 - install usb remotewonder
24 - install remotewonder drivers
25 - install usb printer
26 - install printer drivers
27 - install usb harddrive
28 - off / install serial tablet
29 - on / install tablet drivers
30 - install mmc9.13
31 - *done* install apps and games...
32 - die from shear amount of reboots...

I'm not sure at what point to install catalyst? I guess it doesn't matter, I'll have to re-install it when 6.3 comes out.
Should I do my PCI cards one at a time or slam everything in, boot and install drivers? (for IRQ sakes)
Should I install all the norton stuff before windows update? I guess it's safer.
Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[Dyre Straits]

At some point early on, you'll want to install the latest DirectX drivers. There's a February, 2006 release just out a couple weeks ago.

I normally install my video drivers early on. But, you'll need to make sure you have .NET framework installed for the official ATi CCC.

As for the PCI cards: I'd do them one at a time and make sure they're functioning properly before moving to the next one.

[Al_Vampyre]

I usually install ATI or Omega drivers immediately after the chipset drivers because having a decent resolution and smooth response makes the other stuff so much quicker to do....

Never had an issue either way with PCI cards...

[CJLMTLCA]

I forgot about those. I have XP pre-SP2. .Net 1.1 gets installed with windows update no?
So, I should do SP2, all the updates, install DX9, .NET 2.0, then Catalyst?

...
12 - activate windows
13 - norton update
14 - windows SP2
15 - windows update
15 - install DX9
16 - install .NET 2.0
17 - install catalyst
...


or DX, NET and Catalyst before windows update?

Actualy I can D/L all that manualy, put them on a CD prior to wipping my drives and
install without needing to connect to the net... then just need windows update after
all the base installs are done...

[swimtech]

As a rule of thumb, I'll generally get all the hardware and drivers necessary before adding any 'application' software. However, this does mean having another computer available beforehand to download the drivers and so forth to, then transfer to a USB flash storage device or burn to a CD to have it ready when I do the scratch install.

Myy order goes like this - note that I don't connect to the internet until the last steps...

Physically install all hardware first
Manufacturer's hard drive setup stuff, (format and partition drive with this too)
Windows w/SP2 (also, format and partition drive here with the XP disk before the Windows installation actually begins, if not done with manufacturer's drive setup stuff)
bios and chipset updates
pagefile move, if desired
.Net and DirectX
audio drivers
monitor INF driver, if needed.
video drivers and control panel
DAO, Encoder, TV drivers, RemoteWonder, and MMC
any other hardware drivers
antivirus, spyware, firewall, Perfectdisk, Norton stuff
Get ISP going
activate Windows
Windows update, ignore and avoid hardware driver updates
Install applications...

[riles9262]

I'm very similar to you swimtech. Unplug network connection and go. Partition and install windows > sp2 and pagefile move > chipset drivers > vid card and other hardware (sound driver last) > security software > get internet going, install and update rest of apps and games and tweak windows.

[CJLMTLCA]

So everything went smoothly. I D/Led SP2, .NET1.1, .NET1.1fix, .NET2.0, DX9.0c, IntelINFupdate, CCC6.3 and MMC9.13. Slammed all that on a CD
and powered off. I then changed my HDs from 2x80GB and 1x300GB to 2x300GB. After finally sat down with the mobo manual and learned the
IRQ sharing table, with that I dumped my fax card and configured my remaining tv tuner and sound cards perfectly. No more conflicts.

I unplugged my network cable, all usb devices, removed PCI cards, so basicaly only had vid card and a PS/2 mouse and keyboard plugged in.
I booted into the windows CD, partitioned my HDs (knocked that down from 9 partitions to 5 now) and installed windows. I was getting BSOD
through the install and was freaking out, couldn't figure out what was wrong. I did alot of stress testing on my components so I know my H/W
was good. Finaly, it WAS hardware. By mistake I configured my ram to 2-2-3-5, instead of 2-3-2-5, so i was overclocking causing failure.
Once I set it to the correct timmings, hasta la vista blue screen. Don't install windows 15 times! Check your hardware people!


So:
Setup BIOS
WindowsXP and changed a few settings in windows here and there
Moved pagefile
Chipset drivers
SP2
.NET 1.1 and Hotfix
.Net 2.0
DirectX 9.0c (feb06)
USB mouse and keyboard
CCC 6.3
At this point I installed each PCI card one at a time and then their drivers and made sure everything was running ok.
Then installed all remaining USB devices one at a time and drivers where needed.
Norton Anti Virus
Norton Firewall
Norton Ghost
Connect to Internet
Norton updates
Activate Windows so Bill can sleep at night.
Windows updates
Perfect Disk
Defrag C
MMC 9.13
GuidePlus+
Done!
From here on start to re-install apps and games.

In the end, reducing the number of HDs and partitions, reducing PCI cards and re-aranging the others, replacing 2 ODs with 1 DL DVD burner, cleaning
up case wirring, fresh up-to-date windows install, setting BIOS and RAM properly and going from a 1024x768 res to 1280x1024, makes for a brand
new system feel where everything flies. Even MMC works better, HA!, didn't see that coming...

Happy computing!