Preparing to format and reinstall XP

[ostrich69]

I am preparing to format, re-partition and re-install windows, so I can start from the beginning.

I have an A7n8x-x motherboard, with PNY GeForce 5600 Ultra Video card, 1.5 GB of RAM, 120 GB HD, and Windows XP Pro.

I also have a Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard 1.0A
and a Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0, and a DI-624 Wireless Router, plus a webcam, and a printer.

My plan was to first delete my C: and D: partitions. I was then planning on creating a 5 gb C:\ partition for XP Pro, then an application, game, and storage partition.

I have a lot of drivers to install once windows has finished installing. Is there any order of which I should install drivers once Windows has finished installing? Is there an easy way of doing this? I was also planning to use FDISK to partition my HD, since that is the application I am familiar with. Will my wireless keyboard work once windows is wiped out and I am using FDISK to create the partitions? Will I have to reinstall the drivers for my router as well? Can anyone offer any advice as to how I should proceed?

 

[vacunita]

First the keyboard issue, the wireless devices might prove a problem, if i were you i'd get a wired keyboard and wired ouse if only for the installation and fdisking.

Whe you're installing, strp the PC to the bare minimum, that is only one optical drive, and only one stick of RAM. i'm guessing 512MB. And nothing else attatched.

Second, You can use Fdisk for the partitioning, or the Windows XP disk will also do it. I personally would use the Windows XP disc to create the 5GB(i recommenn 10GB) partition for Windows, and then once it is up and running create the other partitions using some tool like PArtition Magic. or something.

Thid Driver installations:

Thie first thing to install and update should be the MB drivers. So everything works as expcected. Then I would go for the Network card or modem, So The internet is up, Then Sound and video Drivers if seperate from MB, and Lastly the peripherals. Such as the webcam and printer.



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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[linney]

See if your keyboard works in your Bios, that should prove or disprove any likely problems.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

It is not likely to be a problem in which order drivers are installed as long as all the needed drivers are installed.

XP includes so many drivers in the install, so any missing or updated ones can easily be installed within XP without problems. The exception would be with SATA hard drive drivers (installed via F6) so XP can access the hard drive in the fist place.