[GbeTech]

It will be my first time to install any kind of OS, although my experience in computers is decent.

I've backed up everything I need (tell me if something's missing: personal notes, favorites, saved games, personal projects, software settings, software and games installations, music)

Now it's time to format and install.
I've read a guide about how to install XP.
And I honestly don't know what comes after that.

Drivers? Which drivers? Windows update? Internet connection? DX?

Can you list the actions needed to be done after installing XP, sorted chronologically?

Thank you very much.

[The_Oracle]

well, have the device drivers ready for your computer because windows XP is quite old and won't detect much of the devices used in modern PCs. (e.g. Chipset, Ethernet, Audio, Video)

update your installation CD. use nLite to slipstream Service Pack 3 and the latest bugfixes, saves you the hassle of updating and cleaning up later. if you computer has a SATA controller but no floppy drive, slipstream the controller driver to avoid the dreaded BSOD during setup.

[Billy the Adult]

GbeTech.. Drivers will be first thing after you install the OS. After installing the OS go to Device manager and look for yellow exclamations.. This will give you a list of which drivers weren't installed with Windows. Chipset first, video second, Ethernet /modem third.. After that it really doesn't matter which order you install them. If you are using recovery disks instead of a Windows XP disk all the drivers should install, but will likely need to be updated. As for backups I don't see your address book listed. (if you use web based e-mail you won't need this). Things such as games, and other software that was installed with cd's or downloaded will need to be install again.. Good Luck!

[Mumbodog]

What exact model of PC is it??

[GbeTech]

Originally Posted by Billy the Adult

GbeTech.. Drivers will be first thing after you install the OS. After installing the OS go to Device manager and look for yellow exclamations.. This will give you a list of which drivers weren't installed with Windows. Chipset first, video second, Ethernet /modem third.. After that it really doesn't matter which order you install them. If you are using recovery disks instead of a Windows XP disk all the drivers should install, but will likely need to be updated. As for backups I don't see your address book listed. (if you use web based e-mail you won't need this). Things such as games, and other software that was installed with cd's or downloaded will need to be install again.. Good Luck!

Does "Chipset" mean the drivers for the motherboard?
Should I look for model-based drivers for the modem / chipset, or are they universal? (Like DirectX, f.ex)

[Billy the Adult]

yes, they are drivers for the motherboard. Most manufacturers will have them on their support site. Keep in mind that seperate items like video, sound, etc that are also attached to the mobo will need theirs own drivers but should also be listed on the support site. If this is a name brand pc such as Dell, HP etc then you will be able to get drivers from them and not have to go to the actual mobo mfg's site.. One other suggestion.. if possible download and save all the drivers to a cd or flash drive.. especially the ethernet card/port.. because if you don't have another pc that you can access the net to get them you won't be able to once you wipe everything out..Good Luck!

[GbeTech]

Thanks Billy.
I have found my motherboard drivers, just couldn't find any for the modem:
This is my model
and here someone says it doesn't require a driver.

Or should I look for a driver for a network device, something like that? How do I know what's my network device? (I am writing from a different computer, the one with the BOOTMGR problem is connected like an external HD)

[Billy the Adult]

If you are talking about an external cable or dsl modem then it won't be on the same site and no it won't need a driver. Once you do your re-install go to device mamager and look for any yellow exclamation points.. these will be the items windows doesn't have drivers for and you will need.

[GbeTech]

Okay, everything is clear now

I can't decide which way to reinstall Windows suits better for me.
I googled it a bit, and apparently I have two options.
Just to make it clear, the current situation is this:
I'm now working on a second computer. The HD of the malfunctioning one is externally connected to the computer I'm writing from, so the 3 partitions I had (C: System, D: Games, and E: Programs) are now viewed as external HD and appear as D: System, E: Games and F: Programs.

I could:
1. Work from here (the second computer), and format the 3 partitions of the malfunctioning computer as external HD's. (My Computer -> Right click-> Format)
Or 2. Boot from the malfunctioning computer, use the WinXP CD, reformat everything and install XP.


Is one better than the other in some way?

[Billy the Adult]

You've never said what exactly is wrong with the 'malfunctioning' pc.. Is there some Windows issue, do you think it has a virus, are you getting error messages? Or do you just want to start fresh.. If so then my personal suggestion would be to copy/save the the files, documents etc to a type of transferable media like an external hard drive, DVD etc. and then put the original drive back in the pc. Boot from the XP cd, format and install.. You do realize either way your games and programs will have to be re-installed. Just saving the folder that a game is in doesn't make it run on another computer. So you will need the cd, download etc of all games, and programs.. files like pictures, music etc can be saved.. Formatting and re-installing everything including updates takes a long time.. plan on most of the day..

[GbeTech]

After two weeks of backing everything up and finding time to install windows, i'm back
Everything works fine, thanks to you everyone and especially Billy.