Installing Vista Ultimate

[jzinckgra]

I am bulding a new sys: Asus p5Q deluxe, E8500, 4gb ram, etc. I've built other systems with Xp, but I was curious if there was a certain order in which drivers and the OS are installed. For instance, once I power up the mobo for the 1st time, should I update the bios 1st, then install vista? When installing vista, I read something about changing discs and installing the mobo drivers from the cd, before finishing the vista install. What's the preferred order of installation? thanks.

 

[eosmund]

If you have a BIOS update to apply, do that before installing Windows. If you have RAID you might want to load the RAID drivers from a USB thumbstick or disc at the beginning of the Vista install. That will only be necessary if the RAID array doesn't show up for you in the Vista installer.
After installing Vista, if you have network connectivity install the updates. I usually install the latest version of DirectX after the other updates. Then install the Intel chipset drivers, then the Matrix Storage Manager if you have RAID or use AHCI. After that install your video drivers and then the audio drivers.

 

[tboo]

I always run into the 4gb problem installing Vista so I pull a stick of RAM so its down to 2gb & install vista. After all of the vista updates are installed I put my other stick of RAM in.

 

[Synomenon]

That 4GB thing still happens? I've been installing Vista Ultimate x64 on my system w/o any problems ever since Vista's release...

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
That 4GB thing still happens? I've been installing Vista Ultimate x64 on my system w/o any problems ever since Vista's release...

It only happens with affected mobos on RTM installation media. A disc with SP1 will have the fix integrated.

 

[Scotteq]

I always seem to have less troubles when I install one thing at a time:


Download and burn to disc the latest/greatest drivers for everything, so you have them for later.

Assembly the comp

Install the latest Bios before you do anything else

Then install the OS

Then drivers for your motherboard and RAID array (if/as needed)


When you're done with local stuff, plug in the network cable, allow Vista to configure and update itself... restart...restart... until Vista is happy.

...and from long habit, I do graphics card drivers last