Windows 7 - How to install device drivers during Windows7 install

During the installation process of Windows 7 it is possible to load drivers, e.g. the downloaded SATA, LAN and Graphics drivers for a specific motherboard (MoBo ASUS P7P55D).
However, these files are compressed zip files and Unzipping delivers a set of folders with in each a number of files. Which are the device drivers?
In other words: what is the extension of a device driver? Inf? And how to present it?

No, not during installation. The Windows 7 DVD normally has all drivers on it. When you have completed the install, it will search the internet for drivers and DL if needed. You should be OK.

Hiya pal and welcome to the forums

You used to be able (with a legal version of XP and key) to use Nlite to create a "unattended" installation in which you could slipstream (incorporate) service packs and drivers etc. I've use Nlite in the past and it works really well.
But from what I've read (haven't tried yet) rt7Lite seems to do the same thing for Windows 7 32/64 bit. (please note you need a legal version and valid installation key of Windows 7 to make this software work correctly)

Thanks for the replies. NLite (excellent for WXP) and RT7Lite (the same for Windows 7) I did slipstream Sata driver to an OEM Windows 7 Ultimate DVD (has only one language: Dutch).
The installation of Windows 7 was going well until copying files, however the succeeding action of unpacking these files stopped after about 30%.
I have tried the installation several times with always the same (bad) result: with and without the 100MB system partition, by formatting (to ntfs) with Windows disk manager or without, but with GParted. As a conclusion the Sata driver would not be the problem (that was Slipstreamed on beforehand and the installation was starting). However, I am not sure about the Graphic driver and therefore would load this driver during the installation process of Windows7. That is, for sure, an option in the Windows 7 install process (not in WXP).
Thus, my question stands: how are driver files characterised, with what sort of extension, i.e. inf??

Personally i would say let the install do all that it needs to upto and including the install of the sp1 update. Then install any drivers for what you need. You should not need to install any drivers before hand. including any sata drivers.
During the install choose the fresh/new install option then when you get to the hard drive install choice select advanced, delete(to remove any old systems) then install to your selected drive.

Could you post your system specs as that would help others to help you.

Raz

Yes, can take at this tutorial:
SATA Driver - Load in Windows 7 or Vista Setup

You can do this. My Windows 7 install disk installs unattended including Chipset, ATK, RAID/SATA, LAN, Wireless Adaptor, Audio and Graphics (Nvidia) drivers. Also Motherboard utilites, Nvidia Systemtools, .Net Framework 4.0, Office2010 and Windows and Office updates.

Unattended drivers and software can be time consuming as you need to find the unattended switch and test installations.

Drivers that are inf files alone can be placed in a folder named "$WinPEDriver$" in the root folder of the install disk, this will only install the driver no software that is included with the driver. Software and .exe driver installs can be installed via the "Autounattend.xml" file under "RunSynchronousCommand" if they install unattended.

If this is what you want it will take time to get everything working and you will need to start by downloading the Windows 7 AIK (Automated Installation Kit). I would also Google a little and I will be happy to provide any help you need.

PS. SP1 cannot be slipstreamed without third party software. Best to start with Win 7 with SP1 install disk. This can be obtained via the internet and use your own serial although I don't know if thats entirly legal.

You really shouldn't mess with the original install disc, if you truly want the best results. Let Windows 7 install, and then have all of your drivers handy on a flash drive, read to be installed.

Think about it. Are you really going to want to recreate and reburn a disc everytime a driver gets updated? I'm a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. way of thinking. Keep it simple. Too many people spend too much time worrying about things that yield no real value or results.
Considering the site everyone goes to is owned by Microsoft, it is completely legal.

Yes recreating the disc would be a pain thats why I use a external hard drive via usb to install then I can just replace the old with the new with a simple delete old, copy, paste new. Altough this can cause failed installs if the driver/software has changed considerably, not that I have had this problem. Only my chipset and graphics driver gets updated, I have a old motherboard that no longer gets updated.

This is true, but in my case a normal installation of Windows takes roughly 17mins then installing the rest takes more time which I have to sit there with a short time between installs, some longer than others. With unattended install it takes roughly an hour and a half so I know I can start a install and do something else for that time then come back and install the rest.

Original device driver files from ASUS-P7P55D Mother Board for SATA, LAN or Graphics card can be downloaded from internet (ASUSTeK Computer Inc.) in a compressed form (zip). Extracting these zip-files delivers a number of files.

So my question is: which one are the real and usable device drivers.
In other words: how are device drivers itself characterised, what sort is their file-extension, i.e. inf??