Optimal installation order

[FreeWolF]

Hi! I have a question about the installation of Windows 7.
Here is my PC config.
Gigabyte P55A-UD3R (with last beta bios)
Intel core i5
Ati radeon 5750
Mouse g9x
Keyboard 600 logitech
Webcam logitech
Audio and lan integrated into motherboard (realtek)
Monitor hp 2009v
Router netgear dg834g v5
4 gb ram

My question is: what is the ideal installation order of drivers, updates and programs in a clean Windows 7 64 bit installation?

For example, first chipset drivers and then lan, of first do updates and then drivers etc...

Thank you very much!!!

 

[seavixen32]

My route would be:

Chipset Driver
Video Driver
Local Area Network Driver
Audio Adapter Driver
Wireless Network Adapter Driver
Keyboard and Mouse Drivers
All Windows Updates
Individual applications + updates with a reboot between each application installation.

 

[marsmimar]

FWIW, I'd suggest the first installation should be your antimalware of choice. Since you'll have to be connected to the internet soon after installing Windows 7 in order to get updates, etc I think an unprotected machine would be a prime target.

 

[seavixen32]

Good shout marsmimar - I hadn't even given that one a thought.

 

[FreeWolF]

Thanks for the replies. I have an another question. In the bios settings I can select the hard disk mode in "RAID", "IDE", "AHCI". I have a seagate barracuda 1,5tb sata2. If I try to use AHCI sometimes and only when I install Windows, the system freeze during hdd recognition at startup in the bootstrap procedure. If I use IDE settings everything is ok.
There is a big speed differences between AHCI setting and IDE setting?

And the last: why when I install Windows sometimes everything is perfect and sometimes with the same configuration and steps I get errors? For example in updates, sometimes I can install all updates with no errors and other times I get One or two updates unknown error. But if I do again the updates after a reboot everything is ok...

 

[marsmimar]

Another FWIW.

If IDE allows you to install Windows 7 without system freezes, that's what I'd use just for the installation process. Once you have everything installed and working to your satisfaction I'd go back to AHCI and see if everything continues to work. If it does, great. If not, use IDE. What are the speed differences between the two? If just a few seconds I wouldn't be too concerned over it (although some folks seem to obsess over a few milliseconds.) If you're talking about a few minutes, then there might be something else contributing to the slow down.

I've noticed that when installing large groups of updates the chances of having errors is much greater than when I install just a few at a time (like no more than 5.) It also makes it a lot easier to determine which update might be causing a problem. You simply uninstall the last five and then install them one at a time. They'll either all install without problem or you'll know exactly which update is causing the problem. As to why this happens? Your internet connect might have a hiccup during a download, your electric company may have glitched the power to your house, etc.

Sometimes I can drink an entire can of my favorite beverage in one session with no ill effects. Other times I start to cough after just a few swallows for no apparent reason.

 

[theog]

When installing in AHCI mode, you may need to use the Intel SATA Preinstall Driver.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/68505-sata-driver-load-windows-7-vista-setup.html

If you use the Gigabyte Driver CD, this will install drivers in the correct order

 

[marsmimar]

Good info ^^^. Completely slipped my mind.

 

[FreeWolF]

When installing in AHCI mode, you may need to use the Intel SATA Preinstall Driver.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/68505-sata-driver-load-windows-7-vista-setup.html

If you use the Gigabyte Driver CD, this will install drivers in the correct order

The system freeze during the bios bootstrap sequence not Windows. And when the system freeze, I can't enter in the bios for modify that setting. I have to reset the bios with a jumper into motherboard and then it go. It isn't a driver software issue I think

 

[theog]

Gigabyte P55A-UD3R (with last beta bios)

I would check with Gigabyte, for problems with the BETA BIOS.

 

[FreeWolF]

Gigabyte P55A-UD3R (with last beta bios)

I would check with Gigabyte, for problems with the BETA BIOS.

No issues reported. The same error occour with the previous versions too.

 

[Dwarf]

My preferred installation order is as follows:

1. The OS itself (and any storage drivers, if required).
2. Service Pack(s), if not pre-integrated into the OS.
3. Chipset drivers (if suitable drivers aren't included in the OS).
4. Network drivers (LAN and wireless).
5. Audio/Graphics drivers.
6. Mouse/Keyboard drivers.
7. Drivers for other hardware, such as scanners and printers.
8. Security software (3rd-party firewall, anti-virus, anti-malware, etc). See note.

Note. If you haven't already downloaded the drivers, your security software should be the first thing to install after Step 1 above.

 

[jumanji]

Good Dwarf, you mentioned the service pack. . I wish the Op has got the OS with SP1. That will be cooler still.

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks for the replies. I have an another question. In the bios settings I can select the hard disk mode in "RAID", "IDE", "AHCI". I have a seagate barracuda 1,5tb sata2. If I try to use AHCI sometimes and only when I install Windows, the system freeze during hdd recognition at startup in the bootstrap procedure. If I use IDE settings everything is ok.
There is a big speed differences between AHCI setting and IDE setting?

And the last: why when I install Windows sometimes everything is perfect and sometimes with the same configuration and steps I get errors? For example in updates, sometimes I can install all updates with no errors and other times I get One or two updates unknown error. But if I do again the updates after a reboot everything is ok...

You will often get an error thrown up if you try to install an update before a previous one has completed, and by completed I mean a restart after you have installed an update(s).

Some updates require a restart to be configured correctly, some don't, but I still think a restart is a good idea after any fresh install.

 

[JimN262]

FWIW, I'd suggest the first installation should be your antimalware of choice. Since you'll have to be connected to the internet soon after installing Windows 7 in order to get updates, etc I think an unprotected machine would be a prime target.

If the machine is behind a NAT router, then there will be no open "listening" ports exposed to the Internet, so the risk of immediate direct infection is tiny. (Worms like Blaster and Sasser depended on services listening on open ports.)

IIRC Windows 7 will want to get updates fairly early in the install process and I would let it do that. Windows will be able to come up withe drivers that are sufficient to boot the motherboard, and you can install antivirus at that point, then continue with the driver installation.

If OTOH the machine has an IP address that is bridged right onto the Internet, i.e., does NOT have a private IP address like 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, etc., I guess I would unplug the network cable, do everything else, and then go back for the updates.

 

[gregrocker]

Why are we giving XP-era advice here?

Win7 is driver-complete. After install and optional Updates during which newer drivers will be delivered, you only need to import missing drivers or those which are causing performance problems.

MS spent a fortune getting the drivers into the installer and available via optional Updates to avoid the problems with early Vista where manufacturers held out to force us to buy newer hardware. They built many drivers themselves, subsidized millions of dollars to manufacturers to build drivers, and they hold back drivers that are not optimal for Win7.

Win7 is the authority on its drivers.

 

[theog]

When installing in AHCI mode, you may need to use the Intel SATA Preinstall Driver.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/68505-sata-driver-load-windows-7-vista-setup.html

If you use the Gigabyte Driver CD, this will install drivers in the correct order

The system freeze during the bios bootstrap sequence not Windows. And when the system freeze, I can't enter in the bios for modify that setting. I have to reset the bios with a jumper into motherboard and then it go. It isn't a driver software issue I think

Gigabyte P55A-UD3R (with last beta bios)

I would check with Gigabyte, for problems with the BETA BIOS.

Gigabyte P55A-UD3R (with last beta bios)

I would check with Gigabyte, for problems with the BETA BIOS.

No issues reported. The same error occour with the previous versions too.

I would reseat all the hardware, & clean out all dust.