XP Clean Install. Some Questions.

[Guest]

I will be doing a clean install soon. I've got multiple backups of my
data and I will use the FAST Wizard to transfer my files and settings back
afterwards. (For convenience only. I'm not relying on it to save my files.)
I've read up on the process and I know the steps involved, but I still have a
few questions:

1. I've got SP1a and SP2 on disk. Do I need to install both of them, or
will the SP2 contain everything in sp1? (Even if it does, would it still be
better to proceed with SP1 first and then apply SP2 to it?)

2. After I've given my XP Product Key Number, should I disconnect from the
net at that point until the process is finished so that I'll have a firewall
and antivirus in place when I come back to it later (and thus minimize my
unsafe exposure to the Net) ? I had a virus which is why I'm doing the clean
install and I don't want to risk getting another one while in the process of
doing the clean install.

3. When should I install my motherboard driver and other drivers? Right
after the clean install is over and before SP2 is installed, or after SP2 is
installed?

4. Same question as in 3. above, but for programs.

5. Should I use the Files and Transfer Wizard after my programs are
re-installed, or before?

There are many good guides to installing XP, but none that seem to
deal with the peripheral issues I've mentioned. But so far as good guides
go, here's one that I found to be very clear and not as confusing for
computer newbies as some are:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm

Your help is much appreciated and any other advice anyone cares to
offer will be very welcome.

 

[Guest]

After xp is installed,1st install youre chipset installation utility,then
controller
drivers,and network drivers set to firewall on,restart computer.From
there,i run
windows update till its thru to SP2 install,install rest of hardware
drivers,then
SP2.Most all cds are worthless within a month or two,let windows update take
care of the OS.

 

[WTC]

I will be doing a clean install soon. I've got multiple backups of
my
data and I will use the FAST Wizard to transfer my files and settings back
afterwards. (For convenience only. I'm not relying on it to save my
files.)
I've read up on the process and I know the steps involved, but I still
have a
few questions:

1. I've got SP1a and SP2 on disk. Do I need to install both of them, or
will the SP2 contain everything in sp1? (Even if it does, would it still
be
better to proceed with SP1 first and then apply SP2 to it?)

You only need to apply SP2 since SP1 fixes are included with SP2. I also
would consider slipstreaming SP2 into the XP install CD. So when you install
Windows XP, Service Pack 2 would be already integrated into the OS.

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Create Bootable CD
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html

2. After I've given my XP Product Key Number, should I disconnect from
the
net at that point until the process is finished so that I'll have a
firewall
and antivirus in place when I come back to it later (and thus minimize my
unsafe exposure to the Net) ? I had a virus which is why I'm doing the
clean
install and I don't want to risk getting another one while in the process
of
doing the clean install.

I would disconnect from the internet when you start the clean install and
not connect till you have an anti-virus and firewall package installed. The
Windows Firewall will be turned on by default after installing SP2.

3. When should I install my motherboard driver and other drivers? Right
after the clean install is over and before SP2 is installed, or after SP2
is
installed?

I would install any drivers after installing SP2.

4. Same question as in 3. above, but for programs.

Install your programs after the SP2 installation, Windows Updates hotfixes
and the drivers installation.

5. Should I use the Files and Transfer Wizard after my programs are
re-installed, or before?

I would use the File and Transfer Wizard after the installation of your
programs. If you use FAST before installing programs, the user application
settings may be overwritten when you install the application.

 

[Guest]

Many thanks for your help, William and Andrew. Much appreciated.

All my original questions were answered, and then some. There's just
one more thing, concerning the drivers I'll need to install. Andrew, your
response has raised a couple more small questions in my mind. I'm not very
computer savvy and I'm not too familiar with the "chipset installation
utility" or "controller drivers" or "network drivers" you mention.

I do have the motherboard driver for my nVidia-nForce2 motherboard (it's
called a chipset driver ( nForce4_amd_6.70_winxp2k_english.exe) downloaded
(yesterday) from the motherboard manufacturers site and it's ready to
reinstall. (as well as the AC '97 audio driver). Are these the "chipset
installation utility" you mention? If not, what more do I need in regard to
the "chipset installation utility"?

The controllers listed in my hardware are called "nVidia -nForce 2" ATA
Controller (for IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers) . Wouldn't they be included in my
chipset driver?

I've looked in my Device Manager/Hardware but I can't see any place
for "Network Drivers" there. Maybe that makes sense, since I'm not on any
network. I just have one computer. But if I need these "Network Drivers"
what are they and where would I find them?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Guest]

Andrew: I found and downloaded a driver for something called "Realtek
RTL8139/810X Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC". Would this include the Network
Drivers you mentioned?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I will be doing a clean install soon. I've got multiple backups of my
data and I will use the FAST Wizard to transfer my files and settings back
afterwards. (For convenience only. I'm not relying on it to save my files.)
I've read up on the process and I know the steps involved, but I still have a
few questions:

1. I've got SP1a and SP2 on disk. Do I need to install both of them, or
will the SP2 contain everything in sp1? (Even if it does, would it still be
better to proceed with SP1 first and then apply SP2 to it?)

You need only install the most recent service pack. Microsoft designs
its service packs cumulatively, so that the newest one (SP2, in this
case) contains everything from SP1 that needed to be retained. However,
you'd likely save a lot of time by using the SP2 CD to create a
slip-streamed WinXP installation CD. Then, you wouldn't need to install
the service pack separately.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

2. After I've given my XP Product Key Number, should I disconnect from the
net at that point until the process is finished so that I'll have a firewall
and antivirus in place when I come back to it later (and thus minimize my
unsafe exposure to the Net) ? I had a virus which is why I'm doing the clean
install and I don't want to risk getting another one while in the process of
doing the clean install.

Er, well,.... no. You should not even think about connecting the
computer to the Internet until *after* you've finished the OS
installation, installed any service pack (if necessary), installed an
anti-virus application, and installed/enabled a firewall. Leave it
physically disconnected until you've safeguards in place.

3. When should I install my motherboard driver and other drivers? Right
after the clean install is over and before SP2 is installed, or after SP2 is
installed?

Immediately after the OS installation.

4. Same question as in 3. above, but for programs.

After you've finished installing and configuring the OS, any service
pack/patches/upgrades, and all device drivers.

5. Should I use the Files and Transfer Wizard after my programs are
re-installed, or before?

Were the programs installed when you created the FAST file? If so,
restore your setting after installing the applications; it should cut
down on some of the reconfiguration time. If not, it doesn't really matter.

Finally, after you're satisfied that all is well(and you'll have up to
30 days to decide this0, go ahead and Activate the installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

Many thanks Bruce.

Don

You need only install the most recent service pack. Microsoft designs
its service packs cumulatively, so that the newest one (SP2, in this
case) contains everything from SP1 that needed to be retained. However,
you'd likely save a lot of time by using the SP2 CD to create a
slip-streamed WinXP installation CD. Then, you wouldn't need to install
the service pack separately.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm




Er, well,.... no. You should not even think about connecting the
computer to the Internet until *after* you've finished the OS
installation, installed any service pack (if necessary), installed an
anti-virus application, and installed/enabled a firewall. Leave it
physically disconnected until you've safeguards in place.



Immediately after the OS installation.



After you've finished installing and configuring the OS, any service
pack/patches/upgrades, and all device drivers.




Were the programs installed when you created the FAST file? If so,
restore your setting after installing the applications; it should cut
down on some of the reconfiguration time. If not, it doesn't really matter.

Finally, after you're satisfied that all is well(and you'll have up to
30 days to decide this0, go ahead and Activate the installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Guest]

The installation went without any problem. Your help is appreciated.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

The installation went without any problem. Your help is appreciated.

Glad to hear it went well. You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry