PROPER way to install after a reformat/reinstall

[Sc0rp10n]

is the true proper way to do a reformat/reinstall to leave the video card out of the system when you reformat/reinstall xp. just hook the monitor up to the onboard video. then when you install the video card and it autodetects, to not let windows install the software. then you manually run the detonator setup. is this the true proper way?

[vampireuk]

ehmm *scratches my head* never heard of this before:confused:

[Sc0rp10n]

well, when you reformat/reinstall a system, you're supposed to leave out all nonessential hardware while you're installing windows. then you install the additional hardware piece by piece using the latest drivers for each. this is the best way to reformat/reinstall windows.

but for video, i was wondering if this rule applies as well since you can technically install using the onboard video.

[GlowStick]

Erm,

lets say you are building a system with onboard everything and a video card. Put the video card in, load the winders installer, install.

Then when winders loads for the first time, simply download the lateist drivers for your card and install. Because windows will use a genric driver for your video card, and that is 100% ok.

Oviously it will force a reboot, then install DirectX 9 (hopefully a GAME CD you have has it on there)

Reboot

Then go to microsoft.com/directx and download the update DirectX9.0a, its about a 9mb download (fine for broadband) and then reboot.

Then install the rest of the drivers (if nessasary) for any other devices you have. XP has alot of drivers in it, and most likely will take care of it self.

[saturnotaku]

Originally posted by Sc0rp10n
well, when you reformat/reinstall a system, you're supposed to leave out all nonessential hardware while you're installing windows. then you install the additional hardware piece by piece using the latest drivers for each. this is the best way to reformat/reinstall windows.

but for video, i was wondering if this rule applies as well since you can technically install using the onboard video.

This was true back in the days of Windows 9x. But with 2000 and XP, this shouldn't be an issue. I mean, you do it this way if you want but it's not necessary. If your motherboard has onboard video, when you stick in your AGP card, the onboard one should automatically be disabled (at least that's true on nForce-based boards). Or at the most there should be an option in your BIOS to disable onboard video.