what to install first: service packs or drivers?

G

gib65

Member
I just installed a copy of Windows XP on a computer. The CD was not the original that came with the computer. It includes SP1 but not SP2 or SP3.

Needless to say, a lot of the drivers are not installed. I was able to download the drivers from the manufacturer's website and I was able to download SP2 and SP3 from Microsoft's website.

My question is: which is the best order to install these? Should I install the drivers first and then the service packs or visa-versa? Or does it matter?
 
Get the drivers first. then update windows. get it working and hardware then updates for windows. then you can goto update.windows.com pick and choose the updates. Read and pick the updates ya want. thats how i always did it. SP are are related to security mostly i think. I would take that.
 
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It's always best to install drivers, then update, so that Windows Update knows what updates to look for.

So, Drivers, then Updates, then Service Packs.
 
yes but in his case he said it only has xp sp1 installed, alot of software even drivers for hardware require xp sp2 and sometimes net framework 2.0 and windows installer 3.1
 
jamesd1981 said:
yes but in his case he said it only has xp sp1 installed, alot of software even drivers for hardware require xp sp2 and sometimes net framework 2.0 and windows installer 3.1
Click to expand...

Hmm, yeah I guess you're right. Although it really wouldn't matter that much. If they don't work after you install them or run updates, then the best choice would be to install the service packs.

So, SP's, then drivers, then updates.
 
Maybe it will work. i will say i always did hardware updates first. Then security and critical updates like SP 1, 2 and 3. All the rest is do ya need them. Get the hardware going first. Make it right. Then the rest, if ya don't need them don't take them. I pick and choose which ones. Always did and always will. they might not apply to me.
worked fine.
 
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Do my drivers first. Then SP/s then do windows updates (doing the SP/s first, then you wont have as many regular updates to download).

Usually go in the order of. Chipset/LAN/Sound/any other board drivers/Video Card. Then SP/s. Then windows update.
 
StrangleHold said:
Do my drivers first. Then SP/s then do windows updates (doing the SP/s first, then you wont have as many regular updates to download).

Usually go in the order of. Chipset/LAN/Sound/any other board drivers/Video Card. Then SP/s. Then windows update.
Click to expand...

this
 
Drivers must come first because without at least a network driver you're going nowhere fast.

It may even come to dropping the drivers via another machine and then either burning them to a disk or transferring to a USB stick.

You then need to get all Important and Recommended updates from MS.

Then you need to get AV and Anti Malware tools in place.

Once you have done that you are good to go.
 
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