I have a couple of formatting questions 1) After XP is installed, what is the *best* order to install the necessary (vid, directx, chipset etc) in? 2) Is it beneficial to parition, preformance-wise? Can it improve organization? Thanks
Partitioning means you've somewhere to keep data when you re-format the operating system. It's not a substitute for backing up to removable media, but it saves copying everything back again. Also by making the operating system and program partition(s) separate to the data partition, it's a smaller volume to keep defragmented and virus checked, so quicker. Keeping programs on a 3rd partition means you don't lose stuff you forget to back up, like program preferences that aren't in Docs & Settings. On order, I go XP/SP2, motherboard drivers, graphics card, odds & sods like printer, scanner, soundcard, webcam. Get Firewall and AV going, then Win Update.
