How do you setup your rigs?

CAT5 · Post by **CAT5** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 8:11 pm

do you leave all the cards and stuff inside and load everything, or you install the OS first and then insert the cards one by one as you install it's drivers and restart everytime you finish? does it make a difference?

Loonatic · Post by **Loonatic** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 8:24 pm

Put all the hardware together, tidy up all the cables, then turn it on and load the OS.

Duzmor · Post by **Duzmor** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 8:29 pm

Originally posted by Loonatic
Put all the hardware together, tidy up all the cables, then turn it on and load the OS.

Then up-date the Drivers

Duzmor

Duz !!

extreme · Post by **extreme** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 8:31 pm

I cross my Fingers when it is my first boot. And everytime i change hardware. Like a MoBo or a proc. A family member of mine turns it on. Like when i got my 8rda+ and fried it I let my Dad turn it on. Now it is my mom's turn to power it up when i get new hardware.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 11:32 pm

My usual method in an abbreviated format:

Plug all hardware in and get everything straight in the case, including airflow.

Determine what I want to disable in the BIOS and do so.

Unplug network cable from ethernet card/jack.

Install XP Pro.

Upon first reboot, disable System Restore, Error Reporting, Automatic Updates. Change TEMP files directory to C:\Temp.

Install latest chipset drivers.

Reboot.

Install video card, sound card, etc. drivers, rebooting after each, even if not prompted to.

Once drivers are installed, install software firewall (ZA Pro in my case) and plug network cable back in. Setup router.

Reboot.

Download all Windows Updates, rebooting when needed.

Activate Windows.

Disable unnecessary Services.

Defrag C:\

After defragging, I use Drive Image to create an image of the clean install.

Once the clean image is done, I install all other apps, tweak all settings and defrag again. Then, I image the full install drive.

Voila!

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Wed Mar 12, 2003 11:37 pm

Maybe this should be moved to the Software Forum??

CAT5 · Post by **CAT5** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 1:12 am

hehe...I bet we all got our different ways to soup up our installs

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 1:13 am

Originally posted by CAT5
hehe...I bet we all got our different ways to soup up our installs

Mine'll ensure great times with your PC.

I have a .pdf version of my own detailed XP installation procedures I'm working on and will post on the forums whenever I get around to finishing it.

THREADPOOPER · Post by **THREADPOOPER** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 1:20 am

Originally posted by Burke
Mine'll ensure great times with your PC.

I have a .pdf version of my own detailed XP installation procedures I'm working on and will post on the forums whenever I get around to finishing it.

Im interested in seeing it

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 5:53 am

The method that has worked for me for years...including stable systems back in Win95 and 98.

Physically build the computer....only the absolute bare minimum of devices...meaning...video card, SCSI/RAID card if needed.

Install the OS, after a few reboots when it's all settled in....go right for the latest motherboard chipset drivers. This builds a good foundation to then install the rest of your devices on.

Latest Direct X....then latest video drivers (because most new vid drivers require at least DX 8.0a now)

After a few reboots when everthing resettles in....install each devices one by one...using the latest drivers. NIC, sound, printers, etc etc. Each device is done by itself... and a reboot done and ensuring it's working properly before moving to the next device.

Windows Updates...all of them.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:26 am

as of my last 2 i just threw them together cuz upgrading and changing parts is a very regular thing for both of the rigs, no point to neaten it up.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:49 am

^^lol^^

sounds a lot like the "Yahtzee" method i have been itching to try (with old hardware, of course)......

throw all hardware into large cardboard box. shake vigorously and dump the contents onto the table and see what ya got!

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:50 am

I MUST tidy everything up in the OS/apps or I'd go crazy. Neat freak.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:51 am

Originally posted by Faust
^^lol^^

sounds a lot like the "Yahtzee" method i have been itching to try (with old hardware, of course)......

throw all hardware into large cardboard box. shake vigorously and dump the contents onto the table and see what ya got!

not that bad but i sure dont need the case window i have, no point really. u just see a mess.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:56 am

Originally posted by YARDofSTUF
not that bad but i sure dont need the case window i have, no point really. u just see a mess.

No need for a case window here, either, since my case is in one of those desk cubbyholes anyway, and even with a good amount of effort my wiring is never l337 neat.

I just ordered a watercooling kit, and my brother was asking me last night if I'd ordered UV dye and neon lights and all kinds of other stuff to show off the tubing and whatnot, and I was like, "I just want it to cool the CPU, man. I don't want downtown Tokyo in my freakin' case."

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 9:39 am

Originally posted by Burke
and my brother was asking me last night if I'd ordered UV dye and neon lights and all kinds of other stuff to show off the tubing and whatnot, and I was like, "I just want it to cool the CPU, man. I don't want downtown Tokyo in my freakin' case."

"Ricer Rig!"

Pretty soon...just like ricer cars. Lots of decals and lights will make it go faster. And pretty soon...loud fans will make a comeback...just like those amusingly "moped sounding" loud coffee can exhausts! LOL

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 10:23 am

LOL Remember this?

http://www.ipkonfig.com/Reviews/Mods/OCH-UVpaint/

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 10:58 am

Originally posted by Burke
LOL Remember this?

http://www.ipkonfig.com/Reviews/Mods/OCH-UVpaint/

LOL...yup....lemme go have another laughing fit for a while.

THREADPOOPER · Post by **THREADPOOPER** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 11:10 am

tHE_0ne · Post by **tHE_0ne** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 8:10 pm

two words

Arctic Silver