Sequence of Drivers to install - WIN XP?

[jwege]

Hi all,

I am having some trouble with an aged R52 TP that ran just smart for the last years, but I seem to have it screwed up by installing and de-installing some software.

It does not recognize the HD in the Ultrabay anymore (even have boot problems if a HDD installed in the ultrbay).

I am now to completely new install the whole machine.

I doubt that there is a logical (and if not even a recommended) order what drivers to install in what sequence after having made the basic installation form the MS XP CD (no, I do not have an image of the originally pre-installation).

Any hints on this (sequence) topic would be appreciated!

jwege

[mediasponge]

If installing the OS gets you network support (wired), then I would immediately install Antivirus, then go about installing the rest. If you do that, maybe the best way is to install ThinkVantage, and let System Update decide what order is best. Of course, there will also be 50,000 Windoze updates. If your XP CD isn't SP3, you might want to slipstream SP3 and the updates into an install DVD. What I usually do on other systems is pre-format the drive, then create a folder with all necessary drivers (including a copy of the XP disc) before installing the OS. ThinkVantage may make it easier.

[jwege]

Can I download Thinkvantage form Lenovo's Website?

i do not care so much about XP annd the SP (I am having a CD including SP3) but I have the feeling (not cross checked) that the sequence of installing the drivers (and therefor maybe the sequence they will load at startup could influence performance and stability of the system, therefor I do ask for a list (in the right order) of what to install with respect to drivers (and system utils).

Does Thinkvantage guide me thru?

Thanks again
jwege

[mediasponge]

Yes, ThinkVantage and its various options are avilable from the Lenovo website. This link is for System Update for Win 2000, XP and Vista. Mind you, I haven't completely reinstalled a TP, but I had to reinstall ThinkVantage on an A31p, as the old software was looking in the wrong place for updates. After that, it's been fine.

[mediasponge]

If ThinkVantage doesn't work out for you, what I usually do on desktop installs where there are usually multiple vendors involved is:

Chipset/HDD/Lan
Video
Sound
Misc.

I have a firewall, so I'm comfortable letting it activate over the LAN, then installing AV. Get one of the bootable pre-install disks like UBCD4WIN to help out with utility tasks.