GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 - fresh Windows 8.1 install query

[morbidflorist]

Hi

Im going to do fresh Win8.1 install and have, possibly stupid, question regarding the order of it all. Do you apply all windows updates first? Before installing chipset drivers etc? If yes - which ones do I need? All of them? In any particular order? (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4968#dl)

Thank you

[autotech]

First you install chipset drivers a lot of times along with chipset drivers will be a hotfix for netframework 4.  Then after you install network drivers and chipset then you install windows.

Sometimes it is best to only use 1 dvd drive, CPU, 1 stick memory and hard drive and 1 monitor to install windows and do drivers then windows updates then install the rest of your parts.

[dmdilks]

Sometimes it is best to only use 1 dvd drive, CPU, 1 stick memory and hard drive and 1 monitor to install windows and do drivers then windows updates then install the rest of your parts.

I have to agree on this because when windows 7 installed. If you had another HHD connected it would sometimes put a boot sector on that drive. Now if you tried to remove that drive.

When you boot the computer it would say 80% of the time boot manager missing. I don't know if windows 8 does the same thing. Because that is how I do it like Autotech said other than the memory.

[morbidflorist]

First you install chipset drivers a lot of times along with chipset drivers will be a hotfix for netframework 4.  Then after you install network drivers and chipset then you install windows.

Sometimes it is best to only use 1 dvd drive, CPU, 1 stick memory and hard drive and 1 monitor to install windows and do drivers then windows updates then install the rest of your parts.

Can I install chipset drivers before installing windows? (Apologies for all those questions - after 8 years on macs, windows is quite foreign to me)

I was thinking about the following: I have one SSD installed. Windows 8.1 on USB stick. Drivers on another usb stick

1. Install Windows
2. install chipset drivers: Intel INF and Intel Management Engine Interface
3. install intel AHCI drivers: Intel SATA Preinstall, Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
4. install Realtek HD Audio Driver
5. install newest VGA Driver

6. finally BigFoot LAN driver which will allow me to connect to the internet

7. install Windows 8.1 updates.

Does it look ok?

Thank you:)

[dmdilks]

I would just install windows then your drivers. Plus don't forget the USB 3.0 driver.

[morbidflorist]

I would just install windows then your drivers. Plus don't forget the USB 3.0 driver.

Indeed. So my list looks like this:

1. Install Windows
2. Chipset drivers: Intel INF and Intel Management Engine Interface
3. Intel AHCI drivers: Intel SATA Preinstall, Intel Rapid Storage Technology
4. Realtek HD Audio Driver
5. VGA Driver
6. Intel Smart Connect Technology
7. Intel Rapid Start Technology
8. BigFoot LAN driver which will allow me to connect to the internet
9. Windows 8.1 updates.

Did I miss anything?

[absic]

Hi there,

looking at your list I would recommend the following:
1. Install Windows - Yes
2. Chipset drivers: Intel INF and Intel Management Engine Interface - Yes
3. Intel AHCI drivers: Intel SATA Preinstall, Intel Rapid Storage Technology - Not needed as Microsoft AHCI Drivers work perfectly OK
4. Realtek HD Audio Driver - Not really needed unless you want to use all of the bloatware that comes with Realtek
5. VGA Driver - Only required if you are using the CPU's on-board Graphics capabilities
6. Intel Smart Connect Technology - Not needed
7. Intel Rapid Start Technology - Not needed
8. BigFoot LAN driver which will allow me to connect to the internet - Yes
9. Windows 8.1 updates. - Yes Note: Windows update will also often offer driver updates as optional ones, so check these to see if any are applicable.

After you first install WIndows 8.1 the only drivers you are likely to be missing are the Chipset Drivers, VGA driver and Big Foot. You can check this under Device Manager via Control Panel/Hardware and Sound

[morbidflorist]

Hi there,

looking at your list I would recommend the following:
1. Install Windows - Yes
2. Chipset drivers: Intel INF and Intel Management Engine Interface - Yes
3. Intel AHCI drivers: Intel SATA Preinstall, Intel Rapid Storage Technology - Not needed as Microsoft AHCI Drivers work perfectly OK
4. Realtek HD Audio Driver - Not really needed unless you want to use all of the bloatware that comes with Realtek
5. VGA Driver - Only required if you are using the CPU's on-board Graphics capabilities
6. Intel Smart Connect Technology - Not needed
7. Intel Rapid Start Technology - Not needed
8. BigFoot LAN driver which will allow me to connect to the internet - Yes
9. Windows 8.1 updates. - Yes Note: Windows update will also often offer driver updates as optional ones, so check these to see if any are applicable.

After you first install WIndows 8.1 the only drivers you are likely to be missing are the Chipset Drivers, VGA driver and Big Foot. You can check this under Device Manager via Control Panel/Hardware and Sound

Brilliant:) Thank you!