You don't have to install windows before installing RAM.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:06, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Can I install a new PCI firewire card before installing windows too?

(Bazongaloid, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:07, Reply)

You can do whatever you want my dear.

(PsychoChomp, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:08, Reply)

This is true
But I was actually trying to ask your opinion, as someone who knows about computers a bit, as to whether I was better off installing windows then adding the new PCI card, or whether to stick everything I need in the case first, then fire it up and install windows.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:10, Reply)

Depends, what version of windows are you using?
Have you got driver software for your pci card?
(PsychoChomp, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:13, Reply)

Short answer though is "I would put it in first"
you might get some conflicts but once you install the drivers and restart it should sort itself out, there's no reason to put the hardware together in stages.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:15, Reply)

I'm installing Windows XP
and I tried the card in another XP machine and it worked fine without a driver CD.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:18, Reply)

Stick it all in at the same time then
then go through the device manager once you've got an internet connection and update the driver for it.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 30 Mar 2010, 13:19, Reply)