Best order for installing drivers & windows updates?

OS (Vista 64 of course)
Chipset/MB drivers- ALL
video card driver
all OS updates
Anti Virus/Spyware
Personal use software Apps

1. All Drivers(mobo, all others)
2. SP3 (which is really a big update)
3. All updates.

You are making the whole thing a lot more complicated than it is, but if it makes you feel better then go for it.

I don't think the order is that important as long as the updates aren't installing their own versions of the drivers. You can install all of the drivers first, just be sure you check their versions to see if anything was reinstalled by the updates. If you don't want to bother looking at each one, install all of the drivers first, then install them all again after the windows updates.

Ok thanks all for input.

Why not leave the latest windows driver updates in. I get a driver update for the Realtek NIC all the time. That's why they call them updates.

Badge has the right order. At least that order works best for me, because if I install my antivirus/spyware (McAfee Security Center) before all updates including office, McAfee blocks some of the updates.

Wish I could just skip the Anti Virus/Spyware install and enjoy my new install running like fine tuned European sports car for just a little longer. LOL.

Most AntiVirus apps have an install or admin mode, besides the OP didn't ask about AntiVirus

If it is a newer board or hardware always install the chipset drivers first than the hardware drivers. I put all my updates on a flash drive than install before I put it online. Avast is the best anti virus I have seen in a long time. If you are installing sata drive on xp you will need the f6 floppy sata drivers at install

That McAfee bloat will screw you no matter when you install it.

Only if you are installing them as AHCI, if you are installing them as IDE then you don't.

If your hard drive is connected to the RAID controller, you need a driver.

True, but why would any one connect it to the RAID controller instead of the southbridge? I know, people do it all the time and then they wonder why they are having problems. That's why they should RTFM.

The reason I ask is to avoid possible drivers issues I've been having - probably due to my Radeon HD 4850, but it sounds like its not too big a deal.

So I am right in thinking it wouldn't make any difference if I installed my chipset drivers with XP SP2 installed, then upgrading to SP3?... Or updating XP to SP3 first, then installing chipset drivers? The mobo is pretty new (Asus P5Q).

Thanks

I would put the drivers in first.