EricM said:
My first question is partitioining the hard drive... Somewhere I read that you should create different sections for windows files, program files and media files. But can you just partition the whole hard drive as one section?
You can...
Where did you read it was a good idea to do that. TBH it doesnt make any difference to performance and what not. Mearly if you have a large hard drive it can make sense to creat a seperate partition for backing up music etc etc.
EricM said:
Next is installing the cd rom drive. Do you have to install any drivers for it and how do u do that?
The days of Windows 98 and Atapi drivers are thank god, over!
You should find once plugged in your computer will see the drive and be happy to boot from it for an OS install, assuming you tell it to in BIOS ofcourse.
EricM said:
And for S-ATA HDD's you need a floppy disk with the drivers correct?
Considering the mess I've made of my SATA setup the past 2days, I feel rather hypocritcal answering that one, but bnone the less it seems you do need a set of drivers before XP, for example, can successfully be installed. Its simply a case of sticking a floppy in and pressing F6 when prompted by setup.
EricM said:
Is there anything else that needs drivers?
Any hardware component will need drivers to make it work. Graphics card, sound, motherboard, Modems etc etc XP is pretty good these days and will support allot of stuff with generic drivers but you'll find anything that needs drivers will be supplied with them and the manual will enlighten you on the how, why and when questions... Its also a very good idea to keep drivers upto date, especilly if your a gamer or have designs on running the latest and greatest software apps.
EricM said:
And finally do you just stick in the windows cd? And do the OEM copies of windows include SP1? And what is included in SP2? Is it worth the money to buy it?
You wont get a new copy of XP without SP2 included these days. The most usefull thing SP1 did was add USB2 support.. I think the jurys still out on SP2.. LMAO!
To install, set your optical drive as a boot device and pop the CD in. Note my answer to the SATA HDD question, it'll save you looking as newbie as me when XP wont stop crashing or refusing to boot...LOL!
EricM said:
My last question is about hd coolers... are they necessary?
Nope, they're not needed and TBH I'm not quite sure why anyone would bother with em, not like you can overclock your hard drive!
HTH and welcome