Add or minus parts when installing OS?

[Ace31216]

I just finished building my first computer. Whew!

I partitioned my HD using fdisk and was about to install Windows 2000 when my friend told me that I should take out all the hardware like the NIC and sound card. He says it's better to install the operating system first and then later add the new hardware once Windows 2000 has been put in.

Is this true? If so, why?

Please help clarify this situation. Thanks!

[Ladogaboy]

That USED to be true with Win 95. Once Win 98 and beyond came out, it became easier to just leave all of your hardware in the computer and let Windows autodetect it and install it. Afterwards, if something isn't installed correctly, you just have to work on it through the device manager.