Install Windows XP
If booting from CD is
impossible, you have the
options below.
Download the XP floppy
boot disk set from Microsoft.
XP
Boot Floppy Set
A common Win98 boot disk
can be used to install
these OS's.
Here's how to do it:
- Start the computer
with your chosen boot
disk.
- Change to the cdrom
drive.
- Go into the \i386
directory on the cdrom.
- Run WINNT.EXE to begin
the install process.
If the system you have
files and setting on the
drive is the one you are
clean installing, you
should run the Files
and Settings Transfer
wizard on the XP CD
before running setup.
Also backup anything you
do not have other media
to restore from. This
also includes software
downloaded from the internet
that is only accessed
from the hard drive. Make
sure you have all passwords
and serial numbers backed
up.
If
possible it would be a
good idea to use Imaging
software like Ghost
or Disk Image to
create an image of the
partition before clean
installing. The two mentioned
have the ability to restore
individual files from
the images.
As a final preparation
tip, download critical
updates and burn to CD
or obtain update CD's
from Microsoft before
running the XP setup.
- Windows XP Service
Pack 1
- Burn Windows XP SP1a
on CD
- Microsoft Windows
Security Update CD (
shipped free of charge
)
Detail Steps to Clean
Install XP
Configuring your system
to boot from CD or you
have acquired the necessary
boot floppy/floppies;
you can now boot the computer
and follow the on screen
prompts.
Have your CD key
available, typical install
is around 30 minutes.
If setup seems to hang,
wait at least 10 minutes
+ before restarting system.
You should experience
momentary screen blackouts.
- Power on the computer.
- Insert XP CD into CD
drive. (BIOS must support
booting from CD and boot
order must be set so CD
boots before hard drive.
If computer does not support
booting from CD go for
floppy install).
Floppy install:
- Boot from Win98/Me/Special
XP install floppy disk
with smartdrv.exe
added to the boot disk;
or the Win XP set of 6
floppy disks.
- From the A Prompt; A:\type:
smartdrv.exe. then press
ENTER.
- Go to the location of
the CD-ROM drive with
the XP setup files; go
to the i386 folder
where you will type: winnt.exe
to start setup.
- Setup will start copying
files, if you need to
install any third-party
or RAID drivers press
F6 at this time. the copying
of files can take awhile.
- Next you will get the
option to repair or enter
setup, choose to enter
setup. Press ENTER.
- Press F8 if you agree
to the license.
Setup will scan for previous
Windows installations
If you are using the
upgrade version of XP
on a computer without
any version of Windows
currently installed, this
is where you will replace
the XP CD with your qualifying
CD, XP setup will scan
the qualifying CD and
instruct you to replace
it with the XP CD to continue
XP setup; otherwise, you
will not see this screen.
Clean install qualifying
media can be any of the
following Win NT3.51,
4.0, 2000, Win 95, 98,
Me.
- Choose the location
to install.
If this is a clean hard
drive, you can choose
to create a partition
in the un-partitioned
space. At this point,
you can allow Setup to
use all the space or set
a size for the partition.
If the hard drive or partition
has a previous installation
of XP you want to remove,
choose to delete the partition
by pressing "D".
You will then be prompted
to create a new partition
in the empty space. This
will remove all data from
the deleted space.
If you intend to use multiple
partitions, or dual boot,
this is where you specify
the size of the boot partition
and or setup location
for XP. If you are
planning to dual boot
XP, I would create a small
100 meg DOS partition
for the first primary
partition, then an 8 to
10 gig partition for XP.
You can partition
and format the remaining
space after XP is setup
from Disk Manager. If
you do not intend to dual
boot, you can either use
all the un-partitioned
space, or create an 8
to 10 gig partition for
XP and leave the rest
free to partition later.
If a fat32 partition larger
than 32 gigabyte is desired,
the hard drive or partition
will need to be created
before running XP setup.
XP will not create a fat
32 partition larger than
32 gig, but will support
one previously created.
- Choose the file system
from this screen. If
dual booting and you created
the small 100 meg partition,
make it a fat partition.
NTFS is configured at
the optimal file size
during the initial setup.
- Select F to continue.
- Setup will show a progress
box and reboot when copying
files is complete.
- From this point, you
will follow the on screen
prompts.
If you live outside the
US, you will probably
need to modify the default
settings.
- Personalize your XP
Enter your Name and Organization.
- Enter the CD Key. The
Key is located on the
back of the CD folder
in the Retail versions,
and on a holographic label
with the OEM versions
purchased with a piece
of hardware.
- Choose a name for the
computer, this should
be a unique name for the
computer, especially if
it is to be connected
to a network. In Pro,
you are given the option
of creating a password
or leaving it blank.
- Set your Time Zone and
Time and Date.
- Setup will scan for
network.
- If detected you will
have the choice to choose
a typical configuration
or custom. Choose typical
if you are unsure.
- For home you will choose
your workgroup, if a network
is already established
and you intend to connect
to it, use the existing
workgroup name, otherwise,
I suggest using the default.
- For Pro, the same goes
for Pro as suggested for
Home, but you will have
the choice to join a Domain,
if you do not have a Domain
or do not know leave blank.
- Setup will continue
and reboot when completed
ignore the "Press
Any Key".
- The loading XP window
will now display after
reboot.
- You will see a change
display settings, say
yes, and accept the setting
if you can see the screen
after accepting.
- You will see a welcome
screen, press next and
unfortunately you have
to wait for the dialog
to finish.
- Set up your internet
or network connection.
- This is the Activate,
Register screen. You must
activate within 30 days
of installing XP, but
you do not ever have to
register, Registration
is completely optional
and if you do not register,
no personal information
will be transmitted during
activation. If you register,
then activation will transmit
that information along
with the activation. The
first Activation is usually
done over the internet
if the computer is connected
to the internet, otherwise,
it can be accomplished
by copying the alphanumeric
string from the activation
screen and make a phone
call to the on screen
supplied phone number.
The activation center
will then give you a slightly
longer number to input
into for activation. I
suggest you do not activate
immediately in case you
need to make hard ware
changes, or install to
a different system within
the thirty days, and you
will be reminded on boot
up until you do.
Blaster
worm warning: Do not immediately
activate over the internet
when asked, enable the
XP firewall before connecting
to the internet. You can
activate after the firewall
is enabled. Control Panel
- Network Connections.
Right click the connection
you use, Properties, and
there is a check box on
the Advanced page.
- Setup users screen.
Set at least one user
for yourself or the person
that will be using the
computer.
- Logon to XP and apply
Service Pack and Critical
updates from Windows Update
before installing any
software or hardware.
Install your anti-virus
software.
Install all applications
and setup your email.
Restore from Files and
Settings transfer after
reinstalling all applications.
Last Updated:
April 14, 2004
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