Windows XP

Installing Windows XP is not a difficult tasks, However there are a few things that needs to be taken into consideration here:

  1. If you are installing on a current installation, make sure to backup your stuff first, That is all your files and documents and personal data that you saved on the computer.  Programs cannot be saved as they require certain registry and system parameters that are installed during one program's installation.
  2. If this is a fresh installation, make sure your PC can take it.  I have seen Pentium 3's with 256mb of RAM do the job fine, but something new and nice would go better :)
  3. Make sure you have the product key and all that mumbo-jumbo.

Once ready, reboot your computer from your Windows XP Installation CD.  Make sure in your BIOS That your computer is set to boot from the CD-ROM First.

Once booted, proceed down those instructions:

  1.  After the installation program is done detecting your basic devices and installing some generic drivers, Press ENTER to begin setup.
  2. Read the License Agreement, or dont, but press F8 to approve it and continue.
  3. On the next screen, you are presented with a summary of the available partitions on your installed hard drives. At this point, if this is a new installation you should see only one entry, "Unpartitioned Space." It will be highlighted in grey. Press C on your keyboard to begin creating partitions for the drive.
  4. Enter your desired partition size.  Even after years as a PC Technician and later on system administration, I still personally prefer to create one big partition for everything. Some claim its better to split your drive 80%/20% and stick the OS and programs alone on the smaller one.  Once done, hit ENTER.
  5. Select your newly created partition and hit ENTER.
  6. Format the partition using NTFS,  Quick is ok too no need to go through the annoying full format unless you have a reason to suspect something is wrong with your hard drive.  Use NTFS. 
  7. The system will now format the partition. This might take a long time if you picked the full format.
  8. Windows will now copy its basic files onto your drive.  When this is done, press ENTER to reboot.
  9. This is the most time consuming part. When the computer reboots, do not press enter to boot from the disc this time,let the computer continue and boot into the continuation of the setup program.
  10. Setup will now run and display a bounch of useless promotional information.  On the bottom left corner you can see the remaining installation time, wich is usually far to very far away from reality.
  11. Sooner or later, a dialog window will appear, asking you to choose your Regional settings. Select appropriate settings native to your area. Click the "Next" button when that is completed.
  12. Enter your Product Key, (otherwise known as a CD or Install Key,) at this window. You will not be able to complete this process without a valid Key. Click "Next" to continue.
  13. If your computer is going to be on a LAN (Local Area Network) at home, or even just for kicks, give it a name.
  14. Select your time zone, and ensure that the date/time are correct. Click "Next" to continue.
  15. Leave "Typical Settings" selected for Network Setup, unless you have a specialized access device or protocol required. Refer to the documentation for that device for installation procedures.
  16. Setup will continue to install other devices and peripherals connected to your machine, give you marketing and capability information, then reboot as before.
  17. Congratulations! You've installed Windows XP. There are a few more additional set-up routines required, but you have completed the installation. Remove the CD from the drive.
  18. Upon Reboot, click Yes when you are informed Windows will be changing your visual settings to improve quality.
  19. In the next box, if you can read the text, press the "OK" button.
  20. A similar screen to Part 2 of the install process will appear. If your computer is connected to the internet, select your connection type. Press Next to continue.
  21. If connected to the Internet, Select "Activate Now."
  22. After the Activation Process, a window will appear allowing you to select the users for the computer. Enter your name, and the names of others who will be using the machine. Press Next to continue.
  23. You are now looking at Windows XP's default installation.


After this you will need to install your computer's drivers, wich can usually be found on the CDs you got with it or on the vendor's website.

Congratioulations, and enjoy! :)