Installing Windows XP Home/Pro*** Updated 2/11/2002***
Written: Feb 10 '02 (Updated Feb 13 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: ease of use, stabilty,security
Cons: Takes a lot of resources, at lest 128 meg ram
The Bottom Line: Easest install of all the windows versions
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| dragon1's Full Review: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (E85-00086) For ... |
Why I think I know the best way of installing Windows XP
I have Beta Tested for Microsoft since December of 1997, starting with Windows 98 Beta 3. I have also tested 98SE/Me and now Windows XP. I have had to install these operating systems literally 100's of times. With Windows XP Home, I have installed this system approximately 25 times as each new build came out. So I probably have run into most of the problems that people have or will run into. Read this whole review and I also suggest that you print it out , so you can have it handy as you install.
One thing
This is not a review of Windows XP Pro, but a help for those who want to install Windows XP, ESP for those who need help on installing. I have written a review on Windows XP Home at http://www.epinions.com/content_51132993156
They are both so very much alike so for me one review stands for both. I have put in my review what is in Pro.
Things to do before installing
The first thing to do is to decide which way you want to install Windows XP Home/Pro. The only problem with the upgrade(even tho this is the best yet) is that like previous versions, it leaves the hard drive cluttered with useless files and settings and the problem there is that you do not know which can be safely deleted. So in my opinion the best install has ALWAYS been a clean install. Even the upgrade version can do a clean install, with the provision that you have either , it installed or have a previous cd. On previous copy if it is on a recovery cd,it will have to be installed,but guess what? Even with a 98/98SE/Me/2000 installed you can still do a clean install with XP. Another way to install XP, both the Upgrade/Full is able to boot from the Windows XP cd. Of course most computers or motherboards can, in the bios be set to boot in several different orders If you use a recovery cd it is already set for this. On most others, you will have get into the bios and change the order to cd/floppy/c: . Now there are at least 2 reboots and before the first reboot you will need to change the bios back to the previous order.
Now before you even start installing, there are some things to do.
1 run a anti virus to be that sure you have NO virus on board, even on a clean/full install(you will see why shortly.
2 save all needed data and important files you may need, even if you do a upgrade.
3 Run the File and Settings Transfer Wizard(on cd) What this does is save all IE,OE and other settings and many files that are on the old setup. It will also after running give instructions on what applications need to be re-installed before running on the New Setup.PS this is the reason of the anti virus run.
4 Run the Hardware and Software Compatibility Wizard(0n the cd) at the end of the run it will tell you what software and hardware is not compatible with XP Plus you can also print this out. You can even down load this from the internet at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp. Now this down-load is about 50 meg, so I thought I should warn you.
5 If everything is ok, great but if not make sure you goto the manufacturer web-site and see if you can get patches or the hardware drivers you need.for XP. If no XP drivers, but they have Windows 2000 drivers,try them, most will work.
Now many of the system utilities will not work with XP(example Norton-McAfee any thing that might access low level areas of the operating system will not work unless designed for this operating system).
Remember this is based on the NT/2000 kernal and not dos like Win9x, so this is completely different.
6 Make sure you have the LATEST bios. If you are not experienced enough to do this , try to get someone who is experienced in this. Or you might be able to goto the manufacture site and order the update chip, so that all you have to do is change the chip with the new bios, there are dangers on doing this as these chips are sensitive to static, best to go with someone who knows how. Check an see if there is a computer club in the area, sometimes you can find somebody that will help.
There is one more decision to be make. You can instead of just doing a upgrade (Full/Upgrade) , use a multi-boot. If you install Windows XP on a different different partit ion/hard drive, this will be a clean install. Windows XP setup has a dual boot manager and all you need to do is to install on a different partition/hard drive. This way you can try Windows XP, but still have your old operating system if you do not like it.
Now before installing, insert your cd(in any windows system) click on Additional Tasks, browse cd, click on read-me. This will open a IE windows pointing to Read-me 1st, Setup and Release notes. This will give MS view on upgrading/installing and last minute information needed for installing. I most strongly suggest that these are read before installing as they may save headache's later.
On to Installing
Before installing, I ALWAYS un-install any anti-virus that is installed on the system. As this can cause installation failure or a incomplete installation can occur, it has happened to me.
OK, by now you should have decided which way you want to install. No matter which way, be it, from Windows , cd boot, floppy(available from Microsoft(6 floppies))eventually the same thing happens..
If your going to do a clean install(BEST), insert the cd and run the Files and Settings transfer Wizard. Save the file to another partition or if you can burn a cd with the file. After it runs it will tell you what programs you need to setup before putting on new operating system(ps If you setup your e-mail/news group accounts, this will install all e-mail and news group messeges.) Also because of Murphy's law it is also best to back up ALL important files.(Murphy's law”If you can imagine something happening-It just might happen.”)
1 After coping all system files needed to install this OS, it will have a screen where
2 you can do a upgrade/clean install(even the upgrade will do a clean install)
3 it also asks here if you want to install in another location(if you want to dual boot, you tell it where you want it installed(best on another partion or hard drive) next
4 You decide if you want to install on a fat 32 or ntfs partion
5 now I do not remember but this might be before one of the previous 3, but it will ask for the Product Key for your installation.
6 From here it starts installing Windows XP Home/Pro
From here it takes any where from 45 minutes (on my computer) to 2hours(depending on the previous decisions.
After installing, it will ask if you want to get on the internet to Activate and register(which is differant from activation(which means as far as MS is concerned, belongs to somebody, they just do not know who).
One last thing, before I go to the internet, I setup for a limited user and only use this to get on the internet. If I want to get updates, I click on Start Button/All Programs/ Windows Update, right click on update and use run as administrator(name/password), this way after I'm done I can surf the net with a little higher security. Unless running as administator, any programs/scripts or what ever recieved or picked up on a web site, will not run without administrator permission.
I hope this has helped some people to install this operating system as I think it is the best out there. I'm doing this from memory, so I may have made some mistake's in the order of some things BUT on the whole this gives the way I have a good install. I have so far only installed on 4 other machines but all where good installs.
By the way I got Windows XP Pro from MS, so I know it works for both Home/Pro.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dragon1
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 in Computer Hardware, Software |
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Member: Michael L Hereid Sr
Location: Clinton, Iowa
Reviews written: 71
Trusted by: 70 members
About Me:
MS Beta Tester since 1997-building my own PC's since 1986/7
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