A Guide to Installing Windows® XP.
 When there are numerous problems with the operating system; the only alternative is to perform a fresh installation of the Windows® XP Operating System. This may have many advantages, some of these are; it removes all the junk files that build up on the computer; it may resolve issues with slowness and performance. This procedure may not resolve all issues; sometimes speed is related to hardware malfunctions. The older the hardware the slower the computer will be, regardless of a clean installation. Performing a fresh installation will also remove any viruses that are hidden on the computer, which will make it safer when using the computer for browsing the Internet. Before starting the formatting of the Hard Disc and reinstalling Windows® XP, it is highly recommended that all important data files are ‘backed up’ to a safe location; such as, CD’s or USB Drives. This of course will not be possible if the operating system is inaccessible; the reinstallation we will erase ALL data from the hard drive. It is also important that you have all the appropriate drivers needed for the machine’s hardware, and other peripherals; these include, Motherboard Drivers; Graphics Drivers; Audio Drivers, and other third party software drivers, to name a few. Please Note: The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) will need to be reset to boot from the CD Drive first. Entering the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key will do this. The specific key varies; however, generally it is displayed at the BIOS ‘Flash Screen’. Once in the BIOS, locate “Boot Priority Options”; set it to boot the CD drive first; Hard Disc Drive second; and “Other bootable Devices”, third. When done;insert the Windows® XP CD; “Save and Exit” the BIOS, and allow the computer to restart (reboot).On restarting, the computer will display a screen message, “Boot from CD. Press any key to boot from CD...” press any key except for the Esc Key, to allow the installation to start. Another screen will appear showing, "Setup is inspecting your computer’s hardware configuration..." as shown in Figure 1.  Allow the Setup to continue; depending upon the Hard Disc type and configuration, specific Drivers may have to be installed for SATA, SCSI, or RAID Disc Drives. A prompt will appear at the bottom of the screen (similar to Figure 2 below), to tap the appropriate Key (normally F6) and follow the instructions for installing the required drivers. If there is no need to install any additional RAID or SCSI drivers, allow the setup process to continue uninterrupted.
Noticeably there is a fair amount of activity at the bottom of the screen; this is the setup installing basic operating Drivers onto the Hard Disc Drive; no user input is required during this phase of the setup.
Once the first stage of installation is completed, an Option Menu, as shown in Figure 3, will be displayed.
In this instance press the ENTER to continue with the installation.
Figure 3.
Illustrated in Figure 4 is a prompt for the user to read and accept the Microsoft® EULA (End User License Agreement), this must be done by pressing the F8 Key; in order for the installation of Windows® XP to continue.
Figure 4.
Displayed in Figure 5, is The Hard Disc Partition Manager; this allows the formatting of the Hard Disc Drive to install a ‘clean’ Operating System.
To format the Disc, it will be necessary to ‘Delete’ the existing partition, by selecting Option 3 from the Menu; press the D Key.
Figure 5.
As soon as the selection is made, Figure 6 will immediately appear, where the next Keyboard command is to press the L Key to delete the existing partition.
Once the partition is deleted, a new one will have to be created to install Windows® XP; this command will create the C:\ Drive for the Operating System, that is commonly seen in the “My Computer” section of a computer.
Figure 6
The next screen, Figure 7, is a similar screen to Figure 5, but with one noticeable difference; the Disc is now 'Unpartitioned' space.
If a large Hard Disc Drive (greater than 40Gb) is used, the opportunity arises now for the Disc to have multi-partitions created in it; this is achieved by calculating the sizes required, and selecting C.
Creating multiple partitions allows the user to have one partition (Drive C:) for the System Files and folders, and the other for documents and personal data.
This will safeguard any personal data from the C: Drive in the unfortunate event that Windows® has to be reinstalled.
If only one partition is required, simply press the ENTER Key to install the Operating System on the total Disc space available.
Figure 7.
The next phase of the installation requires the selected partition to be formatted; Figure 8 illustrates the Options Menu for formatting the Hard Disc Drive.
Figure 8.
There are 4 formatting options:
1. Format the partition using the NTFS file system (quick)
2. Format the partition using the FAT file system (quick)
3. Format the partition using the NTFS file system
4. Format the partition using the FAT file system
The NTFS format file system must be used for Windows® XP.
The user may choose either (Quick) format, or Full Format. It is recommended that if the previous installation had any viruses or malware, to use the Full format to ensure all the ‘old’ data is erased. For the purpose of this guide, the Quick Format has been utilised. A Full Format will take considerably more time than a Quick Format.
Figure 9.
The formatting in progress.
As soon as the format is completed, the setup will automatically begin to copy files to the Hard Drive. These are the core operating system files and are required for the system run; it may take a few minutes, please be patient.
Figure 10.
On power up, the first black screen displaying "Boot from CD. Press any Key to boot from CD..." will be seen this time, please ignore the prompt; allow the computer and Windows® Setup to enter the next phase of the installation.
Please Note: Pressing any Key at this prompt will start the installation procedure again from step one!
Figure 11.
When Figure 11 appears; the installation of Windows® XP commences, showing that it will complete in about 39 minutes.
During the installation, prompts will appear for the user to enter information about the area and language that is to be used, as shown in Figure12. When finished, click Next.
Figure 12.
The next phase of the installation Figure 13, requires the input of the Name and Organization; only a First name is required, and the Organization box may be left blank; however, by default Windows® XP uses "Home". Once this is has been completed, press Next.
Figure 13.
The next step of the installation is, entering the Product Key, which is usually found on a non-removable sticker on the CD case, or with other documentation that came with the computer. Some system manufacturers attach the sticker to the rear of the computer case.
Figure 14.
Figure 14 displays the all-important Product Key entry.
Enter the Product Key very carefully, or the setup will reject it; when finished, click Next.
Figure 15.
The next step is the naming of the computer, Figure15, this is required for Networking; it can be any name. Ask the System Administrator for the Name if this computer is part of a Network.
Please Note: All computers in a Network must have the same Group Name.
An option to create the Administrator’s Password may be selected here as well; this is once again a personal preference; it can be left blank. When completed click Next.
Figure 16.
Illustrated in Figure 16, is the Date & Time and Time Zone. Select the appropriate Local Time Zone from the drop-down box; check that the time and date are correct, then click Next.
Setup will continue automatically to the next phase of the installation of Windows® XP, until Figure 17 appears.
Figure17.
The next step of the installation, shown in Figure 17 are, the Network Settings; it is recommended to use the default (Typical Settings); click Next.
A prompt will appear regarding whether the computer is part of a domain; it is recommended to skip this, and continue the finalisation of the installation of Windows® XP. These settings can be adjusted once the installation is complete; setup will continue to complete the installation, with an estimated time for completion illustrated.
When the installation is finished, the computer will automatically reboot; allow the computer to reboot without any intervention.
Upon rebooting, a prompt screen will be displayed concerning Automatic Updates; click Yes; then, Figure 18 will display.
Figure 18.
Illustrated in Figure 18, is the option of registering the user’s personal details with Microsoft®. This is optional and entirely up to user preference, click Next.
Figure 19.
Displayed in Figure 19, is the User information screen; where multiple User Accounts can be created; however, this can be left until the installation is full complete.
Please Note: One name must be entered to allow the logon of Windows® after the next reboot. Click Next.
The computer will reboot to finalise the installation.
The installation of Windows® XP is now complete!
Remember to install all third party Drivers, and as soon as the Internet connection is established, install a reputable Anti Virus Program; then, go to the Windows® Update website for access to downloading all the necessary security updates.
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