Windows XP Installation and Procedures

Installing Windows XP Procedures

If your computer can boot from CD-ROM then you can perform the following steps to install Windows XP:

1. Start your PC and place your Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD-ROM drive.

2. Your PC should automatically detect the CD and you will get a message saying "Press any key to boot from CD".

3. Press a key to boot from CD and Windo
ws setup will begin. Windows will start copying preliminary setup files to your computer.

4. You will be asked if you want to perform a new installation, repair an existing installation, or quit. In this case, you will be performing a new installation.


5. You will be presented with the End User Licensing Agreement. Press F8 to accept and continue.


6. Select the partition where you want install windows. You will have the opportunity to create and/or delete partitions or just allocate the available disk space to one partition.


7. The next screen asks if you wish to use the NTFS file system. This is the recommended file system. If you choose to use FAT32, you will not have all the security and stability features of Windows XP.

8. Choose to format the partition to either FAT32 or NTFS. You'll also see two additional choices to perform a quick format of each option. Stick with doing a full format. When asked to start the format, press the "F" key. The formatting process may take quite a bit of time depending on the size of your HDD.

9. The setup program will automatically start copying files after the partition is formatted and you will see a setup progress bar.

10. After this is complete the computer will restart. Leave the XP CD in the drive but this time DO NOT press any key when the message "Press any key to boot from CD" is displayed. In few seconds setup will continue.

11. Windows XP Setup wizard will guide you through the setup process of gathering information about your computer.

12. Choose the region and language.

13. Type in your name and organization.

14. Enter your product license key.

15. Name the computer, and enter an Administrator password. Don't forget to write down your Administrator password.

16. Enter the correct date and time.

17. Choose workgroup or domain name.

18. Register Windows XP if you've installed all the current hardware on your machine.