Installing or Re-Installing Windows XP

Older versions of Windows are becoming increasingly obsolete – Windows 98 has definitely had its day. The original XP has been upgraded with 3 Service Packs from XP to XPsp1, then XPsp2 and finally to XPsp3

XPsp3 is the one. Whilst XPsp3 Home is OK, XPsp3 Professional is worth the extra – simply, it’s more powerful and works better. This technote is about a bog-standard Microsoft XPsp3 PC with Microsoft Office – you can argue the toss about other software. Combine this with a broadband connection and you have an excellent tool.

You need to be meticulously organized. Get yourself sorted out before you start installing. You will need God's Box.

Make sure you have a current backup of all your precious data if you are re-installing. You should consider the following list as a starting point. More complex installations may require an extension of this basic list

From the following folders in C:\Documents and Settings/<username>

From C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft the Address Book folder

From C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{xxxxxxxxxxx}\Microsoft the Outlook Express folder

From C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft the Templates folder

From C:\Documents and Settings\<username> the Favorites folder

If Outlook Express or Outlook will run, Export from Outlook Express or Outlook all the Account details under the Tools/Accounts/Mail tab into the My Documents folder on the original drive, creating .iaf file/s which may be imported to the new build later

If the registration numbers of any extra programs are known, eg. Vet, copy down the details.

From C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents all the files and sub-folders into a folder called Docs

Check any folders in the C:\ drive which could contain important data and if any, copy it to an appropriately named sub-folder.

Have all your hardware installed on the motherboard eg. video card, sound card, so that the installation process will do its best to install appropriate drivers from the XP disc. Disconnect all USB devices. A USB mouse may work if the motherboard allows it. Sometimes this is a small problem. A PS2 mouse and keyboard is preferred.

I am not a fan of partitioning.  If you must partition, the partition option offered at the start of the installation works well. Providing you keep a good current backup of your data, reinstallation gives you a fresh start without the baggage of a previous installation with all its addons. It may be slower than ghost images and their ilk but I prefer it.

Here is the outline for the simplest method (the first option above) - installing to a blank hard drive.

If any of this seems a bit much for you, find an expert to help you!

Turn on the Computer and hold down the Delete key to enter the BIOS settings.

If you need information about BIOS setting, try http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/set/.

Set it to boot from the CDROM . Turn off any virus checker in the BIOS (Turn it on again after installation). Set any other items as necessary.

Choose the NTFS option. Setup may re-format the drive, which is OK, and partitioning can happen here if you wish. Choose NTFS quick format - the full format takes forever!

Read the screens. If you really stuffup you can always go back to the start and do it all again.

Simplest is to not have a password for the Administrator or the user you create with equivalent rights. Just have one user for a start, say named with your preferred name eg Tony with no password. You can add or change this later. Never remove the Administrator user.

Once the installation is complete and XP is running, shut the PC down. Re-boot the PC with the Delete key down and reset the BIOS to boot only from the hard disc, with 2nd and 3rd boot options disabled - you don't want it to boot up from anything other that your hard disc without your permission! Turn on the boot sector virus protection if it's available. Save the settings and re-boot.

Now is the time to check the device manager for items not working properly.

Drivers - this is the most difficult part and the most important for a good result

The motherboard driver disc will have all the device drivers needed for your motherboard. Install the lot! Late model motherboards with on-board video, sound and LAN will need the specialised drivers.

• Older machine drivers are often fully covered within the XP installation disc

• New machines come with a motherboard disc and drivers for all components

• Late model machines often need drivers not covered in the XP installation disc

• Drivers need to be XP drivers, Win98 and other drivers will not usually work

• Drivers should be certified XP compliant, but non-certified drivers work OK and should be accepted

• If you need a driver you will find it on the internet if you search long enough

• Opening the case and looking for part number or name specifications on a component is often the way. Now use Google or whatever to search for the manufacturer’s website and download the driver

• Searching for drivers may lead you to find a plethora of items. Most are zip files so you will need to know how to deal with zips and their various formats.

Create a Restore Point. Shut down the machine. Turn off the power source. Wait 1 minute. Turn on the power and restart the machine. Check that all is perfect!

Reinstate your data from your backup.

Software – you must have all your originals with their serial numbers. Office XP 2002 is a good version. Whenever you install software, create a restore point first.

Upgrades – do NOT set Automatic Updates to automatic, set it to Notify me …

Virus protection – Install Vet (preferred, but costs) or Avast Home Edition (free, but very good)

Windows Firewall – installed automatically during Windows installation and is OK

Install any USB device software, plugging in the device when asked.

Continue until all devices are installed.

That’s it.