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STEP ONE: Get Ready

Note:
Before you start, you may also want to consult:

During the setup process you will be asked for some information. Be sure to have the following:

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional CD  

Product Key  
For security reasons you will receive the Product Key some days after you have received your CD from Unisa. THIS IS THE ONLY KEY YOU WILL NEED, and is posted to you. Please do not phone the department requesting keys. If you have not received your product key, please phone Mr Pretorius - (012) 429-4104.

Pen or pencil  
You may need to write down settings and other important information.

Internet information  
If you plan to connect to the Internet, you may need to provide some more information. You can configure your settings during the setup process or you can postpone this until after Windows XP is set up.
If you received an offer for a new Internet account when you purchased your computer, or if you already have an Internet account, you should contact your Internet service provider (ISP) for this information.
Network information  
If your computer currently is connected to a network, get the following information before you run Setup:

STEP 2: Decide how you are going to install Windows XP

Now you’re ready to install Windows XP!

You have two choices - either you can upgrade to XP from an exisiting installation such as Win98, or you can do a new installation.

You can upgrade to Windows XP if ALL of the following are true:

If none—or only some—of these are true for you, perform a new installation.
There are three reasons why you may need to install a new copy of Windows XP:

If you can do an upgrade or a new installation, and you are unsure which is best for you, rather do an upgrade.

STEP 3: Quick upgrade option

1.  Turn on your computer.

2.  Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.

3.  After your computer automatically launches the CD, click Install Windows XP.

Important - If your computer doesn’t automatically launch the CD, start Setup manually:
1.    Click Start > Run.
2.    Type the following command, replacing “d” with the letter assigned to your CD‑ROM drive: d:\setup.exe
3.    Press ENTER.

4.  When you’re asked to choose the type of installation you want, select Upgrade, and then click Next.

5.  Review the license agreement and, if you agree, accept it.

6.  Enter the Product Key from the Windows XP folder.

7.  Review the text for performing Dynamic Update. If you wish to perform Dynamic Update, select Yes, and then click Next.

Dynamic Update
A new feature of Windows XP Setup, which downloads important updates and required drivers from the Windows Update Web site during Setup
Important
You must have an active Internet connection to perform Dynamic Update.

Windows installation starts.

8.   When the “Welcome to Windows” screen appears, follow the instructions to complete your upgrade.

9.   Go to “Configure Windows XP” for information on setting up user accounts and network connections.

STEP 3: New installation option

The setup process is similar for new installations and upgrades with a few notable exceptions. For example, during a new installation, you are able to configure Special Options, convert your file system, and create a new partition for the Windows XP installation.

Special Options

Important
Unless you’re an advanced user, it’s recommended that you use the default settings.

Under Special Options, you have the choice to change Language, Advanced, and Accessibility settings during the setup process.

Select If you want to

Language
  • Choose the primary language and regions for Windows XP, which affects the default settings for date, time, currency, numbers, character sets, and keyboard layout.
  • Choose additional language groups and character sets to use with the programs you are running on Windows XP.

Advanced Options
  • Change the default location of the Setup files.
  • Store system files in a folder other than the default (Windows) folder.
  • Copy the installation files from the CD to the hard disk.

Accessibility
  • Use Narrator or Magnifier during Setup.

Choosing a file system

File system
Tthe system that determines how files are organized, named, and stored on a disk

During a new installation of Windows XP, you can choose which file system your computer should use. Windows XP Professional supports:

Important
You can convert your file system any time, even after you install Windows XP, without losing any of your data.
The conversion to NTFS is one-way only; if you convert your FAT or FAT32 file system to NTFS you can't convert your drive back to FAT later.

Use FAT32:
If your hard drive is smaller than 32 GB.
Use FAT32 if you want to install more than one operating system on your computer.

Use NTFS if:
 Your hard drive is larger than 32 GB and you are running only one operating system on your computer.
You want enhanced file security. You need better disk compression.

Disk partitions

Partition
 A separate area of a disk which can be formatted for use by a distinct file system, such as FAT32 or NTFS

You can create partitions to organize information—for example, to back up data—or to install more than one operating system on your computer. A hard disk can contain up to four partitions.

If you’re performing a new installation, the appropriate disk partition is selected automatically during Windows XP Setup unless you click Advanced Options and specify your own requirements.

For more information about configuring, sizing, reformatting, or converting disk partitions, see your current online Help before you install or upgrade to Windows XP Professional.

Questions and answers about Setup

The following questions and answers may help you troubleshoot common Setup issues.

Tip
You can also run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard directly from the Windows XP CD on your old computer or the computer you're installing Windows XP on. Just insert the CD and, after the CD launches, click Perform additional tasks > Transfer files and settings
to start.

I want to keep files and settings from another computer. Can I move them over to Windows XP?

Yes! Windows XP includes a new tool—the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard—that will help you. You can start the wizard by clicking Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. The wizard will help you create a Wizard Disk to collect your files and settings from your other computer.

Can I install more than one operating system on my computer?

Yes. You can install and run multiple operating systems on your computer. However, there may be some limitations, depending on the file system you use and the number of partitions available on your computer.

For specific information about installing multiple operating systems on your computer, see: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/multiboot.htm

Will all of my software and hardware work on Windows XP?

During Windows XP Setup, the software already installed on your computer is checked for potential conflicts.

Important
If your hardware isn’t on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), contact the hardware manufacturer to see if there is a Windows XP driver for it.

You can also check the compatibility of your software after you install Windows XP in several ways:

During Setup, my computer locks up, shows a blue screen, or otherwise fails. What causes this, and what should I do?

Important
If your hardware isn’t on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), contact the hardware manufacturer to see if there is a Windows XP driver for it.

Computers may stop responding during Setup because of failed or failing hardware, and incorrect or outdated BIOS (basic input/output system) settings. Checking your hardware settings and drivers and updating your BIOS usually solves these problems. However, you can also:

You may also want to visit your computer manufacturer’s Web site for information on your computer’s current BIOS settings and how to obtain BIOS upgrades.

During Setup, I see the message “Unable to load device driver.” What should I do?

A damaged device-driver file on your hard disk can cause this problem. Start your computer in safe mode, and then try removing and replacing the damaged file.

Driver
Software that allows Windows XP to communicate with hardware devices, such as a printer

Safe mode
A startup setting that disconnects most drivers and peripheral devices, allowing you to correct certain computer problems

For information about starting your computer in safe mode, see “Troubleshooting” later in this book.

During Setup I was prompted to “activate” Windows XP. What is activation and why do I need to do it?

Important

To help reduce software piracy, Windows XP uses the product activation system, which allows your copy of Windows XP to be installed on only one computer. You can activate your copy of Windows either:

During Setup.

–or–

By clicking Start > All Programs > Activate Windows

If you wait to activate your software, you can still use Windows for 30 days. During this time, you’ll be reminded periodically to activate Windows.

You can either activate over the phone or the Internet. If you choose the Internet, it is much easier - and quicker - and you don't have to anything.

If you choose to phone, this screen will come up. Follow steps 1-4.

Is activating the same as registering?

No. Activation is required; registration is optional.

Why should I register?

If you register with Microsoft, we can notify you of new products, product updates, events, promotions, and special offers that you may find interesting.

Important
Microsoft is committed to protecting your privacy and does not share your information.

Configure Windows XP

After you've installed Windows XP Professional, you can configure common settings, including user accounts and network connections.

User account
A collection of settings which includes a unique user name, a password, and a set of rights and permissions to a computer’s resources

Administrator account
A user account that:

Logging on to your computer

If you already have a user account, log on to your computer with that account name and password. If you don't have a user account, you must first log on as the administrator to create one.

Log on as the Administrator

Until you set up a user account on your computer, you need to log on as the Administrator. For security reasons, you should create a user account for yourself and a user account for each person who may be using the computer.

After you complete Setup, your computer restarts and the “Log On to Windows” dialog box appears.

To log on as the Administrator

1.   In “Log On to Windows,” type Administrator and the password you assigned to the administrator during Setup.

2.   Click OK.

If a message appears informing you that the system could not log you on, verify that caps lock is not turned on, and then retype your password.

3. Create your user account

When you install Windows XP Professional, you are asked if you want to create separate user accounts if other people will be using your computer. You can create a user account for each person who will regularly use your computer.

To create a user account

Important
If you need to perform administrative-only tasks on your computer, such as managing accounts and resources, assign administrator rights to your user account when you create it.

1.   Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts.

2.   On the “Users” tab, click Add.

3.   Type a name for your user account, your full name, and a description for your account.

4.   Type the domain name, and then click Next, if your computer is set up as part of a client/server network.

If your computer is set up as an individual computer (without a network) or in a peer-to-peer network, you don’t need to provide a domain name.

5.   Type a user password, and then type the user password again to confirm it.

Important
Passwords are case-sensitive. “MyPassword” and “mypassword” are treated as two different passwords.

6.   Click Next.

7.   Select the level of access for your user account, and then click Finish.

For more information about user accounts, level of access, rights and permissions, see Help and Support Center.

og on with your user account

Now that you’ve created a user account, log off as the administrator and log on using your own user account.

To log off as the administrator and log on with your new user account

1.   Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

2.   Click Log Off > Yes.

3.   When the “Welcome to Windows” screen appears, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.

If your computer is set up to log on automatically, your computer restarts and automatically logs on for you.

4.   In “Log On Windows,” type your user name, your password, and your domain.

5.   Click OK.