How To Install Windows XP Professional

Before the install/reinstallation of Windows XP, I highly recommend that you download Service Pack 3 “for multiple computers”and burn it onto a CD. The download is approximately 316.4MB. If you choose not to do this step, your system could become infected with a virus or worm exploiting the vulnerabilities that Service Pack 3 fixes. I also recommend that you do NOT have your system connected to the Internet until after the installation of Service Pack 3. This means that you cannot activate your XP installation during setup, but you can accomplish that task following a reboot after Service Pack 3 is installed.

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)

After configuring the system for booting from a CD, the Windows Setup screen appears.

At this point, Setup is loading the driver files it needs to continue with installation.

1) Shall we begin? (Image 1.1)

2) Welcome to Setup: (Image 1.2)

The “Welcome to Setup” screen appears with the option of Continuing Setup, Repair a previous installation, or Quitting.

Press ENTER to Continue Setup.

You may also choose R to Repair, or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.

2) Welcome to Setup: (Image 1.2)

3) Windows XP Licensing Agreement: (Image 1.3)

The “Windows XP Licensing Agreement” screen, otherwise known as “EULA,” displays the legal in’s and out’s of this particular software package.

You may press F8 to signify that you agree with the terms, hit ESC if you do not agree and PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN to scroll through each screen. Note: If you do not agree to the terms, setup will quit and reboot the system.

3) Windows XP Licensing Agreement: (Image 1.3)

4) Hard drive partition information: (Image 1.4)

Hard drive partition information is now displayed. This varies with each systems hardware configuration.

This example already has a partition defined. I will choose not to use this and create a new one by pressing D.
You may skip this and the next few steps if you do not have any partitions defined.

At this point, the options include pressing ENTER to Install on the selected partition, D to Delete the selected partition, or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.

4) Hard drive partition information: (Image 1.4)

5) Warning screen: (Image 1.5)

After pressing D to delete the selected partition, a warning screen appears explaining the pitfalls of deleting it. This particular screen only appears when the partition selected to be deleted is formatted as a bootable system partition. Other partitions will display the next screen.

I want this to happen, so I press ENTER to continue.

The options include pressing ENTER to continue, or ESC to Cancel.

5) Warning screen: (Image 1.5)

6) Confirmation screen: (Image 1.6)

A confirmation screen that displays the logical drive, what file system the partition is currently using, the size in MB and controller information.

Options include L to Delete the partition and ESC to Cancel the action.

6) Confirmation screen: (Image 1.6)

7) No partitions have been previously defined: (Image 1.7)

If no partitions have been previously defined, this screen will be displayed. You may section your hard drive in as many partitions as you wish by selecting C to Create a Partition and then entering in a value less then the total available. Here, I will Create a Partition in the highlighted, unused portion.

Select the partition you wish to install to using the UP arrow and DOWN ARROW keys.

Press ENTER to use the highlighted partition and Install, C to Create a Partition, or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.

7) No partitions have been previously defined: (Image 1.7)

8) Enter in the partition size: (Image 1.8)

Enter in the partition size in MB within the displayed minimum and maximum. I chose the default or maximum available here.

You may choose ENTER to Create the new partition or ESC to Cancel the action.

8) Enter in the partition size: (Image 1.8)

9) Continue to create partitions: (Image 1.9)

Continue to create partitions until all space is used or the configuration meets your requirements.
Note: a small portion will be unavailable to partition. This is normal. In this example, it is 2 MB.

I chose drive C: or Partition1 to install the Operating System.

You may choose ENTER to Install to the selected partition, D to Delete the highlighted Partition, or F3 to Quit and reboot the system.

9) Continue to create partitions: (Image 1.9)

10) Format the partition: (Image 1.10)

Since this OS supports NTFS, format the partition with it. If you do not, many folder and file security features will be unavailable. Note: If you are dual booting your system, a previous OS will not be able to read the local information. This is a fact with Windows 9x and Me. If you have a requirement to view this partition from another OS installed on the system, do not format it as NTFS. Also, the boot partition must be formatted with FAT32 if you wish to dual boot. I have found no problems accessing a NTFS partition mapped as a network drive from an older OS.

Select what format you wish to use by pressing the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys.

Press ENTER to confirm your selection and Continue or ESC to Cancel.

10) Format the partition: (Image 1.10)

11) Setup formats the partition: (Image 1.11)

Watch the progress bar as Setup formats the partition, or get up and get a soda. It may take awhile.

11) Setup formats the partition: (Image 1.11)

12) Creating File List: (Image 1.12)

Setup is now figuring out what files to copy over to the hard drive.

12) Creating File List: (Image 1.12)

13) Setup copies various files: (Image 1.13)

After the partition is finished formatting, Setup copies various files to support booting from the hard drive and continue on.

13) Setup copies various files: (Image 1.13)

14) Creates various information files: (Image 1.14)

Setup then creates various information files required to continue on with setup.

14) Creates various information files: (Image 1.14)

15) Press ENTER to Restart: (Image 1.15)

The first reboot and the end of the blue background has arrived. If you are impatient, press ENTER to Restart before the 15 seconds expire.

ENTER to Restart the Computer is the only option available.

15) Press ENTER to Restart: (Image 1.15)

16) Windows XP boot screen: (Image 2.1)

The new Windows XP boot screen is displayed.

16) Windows XP boot screen: (Image 2.1)

17) Windows XP Installation: (Image 2.2)

If you have installed Windows before, this type of screen will look familiar.

Sit back. It may be awhile.

17) Windows XP Installation: (Image 2.2)

18) Faster and more reliable: (Image 2.3)

Every Windows OS that comes out has the same claim. Faster and better. It is subject to debate whether or not it could get “any worse.”

18) Faster and more reliable: (Image 2.3)

19) Region and Input Languages: (Image 2.4)

A little while later, you will be prompted with options of configuring your Region and Input Languages. The default was fine for me, so I selected Next.

Options include Customize button, Details Button, plus the standard Back and Next.

19) Region and Input Languages: (Image 2.4)

20) Enter in your Name: (Image 2.5)

Enter in your Name and optional Organization information, then select the Next button.

20) Enter in your Name: (Image 2.5)

21) 25 digit Product Key: (Image 2.6)

Thought you could get away from it? Think again.

Enter your unique 25 digit Product Key that came with your CD, then select the Next button.

21) 25 digit Product Key: (Image 2.6)

22) Enter a Computer name and an Administrator Password: (Image 2.7)

The “suggested” name for the computer is always really whacked out. Choose one that meets your needs.

Enter an Administrator Password now. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you keep this information safe and remember what it is! “01Pa$$word” is not a good choice. Think of something secure and never lose or forget it.

22) Enter a Computer name and an Administrator Password: (Image 2.7)

23) Date, Time and Time Zone: (Image 2.8)

Configure the proper information for the Date, Time and Time Zone here.

23) Date, Time and Time Zone: (Image 2.8)

24) Network is installing: (Image 2.9)

Wait here while the Network is installing. You could read all the marketing dribble, but I do not recommend it. 

24) Network is installing: (Image 2.9)

25) Network Settings Dialog: (Image 3.1)

The Network Settings Dialog is next. Under usual circumstances, the Typical settings are fine, but I never choose them so I can poke around under the hood. I selected Custom settings here.

Choose your method and select the Next button.

25) Network Settings Dialog: (Image 3.1)

26) Custom settings: (Image 3.2)

In the Custom settings, many options are abound. I cannot go into all of them here, but I will hit on the high points.

26) Custom settings: (Image 3.2)

27) QoS Packet Scheduler: (Image 3.3)

QoS Packet Scheduler is not required unless your network uses it.

For this system, I will choose to uncheck it.

27) QoS Packet Scheduler: (Image 3.3)

28) TCP/IP Properties: (Image 3.4)

TCP/IP Properties contains the standard options. Adjust them for your particular needs as required. For now, I kept the default settings. Basically, it is using DHCP to configure TCP/IP. If you are using a static IP address, enter in the proper information here.

Select the Advanced button to further configure your TCP/IP options.

28) TCP/IP Properties: (Image 3.4)

29) Workgroup or Computer Domain: (Image 3.5)

Workgroup or Computer Domain, that is the question. I am not going to set up this system to connect to a domain controller, so I will place it as a member of a workgroup.

Please, change “WORKGROUP” to something else. I hate defaults. 

Select the Next button after making your choice.

29) Workgroup or Computer Domain: (Image 3.5)

30) Install screen: (Image 3.6)

The system will reboot after all files have been copied over to the install partition. Now may be a good time to take a break. It may be awhile.

30) Install screen: (Image 3.6)

31) Windows XP is starting up: (Image 4.1)

The moment we have all been waiting for, Windows XP Professional is starting up “for the first time.” Remember that quoted statement with Windows 95 setup?

31) Windows XP is starting up: (Image 4.1)

32) Display Settings Pop-up: (Image 4.2)

Windows XP no longer likes the “default” resolution of 640 x 480 and prompts you of that fact.

Select OK to continue.

32) Display Settings Pop-up: (Image 4.2)

33) Please wait: (Image 4.3)

800 x 600 is a wonderful thing, however, I chose to have it time out and return to 640 x 480 for this guide.

33) Please wait: (Image 4.3)

34) Login to the Administrator account: (Image 4.4)

With the “Welcome” screen, you no longer have to hit the “Three Finger Salute” combination of Ctrl+Alt+Delete to login to the Administrator account.

You did remember your password, right?!?

34) Login to the Administrator account: (Image 4.4)

35) Applying computer settings: (Image 4.5)

Please wait while the Administrator account is configured “for the first time.”

No. I will not mention Windows 95 again…

35) Applying computer settings: (Image 4.5)

36) Display Settings Pop-up: (Image 4.6)

Since the initial screen resolution is set to 640 x 480, a balloon dialog appears. You may click the pop-up balloon to raise the resolution up to 800 x 600 automatically. For the rest of this guide, I chose to ignore it.

36) Display Settings Pop-up: (Image 4.6)

37) Windows XP tour: (Image 5.1)

Click the balloon dialog to start a tour of Windows XP.

Even if you do not wish to see the information, you should click on the balloon to get rid of the annoyance in a timely fashion.

37) Windows XP tour: (Image 5.1)

38) Windows XP Tour dialog: (Image 5.2)

Windows XP Tour dialog popup is shown.

Select the Cancel button to never see it again.

38) Windows XP Tour dialog: (Image 5.2)

39) .NET Passport Wizard: (Image 5.3)

Double-Click the Messenger Icon in the bottom right (system tray) and the “.NET Passport Wizard” dialog appears.

Select Cancel to not sign up for Passport at this time.

39) .NET Passport Wizard: (Image 5.3)

40) Windows Messenger: (Image 5.4)

With the .NET Passport Wizard gone, the Windows Messenger is opened.

40) Windows Messenger: (Image 5.4)

41) Windows Messenger Tools: (Image 5.5)

Select Tools, then Options.

41) Windows Messenger Tools: (Image 5.5)

42) Messenger Preferences: (Image 5.6)

In the Options window, select the Preferences Tab.

Uncheck “Run this program when Windows starts” and “Allow this program to run in the background.” Of course, if you wish to keep Windows Messenger, do not do this step.

42) Messenger Preferences: (Image 5.6)

43) Close Messenger: (Image 5.7)

Now you can select the Close button and Messenger will be unloaded from memory.

43) Close Messenger: (Image 5.7)

44) That is all! (Image 5.8)

That’s all there is to it! I hope this guide helped you out or gave you a sneak peek at what is to come. More information
about Windows XP is located HERE!

44) That is all! (Image 5.8)

How to Install Windows 8

Windows 8 is Microsoft's latest operating system which is completely redesigned. It moves away from the traditional interface to a completely new interface known as Metro User Interface. The familiar start menu is now gone. Icons and windows are replaced with live tiles and magazine styled interface. Unlike any previous versions, Windows 8 and its variation RT works across multiplearchitectures and has been optimized for touch screen. So it will work on Intel based PCs or an ARM basedtablet.

This step-by-step guide demonstrates how to install Microsoft Windows 8 Professional. You can follow this guide if you have Windows 8 basic edition or any other version as the steps are very similar.

The best way to install Windows 8 is to do a clean install. Before you start the installation process I recommend that you check Windows 8 System Requirements to ensure that your hardware is supported by Windows 8. If you don't have Windows 8 drivers for all your hardware, it is a good idea to download all the drivers from the hardware manufacturers web site and save all the necessary drivers on a CD/DVD or a USB drive before you start the installation.

Windows 8 Professional DVD is bootable. In order to boot from the DVD you need to set the boot sequence. Look for the boot sequence under your BIOS setup and make sure that the first boot device is set to CD-ROM/DVD-ROM.

Step 1 - Place Windows 8 DVD in your dvd-rom drive and start your PC. Windows 8 will start to boot up and you will get the following screen with a rotating progress bar.

Step 2 - The next screen allows you to setup your language, time and currency format, keyboard or input method. Choose your required settings and click next to continue.

Step 3 - The next screen allows you to install or repair Windows 8. Since we are doing a clean install we will click on "install now".

Step 4 - The setup process starts as shown.

Step 5 - At this stage you need to type your product key that came with your copy ofWindows 8. Click next once you have entered the product key correctly.

Step 6 - Read the license terms and tick I accept license terms. Then click next tocontinue.

Step 7 - Choose the type of installation you want. Since you are doing a clean install you need to click on custom.

Step 8 - Choose where you would like to install Windows 8. If you have one hard drive you will get an option similar to the image below. You can click next to continue then go to step 12.

If you have more than one drive or partition then you need to select the appropriate drive and click next. At this stage you can go to step 12.

If you want to partition a large drive then do not click next. Go to step 9.

Step 9 - If you want to partition an existing drive then click new. Choose the size of the partition and click apply.

Step 10 - Click OK to create the partition. Windows will create additional system partition which you don't have to worry about.

Step 11 - You will notice that you have 3 partitions. Partition 1 is system reserved. Leave this partition alone. Partition 2 is 30GB primary partition that was created in the last step. The third partition is unallocated which means it is not being used. You can however format it and use it as a second storage drive. This can be done after windows installation is finished so I will leave it for now.

Choose partition 2 (Primary Partition). This is where I will install Windows 8. Click next to continue.

Step 12 - At this stage Windows starts to copy files to your hard drive and begins the installation. This process might take a few minutes depending on your computerspecification. Now is a good time to grab yourself a coffee.

Step 13 - When all the necessary files are copied Windows 8 will automatically restart as shown.

Step 14 - You will go through various progress bar and information messages as shown on the following images. Windows might restart automatically second time.

Step 15 - You are now presented with "Let's go through a few basics" screen. It willautomatically select personalize option.

Step 16 - Choose your PC name and personalize the color.

Step 17 - Here you can choose express settings or choose customize. I will choose customize to make further customization.

Step 18 - Choose Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices.

Step 19 - Help protect and update your PC. Choose your preferred option and click next.

Step 20 - Send Microsoft info to help make Windows and apps better. Choose your preferred options or leave the default settings. Click next to continue.

Step 21 - Check online for solutions to problem. Choose your preferred options or leave the default settings. Click next to continue.

Step 22 - Sign in to your PC. Here you can login to your PC using a Microsoft email account such as your hotmail account.

If you do not have a Microsoft account you can create one by clicking Sign up for a new email address. Go to Step 23.

If you don't want to create an email account and prefer to create a local user name, clickSign in without a Microsoft account. Go to step 24.

Step 23 - Sign up for a new email address. If you want to create a new email account you need to complete the form below.

Step 24 - Click local account

Step 25 - Here you can choose a local user name and password. Choose finish to continue.

Step 26 - At this stage Windows starts to finalize your settings. You will get the following information screen as the installation moves forward.

Step 27 - As Windows 8 setup progresses you are given a presentation of the new interface. Its shows you how swiping the edge of the screen brings up the Charm bar. Using the Charm bar you can do a search or change your settings. It also demonstrates how you can hover your mouse on the bottom or top left corner to access the switch list. This list shows all open applications and allows you to switch between them.

Step 28 - Soon as the demonstration finishes windows moves into the final stages of the setup.

Step 29 - Finally the setup process is finished and you are presented with a completely new and unfamiliar Metro user interface. You have your most common application right in front of you. Clicking on any tiles will launch that application. At this point you can start using your computer. However, it may not be fully configured. You need to make sure that all the hardware is detected correctly and the necessary device drivers are installed. This can be done from the device manager.

Step 30 - To go to device manager click search on charm bar on the right. Then type devmgmt.msc. Click on the devmgmt icon on the left.

Step 31 - You will see all your hardware listed as shown on the image below. You need to check if you have any yellow exclamation marks next to the name of the devices, similar to "Base System Device" on the image below. This indicates that the driver has not been installed for this device.

At this stage you can install the driver for this device. To do so, Right Mouse click on Base System Device -> Update Driver Software...

Step 32 - You can choose to "Search automatically for updated driver software" or "Browse my computer for driver software". If you have the driver CD or if the driver is on a USB drive then choose "browse my computer for driver software". Window 8 will search and install thedriver from the CD or you can locate the driver manually.

Once you have removed all the yellow exclamation marks from the device manager yourWindows 8 configuration would be fully complete.