Install Windows XP
Most new computers come with Windows XP installed, so many people never have to install it. However, you may need to install Windows XP if:
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You replaced your hard disk drive with a new hard disk drive that does not have Windows XP installed.
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You are reinstalling Windows XP on a computer because you want to clean off your hard drive and remove any unwanted programs, such as spyware.
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You purchased a computer without an operating system.
Fortunately, you do not need to be a computer expert to install Windows XP. Installing Windows XP is a straightforward process that takes between one to two hours. Of that time, you need to be present for only about 30 minutes.
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Install Windows XP
Note: If you have a computer with an older operating system, such as Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000, you should upgrade to Windows XP instead of performing a clean installation.
Pre-installation checklist
Before you begin the installation process, use this checklist to make sure that you are prepared:
You have the Windows XP CD.
You have the product key available. The product key is located on your Windows XP CD case and is required to install and activate Windows XP.
Your computer hardware is set up. At a minimum, you should connect your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and CD drive. If available, you should connect your computer to a wired network.
You have Windows XP drivers available. Drivers are software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your computer’s hardware. Most new computers include a CD containing drivers. If you do not have drivers available, Windows XP may already include drivers for your hardware. If not, you should be able to download them from your hardware manufacturer’s Web site after you set up Windows XP.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP on an existing computer, you need a backup copy of your files and settings. The installation process will delete all of your files. You can use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to store your files and settings on removable media and then restore them after installation is complete.
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Installation process
Installing Windows XP can take up to two hours. To make the process more manageable, it has been broken up into several sections. When you are ready, install Windows XP:
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Part 1: Begin the installation
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Part 2: Continue the installation
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Part 3: Complete the installation
Part 1: Begin the installation
1.
Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer.
2.
If prompted to start from the CD, press SPACEBAR. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again.
3.
Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
4.
On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8.
5.
This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data.
6.
Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.
7.
Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.
8.
Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes.
Part 2: Continue the installation
9.
Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete.
10.
On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next.
11.
On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next.
12.
On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next.
13.
On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.
14.
Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.
15.
On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.
Part 3: Complete the installation
16.
Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.
17.
When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.
18.
The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.
19.
On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next.
20.
Windows XP will then check if you are connected to the Internet:
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If you are connected to the Internet, select the choice that describes your network connection on the Will this computer connect to the Internet directly, or through a network? page. If you’re not sure, accept the default selection, and click Next.
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If you use dial-up Internet access, or if Windows XP cannot connect to the Internet, you can connect to the Internet after setup is complete. On the How will this computer connect to the Internet? page, click Skip.
21.
Windows XP Setup displays the Ready to activate Windows? page. If you are connected to the Internet, click Yes, and then click Next. If you are not yet connected to the Internet, click No, click Next, and then skip to step 24. After setup is complete, Windows XP will automatically remind you to activate and register your copy of Windows XP.
22.
On the Ready to register with Microsoft? page, click Yes, and then click Next.
23.
On the Collecting Registration Information page, complete the form. Then, click Next.
24.
On the Who will use this computer? page, type the name of each person who will use the computer. You can use first names only, nicknames, or full names. Then click Next. To add users after setup is complete or to specify a password to keep your account private, read Create and customize user accounts.
25.
On the Thank you! page, click Finish.
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Congratulations! Windows XP setup is complete. You can log on by clicking your name on the logon screen. If you’ve installed Windows XP on a new computer or new hard disk drive, you can now use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy your important data to your computer or hard disk drive.
After logon, take a few minutes to validate your copy of Windows. Validation gives you access to hundreds of free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center. To learn about the new features Windows XP provides, click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Tour Windows XP
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vista installation
SUMMARY
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This article describes how to upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista from an earlier version of Microsoft Windows and how to perform a clean installation of Microsoft Windows Vista. To upgrade to Windows Vista, the operating system that is currently installed on the computer must be supported in the upgrade path to Windows Vista. This article lists the operating system requirements to upgrade to Windows Vista. This article also lists some methods that you can use to troubleshoot scenarios where you receive an "Upgrade has been disabled" message when you try to upgrade to Windows Vista. Additionally, this article describes two methods that you can use to start the Setup program to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista.
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INTRODUCTION
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This article contains information about how to upgrade to Windows Vista from an earlier version of Windows and how to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista.
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MORE INFORMATION
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Upgrade to Windows Vista
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Important To make sure that you have the best possible experience when you upgrade to Windows Vista, follow these steps:
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Exit all applications that are open before you upgrade to Windows Vista. This includes browsers and media players.
2.
Make sure that you are connected to the Internet when you start the upgrade process.
3.
When you are prompted, Get important updates for installation, click Go Online.
Recommended minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista
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To view a list of recommended minimum hardware requirements, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
919183 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183/) System requirements for Windows Vista
Operating system requirements to upgrade to Windows Vista
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To view a list of Windows versions that can be upgraded to Windows Vista editions, see the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx)
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
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Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor provides information about hardware and application compatibility issues and makes performance recommendations. To obtain Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx)
Upgrade procedure
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To upgrade your computer to Windows Vista, follow these steps:
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Start the computer by using the current operating system. Verify that the Microsoft Windows operating system that is currently installed on the computer is eligible for upgrade to Windows Vista.
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Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
3.
Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate:
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If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now.
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If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
a.
Click Start, click Run, type Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK.Note Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive.
b.
Click Install now.
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When you reach the Which type of installation to you want? screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to Windows Vista.
The Upgrade option is unavailable, and you receive an "Upgrade has been disabled" message
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When you try to upgrade to Windows Vista, the Upgrade option is unavailable. Additionally, you receive the following message:
Upgrade has been disabledThis issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
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The operating system that is currently installed on the computer is not supported in the upgrade path to Windows Vista.
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You did not start the computer by using the current operating system. Instead, you started the computer from the Windows Vista DVD. To resolve this issue, start the computer by using the current operating system, and then run the Setup program from the current operating system.
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The operating system is installed to a partition that uses the FAT32 file system. To resolve this issue, convert the file system on the partition to use the NTFS file system. For more information about how to resolve this issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307881 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881/) How to convert a FAT16 volume or a FAT32 volume to an NTFS file system in Windows XP
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The partition on which you want to upgrade to Windows Vista has insufficient free hard disk space. To resolve this issue, free additional space on the hard disk. For more information about how to use the Disk Cleanup tool to free hard disk space, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310312 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312/) Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
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Perform a clean installation of Windows Vista
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Warning In a clean installation, existing data is removed. This data includes personal data and settings. After you install the operating system, you must also reinstall all programs. Make sure that you back up personal data before you perform a clean installation. To perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, use one of the following methods.
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Method 1: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the current operating system
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windows 2000
1.
Start the computer by using the current operating system.
2.
Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
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Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate:
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If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now.
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If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
a.
Click Start, click Run, type Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK. Note Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive.
b.
Click Install now.
4.
When you reach the Which type of installation do you want? screen, click Custom (advanced), and then follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista.
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Method 2: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD
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1.
Start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD. To do this, insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.
2.
When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on the screen, press a key.
3.
Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista.
Installing Windows 2000 Professional
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To install Windows 2000 Professional, follow these steps:
1.
Start the installation by using one of the following methods:
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Start from the Windows 2000 Professional installation CD-ROM. Make sure that the CD-ROM is set to start before the hard disk starts. Insert the CD-ROM, and then when you are prompted, press any key to start the Windows 2000 Professional Setup program.
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Start from boot disks. Insert Disk 1, and then insert each of the remaining three floppy disks when you are prompted to do so. For additional information about creating boot disks for Windows 2000, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
197063 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063/EN-US/) How to Create Setup Boot Disks for Windows 2000
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Start from within a current operating system. Insert the CD-ROM, and then, at a command prompt, type drive:\i386\winnt32.exe and then press ENTER, or if this is an installation on a computer that has no previous installation of Windows, type drive:\i386\winnt.exe and then press ENTER, where drive is the letter of the CD-ROM drive.
2.
Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to install the Setup and driver files. When the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.
3.
Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of the license agreement and continue the installation.
4.
When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, either press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional on the selected partition, or press C to create a partition in the unpartitioned space.
5.
If you choose to install Windows 2000 Professional on a file allocation table (FAT) partition, specify whether you want to:
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Leave the current file system intact.
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Format the partition as FAT16.
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Convert the existing file system to the NTFS file system.
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Format the partition by using the NTFS file system.Press ENTER after you make your selection. Setup examines the existing hard disks and then copies the files that are needed to complete the installation of Windows 2000 Professional. After the files are copied, the computer restarts.Important Do not press a key to boot from your CD-ROM drive when your computer restarts.
6.
When the Windows 2000 GUI Mode Setup Wizard appears, click Next to start the wizard. Setup detects and installs such devices as a specialized mouse or keyboard.
7.
When the Regional Options dialog box appears, customize your installation of Windows 2000 Professional for locale, number format, currency, time, date, and language, if necessary. Click Next.
8.
In the Personalize Your Software dialog box, type your name and the name of your organization, and then click Next.
9.
In the Product ID dialog box, type the 25-character product key, and then click Next.
10.
In the Computer Name and Password dialog box, either accept the default name that Setup generates or assign a different name for the computer. When you are prompted for an administrative password, type a password for the Administrator account. (You can leave the box blank; however, this is not recommended.) Click Next.
11.
In the Date and Time Settings dialog box, set the correct date and time for your computer. You can also specify which time zone you are in and set the computer to automatically adjust the clock for daylight saving time. Click Next.
12.
Setup installs the networking software and detects your network settings. When the Network Settings dialog box appears, click either
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Typical to set default network settings such as File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Client for Microsoft Networks, and TCP/IP protocol that uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), or
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Custom to specify the network components that you require for your network environment,and then click Next.
13.
In the Workgroup or Computer Domain dialog box, specify the workgroup or the domain to join. If you indicate that you are part of a domain, specify your domain user name and password. Click Next.Setup installs the networking components.
14.
During the final stage of installation, Setup installs Start menu items, registers components, saves settings, and removes temporary files. When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard dialog box prompts you to do so, remove the Windows 2000 CD-ROM, and then click Finish to restart the computer.
15.
After the computer restarts, click Next in the Welcome to the Network Identification Wizard dialog box.
16.
In the Users of This Computer dialog box, specify either that users must enter a user name and password or that you want Windows 2000 to automatically log on a specific user when the computer starts. Click Finish.When the Windows 2000 Professional desktop appears, the installation is complete.
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windows 98
Before Purchasing Windows 98
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Before you purchase Windows 98, make sure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 98. The minimum hardware requirements include:
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486DX 66 megahertz (MHz) or faster processor (Pentium recommended)
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16 megabytes (MBs) of memory (24 MB recommended)
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120 MB of free hard disk space (typical installation requires approximately 195 MB of free hard disk space, but the required space may vary from 120 MB to 295 MB, depending on your computer's configuration and the options that you choose to install)
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CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
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3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive
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Video adapter and monitor that support video graphics adapter (VGA) or higher resolution
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Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device For additional information about the minimum hardware requirements forWindows 98, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
182751 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182751/EN-US/) Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 98 Installation Although Windows 98 includes more than 1,200 new drivers, not all third-party manufacturers' hardware drivers are compatible with Windows 98. Some older computers or devices may require an updated basic input/output system (BIOS) or device driver to fully support Windows 98. For information about compatibility with specific hardware, contact the manufacturer of your specific hardware, or click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
131900 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/131900/EN-US/) Windows Hardware Compatibility List The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) contains a list of computer systems and peripherals that have been tested and found to run Windows. For additional information about your specific computer or device, or to identify known incompatibilities or possible workarounds, please check with the manufacturer of your computer or device. You can use the Windows 98 Upgrade version to upgrade Microsoft Windows version 3.1x, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1x, or Microsoft Windows 95 or later to Windows 98. If Windows 3.1x, Windows for Workgroups 3.1x, or Windows 95 is not currently installed, you can use the Windows 98 Upgrade Setup program to install Windows 98 if you can provide the disks or CD-ROM from an earlier version of Windows to confirm your eligibility for the upgrade. Because the Windows 98 Upgrade version does not include a Startup disk, you must be able to start from the computer's hard disk to install the Windows 98 Upgrade. To install the non-upgrade version of Windows 98, you do not need an earlier version of Windows or MS-DOS. Because the non-upgrade version of Windows 98 includes a Startup disk, you do not need to be able to start from the computer's hard disk.
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Before Installing Windows 98
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Before you upgrade your existing version of Windows to Windows 98, perform the following steps:
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Read the Setup.txt file in the Win98 folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM, and perform any additional preinstallation steps as suggested. To read the Windows 98 Setup.txt file online, click Windows 98 Setup.txt on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)
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Make sure that your computer is not infected with a virus. To do so, run an antivirus program that has the latest virus signatures and allow the program to remove any viruses that it finds.
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Disable any programs that run automatically, including antivirus programs, screen savers, and system utilities. After Setup is finished, you can re-enable these programs.
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Uninstall any utilities or tools that protect or encrypt the master boot record (MBR) or partition table (for example, uninstall the Bootlock utility that is included with Symantec Norton Your Eyes Only). Make sure that you check with the software manufacturer before you reinstall the program to make sure that the version that you want to install is compatible with Windows 98.
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Back up all critical data on your hard disk. Although it is unlikely that you will encounter a serious problem when you install Windows 98, it is always a good idea to perform a complete system backup before you install a new operating system. When you upgrade your computer's operating system, an error might occur (such as a problem that is the result of incompatible hardware or a power failure) that could temporarily or permanently prevent you from gaining access to the data on your hard disk.
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Installing Windows 98
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If you want to install Windows 98 on a computer that does not have an installed operating system, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
221829 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221829/EN-US/) How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System If you are upgrading Windows 95, start Windows 95, and then insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM. Follow the instructions on your screen to install Windows 98. If you are not upgrading Windows 95, see the appropriate section of the Windows 98 Setup.txt file for specific installation instructions. To read the Windows 98 Setup.txt file online, click Windows 98 Setup.txt on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)NOTE: When Setup prompts you to make a new Startup disk for Windows 98, be sure to do so. See the Setup.txt file for additional information about creating a Windows 98 Startup disk.
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Common Windows 98 Setup Issues
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For information about known Setup issues, please view the Setup.txt file, or click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
232142 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232142/EN-US/) Troubleshooting 'Invalid Product Key' Error Message During Setup
225252 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/225252/EN-US/) Error Message: Your Computer Already Has an Operating System Installed, Which Cannot Be Upgraded by...
140901 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140901/EN-US/) Err Msg: Could Not Decode This Setup (.cab) File...
128730 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/128730/EN-US/) Error Message 'Invalid System Disk' After Setup Reboots
129971 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/129971/EN-US/) "SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup
162453 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/162453/EN-US/) OEM Product ID Not Accepted During Reinstallation For information about running Setup from a command prompt, please see the "Installing Windows 98 from MS-DOS" section of the Windows 98 Setup.txt file on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)
Windows Home Server 
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