- 1). Insert the Windows XP Setup CD into your computer's CD or DVD drive. Click "Start," "Turn off Computer," then click "Restart." When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears, press any key on your keyboard to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
- 2). Press "Enter" at the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Your mouse will not work at this point, so you can only use your keyboard for commands. Press "F8" to agree to the Microsoft Software License Agreement. You will have to scroll down in order to see the whole agreement.
- 3). Press "Enter" to select "Unpartitioned space." The data on your hard drive will be completely removed and cannot be recovered. Make sure you have a backup of your files before you continue. When you are ready, press "D," and then press "L" when you are prompted. All existing data will now be deleted.
- 4). Press "Enter" to select "Format the partition using the NTFS file system." Windows XP will now copy the setup files to your hard disk. During this phase, your hard disk is being formatted, which means all data is erased, then it will copy the files. This process will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. When it is finished, your computer will automatically restart, then continue the installation process when it comes back up. You can now use your mouse.
- 5). Click "Next" to accept the default settings for the "Regional and Language Options." You can change these settings after the installation is completed. Type your name and organization on the "Personalize Your Software" page, and then click "Next." Enter the Product Key on the "Your Product Key" page. This key will be on your Windows XP CD case. When you are finished, click "Next."
- 6). Enter the name that identifies your computer on the "Computer Name and Administrator Password" page. You cannot use spaces or any punctuation. Type a password in the "Administrator Password" box. Make sure the password is unique. Retype the password in the "Confirm Password" box, and click "Next."
- 7). Set the clock on the "Date and Time Settings" page. Select the correct time zone, and click "Next." Click "Next" again on the "Network Settings" page. Click "Next" on the "Workgroup or Computer Domain" page. Your computer will now be configured. This takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and your computer will automatically restart when finished. Press "OK" when the display settings dialog box opens. Click "OK" again, when the "Monitor Settings" page opens.
- 8). Click "Next" when you see "Welcome to Microsoft Windows." Click "Help Protect my PC by turning on automatic updates now," and click "Next." Windows XP will now check to see if you have an active Internet connection. If you are connected to the Internet, select the option for your network connection on the "Will this computer connect to the Internet directly or through a network?" page. Accept the default if you are unsure, and click "Next."
- 9). Click "Yes" when you see "Ready to activate Windows?" If you are connected to the Internet, then click "Next." If you are not connected to the Internet, click "No," then click "Next." You will be continuously be reminded to activate Windows if you do not do it now. Click "Yes," and then click "Next" to register with Microsoft. Complete the form, and click "Next." Set up the users who will be using the computer. Type a name for each person. You can use nicknames, first names, last names or full names. When you are finished, click "Next." When you see "Thank you!," click "Finish" to complete the installation of Windows XP.
SHARE
