WinXP Install Partition

[Peter]

I'm installing WinXP Pro SP1 on a new hard drive in a new PC. It's
currently the only hard drive in the PC. I intend to keep it a single
partition.

Near the beginning of the setup process I get the following two options
asking me where I want to install XP:

* To setup WinXP on the selected item, press Enter. (The only item on
the list at this point is "unpartitioned space.")

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, Press C.

My question is: what's the difference? I want only one partition (the
whole drive). Do I have to specifically create a partition if I want only
one partition?

Peter

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm installing WinXP Pro SP1 on a new hard drive in a new PC. It's
currently the only hard drive in the PC. I intend to keep it a single
partition.

Near the beginning of the setup process I get the following two
options asking me where I want to install XP:

* To setup WinXP on the selected item, press Enter. (The only item
on the list at this point is "unpartitioned space.")

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, Press C.

My question is: what's the difference? I want only one partition (the
whole drive). Do I have to specifically create a partition if I want
only one partition?

First DELETE any partitions (that is an option *if* there are any
partitions.)

Second (if you had to do the first) - Create a partition.. Give it whatever
size you want.. There will be 8MB left over.. Don't ask.. Just accept it.

Third, continue with the installation.

Lastly, leave it disconnected from the Internet UNTIL you turn on the
firewall. Then connect up and update from
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

 

[Peter]

First DELETE any partitions (that is an option *if* there are any
partitions.)

Second (if you had to do the first) - Create a partition.. Give it whatever
size you want.. There will be 8MB left over.. Don't ask.. Just accept it.

Third, continue with the installation.

A followup question about your 2nd step above... Why do I have to create
a partition? Why can't I just install WinXP on the drive un-partitioned?
What is the down side of doing that?

Peter

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm installing WinXP Pro SP1 on a new hard drive in a new PC. It's
currently the only hard drive in the PC. I intend to keep it a
single partition.

Near the beginning of the setup process I get the following two
options asking me where I want to install XP:

* To setup WinXP on the selected item, press Enter. (The only item
on the list at this point is "unpartitioned space.")

* To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, Press C.

My question is: what's the difference? I want only one partition
(the whole drive). Do I have to specifically create a partition if
I want only one partition?

First DELETE any partitions (that is an option *if* there are any
partitions.)

Second (if you had to do the first) - Create a partition.. Give it
whatever size you want.. There will be 8MB left over.. Don't ask..
Just accept it.

Third, continue with the installation.

A followup question about your 2nd step above... Why do I have to
create a partition? Why can't I just install WinXP on the drive
un-partitioned? What is the down side of doing that?

None at all, Windows XP will just take over the whole drive and format it
NTFS. You get no control over how many poartitions there are, how big they
are, etc. If you create partitions (although not clear in my step two above
because you wanted the whole drive, others reading this may not) yourself,
you can make as many as you want (within reason) and specify their sizes.

 

[GONAVY2]

WHAT IF IT CONTINUES TO LOOP BACK TO THE OPTION OF ASKING
IF YOU WANT TO INSTALL XP?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

First DELETE any partitions (that is an option *if* there are any
partitions.)

Second (if you had to do the first) - Create a partition.. Give it
whatever size you want.. There will be 8MB left over.. Don't ask..
Just accept it.

Third, continue with the installation.

Lastly, leave it disconnected from the Internet UNTIL you turn on the
firewall. Then connect up and update from
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

WHAT IF IT CONTINUES TO LOOP BACK TO THE OPTION OF ASKING
IF YOU WANT TO INSTALL XP?

First, stop screaming.. We can hear you. All Caps are not necessary.

Second.. Once it starts installing, you no longer have to "Press Any Key to
Boot from CD...", just let it go!

 

[Sharon F]

WHAT IF IT CONTINUES TO LOOP BACK TO THE OPTION OF ASKING
IF YOU WANT TO INSTALL XP?

My system does that with XP setup too. If I wait and let the time expire
for the cdrom boot, XP setup loses its place and wants to start over. What
I have to do to get past this is wait until the initial stages of XP setup
restart the system. Then go back into BIOS and set the boot option back to
hard drive first, cdrom drive second. When I exit, XP setup picks up where
it left off instead of wanting to starting over.