Installation of XP

[Karl]

I recently purchased XP OEM (full version - not "upgrade")
to rid myself of Windows ME which came pre-installed on my
PC. I am interested in doing the CLEANEST possible install
and am prepared to reload all my programs and data files
(i.e. create a "new" machine). I have some basic questions
before intalling:

1) Should I completely reformat my hard drive before
installation? If so how do I do this and then install XP?

2) The instructions for OEM state "When you turn on your
computer, Windows XP Setup starts". Does this assume that
I have placed the CD in the drive at start up or should I
start the PC then place the XP disk in the drive and let
it start automatically? Remember that I am installing this
on a system that currently runs ME.

3) If I do not need to reformat, do I just insert the XP
disk into my CD ROM and follow the instructions?

3.1) Will I be able to save any existng data files as part
of this process or will I loose everthing? I have backed
them up.

4) Will I need to reload drivers for video and audio, etc?
How do I do this or will XP have the necessary drivers and
do this automaticaly?


Thanks for helping!

 

[John Dingley]

If you to do just an upgrade (not the best way to go but it may be ok) just
start your old system up then insert and run setup of the XP disk.

You say it is an OEM version, not sure about any implications this may have
though

 

[Tim Slattery]

I recently purchased XP OEM (full version - not "upgrade")
to rid myself of Windows ME which came pre-installed on my
PC. I am interested in doing the CLEANEST possible install
and am prepared to reload all my programs and data files
(i.e. create a "new" machine). I have some basic questions
before intalling:

OEM disks are intended to be installed on an empty partition, they
will not upgrade an existing installation.

You may be able to get around that. Look here:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html

 

[Ken Blake]

If you to do just an upgrade (not the best way to go but it may be ok) just
start your old system up then insert and run setup of the XP disk.

You say it is an OEM version, not sure about any implications this may have
though

Upgrade versions can *not* do upgrades. All he needs to do is set
the BIOS to boot fromn the CD first, then boot from the XP CD and
follow the prompts.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I recently purchased XP OEM (full version - not "upgrade")
to rid myself of Windows ME which came pre-installed on my
PC. I am interested in doing the CLEANEST possible install
and am prepared to reload all my programs and data files
(i.e. create a "new" machine). I have some basic questions
before intalling:

1) Should I completely reformat my hard drive before
installation? If so how do I do this and then install XP?

Your OEM disk will *only* do such clean installs.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I recently purchased XP OEM (full version - not "upgrade")
to rid myself of Windows ME which came pre-installed on my
PC. I am interested in doing the CLEANEST possible install
and am prepared to reload all my programs and data files
(i.e. create a "new" machine). I have some basic questions
before intalling:

1) Should I completely reformat my hard drive before
installation? If so how do I do this and then install XP?

Your OEM disk will only do such clean installs

2) The instructions for OEM state "When you turn on your
computer, Windows XP Setup starts". Does this assume that
I have placed the CD in the drive at start up or should I
start the PC then place the XP disk in the drive and let
it start automatically? Remember that I am installing this
on a system that currently runs ME.

You start by entering your BIOS setup with the appropriate Hot Key
(often DEL) as the initial memory count happens, and on a Boot or BIOS
settings page set the boot order to boot the CD before Hard drive. Then
put the XP CD in the drive, Exit (and save settings). The CD will then
boot (you may have to hit a key when asked to confirm that is what you
intend) - what is on the disk at present is irrelevant to the process.

Enter Setup Windows, and after agreeing to the license agreement with
F8, you will have a suggestion for where to install. At that point I
would delete the current partition (you may need to hit ESC to get the
chance) and make a new RAW one which will be formatted at the next stage

3) If I do not need to reformat, do I just insert the XP
disk into my CD ROM and follow the instructions?

No. You cannot run such a CD from the existing system - it will object
that there is a system already around.

3.1) Will I be able to save any existng data files as part
of this process or will I loose everthing? I have backed
them up.

No - you will have to back them up in advance. And for a convenient
means of bringing some things forward, read Gary Woodruff's article on
Files and settings Transfer at http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

4) Will I need to reload drivers for video and audio, etc?
How do I do this or will XP have the necessary drivers and
do this automaticaly?

XP will provide its own drivers. You may then usefully go to the sites
of makers of (especially) video cards and get their latest version *for
XP* to install afterward. There are a few things - old parallel port
scanners in particular which just do not have drivers that will work,
and for those the makers are reluctant to produce new ones for what they
see now as obsolete devices

You should then get some vital upgrade patches for the system.
It is important to activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever
connect to the net to get the patches, so as to be protected against
things like the BLAST worm. Do this in Control Panel - Network
connections, r-click the connection you use, Properties and check the
box on the Advanced page, and Apply. And start with the one against
BLAST - reference 824146. In Start - All Programs, go to Windows Update

You will need to 'activate' the system - you have up to 30 days to do
it, and rather than doing it during setup, I would wait a day or two to
be sure things have settled, then get on the net and go to
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows to
Activate on the internet (it takes about 20 or 30 seconds