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Posted by Gerard Boyers at 18:32 on Apr 4th 2006
This is a step-by-step guide to installing Microsoft Windows XP, with screenshots. The version I am using is XP Professional evaluation edition with Service Pack 1, however any version of Windows XP or Server 2003 should follow almost exactly the same steps. The difference is the names, and Server 2003 uses grey colours instead of blue for some of it. One other thing about Server 2003 is that it has a couple of extra configuration screens (for network setup and client licences). In general, unless you have specific needs, these can be left as the default and continue as normal. I cannot guarantee that every XP and Server 2003 Operating System installation will be identical, but as a rough guide this should be adequate to help you through. In case anybody is wondering, I've used Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 to provide the screenshots.
Please note that Windows Vista has a new setup/installation routine that is different to the XP/server2003 one explained here. However, if you are familiar with this method then there is no reason why the Vista setup should be any harder, it actually doesn't need you to do very much once it's got started, though it can take a significantly longer time. Every time Microsoft release a new build of Windows Vista, the installer changes slightly. I will try to get a tutorial for the most recent build shortly.
Firstly, you need a working PC with a CD or DVD drive, keyboard, monitor and all that malarkey. The usual stuff. You will also need a LEGITIMATE or evaluation copy of Microsoft Windows. We do NOT recommend you use or install copied software, use software cracks, or attempt to use fake or second-hand serial numbers (CD Keys) for ANY software ESPECIALLY operating systems. Not just because you are breaking the law, or stealing from the people who have spent years making them, but because you may be using damaged goods or installing potentially harmful software on your computer.
1) If you already have Windows on your PC, you have two choices.
a)If you wish to UPGRADE your Windows installation, simply run the CD from inside Windows and follow the instructions.
b) If you wish to remove all Windows installations, overwrite an installation, repair an installation or format your hard drive, do not install Windows from the autorun menu. but put the CD in THEN restart your computer straightaway. You should then see a "Click any key to boot from CD" message, so press any key (any key at all, just spacebar or a letter or anything). If this doesn't come up, make sure your CD is in a drive, and the drive works (test it in the copy of Windows that's already on the PC). If everything works but it doesn't want to boot up from the CD, keep pressing F12 when your computer starts up, and it might give you a choice of whether to boot from CD or Hard Drive or whatever, choose from CD and it should begin. If F12 doesn't work, and it doesn't suggest an alternative, enter BIOS on the very first screen when your PC comes on (usually by pressing DEL or whatever it tells you to when you start up). You can then go into "peripherals" (or something similar), and change the boot order to boot from CD before it boots from the hard disk (HDD-0). If these method's don't work, seek expert advice for your specific computer.
If you do not already have Windows installed on your PC, then simply insert the disk when it boots up. If this is a problem then follow the troubleshooting steps in the paragraph above. This is the same for if you are running an operating system other than Microsoft Windows (eg Linux).
Please note that Windows Vista has a new setup/installation routine that is different to the XP/server2003 one explained here. However, if you are familiar with this method then there is no reason why the Vista setup should be any harder, it actually doesn't need you to do very much once it's got started, though it can take a significantly longer time. Every time Microsoft release a new build of Windows Vista, the installer changes slightly. I will try to get a tutorial for the most recent build shortly.
1) If you already have Windows on your PC, you have two choices.
a)If you wish to UPGRADE your Windows installation, simply run the CD from inside Windows and follow the instructions.
b) If you wish to remove all Windows installations, overwrite an installation, repair an installation or format your hard drive, do not install Windows from the autorun menu. but put the CD in THEN restart your computer straightaway. You should then see a "Click any key to boot from CD" message, so press any key (any key at all, just spacebar or a letter or anything). If this doesn't come up, make sure your CD is in a drive, and the drive works (test it in the copy of Windows that's already on the PC). If everything works but it doesn't want to boot up from the CD, keep pressing F12 when your computer starts up, and it might give you a choice of whether to boot from CD or Hard Drive or whatever, choose from CD and it should begin. If F12 doesn't work, and it doesn't suggest an alternative, enter BIOS on the very first screen when your PC comes on (usually by pressing DEL or whatever it tells you to when you start up). You can then go into "peripherals" (or something similar), and change the boot order to boot from CD before it boots from the hard disk (HDD-0). If these method's don't work, seek expert advice for your specific computer.
If you do not already have Windows installed on your PC, then simply insert the disk when it boots up. If this is a problem then follow the troubleshooting steps in the paragraph above. This is the same for if you are running an operating system other than Microsoft Windows (eg Linux).