Installing Windows XP - Page 3

6) After it restarts, it will show the Windows Installer. This may last ten minutes before it asks for your input, so just be patient with it. The time indicator on the left usually gets to around 33 minutes when it needs to ask you something, but its very unreliable and approximate.

You will then get the Region Manager screen. If you are American, you can just fly straight past this, if not, you should configure everything now rather than later. I am British so I click "customize" and change the options on each of the three tabs to whatever is UK English. On the languages tab, "click Details" (which is the same as clicking details on the previous Region Manager screen). To change the keyboard language from US English to UK English, you need to "Add" UK English then select it as the default from the list box. If you can't manage this all now, or miss something out, you can fix it from the Control Panel when Windows is working. OK all the boxes and click Next.

When it asks for your Name and Organization, just add in the name and company of the person that will be using the computer most, or make the organization your family or something. This is not official, it just appears on a few things within Windows. You can change these details, but it involves the use of third-party programs that are not supported by Microsoft. It's best to pick something sensible now, and not have to change anything for a few years.

7) You should then be asked to input your Product Key. If you are using a legitimate copy of Windows, you can find it on your so-called "Certificate of Authenticity". This can be found on the box your copy of Windows came with or, if it came with your PC, in with the manuals or on the bottom of your laptop. It should be around somewhere, but even so I think it's best to keep a paper record of it somewhere safe. Never give your product key to ANYBODY. Never use a fake CD key. Never 'crack' your copy of Windows to bypass any restrictions. Never use a downloaded CD key or one from a friend. If you do you are breaking the licence agreement (which you DID agree to - you pressed F8, remember?). Simply enter your legitimate key and you're off. If you don't have a key, go and buy Windows or use Linux or something. If your key doesn't work, make sure its genuine and then type it in slower and carefully. There may be some errors with mixing up 5 and S or something, but you can usually figure it out (or try both options). If you've lost your CD key you should then contact Microsoft or whoever sold you your copy of Windows.


8) When successful, you are then asked to provide a computer name (can be changed) and an administrator password. Your computer name should be unique, as in there should be no other computers in your home or office with the same name. It should be memorable (eg Laptop or Dell or HP or Dad) or give it an affectionate geeky name (eg neo, yoda). Naming them similarly helps you remember (eg dad/mum, dell/hp, mike/bob/mary), but these are really only useful if you plan on networking the computers.

Your chosen password should follow general password methods: no common words (eg admin/god/letmein/password/your name) and try to vary what cases are used (lowercase, uppercase, numbers, symbols, and try to keep them longer than six characters. (Examples of good passwords might me SIMPsons101, K88R6P, bad passwords might be andy1968, password1). It is, of course, entirely up to you what you choose, and you do have to remember it. A small/short password will probably just stop any unauthorised friend or family member reading your email and things like that, rather than prevent the FBI accessing anything.

You should then choose the correct time and timezone, just because its a pain if you have to change it later and your computer gets confused. This is why it gives you the opportunity to do it now. It may then ask you about your network settings, and fill them in if you know what you're doing. If not, just leave them and move on. Your workgroup name should be the same for every PC in your house/office if you plan to network them.

Windows Setup will then have a think about things. Keep your eye on the timer and keep checking back on the PC to see when it finishes. You'll know its finished because Windows will start and take you to the login screen (or Ctrl+Alt+Del).

9) Login and enjoy. Most copies of windows require you to Activate them either online or via the phone within 14 days of installation. This is usually straightforward, and they will remind you enough times.