How To Install Microsoft Windows XP

Below are the steps required to installing the standard version of Microsoft Windows XP.  It’s important to realize that some computer manufacturers have their own proprietary install of Windows XP on a Recovery or Restore disc, or may have a hidden partition that installs Windows XP.  Therefore the steps below may not all apply to how Windows XP is installed on your computer.  If the steps below do not apply, it is recommended you contact your computer manufacturer for additional help.

1. If you’re still able to get into Windows before following the checklist of things to consider before erasing the computer and starting over.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-Rom drive, and reboot.
3. When the screen “Press any key to boot from CD” comes up, press any keyboard key immediately.  If you do not get this prompt, or are unable to boot from the disc, run through the “Booting from a CD Troubleshooting Tips”.
4. When the Windows XP setup menu appears, press “Enter”.
5. Press “F8” to agree to the “Windows XP Licensing Agreement”, once you’ve read through it.
6. Windows will give you the option to repair Windows XP, or to install a fresh copy if Windows XP is already installed on the computer.  If you’re wanting to install a new copy of Windows XP, press “ESC”.
7. The partition setup screen will appear.  If you see “Unpartitioned space”, then a partition exists.  If you see anything else, there is no partition.  It is recommended that if a partition already exists and you do not plan on having multiple operating systems on the computer, that you delete the existing partition before continuing the setup.  **Note:  When deleting a partition, ALL information will be deleted.  To Delete The Partition:  On the drive, press “D” and “ENTER”, then press “L” to delete the partition.  Then press “ENTER” if you are aware that this will delete ALL INFORMATION on the partition.  To Create The Partition:  Select the “Unpartitioned space” you want to create a partition in.  Press “C”.  Specify the size of the partition.  By default the full amount of the drive will be already entered.  Press “ENTER”.
8. Once you have a partition ready to have Windows XP installed, press “ENTER” to install.
9. Select whether the drive will user FAT or NTFS.  We suggest NTFS for users who are not sure what file system they want to use.  Press “ENTER”.
10. The computer will start formatting the drive.  Depending on how big the partition is, determines the length of time the format takes to complete.
11. Once formatting is complete, Windows will begin installing the files.  It will then take you through a wizard to continue with the remainder of the setup.