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Installation Begins

Introduction

After getting the OEM version of Windows Vista in early yesterday, several readers in our forums asked for information on the installation process of the new OS. Never one to disappoint, I took some pictures of the various screens and menus that you'll see if you choose to upgrade to Vista.

The screen shots are mostly self explanatory, but where details are needed I will explain!

A Fresh Installation Begins

The first screen in our Vista installation process after booting off of the DVD, you can select the installation language and region settings right from the beginning.

Right away you'll be asked for that all important license key and with the check box below it, you're actually setting an option that will be very important later. When "Auto activate" is checked, Windows Vista will only give you three days to activate; but if you uncheck this box, Vista said I had 30 days to play with the system before activation was required.

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Since this was a blank drive, upgrade options were not allowed, though even if you wanted to upgrade you are forced to start the process from the current Windows OS.

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The actual file copying, expanding and installation is pretty quick; much more so than Windows XP.

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After you set the default user and password, security settings, and time zones you are ready to enter the OS for the first time.

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But not until you let Vista run a performance test on your hardware. This test will generate a performance number for your system which can be used to judge application compatibility with future Vista-ready titles. More on this later.

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The opening screen on Vista is set to answer most of the questions you might have moving from a Window XP experience.

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Installation process

Installing Windows XP can take up to two hours. To make the process more manageable, it has been broken up into several sections. When you are ready, install Windows XP:

•	Part 1: Begin the installation
•	Part 2: Continue the installation
•	Part 3: Complete the installation

Part 1: Begin the installation

1.	Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer.
2.	If prompted to start from the CD, press SPACEBAR. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again.
3.	Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
4.	On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8.
5.	This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data.
6.	Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.
7.	Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.
8.	Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes. Part 2: Continue the installation
9.	Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete.
10.	On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next.
11.	On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next.
12.	On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next.
13.	On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.
14.	Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.
15.	On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next. Part 3: Complete the installation
16.	Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.
17.	When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.
18.	The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.
19.	On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next.
20.	Windows XP will then check if you are connected to the Internet: • If you are connected to the Internet, select the choice that describes your network connection on the Will this computer connect to the Internet directly, or through a network? page. If you’re not sure, accept the default selection, and click Next. • If you use dial-up Internet access, or if Windows XP cannot connect to the Internet, you can connect to the Internet after setup is complete. On the How will this computer connect to the Internet? page, click Skip.
21.	Windows XP Setup displays the Ready to activate Windows? page. If you are connected to the Internet, click Yes, and then click Next. If you are not yet connected to the Internet, click No, click Next, and then skip to step 24. After setup is complete, Windows XP will automatically remind you to activate and register your copy of Windows XP.
22.	On the Ready to register with Microsoft? page, click Yes, and then click Next.
23.	On the Collecting Registration Information page, complete the form. Then, click Next.
24.	On the Who will use this computer? page, type the name of each person who will use the computer. You can use first names only, nicknames, or full names. Then click Next. To add users after setup is complete or to specify a password to keep your account private, read Create and customize user accounts.
25.	On the Thank you! page, click Finish.

Congratulations! Windows XP setup is complete. You can log on by clicking your name on the logon screen. If you’ve installed Windows XP on a new computer or new hard disk drive, you can now use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy your important data to your computer or hard disk drive.

After logon, take a few minutes to validate your copy of Windows. Validation gives you access to hundreds of free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center. To learn about the new features Windows XP provides, click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Tour Windows XP.

Worksheet #3

What you will require to do this walkthrough is A Windows 98 CD A Computer with CD-ROM access To start this Windows install. First check that the first boot device in your system BIOS is set to the CD-ROM Drive. ( To find out how to access the BIOS please refer to your motherboard manual or the manufacturer of your computer. (The system bios can usually be entered on boot, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F8, F10 or DEL key. Make sure you save the settings before exiting)) If you are unsure or don't want to enter the BIOS then just test the computer by putting the CD-ROM in the drive and rebooting the computer. This is the recommended way to install windows. You will know that your computer will/has booted of CD-ROM when the following screen appears. PART 1 To begin the Windows 98 install select Option 2 (Boot from CD-Rom) The following screen will appear next. Select Option 1. (Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM) Your CD-ROM driver will now install, be patient this may take a few moments. Now press Enter to continue, or F3 to exit. Setup will now perform checks on your system, press Enter to continue. Next Scandisk will run, let this complete or setup. Now setup will copy important files for the install. PART 2 Setup has now begun, the mouse should now be active, press Continue to proceed. If you have a change of mind then press Exit Setup. If the mouse is not active press "ENTER" on the keyboard. The wizard will now start. Be patient this may take a few moments. Now select the directory you wish to install Windows into. By default C:\Windows will be selected. You can change this, but it is not advised. Click on Next to Continue. Setup will now prepare the directory, be patient this may take a moment. Setup now checks disk space. What do you wish to install. We recommend Typical, which is the default. So click Next to continue. Windows Components to be installed will now be listed. Leave at default and press Next. If a Network card has been detected the following will appear. Fill in the details and click Next. Now your country settings, select as needed and then press Next. Windows will now copy files, this will take sometime. Be patient PART 3 After sometime you will be prompted to restart, Windows will do it itself, you can click on Restart Now to quicken the process. The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) Booting for first time screen will appear. Now enter your name, company is optional. Click on Next to continue. Now the License Agreement. Read and if you agree click on "I accept the Agreement" and click next. If you select ""I don't accept the Agreement" then setup will end. Now input your product key or certificate authenticity code. This is 16 digits and is located on the back of your CD case or on the Windows 98 Book. If you have an OEM computer then it could be on the side or back of your computer. Click next to continue. Next click on Finish. PART 4 Setup will now finalize the hardware and install settings. Plug and Play Devices..... Your computer will prompt to restart.... The CD boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter. Windows is booting. and continuing the install of devices. PART 5 Now select your date/time settings, using the down arrow beside GMT -0800. Once selected click on apply and then OK. Windows will continue to setup Windows items. The computer will now need restarted again. PART 6 The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select Option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter. Windows will continue to load. and update System Settings. At long last you have arrived at the desktop.

INTRODUCTION What you will require to do this walkthrough is A Windows 98 CD A Computer with CD-ROM access To start this Windows install. First check that the first boot device in your system BIOS is set to the CD-ROM Drive. ( To find out how to access the BIOS please refer to your motherboard manual or the manufacturer of your computer. (The system bios can usually be entered on boot, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F8, F10 or DEL key. Make sure you save the settings before exiting)) If you are unsure or don't want to enter the BIOS then just test the computer by putting the CD-ROM in the drive and rebooting the computer. This is the recommended way to install windows. You will know that your computer will/has booted of CD-ROM when the following screen appears. PART 1 To begin the Windows 98 install select Option 2 (Boot from CD-Rom) The following screen will appear next. Select Option 1. (Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM) Your CD-ROM driver will now install, be patient this may take a few moments. Now press Enter to continue, or F3 to exit. Setup will now perform checks on your system, press Enter to continue. Next Scandisk will run, let this complete or setup. Now setup will copy important files for the install. PART 2 Setup has now begun, the mouse should now be active, press Continue to proceed. If you have a change of mind then press Exit Setup. If the mouse is not active press "ENTER" on the keyboard. The wizard will now start. Be patient this may take a few moments. Now select the directory you wish to install Windows into. By default C:\Windows will be selected. You can change this, but it is not advised. Click on Next to Continue. Setup will now prepare the directory, be patient this may take a moment. Setup now checks disk space. What do you wish to install. We recommend Typical, which is the default. So click Next to continue. Windows Components to be installed will now be listed. Leave at default and press Next. If a Network card has been detected the following will appear. Fill in the details and click Next. Now your country settings, select as needed and then press Next. Windows will now copy files, this will take sometime. Be patient PART 3 After sometime you will be prompted to restart, Windows will do it itself, you can click on Restart Now to quicken the process. The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) Booting for first time screen will appear. Now enter your name, company is optional. Click on Next to continue. Now the License Agreement. Read and if you agree click on "I accept the Agreement" and click next. If you select ""I don't accept the Agreement" then setup will end. Now input your product key or certificate authenticity code. This is 16 digits and is located on the back of your CD case or on the Windows 98 Book. If you have an OEM computer then it could be on the side or back of your computer. Click next to continue. Next click on Finish. PART 4 Setup will now finalize the hardware and install settings. Plug and Play Devices..... Your computer will prompt to restart.... The CD boot menu will appear. Select option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter. Windows is booting. and continuing the install of devices. PART 5 Now select your date/time settings, using the down arrow beside GMT -0800. Once selected click on apply and then OK. Windows will continue to setup Windows items. The computer will now need restarted again. PART 6 The CD-ROM boot menu will appear. Select Option 1 (Boot from Hard Disk) and press enter. Windows will continue to load. and update System Settings. At long last you have arrived at the desktop. If you are lucky you will have no drivers to install, but chances are the next step will be to install them. Check out device manager for unknown devices, likely items are Network Cards, Sound Cards, Printers, Scanners, Graphics Cards, Digital Cameras, plus any other item you have.