How to Install Windows XP

                     How to Install Windows XP

Windows'XP is one of Microsoft’s most popular operating systems, and though it’s starting to show its age, many people still use it exclusively. Whether you’ve got an old computer that you want to get functioning again or you want to install XP on your new machine, it will only take a short while. See Step 1 below to get started.
Your computer will need to meet or exceed the minimum system requirements in order to run Windows XP :)
300 MHz Intel or AMD CPU
128 megabytes (MB) of system RAM
1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available drive space
Super VGA (800x600) or higher display adapter
CD or DVD-ROM
Keyboard and mouse, or other pointing devices
Network Interface Adapter required for Internet and Network Connectivity
Sound card and speakers or headphones.

Find your Windows XP Product Key. It is printed on a sticker on your software package or located on the computer itself. It is a string of 5 groups of characters (each 5 long), separated by dashes, resulting in 25 characters in all. You need the product key to complete installing Windows.
EXP: VX2PV 2HB8K 32X3Q WX7WD HHBH3

Step 1:Set your computer to boot from CD/DVD. Before inserting the CD, you'll need to set your computer to boot from a CD instead of from the hard drive. This will allow you to load the Windows XP setup files before your computer boots to its installed operating system. You can change the boot order from the BOOT menu in your BIOS.
In the BOOT menu, set the order so that your CD/DVD-ROM drive is set as the 1st Boot Device.  exit and save settings.

 Step 2:Once your Boot Order is set, insert the Windows XP CD into your drive and Your computer will reboot and you will be presented with the message: Press any key to boot from CD. Press any key on your keyboard to start the Setup program.



Step 3:Setup will load files necessary to begin the installation, which may take a few moments


Step 4: Once the loading is complete, you will be taken to pic 2 You are given several options, but if you are installing or reinstalling Windows XP, you’ll want to press ENTER to start the installation configuration.

Step 5:This document tells you what you can and can’t do with Windows, and your rights as the consumer. After reading, press F8 indicating you agree to the terms.



Step 5:Select your partition. "C:" and press ENTER to install.


Step 6:Select "Format the Partition using the NTFS File System" and press ENTER. NTFS is the preferred method, supporting a larger amount of disk space per partition than FAT, and including security features at the file system level. NTFS also includes system level compression. There are almost no situations anymore where choosing FAT would be preferable.
If your partition size is larger than 32 GB, you will not be given the option to choose FAT.
It is highly recommended to avoid Quick Format, as this skips an important process that checks the hard drive for errors or bad sectors. This scan is what consumes the majority of the time taken when performing a full format. If there are errors on a disk at the physical level, it's best to catch them now rather than later.


Step 7:Wait for the format to complete. The system will now format the partition. The length of time this process requires depends on the speed and size of the drive. In general, the larger the partition, the longer the process will take.


Step 8:Wait for the Setup files to copy. Windows will now start copying files from the installation disc and prompt you to reboot the computer when the process is completed. Press ENTER when prompted to reboot, otherwise it will do so automatically after 15 seconds.



Step 8:Allow the computer to boot normally. !!You will see the message asking you to press a key to boot from CD!!. !!*Ignore it*!! and allow the computer to continue booting from the hard drive. You will see the Windows logo as the Setup program loads.


Step 9:Wait for the installation to proceed. After the Windows logo goes away, you will see a list of steps remaining on the left side of the screen, and tips for using windows on the right. The time remaining for the installation will be displayed below the list of steps remaining.


Step 10:Choose your language and region settings. During the installation process a dialog window will appear, asking you to choose your Regional settings. Select appropriate settings native to your area. Click the Next button when that is completed.
Enter your full name if you want. This will be set as the “owner” of Windows, and will be attached to certain things, such as Document creation.


Step 11:Enter your Product Key. You will not be able to complete the installation process without a valid Product Key. Click "Next" to continue.
Some versions of Windows will not ask for the Product Key until installation is complete.

Step 13:Select your time zone. Pakistan that the date/time are correct. Click "Next" to continue.


Step 14:Wait for the installation to finalize. This will only take a few minutes, and the computer will reboot when it is finished installing. Once the computer reboots, you will be taken to the Windows XP desktop. At this point, installation is complete, though there are a few things left to do before Windows is completely usable..