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How To Install XP

By: Jean Brewer

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Despite the release of Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP is far from dead. Some users are keeping a computer just for Windows XP, to keep cherished programs and hardware that no longer functions with the newer versions of Windows. Windows XP can be installed on any computer with the correct drivers or reinstalled from scratch on an older system to give the computer a new life.

To install Windows XP, you will need:
  • Computer
  • Microsoft Windows XP install disc and Product Key
  • Hardware drivers


  1. Turn on the computer and insert the Windows XP install disc into the CD-ROM drive.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Press a key when this message appears: "Press any key to boot from CD." 
  4. Press "F6" on the next screen if you need to install a driver for a SCSI or RAID configuration.
  5. Press "Enter" on the screen that says "Welcome to Setup."
  6. Read the Windows license agreement before pressing "F8" to accept. 
  7. Delete all existing partitions in Partition Manager. This will take several steps, but will give you a clean start.
  8. Press "C" to create a single partition on the hard drive. The size listed here will be the amount available on the entire hard disk.
  9. Press "Enter" to accept the default size. This will create a single partition on the hard drive. 
  10. Press "Enter"  to select this new partition as the location for Windows XP. 
  11. Press "Enter" to format the partition as NTFS.  Windows will format the partition, copy files and then reboot. Allow this to happen without interference.
  12. Click "Next" after Confirming the regional and language settings.
  13. Click "Next" after placing your name and organization into the boxes provided. 
  14. Input your Product Key into the boxes provided.  
  15. Click "Next" to continue after providing this key. 
  16. Give the computer a name then click "Next." 
  17. Click "Next after configuring the date and time for your time zone.. 
  18. Click "Enter" to configure XP with default network settings. Windows will reboot after completing this stage.
  19. Click "Next" to continue on this "Welcome to Windows" screen.
  20. Bypass configuring the internet connection by clicking "Skip." It is easier to complete the install of XP first before configuring the network. 
  21. Instruct Windows XP not to attempt activation at this moment by placing a dot inside the radio button beside "No, remind me every few days." Click "Next".
  22. Click "Next" after putting your name in the first box on the screen labeled "Who will use this computer?"  
  23. Click "Finish" on the final installation screen.  
  24. Install the hardware that Microsoft Windows XP did not detect during installation.
  25. Install the peripherals (USB printers, scanners, mice, etc.) individually using the install discs that came with them. 
  26. Configure your internet settings using the information given to you by your Internet Service Provider.
  27. Enjoy your freshly-installed copy of Microsoft Windows XP!
Tips:
  • Some systems will not register the USB devices during the Windows XP install process. If you computer has PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse use these to install Windows. You can install USB mice and keyboards after installing Windows XP.

Warnings:
  • Back up all of your files before beginning the Windows XP install.  All information and programs located on the hard drive will be lost.
Reference:
"Special Edition Using Microsoft XP Professional," Robert Cowart and Brian Knittel; 2002.
Posted on: Apr. 10, 2010