Windows XP/5.1.2416.idx01.010104-1958/PRO1.txt

Release Notes for Setup Microsoft Whistler Professional Beta 1

(c) 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

These notes support a preliminary release of a software program that bears the project code name Whistler.

When installing a new operating system, you need to make several choices. The Whistler Setup Wizard and these release notes guide you through these choices. You also learn how to connect your computer to a network.

Important: Before you begin, you should also read the file Read1st.txt, which is on the Whistler Professional CD. This file contains late-breaking information that was unavailable when these release notes and Help for Whistler Professional were written, including preinstallation notes vital to the success of your installation.

These release notes describe how to run the Whistler Setup Wizard and install Whistler Professional on a single computer.

CONTENTS

 * Before You Begin
 * Running the Whistler Setup Wizard
 * Customizing the Setup
 * Starting Whistler Professional

Before You Begin
When you set up Whistler Professional, you have to provide information about how you want to install the operating system. The procedures in these release notes help you to provide the necessary information. To ensure a successful installation, complete the following tasks, which are described in the sections that follow, before you install Whistler Professional:

* Make sure your hardware components meet the minimum requirements. * Obtain Whistler-compatible hardware and software, such as    upgrade packs, new drivers, and so on. * Obtain network information. * Back up your current files before upgrading, in case you need to    restore your current operating system. * Determine whether you want to perform an upgrade or install a new copy of Whistler Professional. * If you're installing a new copy, identify and plan for any advanced setup options you might want.

Meeting Hardware Requirements
Before you install Whistler Professional, make sure your computer meets the following minimum hardware requirements:

* 233 megahertz (MHz) Pentium or higher microprocessor (or     equivalent) * 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended     minimum; 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM maximum). * 650 MB of free space on a 2 GB hard disk. If you're installing over a network, more free hard disk space is required. * VGA monitor. * Keyboard.

For CD installation:

* A CD-ROM or DVD drive.

For network installation:

* Whistler-compatible network adapter card and related cable. For more information, see the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), Hcl.txt, in the Support folder on the Whistler Professional CD, or see "Checking Hardware and Software Compatibility" later in these release notes.

* Access to the network share that contains the setup files.

Checking Hardware and Software Compatibility
The Whistler Setup Wizard automatically checks your hardware and software and reports any potential conflicts. To ensure a successful installation, however, you should determine whether your computer hardware is compatible with Whistler Professional before you start the wizard.

To view the HCL, open the Hcl.txt file in the Support folder on the Whistler Professional CD. If your hardware isn't listed, the setup process might not be successful. To see the most recent version of this list, visit the Microsoft Web site at:

http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/

Important: Whistler Professional supports only those devices listed in the HCL. If your hardware isn't listed, contact the hardware manufacturer and request a Whistler Professional driver for the component. You don't need to        obtain drivers for Plug and Play devices. To ensure that programs using 16-bit drivers function properly afterwards, request 32-bit drivers from the software vendor.

During the setup process, you can use upgrade packs to make your existing software compatible with Whistler Professional. Upgrade packs are available from the appropriate software manufacturers.

Obtaining Network Information
If your computer won't be connected to a network, you can skip this section.

First, you need to decide whether your computer is joining a domain or a workgroup. If you don't know which option to choose, or if your computer won't be connected to a network, select the Workgroup option. (You can always join a domain after you install Whistler Professional.)

If you select the Domain option, ask your network administrator to create a new computer account in that domain or reset your existing account.

If your computer is currently connected to a network, request the following information from your network administrator before you begin the setup process:

* Name of your computer. * Name of the workgroup or domain. * TCP/IP address (if your network doesn't have a Dynamic Host    Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server).

To connect to a network during the setup process, you must have the correct hardware installed on your computer and be connected by network cable.

Backing Up Your Files
If you're upgrading from an earlier version of Windows, you should back up your current files. You can back up files to a disk, a tape drive, or another computer on your network.

How you back up your files depends on your current operating system. If your computer is running Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, you might need to install the Windows Backup program. If you're using Windows NT 4.0, Windows Backup is installed by default. You must have a tape drive installed to use the Backup tool in Windows NT.

For more information about installing or using Windows Backup, see your current version of Windows Help.

Upgrading vs. Installing a New Copy
After you start the Whistler Setup Wizard, one of the first decisions you have to make is whether to upgrade your current operating system or to perform an entirely new installation. During the setup process, you must choose between upgrading or installing a new copy of Windows (or clean install).

During an upgrade, the Whistler Setup Wizard replaces existing Windows files but preserves your existing settings and applications. Some applications might not be compatible with Whistler Professional and therefore might not function properly after an upgrade. You can upgrade to Whistler Professional from the following operating systems:

* Windows 98 (all releases) * Windows Millennium Edition * Windows NT 4.0 Workstation (including service packs) * Windows 2000 Professional (including service packs) * Whistler Personal

If your computer is currently running an unsupported operating system, you must install a new copy. The wizard installs Whistler Professional in a new folder. After the installation is complete, you will have to reinstall applications and reset your preferences.

If you want to modify the way the wizard installs Whistler Professional, click Advanced Options, and then perform any of the following tasks:

* Change the default location of the setup files. * Store system files in a folder other than the default folder (\Windows). * Copy the installation files from the CD to the hard disk. * Select the partition on which to install Whistler Professional.

Unless you're an advanced user, you should use the default settings.

Running the Whistler Setup Wizard
The Whistler Setup Wizard gathers information, including regional settings, names, and passwords. The wizard then copies the appropriate files to your hard disk, checks the hardware, and configures your installation. When the installation is complete, you're ready to log on to Whistler Professional. Note that your computer restarts several times during the process.

How you start the Whistler Setup Wizard depends on whether you're upgrading or installing a new copy of Windows. Determine your installation method, locate the appropriate section in these release notes, and then follow the procedures for your Setup scenario.

If You're Installing a New Copy (Clean Install)
If your computer has a blank hard disk or your current operating system isn't supported, you need to start your computer by using the Whistler Professional CD, if your CD-ROM drive is bootable. Some newer CD-ROM drives can boot from the CD and automatically run the Whistler Setup Wizard.

To install a new copy by using the CD:

1. Start your computer by running your current operating system, and then insert the Whistler Professional CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. If Windows automatically detects the CD, click Install Windows. The Whistler Setup Wizard appears.

You're finished with this section and can skip to "Collecting     User and Computer Information," later in these release notes.

3. If Windows doesn't automatically detect the CD, click Start, and then click Run. Then type the following path to the setup file, replacing "d" if necessary with the letter of your CD-ROM drive: d:\i386\winnt32.exe 4. Press ENTER.

5. Follow the instructions that appear.

To install a new copy by using a network connection:

1. Using your existing operating system, establish your connection to the shared network folder that contains the Setup files. You can also use an MS-DOS(R) or network installation disk to     connect to the network server, if the disk contains network client software.

Your network administrator will be able to provide you with this path.

2. If your computer is currently running Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, or an earlier version of Windows NT, then at the command prompt, type the path to the file Winnt32.exe.

3. Press ENTER.

4. Follow the instructions that appear.

If You're Upgrading
The upgrade process is simple. The Whistler Setup Wizard detects and Installs the appropriate drivers, or it creates a report listing devices that couldn't be upgraded, so you can be sure your hardware and software are compatible with Whistler Professional.

To upgrade from the CD:

1. Start your computer by running your current operating system, and then insert the Whistler Professional CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. If Windows automatically detects the CD, the Whistler CD     dialog box appears. To start your upgrade, click Install Windows.

Otherwise, click Start, and then click Run. Then type the following command, replacing "d" if necessary with the letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive:

d:\i386\winnt32.exe

3. Press ENTER.

4. Select Express or Custom upgrade, and then click Next.

5. Follow the instructions that appear.

To upgrade from a network connection:

1. Using your current operating system, establish a connection to     the shared network folder that contains the Setup files. If     you have an MS-DOS or network installation disk that contains network client software, you can use that disk to connect to     the shared folder.

Your network administrator will be able to provide you with this path.

2. At the command prompt, type the path to the file Winnt32.exe.

3. Press ENTER.

4. Select Express or Custom upgrade, and then click Next.

5. Follow the instructions that appear.

Collecting User and Computer Information
The Whistler Setup Wizard helps you gather information about you and your computer. Although much of this installation process is automatic, you might need to provide information or select settings in the following pages, depending on the current configuration of your computer:

* Licensing Agreement. If you agree with the terms and want to    continue the setup process, select I accept this agreement.

* Select a File System. Whistler Professional can automatically convert partitions on your hard disk to NTFS, the recommended file system for Whistler Professional, or you can choose to keep your existing file systems. If you're upgrading, the wizard uses your current file system.

* Regional Settings. Change the system and user locale settings for different regions and languages.

* Personalize Your Software. Type the full name of the person and, optionally, the organization to whom this copy of Whistler Professional is licensed.

* Computer Name and Administrator Password. Type a unique computer name that differs from other computer, workgroup, or domain names on your network. The wizard suggests a computer name, but you can change the name.

During the installation, the wizard automatically creates an     Administrator account. When you use this account, you have full Rights over the computer's settings and can create user accounts on the computer. That is, logging on as an Administrator after you install Whistler Professional gives you administrative privileges that you need in order to log on and manage your computer. Type a password for the Administrator account. For security reasons, you should always assign a password to the Administrator account. Take care to remember and protect your password.

* Date and Time Settings. Verify the date and time for your region, select the appropriate time zone, and then select whether you want Whistler Professional to automatically adjust for daylight-saving time.

* Networking Settings. Unless you're an advanced user, select the Typical settings option for your network configuration. To manually configure network clients, services, and protocols, select the Custom settings option.

* Workgroup or Computer Domain. During the setup process, you must choose to join either a workgroup or a domain.

For more information, see "Providing Networking Information" later in these release notes.

* Network Identification Wizard. If your computer is connected to a     network, this wizard prompts you to identify the users who will be using your computer. If you indicate that you're the only user, you're assigned Administrator privileges.

Providing Networking Information
During or after the setup process, you need to join either a workgroup or a domain. If you won't be working on a network, choose to join a workgroup.

Joining a Workgroup
A workgroup is one or more computers with the same workgroup name (for example, a "peer-to-peer" network). Any user can join a workgroup by specifying the workgroup name - you don't need special permissions to join a workgroup. You must provide an existing or new workgroup name, or you can use the workgroup name that the Whistler Setup Wizard s uggests.

Joining a Domain
A computer account identifies your computer to the domain, and the user account identifies you to your computer.

A domain is a collection of computers defined by a network administrator. Unlike joining a workgroup, which you can do yourself, joining a domain requires permission from the network administrator.

To join a domain during the setup process, you must have a computer account in the domain you want to join. If you're upgrading from Windows NT, the Whistler Setup Wizard uses your existing computer account. Otherwise, you'll be asked to provide a new computer account. Before you start the Whistler Setup Wizard, ask your network administrator to create a computer account. Or if you have the appropriate privileges, you can create the account during the setup process and join the domain. To join a domain during the setup process, you need to provide your user name and password.

Note: If you have difficulty joining a domain during the setup process, join a workgroup instead, and then join the domain after you finish installing Whistler Professional.

Customizing Setup
You can customize the installation of Whistler Professional. By using unattended Setup mode, you can preset information so that you don't have to manually enter it during the setup process.

Running Setup in Unattended Setup Mode
By using an answer file, network administrators and experienced users can perform a new installation in unattended Setup mode. In unattended Setup mode, no user intervention is required during the setup process, because the answer file contains all of the information that the Whistler Setup Wizard requires, including acceptance of the license agreement, computer name, and network adapter. Answer files can help you quickly install Whistler Professional on multiple computers.

A sample answer file, Unattend.txt, is included in the i386 folder on the Whistler Professional CD. By using the file as a template, you can create your own answer file to customize the setup process.

Starting Whistler Professional
After gathering the required information, the Whistler Setup Wizard completes the installation. Your computer restarts several times, and then Whistler Professional prompts you to log on. After you log on, you can register your copy of Whistler Professional, create user accounts, and reconfigure any settings that you entered during the setup process.

Logging on to Whistler Professional
When your computer restarts after installation, log on to Whistler Professional for the first time. If you upgraded from an earlier version of Windows and already have an existing user account, you can log on by using that account and password.

If you don't have a user account, log on using the Administrator account and the password you chose during the setup process. Then you can create your user account.

To log on to Whistler Professional using the Administrator account:

1. In the Log on to Whistler Professional dialog box, type the Administrator password that you created during the setup process.

2. Press ENTER.

Whistler Professional starts.

Creating a User Account
Your user account identifies your user name and password, the groups you're a member of, which network resources you have access to, and your personal files and settings. Each person who regularly uses the computer should have a user account. The user account is identified by a user name and a password, both of which the user types when logging on to the computer. You can create individual user accounts after logging on to the computer as Administrator.

To create your user account:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click User Accounts.

3. Click Create a new account.

4. Follow the instructions that appear.

After you've added your user account, you're ready to log off as Administrator and log on using your user account.