Article ID: 306824
Article Last Modified on 8/6/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
This article was previously published under Q306824
SUMMARY
Release Notes for Setup
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
(c) 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
When installing a new operating system, you need to make several choices. The Windows XP Setup Wizard and these release notes guide you through these choices.
Important: Before you begin, you should also read the file Read1st.txt, which is on the Windows XP Home Edition CD. This file contains late-breaking information that was unavailable when these release notes and the product documentation was written, including preinstallation notes vital to the success of your installation.
These release notes describe how to run the Windows XP Setup Wizard and install Windows XP Home Edition on a single computer.
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CONTENTS
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- 1.0 Before You Begin
- 1.1 Hardware Requirements
- 1.2 Checking Hardware and Software Compatibility
- 1.3 Backing Up Your Files
- 1.4 Upgrading v. Installing a New Copy
- 2.0 Running Windows XP Setup
- 2.1 If You're Installing a New Copy (Clean Install)
- 2.2 If You're Upgrading
- 2.3 Collecting User and Computer Information
- 3.0 Starting Windows XP Home Edition
- 3.1 Logging on to Windows XP Home Edition
- 3.2 Creating a User Account
MORE INFORMATION
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1.0 Before You Begin
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When you set up Windows XP Home Edition, 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 Windows XP:
- Make sure your hardware components meet the minimum requirements.
- Obtain compatible hardware and software, such as upgrade packs and new drivers.
- Back up your current files in case you need to restore your current operating system.
- Determine whether you want to perform an upgrade or install a new copy of Windows XP Home Edition.
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1.1 Hardware Requirements
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Before you install Windows XP Home Edition, make sure your computer meets the following minimum hardware requirements:
- 233 megahertz (MHz) Pentium or higher microprocessor (or equivalent)
- 128 megabytes (MB) recommended (64 MB of RAM minimum; 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM maximum)
- 1.5 GB of free space on your hard disk
- VGA monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse or compatible pointing device
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
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1.2 Checking Hardware and Software Compatibility
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The Windows XP 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 Windows XP Home Edition before you run the wizard.
You can view the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) at the Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx/
Important: Windows XP Home Edition supports only those devices listed in the HCL. If your hardware isn't listed, contact the hardware manufacturer and request a Windows XP driver for the component. 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 Windows XP Home Edition. Upgrade packs are available from the appropriate software manufacturers.
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1.3 Backing Up Your Files
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If you're upgrading from an earlier version of Windows, you should back up your current files to a disk or a tape drive.
If your computer is running Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, you may need to install the Windows Backup program. For more information about installing or using Windows Backup, see your Windows 95 or Windows 98 Help.
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1.4 Upgrading vs. Installing a New Copy
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After you start the Windows XP Setup Wizard, one of the first decisions you have to make is whether to upgrade your current operating system or perform an entirely new installation (a "clean install").
During an upgrade, the wizard replaces existing Windows files but preserves your existing settings and applications. Some applications might not be compatible with Windows XP Home Edition and therefore might not function properly after an upgrade. You can upgrade to Windows XP Home Edition from the following operating systems:
- Windows 98 (all versions)
- Windows Millennium Edition
If your computer is currently running an unsupported operating system, you must install a new copy of Windows XP Home Edition. The wizard installs Windows XP Home Edition in a new folder. After the installation is complete, you will have to reinstall applications and reset your preferences.
You should UPGRADE if all You should INSTALL a new copy
of the following are true: if any of the following are true:
=========================== ==============================
You're already using an earlier Your hard disk is blank.
version of Windows that
supports upgrading.
- and - - or -
You want to replace your Your current operating system
previous Windows operating doesn't support an upgrade to
system with Windows XP. Windows XP.
- and - - or -
You want to keep your existing You already use an operating
files and preferences. system, but you don't want to
keep your existing files and
preferences, so that you
can cleanly install.
If you want to modify the way the wizard installs Windows XP Home Edition, you can 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 Windows XP Home Edition.
Unless you're an advanced user, it's recommended that you use the default settings.
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2.0 Running Windows XP Setup
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The Windows XP 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 Windows XP Home Edition. Note that your computer restarts several times during the process.
How you start the Windows XP Setup Wizard depends on whether you're upgrading or installing a new copy of Windows XP Home Edition. Determine your installation method, locate the appropriate section in these release notes, and then follow the procedures for your scenario.
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2.1 If You're Installing a New Copy (Clean Install)
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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 Windows XP Home Edition CD. Some newer CD-ROM drives can start the installation from the CD and automatically run the Windows XP 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 Windows XP Home Edition CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. If Windows automatically detects the CD, click Install Windows. The Windows XP Setup Wizard appears.
If Windows doesn't automatically detect the CD, click Start, and then click Run. Type the path to the setup file, replacing 'd' if necessary with the letter of your CD-ROM drive:
d:\setup.exe
3. Press ENTER.
4. When prompted to choose an installation type, select New Installation, and then click Next.
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
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2.2 If You're Upgrading
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The upgrade process is simple. The Windows XP 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 Windows XP Home Edition.
>>> To upgrade from the CD:
1. Start your computer by running your current operating system, and then insert the Windows XP Home Edition CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. If Windows automatically detects the CD, the Windows XP Home Edition CD dialog box appears. To start your upgrade, click Install Windows.
If Windows doesn't automatically detect the CD, click Start, and then click Run. Then type the path to the setup file, replacing 'd' if necessary with the letter of your CD-ROM drive:
d:\setup.exe
3. Press ENTER.
4. When prompted to choose an installation type, select Upgrade, and then click Next.
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
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2.3 Collecting User and Computer Information
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The Windows XP 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 screens, 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. Windows XP Home Edition can automatically convert partitions on your hard disk to NTFS, the recommended file system for Windows XP Home Edition. 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 Windows XP Home Edition is licensed.
- Computer Name. Type a unique computer name. The wizard suggests a computer name, but you can change the name.
- Date and Time Settings. Verify the date and time for your region, select the appropriate time zone, and then select whether you want Windows XP Home Edition to automatically adjust for daylight saving time.
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3.0 Starting Windows XP Home Edition
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After gathering information, the Windows XP Setup Wizard completes the installation. Your computer restarts several times, and then Windows XP Home Edition prompts you to log on. After you log on, you can activate and register your copy of Windows XP Home Edition, create user accounts, and reconfigure any settings that you entered during the setup process.
Important: You must have a "computer administrator" user account to activate and register Windows XP Home Edition, as well as to create user accounts and change your computer's settings.
To check your account type, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts.
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3.1 Logging on to Windows XP Home Edition
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When your computer restarts after installation, log on to Windows XP Home Edition for the first time. If you upgraded from an earlier version of Windows and already have an existing user account, you can log on using that account and password.
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3.2 Creating a User Account
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Your user account identifies your user name and password 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 if you log on using an account that has Administrator rights.
>>> To create a 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 on your screen.
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