This is my own guide to installing Windows XP on a computer. This is a task that I do several times a month. I still do the odd machine with Windows 98, ME or 2000. I won’t install Windows 95 any more. If a machine won’t run 98 then it’s too old to be running a Windows installation. In fact I prefer to put Windows 2000 on older machines. The hardware support is better and it’s much easier to put some security on the installation. Security is the big issue!

Preparation

The first step is to check the documentation that comes with the computer. If the computer is already running Windows XP there will be a sticker on the side (or the back or the bottom) that identifies the version of XP (Home or Professional) and the serial number that is attached to that installation. Next I check the Office suite (if any) on the computer and get a copy of the serial number for that. Its also a good idea to look for any specialist software that is on the computer – I make sure that I have the original disks and serial numbers. Antivirus? Security suite? Sometimes people have paid a lot of money for their security software. Other times people haven’t (and that’s why I am asked to do a re-install). I ask for passwords and make sure that I have any other important details.

Next I physically examine the computer for any weird or unusual hardware. Not usually a difficult job. 95% of machines sold these days have a network card. If the machine doesn’t have one I put in a cheap DSE card. This really speeds things up down the track.

Then I look for a way to back up any existing data on the machine. I use three main ways. I might attach a USB hard drive and copy it all over that way. Sometimes I do it via my network (either through my switch or with a cross over cable). Sometimes I remove the hard drive and attach it to one of my machines via a USB caddy. There are a few tricks that I use to get past passwords and securities put in place by the owners.

I back up any documents that are on the computer. Each user has a “My Documents” folder where all their stuff is stored. Unfortunately people often put stuff on their desktop too. I try to back up both of these folders. Then I check for email and address books. I check for .PST files if someone is using Outlook for their email. Outlook Express creates a set of files in a folder called Identities. I back all of this data up. Next step is to back up the favourites folder – many people have a huge bookmarks / favourites store and they get grumpy if it’s lost.

The next thing that I do is to check the computer for drivers or other information that I might need down the track. If it’s an OEM computer (IBM, HP, Packard Hell etc) there will be a few folders with strange names. I try and copy all of these files, just in case I need them. Sometimes when I look around someone’s C:\ drive I find a odd files and folders floating around. Always a good idea to back them up.

Then I check the backup that I have made. Just to make sure it’s all there on one of my hard drives. I run an antivirus scan over it all.

Installing Windows XP

If I’ve taken the hard drive out of the computer, I put it back in. Often I leave the case open at this point. I will put the correct XP disk into the CD Rom drive and boot from the disk. Often the computer is set to boot from the hard drive. If this is the case I go into the bios and alter the bios settings. If the bios is passworded, there is usually a jumper that can be shorted out to remove the password.

I usually follow a fairly ordinary installation routine. I always format with NTFS because that’s a more secure file system. I put an administrator password in – I have a set scheme for those so that at least I can get back into the computer. A P4 with 512MB or more of ram will have Windows up and running in 30-40 minutes.

Securing the installation

As soon as XP is installed, and BEFORE I go out onto the internet, I install the antivirus and anti spyware programmes. If the computer’s owner doesn’t ahve a commercial suite I install AVG (free edition), Spybot Search and Destroy, Adaware and the Microsoft Antispyware programme. I download fresh versions of thse programmes weekly and keep them on a USB key for these occasions.

After getting these programmes up and running, I put the machine into my network.

Next I head to Windows update and bring in all the updates I need. This usually takes three or four goes and in between installing updates I usually have to re-boot the machine. I turn on automatic updates and usually allow them to update at a far more reasonable time that 3:00am. Most people have their machines turned off at 3:00am. 6:00 or 7:00pm is a far better time – if I’m in doubt I ask when they are likely to have their machine on.

Once all the updates are in, it’s time to check that the correct drivers have installed. Often a proprietry sound card or modem will need special drivers. If it’s an OEM machine, hopefully I’ll have got the drivers in one of the folders on my backup. If not I can often find them by searching the model numebr on the manufacturers site. For strange cards (usually modems) I use a little programme called Unknown PCI Devices. This little gem interogates the registry and finds the hidden numbers of devices. Sometimes Windows Update will find updated drivers. This is particularly true when it comes to sound and network cards. Yay for broadband.

Getting it all working

After I have got all the drivers loaded and the system properties look OK – no strange yellow question marks in the system properties – I start to load programmes. If I’m putting MS Office on I check the version and make sure to head to Office Update once the installation is complete. Most people have a favourite CD burning programme and DVD watching programme. Hopefully they have given me the install disks. If not, then I use a couple of freebies – DeepBurner and VLC Video Player.

If there are gamers in the home I load DX9. If there are kids in the house I often put in Media Player 10 and the lastest version of MSN Messenger. I quite like Quicktime and Real Alternative as they don’t install quite as much rubbish as the “real” versions.

Next I check that everything works. I plug in my headphones and check that the soundcard is OK. If the machine uses a dial-up connection I create the connection and dial up to make sure the modem is OK.

Finally, when all the programmes are in place, I put all the data back. I often put the data in a storage folder inside “My Documents”. This is a bit of a tidying up mechanism for users who scatter things all over their documents folder. I load any other users and recreate any private profiles.

It’s a bit of a job but not usually too onerous if you have all the pieces of the jigsaw. I complete XP installations regularly and generally charge about three hours of my time to get the job done (even though the job itself can take me two or three days, that’s usually the length of time I spend in front of the computer). If it’s a tricky job it might take me more time – unusual hardware or extra software can take me a bit longer.

Last but not least, I always try to talk to the computer users about security and looking after the machine. Keeping the antivirus and anti-spyware programmes up to date is the least a person can do. Staying away from suspect sites and programmes is another good idea. Have a look through the Netsafe site and see how you can protect your computer, your data and your family’s safety.

NOTE: Java install test here