Chapter 2: Installing Windows XP

Exam Objectives in this Chapter:

• Perform and troubleshoot an attended installation of a Microsoft Windows XP operating system

  • Answer end-user questions related to performing an attended installation of a Windows XP operating system

  • Troubleshoot and complete installations in which an installation does not start

  • Troubleshoot and complete installations in which an installation fails to complete

  • Perform postinstallation configuration

• Perform and troubleshoot an unattended installation of a Windows XP operating system

  • Answer end user questions related to performing an unattended installation of a Windows XP operating system

  • Configure a computer to boot to a network device and start installation of a Windows XP operating system

  • Perform an installation by using unattended installation files

• Upgrade from a previous version of Windows

  • Answer end user questions related to upgrading from a previous version of Windows

  • Verify hardware compatibility for upgrade

  • Verify application compatibility for upgrade

  • Migrate user state data from an existing PC to a new PC

  • Install a second instance of an operating system on a computer

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter teaches you how to install Microsoft Windows XP. It covers actions that you must take prior to installing Windows XP, such as verifying that a computer meets minimum hardware requirements, and prepares you for decisions that you must make during the installation process. This chapter covers three primary types of installations: clean installations (those in which the computer does not already have an operating system installed), upgrades from previous versions of Windows, and multiple-boot installations. To help users install Windows XP and troubleshoot failed installations, you must understand the various phases of the installation process and be able to identify where trouble can occur in the installation process. You must also be able to resolve these problems and complete a successful installation. This chapter also covers postinstallation tasks, such as activating and updating Windows XP.

Lessons in this Chapter:

• Lesson 1: Installing Windows XP

• Lesson 2: Troubleshooting Windows XP Installations

• Lesson 3: Activating and Updating Windows XP

• Lesson 4: Troubleshooting Windows XP Startup Problems

Before You Begin

Before you begin this chapter, you should have a basic familiarity with working in a Windows-based operating system. To complete the practices in this chapter, you must have a computer on which you can install Windows XP Professional.