| There are three ways to install an operating system: -
On an empty hard disk or a hard disk whose contents you don't want to keep ” This is usually referred to as a clean install . The existing operating system (if any) will be replaced by the new operating system. You can also reinstall the same operating system over an existing installation to fix problems with the operating system (this refreshes the system files and settings) without losing user data. However, if you install a different operating system, in most cases your data as well as the old operating system will be wiped out. -
As a replacement for the existing operating system (retaining existing settings and programs ) ” This is usually referred to as an operating system upgrade . -
Into empty space (a partition) on a hard disk with an existing operating system ” This is usually referred to as a dual-boot installation , because you can choose the operating system you want to run whenever you start your computer.  | The CD included with this book contains important Study Lab material for this chapter, as well as Chapters 2 “22 in this book. The Study Lab for each chapter contains terms to study, exercises, and practice tests ”all in printable PDF format (Adobe Acrobat Reader is included on the CD, too). These Study Lab materials will help you gear up for the A+ Exam. Also, the CD includes an industry-leading test engine from PrepLogic, which simulates the actual A+ test so that you can be sure that you're ready when test day arrives. Don't let the A+ test intimidate you. If you've read the chapters, worked through the Study Lab, and passed the practice tests from PrepLogic, you should be well prepared to ace the test! Also, you'll notice that some words throughout each chapter are in bold format. These are study terms that are defined in the Study Lab. Be sure to consult the Study Lab when you are finished with this chapter to test what you've learned. |
Don't let these options confuse you. Whether you're installing a brand-new operating system as the only one on the system, alongside an existing one, or as a replacement, the processes are quite similar. In all cases, you'd better make sure of the following: -
Does the computer have enough RAM, a fast enough processor, and enough disk space for the operating system? -
Is the hardware inside the PC and connected to it (everything from printers to modems) supported by drivers for the operating system? So, what's different about these types of installations? -
New operating system installations are usually performed on empty hard drives . However, you can't take a brand-new drive out of the box and install Windows without preparing the drive. Windows 9x and Me require the user to run Fdisk and Format on a drive before Windows can be installed on a hard drive, whereas Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP incorporate partitioning and formatting into their setup programs. caution  | If you plan to perform a dual-boot installation with Windows, you should install the older version of Windows first, followed by the newer version. Windows 2000 and XP's built-in boot manager works only if Windows 2000 or XP is installed after the older version is installed. If you want to choose from three or more operating systems, or need to install an older version after a newer version is installed, use a third-party boot manager. |
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New operating system installations are often performed using original equipment manufacturer ( OEM ) versions supplied for a particular type of computer. OEM versions often come with a bootable disk used to start the system (or the CD itself is bootable on some recent Windows versions) and require no proof of a previous version. Upgrades require the user to install the operating system to a drive containing the previous version or to provide the previous version during installation to qualify the system for the upgrade installation. -
Full versions of Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP are shipped on bootable CDs , but you need to make bootable floppy disks to install Windows 95 and some other versions if you want to use an upgrade version to perform a clean install. (Windows 2000 and Windows XP upgrade versions are also bootable.) If your system can't boot from a CD, you can also make (or download) bootable disks for use with later versions of Windows. See Chapter 15, "Preparing Hard and Floppy Drives with Windows," for details. | | This chapter covers only basic dual-boot configurations supported by Microsoft. Many other options are available. |
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Dual-boot installations can be started from within the existing Windows installation as are operating system upgrades (this is the method used in this chapter), or you can start them from the bootable CD. In either situation, a dual-boot installation uses unpartitioned free space on the current or on another hard disk as the target. Microsoft Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP all include a simple boot manager to enable the user to determine which operating system to start after a new operating system is installed in a dual-boot configuration. caution | | The Windows NT/2000/XP boot manager is loaded automatically after you install these versions of Windows in a dual-boot configuration. However, they aren't designed to handle installing another operating system after installing Windows, or to work with Linux or other non-Microsoft operating systems. Use a commercial boot manager if you want to install Windows 9x/Me, Linux, or another operating system after you install Windows NT/2000/XP. Dual booting, especially if you want to use combinations not supported by Microsoft, is a very complex subject. Don't try it until you read Microsoft's technical notes on the subject and research third-party articles and books, such as The Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook , by Roderick Smith (Que Publishing, 2000). Use a search engine such as Google (www.google.com) and use the terms "dual-boot" and the operating system(s) you want to use to find more information. |
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