Chapter 10. Installing Windows XP

Installing an operating system is not an especially pleasant activity for most Windows users. Depending on your hardware, just booting up the setup CD can be a headache. Then you have to type that ridiculous 25-digit CD key, and then make a bunch of choices about your network (all of which really could be made after setup, by the way). You then must sit and wait . . . and wait . . . for Windows to copy all its thousands of files to your hard disk and then go through the excruciating process of "configuring" your computer. When it finally boots assuming it even makes it this far you then have the unenviable task of having to download and install more than a hundred megabytes worth of updates and fixes. And when all is said and done, you still will need to go through and turn off all of the annoying "features" littered throughout the interface. But the worst part, at least for those with experience in this matter, is the anticipation of all of the things that won't work when setup is complete, such as your hardware, software, and even features of the version of Windows you're installing!

Since a significant percentage of Windows XP users will obtain the OS pre-installed on their computers, many reading this will be fortunate enough to not have had to endure the installation of an operating system. That doesn't mean, however, that the task won't come back to haunt you later on, such as when you need to reinstall Windows or upgrade to the next version.

The solutions in this chapter will help with all aspects of the installation process, both on a clean system and when upgrading from an earlier release.