Introduction

At some point, before a computer can be used, an operating system must be installed. As an adjunct to Murphy's Law, what can go wrong during an operating system installation does go wrong, and then the situation needs troubleshooting. Windows XP Professional is no exception. Whether the installation is attended or whether the operating system is automatically installed through the use of RIS, Sysprep, or answer files, problems can and do occur. Knowing how to handle the unexpected error makes all the difference to a network administrator or engineer.

In this chapter, you review the common problems that can occur during attended installations. You also discover how to troubleshoot problems with the various types of unattended installations, and the troubleshooting methods to follow when faced with a failed installation of Windows XP Professional.