Chapter2.Windows Installation and Upgrade

Chapter 2. Windows Installation and Upgrade

You've already seen the overview of Service Pack 2 and the significant changes it brings to the Windows XP operating system experience. (Does XP stand for eXPerience? No one will say.) But what if you're still considering a change to XP in the first place? What if you've just purchased a new rig with XP preinstalled (if purchased after October of 2004, it should have come with Service Pack 2 as well), and this is your first go around with XP?

Well, then, this chapter is for you. In it, you'll get an overview of XP's many features, with a particular emphasis on what sets XP apart from its Microsoft operating system predecessors.

But really, what's the big rumpus?" you ask. There's the Start Menu on the lower-left corner, just as before. I mean, isn't XP basically just Windows 98 with a more colorful Taskbar?

Hardly. The short answer to "What's changed?" is this: a lot.

Later in this chapter, we'll look at some installation options. As I mentioned, XP comes preinstalled on most computers today, but you still might need to reinstall it from time to time. You might purchase a new hard drive, for example, or you simply might want to build a computer yourself. You also may find yourself installing Windows XP on old computers. Clearly, you have many options.

As the chapter concludes, we'll look at some of the steps to take right after XP installation, such as performing a baseline security check and transferring files and settings from an old computer.

But first, some drama…