Windows XP Professional includes Dynamic Update and Uninstall, two new Setup features. The following discussion describes these features and what occurs during a new installation before and after each restart. During a non-scripted installation, Setup restarts your computer three times.
Windows XP Professional includes new features that enhance the setup process.
Using Dynamic Update, a process that occurs during setup, the computer connects to the Microsoft Windows Update Web site and searches for the following:
Updated Windows XP Professional installation files
Device driver files not included or updated on the Windows XP Professional operating system CD
Dynamic Update downloads the installation and device driver files to your computer and incorporates them into the setup process. To initiate Dynamic Update, your computer must have the following:
Internet connection capability
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later installed
For more information about Dynamic Update, see Automating and Customizing Installations in this book.
Note | If you install Windows XP Professional by using the CD ROM boot method, Dynamic Update does not start. |
If your hardware or software does not function as expected after installing Windows XP Professional, you can use Uninstall to restore your computer to its previous operating system with little interruption. Uninstall removes all setup files from your computer and restores your previous operating system. Uninstall is available if you upgrade to Windows XP Professional from any of the following operating systems:
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98, Second Edition (SE)
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
The following are factors to consider when using the Uninstall feature:
Setup requires about 300 megabytes (MB) of additional space, in order to save the information it needs to be able to uninstall. Setup notifies you if your disk space is insufficient for saving the backup information.
Thirty days after you complete Setup, the Disk Cleanup Wizard asks whether you want to remove the Uninstall file from your computer.
Before removing Windows XP Professional from your computer, back up all of your important data. For information about using Backup (NTBackup.exe), see Backup and Restore in this book.
If you install an application on your computer after you have upgraded to Windows XP Professional and then decide to remove Windows XP Professional from your computer, you must reinstall the application after restoring the previous operating system.
Warning | If you convert a volume to NTFS or to dynamic disk, or if you create or delete any volume, you can no longer use the uninstall feature. |
During Windows XP Professional setup, the following processes occur before and after each of three restarts.
As it begins the installation, Setup does the following:
Collects information about your computer, such as whether you want to accept your license agreement or enter your product key. You can also specify installation options, including whether you want to perform an upgrade or a clean installation.
Runs Dynamic Update.
Checks disk space and builds a list of backup files to support Uninstall.
To cancel Setup at this point, click Cancel when prompted or close the Setup dialog box. Your computer s previous operating system and settings return immediately.
Setup runs in text mode, and does the following:
Provides an option to repair your existing installation.
Provides an option to specify a partition in which to install Windows XP Professional. Setup can also format partitions.
Copies files to the installation folder on your hard disk.
To cancel Setup and uninstall Windows XP Professional at this point, restart your computer, and then choose Cancel Windows XP Professional Setup instead of Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup on the menu that appears after your computer restarts.
Your computer s previous operating system and settings are restored.
Setup runs in graphical user interface (GUI) mode, and does the following:
Installs devices.
Sets system locale and customizes your keyboard.
Prompts you to specify your name, organization, computer name, and administrator password.
Installs networking components, including Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and the TCP/IP protocol with automatic addressing. Setup also determines whether your computer uses automatic IP addressing or a DHCP server to connect to the Internet, and then installs the appropriate components.
Prompts you to join a workgroup or domain.
Performs the basic operating system configuration.
Installs Start menu items.
Updates the backup file list and prepares the restore environment to support Uninstall.
Registers components, and then saves and backs up the registry.
Removes temporary files used during setup.
To cancel Setup and uninstall Windows XP Professional at this point, choose Cancel Windows XP Professional Setup instead of Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup on the menu that appears after your computer restarts.
Your computer s previous operating system and settings are restored.
Setup has completed the installation process, and you can log on and start using Windows XP Professional. To remove Windows XP Professional after the setup process is complete, in Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs, and then select Uninstall Windows XP Professional. Your computer s previous operating system and settings are restored.
Warning | If you convert a volume to NTFS or to a dynamic disk or if you create or delete any volume, you can no longer use the uninstall feature. |