Performing a Clean Install or a Dual-Boot Install
Here's how to install a clean copy of Windows on an empty disk or partitionor a nonempty disk or partition that you want to reformat and overwrite.These instructions describe the installation of Windows XP Pro edition, which is a superset of Home edition. For Home edition, the process is the same, except that some screens either don't appear or are missing some options. (Domain settings don't pertain to Home edition, for example.) Simply ignore the steps and settings that aren't required for your installation.To perform a clean install or a dual-boot install:
1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD.Most PCs can boot up from a CD rather than a hard drive. Look for onscreen instructions when the BIOS messages appear. You may have to press a particular key (or any key). No luck? Read the PC's manual, or ask the manufacturer. Still no luck? See the Tips later in this section.2. When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press Enter.The first few screens are DOS-like text on a solid background.3. Review the End-User License Agreement (EULA); then press F8.4. If Setup finds a previous Windows XP installation, it asks whether you want to repair it or install a fresh (clean) copy; press Esc to install a fresh copy.5. Press the up- or down-arrow key to select the hard-drive partition on which you want to install XP; then press Enter.Unless you've partitioned your drive for a dual-boot system, you probably have only one partition. For more about partitions, see "Getting Ready to Install Windows XP" earlier in this chapter.6. If the selected partition already contains a copy of XP, Setup asks you to confirm your decision; press C to continue.7. Press the up- or down-arrow key to select a file system (NTFS or FAT); then press Enter.For file-system details, see "Getting Ready to Install Windows XP" earlier in this chapter.8. If the selected partition already contains files, Setup asks you to confirm your decision to wipe out the files; press F to format and continue.Setup formats the partition, copies files to it, and restarts the PC. The next few screens look like Windows, not DOS.9. On the Regional and Language Options screen, click Next if Setup has guessed your language and country correctly; otherwise, click Customize, and choose the appropriate options.10. On the Personalize Your Software screen, type your name and (optionally) the name of your organization; then click Next.11. On the Your Product Key screen, type the 25-character product key that appears on the back of the Windows XP folder; then click Next.If your computer came with Windows XP installed, the product key may be on a sticker on the side of your PC.12. On the Computer Name and Administrator Password screen, type a punctuation-free name for your computer; type (and retype) a password for the Administrator account; then click Next.You can always change the computer name later; see "Running the Network Setup Wizard" in Chapter 17. For password tips, see "Setting up User Accounts" in Chapter 16.13. If the Modem Dialing Information screen appears, specify your country, phone-system type (tone or pulse dialing), area code, and the number to dial (if any); then click Next.14. On the Date and Time Settings screen, set the date, time, and time zone; then click Next.If you have a network card installed, Setup detects it and displays the Network Settings screen; otherwise, skip to step 18.15. On the Network Settings screen, select Typical Settings; then click Next.16. On the Workgroup or Computer Domain screen, specify whether your computer is part of a workgroup or a domain; type the workgroup or domain name; then click Next.If you're a domain member, ask your network administrator for this information.These concepts are described in detail in Chapters 16 and 17.17.
