Microsoft introduced Windows XP in 2001. XP marked the entrance of the Windows NT/2000 enterprise core into the consumer market to replace the aging 16-bit Windows 3.1/95/98/ME lines. XP offers a range of desirable features including increased stability, usability, security, and maintainability.
Pre-installation
XP has several features to facilitate installation however they do not reduce the need for thorough preinstallation planning. Several sites with detailed installation guidelines are listed in the Related Links section.
Hardware Requirements.
The consensus is that at least a 233 MHZ Pentium II or K6-2 processor with 96 MB is required to run XP. Performance rises to a satisfactory level on a 366 MHz Pentium with 128MB.
File & System Settings Transfer
The Windows XP CD includes a File & System Settings Transfer Wizard that can transfer most custom settings from an existing system.
Drive Partitioning
Drive partitioning offers several advantages over a monolitihic volume, these include: more effective system and file maintenance, error containment, and performance enhancement. The following configuration is used at the Lodi Stake FHC.
| Letter | Name | Primary | File System | Size | Cluster Size | Defrag Interval | Backup Interval |
| C: | system | Yes | NTFS | 4.2 GB | 4 KB | > 6% total fragmentation | semi-annual |
| D: | temp data | No | FAT32 | 1.2 GB | 8 KB | none | none |
| E: | archive data | No | NTFS | 32 KB | none | none | |
| unallocated¹ | Yes | 4.2 GB | 4 KB | none | none |
¹ space for hidden backup system partition.
Installation
Boot Floppy
XP can be installed from a CD if the drive can be configured as a boot device in the system BIOS. Microsoft also provides an XP Home boot floppy download.
Multiboot
Although it is possible to upgrade a Windows 98 or Me system it is usually preferable to start with a new installation. XP provides support for a multi-boot configuration that allows the current operating system to function while a new XP installation is implemented on a separate partition.
Install
| Windows XP Home Installation Setup | ||
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Personalize Software | Name: Computer Specialist; Organization: Lodi Stake FHC |
| L |
Computer Name | Name: Client<sh> where s = switch port number, h = hub port number |
| Network Settings | Select Custom | |
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Network Components Configuration | For each non-ethernet adaptor, e.g. IEEE-488, unselect all network components. For ethernet adaptor, uncheck QoS Packet Scheduler and File and Print Sharing |
| Windows Activation | click No, activate this copy of Windows later | |
| User accounts | Your Name: Patron | |
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Copy \I386 | Copy \I386 folder from XP CD to E: drive; update path value data in [HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup] SourcePath & ServicePackSourcePath and [HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion] SourcePath |
| Install Windows Recovery Console | Open a CMD prompt window, start > Run…, type cmd; enter <cd drive letter>:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons, follow prompts to install Recovery Console | |
| CD Identification | Record Computer Name and Product Key on Windows CD with a Sharpie | |
| H |
Key Sticker | Remove Windows Product Key sticker from system case |
Windows XP ISO
nLite is a Windows XP pre-installation tool that can create a custom installation ISO. It supports service pack slipstreaming and component customization and removal prior to installation.
nLite Features
- Service Pack Integration
- Component Removal
- Unattended Setup
- Driver Integration
- Hotfixes Integration
- Tweaks
- Patches
- Bootable ISO creation
Related Links
- Windows XP Installation and Upgrade Overview
A comprehensive overview of XP installation issues on Paul Thurrott's Winsupersite.
- Using the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
Step-by-step guidelines to help identify software and hardware components that may require upgrading.
- File Settings and Transfer Wizard
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A crucial tool for anyone wishing to preserve their documents and customized settings.
- Windows Installation Guidelines
Step-by-step guidelines for a clean installation.