Software Installations
 
Workstation Operating Systems
 
Introduction
When you are planning to use a computer as a workstation is a network, you should make sure that com
necessary requirements. In some cases, it may only meet the hardware requirements without any so
cases, something could be missing. In previous lessons, we cover the issues related to making sure th
was ready. In some other cases, you may plan to purchase brand new computers that you would u
network.
Acquiring Brand New Computers
If you decide to purchase or are in the position of purchasing brand new computers, as a reminder of wh
Lesson 2, here are the hardware requirements the computer must meet:

 A processor with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233
MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron
family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may
limit performance and some features)
 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space
 Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
 CD-ROM or DVD drive
 Keyboard
 Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

One way you can shop for computers is to visit the web site of one of the big companies on the Interne
and their web sites where you can do your shopping include, but are not limited to:

http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.cdw.com
http://www.hp.com
http://www.dell.com
http://www.gateway.com
http://www.ibm.com
etc

If you are shopping on a web site, select a computer with Microsoft Windows XP Professional. The comp
not sell a computer that doesn't meet the hardware requirements. The web site may also propose some
parts. If you can afford them, then add them. The items that can be useful and helpful are a CD writer or
both) and a backup system.

Instead of the Internet stores, you can also go to a computer store to buy the computers.
A Manufacturer's Installation
If you bought a computer in a computer store or from a web site and had Microsoft Windows XP Profe
either it was already installed or you requested that it be installed, there is nothing more to do at this tim
New Installation
A new installation is suitable if:

 You have a new computer with no operating system at all

 You have a computer with an operating system but you want to overwrite, that is, you want to insta
operating system on top of the old one and you don't mind loosing (since you will loose, with a new
whatever files already exist in the computer
 You have a computer with an operating system but Microsoft Windows XP Professional doesn't suppo
from that existing operating system
 

 Practical Learning: Performing  a New Installation of WinXP

To perform a new installation:

1. Turn the computer on.

*If you receive a message stating, "Diskette drive 0 seek failure", open the computer and make sur
cable that connects the floppy drive is connected
*If you are using a computer without an operating system, if you receive a message stating "Missing
System", or "Strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility", don't worry about it at this time
2. Put the Microsoft Windows XP Professional CD in the CD drive and restart the computer (you can pre
Delete to restart)
3. After a while, as soon as the computer starts, a message will notify you that the computer will boot
install the operating system (the message may display "Press any key to boot from CD").
*If a message of installing the operating system doesn't come up, you should restart the computer.
the black screen of the computer restarting appears, press a key such as F2 or F8 (but this may dep
computer or the manufacturer) to access the BIOS. Access the Boot Sequence and check the list. If
drive is not on top and if the instructions allow it, move the CD (or DVD) drive to the top of the sequ
cannot move the CD (or DVD) drive to the top, then disable the drives, such as floppy or hard drive
above it. In some cases, you can select the drive and press the Space bar to remove the check mar
selected item. In this case, make sure that only the CD (or DVD) drive has a check mark next to it.
changes in the BIOS to make the computer boot from the CD drive, save and exit the BIOS. Then re
computer and follow the instructions on the screen to install the operating system.
*If a message of installation still doesn't come up, make sure the CD drive is installed appropriately
find out from somebody to get the Microsoft Windows 98boot disk (it is a floppy disk that would first
(driver for the) CD drive). (If you have access to the Internet, you can also check the following
site:http://www.bootdisk.com/ for a boot disk). Put that disk in the floppy drive and restart the
a while, a list of options will come up and ask you whether you want to start the computer with or w
drive. Select the option that states "without" the CD. After the CD drive has been installed, make su
remember the drive letter assigned to it. Switch to that drive by typing it followed by : and press En
prompt, type setup.exe and press Enter. For example, if the CD drive is D, after typing D: and pres
D:\setup.exe and press Enter
*If the computer still doesn't boot from the CD and if you have access to the Internet, check the fol
from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994
As stated above, when the installation starts, you may see a "Boot From CD" message. In this case,
After a while, you should see a blue screen titled Windows XP Professional Setup and Welcome to Se
Windows XP Now, Press Enter. To continue, press Enter
4. The next screen will present to you the License Agreement. Read it. If you don't agree with it, press
installation.
If you agree with the license agreement, press F8 (or the appropriate key)
5. The next screen asks you to select the partition you want to use to install the operating system:
 

o If you have only one partition and it looks small, such as less than 5 GB,
simply select it
o If you have only one partition and that, regardless of its size, you want to
use it wholly to install the OS, select it
o If you have only one partition but it is large and you want to create various
partitions, first make sure it is selected. Then, press C to partition it. The next
screen would ask how much space you want to use for the new partition. By
default, it will propose the total space for it. To reduce it, first press Backspace a
few times to delete the numbers, then type the desired number of megabytes, and
press Enter. Press the down arrow key to select the Unpartitioned Space option
and press C. Continue the same way until you have created the desired partitions.
A small partition of 8MB will be created by Windows. Don't touch and don't delete
it
o If you have many partitions already, to specify which one will be used to
hold the operating system, use the up and down arrow keys to select it

6. After selecting the partition you will use, press Enter to install the OS in it
7. The next screen will ask you to format the selected partition and specify the type of file system you
Select the Format The Partition Using The NTFS File Systemoption and press Enter
8. In the next screen, the installation will start formatting the partition. This may take a few minutes.
Once the formatting is over, the installation will starting loading files. This may take a few minutes
A wizard, titled Windows XP Professional Setup, will come up. Its first page presents you with two op
The first choice consists of changing the Regional and Language Options. If you click Customize, the
Language Setup Options dialog box will come up:
 
9. The default options will be selected depending on your version of the CD. For example, if you bought the OS
use, the US English would be selected. If you want to change the language, click the Customize button. Anothe
Regional and Language Options, would come up with English (United States) selected. You can then click the
box to change the language. After making your selection, you can click OK. If you don't intend to change any
Cancel.
The bottom option consists of making changes to the way the keyboard will interpret text. Once again, if you a
intended for a US audience, the US English is selected by default. If you want to change it, click Details. This w
Services and Input Languages dialog box. You can change the language by clicking the arrow of the combo bo
change, you can click OK. To ignore any change, you can click Cancel
After dealing with the Windows Setup dialog box, click Next
10. The next screen request that you enter your name or the name of the primary person who will be us
computer. You must type a name other than Administrator or Guest
11. The other text box, Organization, expects the name of the company. Make sure that you provide thi
12. After entering the name and the organization, click Next or press Enter
13. The next page of the wizard requests the Product Key, which you must enter
14. After typing the product key, click Next
15. The next page of the wizard, expects you to type the computer name. It also suggests a default bas
organization you entered. You can accept the suggested name, which you can still change later on,
new name
16. The dialog box also requests a password for the administrator. This password will be stored locally,
 Type a semi-difficult password in the Administrator Password text box, such as P@s$w0rd8
17. Type the exact same password in the Confirm Password text box
18. Press Enter
19. The next page of the wizard allows you accept or change the current time, the date, and the time zo
computer. After making your selection, click Next
20. The installation will start/continue copying files.
After a while, a dialog box titled Windows XP Professional Setup will prompt you for Network Setting
Settings and click Next
21. The next page of the wizard will prompt you to specify the name of the network or to join a domain.
default of WORKGROUP and press Enter.
The installation will continue copying the files
22. When the installation finishes copying the files, the computer will reboot. When it comes up a Welco
Windows message will display. Click Next
23. In the next screen, accept the "Yes, this computer will connect through a local area network or hom
button and click Next
24. In the next screen, click the "No, not at this time" radio button
25. Click Next
26. The next screen prompts you to enter at least one name. Enter a name that is neither Administrator
the name of the computer
27. Click Next
28. The next screen displays Thank You and Congratulations...
Click Finish
The computer will display Welcome for a few seconds and change to the desktop
Upgrade
If your computer already has an operating system installed, instead of performing a new installation, you
existing one. This would preserve the existing files and other items, such as the computer name, the pas
of the network, etc, and would only install the new features and other improvements.

To perform an upgrade:

1. Start the computer as you usually do

2. Open the CD drive. Put the CD (or DVD) that contains Microsoft Windows XP Professional in the driv
door. A window will display and present you some options.
3. Click Install Windows XP.
Another window will come up with a dialog box on top of it. The dialog box will present you the optio
a new installation or upgrading. To choose, click the arrow of the Installation Type combo bo
your desired option.
Keep in mind that if you perform a new installation, all existing files will be lost. When in doubt, acc
4. After making your selection in the dialog box, click Next
5. You will be presented with the License Agreement. Read it. If you agree with it, click theI Acce
Agreement radio button and click Next. If you don't agree with it, click the second radio button and
to stop the installation
 6. If you agreed with the License Agreement and clicked the first radio button, click Next
7. The next screen will request the Product Key. Enter it
8. Click Next
9. In the next screen, if you (already) have an Internet connection, accept the first radio button so
would check updates on the Microsoft web site. If you don't have an Internet connection or you don
the updates (since you can do this later on anyway), click the second radio button
10. Click Next
11. Continue the installation. At one time, the computer will reboot (itself). Some time to time, the com
blank for one second or half a second. Don't worry about that. It will only be a good sign. Let it flow
you for something. Don't expect this quiet (and perhaps boring) installation to take less than 30 min
more than that). Meanwhile, if you have nothing else to do, the installation will present (somewhat
messages that you can read or admire to keep yourself busy
12. When the installation is over and the computer has rebooted, a Welcome to Microsoft Windows w
with Thank You For Purchasing Microsoft Windows XP. Let's Spend A Few Minutes Setting
Computer.
Click Next
13. The next screen will ask you whether you want to register online. Click the No, Not At This Time r
(unless you want to register at this time, in which case you would click the first radio button)
14. Click Next
15. The next window, titled Let's get On The Internet, would prompt you to setup the Internet at this tim
Click the Do Not Set Up An Internet Connection At This Time radio button
16. Click Next
17. A Thank You message will show Congratulations, You're Ready To Go!
Click Finish
You may be presented with a (blank) window with only one or two icons including Recycle Bin. Th
indicate that the installation was fine. Congratulations

Routine Operations
 
The Computer Name
After performing an installation of the operating system, you can perform some routine operations to
things.

To check the name of a computer, open Control Panel and double-click System. Alternatively, you c
Computer and click Properties. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Computer Name tab.