Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Upgrade #1: Windows XP Typical Upgrade Installation

The upgrade installation is the easiest way to convert an old PC to Windows XP. When you make an upgrade, you install Windows XP on top of your previous version of Windows, and retain access to all your old applications and data.

Before You Upgrade

Before you upgrade to Windows XP, make the effort to download the latest version of all your key hardware drivers. Go to the manufacturer's Web site, or to DriverGuide.com (www.driverguide.com), and grab the Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows NT version of all your drivers. (Because XP is based on Windows NT/2000, it uses those drivers not the drivers used in Windows 9X/Me.) Store these drivers in a handy folder on your hard drive, in case you need to install those drivers post-installation.

When you first start the Windows XP installation program, it runs a utility called the Windows Upgrade Advisor. This little program analyzes all the hardware and software on your system and prepares a report that lists any items that might cause problems under Windows XP.

Examine this report carefully before proceeding with the installation. If you see a critical component that Windows thinks might cause problems, cancel the installation and download any new drivers that might alleviate the problem. (Remember to get the Windows 2000 or NT drivers if specific Windows XP drivers aren't available.) If it looks like there will be more problems than you can deal with, delay the installation until you can discuss your situation with Microsoft technical support.

Installing the Software

When you've prepared yourself as best you can for any potential problems, you can proceed with the installation. Just follow these steps:

  1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive. The installation program should launch automatically.

  2. When the Welcome screen, shown in Figure 17.2, appears, select Install Windows XP.

    Figure 17.2. Welcome to the Windows XP installation!

  3. When the next screen appears, select Upgrade (Recommended), and then click Next.

  4. When the License Agreement appears, read it (if you want), check the I Accept This Agreement option, and then click Next.

  5. The next screen asks for your Product Key. This is the long, convoluted number affixed to the back of the Windows XP CD case. Carefully enter this number into the box, and then click Next.

  6. Windows now prompts you to create an Upgrade Report, as discussed previously. Select the Show Me Hardware Issues option and click Next. Review the report to prepare yourself for any hardware-related issues that might occur.

  7. When the next screen appears, you're ready to begin the installation process itself. Click Next to get things underway.

From here on out, the installation proceeds automatically; follow the onscreen instructions and make the appropriate choices when prompted. It's a slow and plodding process, but rather solid. You shouldn't run into many (if any) problems. Just be patient and wait for the entire operation to finish. Then you'll be up-and-running and ready to start using Windows XP.

note

During the upgrade process you may be given the opportunity to convert your hard disk's current file system to XP's new NTFS file system. Although NTFS is an improvement over the older FAT32 file system, you shouldn't convert to NTFS if you think you'll ever uninstall Windows XP, or if you want your system to dual-boot between XP and an older version of Windows. For most users, however, converting to NTFS is a no-brainer.

After the Installation: Activating and Registering

In an attempt to discourage what Microsoft calls "casual" software piracy, the company now requires that each individual copy of XP be activated before it can be used. You're prompted to activate XP at the end of the installation process although you can delay the activation for up to 30 days if you want. If you don't activate within 30 days, Windows will become mostly unusable, until you complete the activation.

When you follow the onscreen instructions, you'll have a choice of activating online or by phone. If you have a modem or Internet connection, choose the online option because this automates the entire procedure. No further action will be required on your part.

If you choose to activate by phone, you'll be given a 24/7 toll-free phone number to call. You'll have to provide Microsoft with the activation number that Windows XP has generated. In return, the operator will give you another number to enter into XP to complete the activation. As these numbers are extremely long, this process is a big pain in the rear. Again, choose the online activation option, if you can.

note

To activate XP after the installation process, click the Start button, and then select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Activate Windows.

After you've activated Windows XP, you can then register the program. As with previous versions of Windows, registration is optional, and really doesn't gain you much other than access to Microsoft's technical support department. Unlike activation, if you don't register your copy of XP, it doesn't quit working.

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