How to Install XP on a New HP PC?

C

Covellite

New Member
I am a non-tech oriented computer user that prefers Windows XP over Vista but wants to keep Vista on my new HP computer (dual boot). Is this an easy enough operation that someone who has been only a user and who has very limited experience with installing OSs can do it? I want to install the legal full version of XP SP3, but if getting this accomplished requires a running knowledge of resources needed in addition to those available on the Windows XP CD, I fear I could get into a dead end or, worse, just screw things up. My new HP PC has two 500 GB internal hard drives. Vista Ultimate is factory installed. I have also heard that installing XP on a removable hard drive may be more effective than utilizing internal hard drive(s) to boot XP. Is there any tutorial on how to do this on a clear step-by-step basis? Will the XP CD and a couple hours of time be all I need to complete the process or will additional CDs, drivers, etc be required? Any perspectives and/or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
What you want to do is simply and a non-tech person can definitely do it (maybe with some tips from this forum ;))

Here is a general guide line.


Decide what hard drive you will install it on. I always recommend having a partition (in other words a single drive - for example C: - on a hard drive) just for the operating system alone. Then, you would have all your documents, pictures, and all other files on a separate partition - for example D: or E: etc. That way, they are a bit safer if you ever have to do anything with the operating system partition. Of course it is always recommended to BACKUP any files that are important to you before you do anything with the hard drive itself - regardless of what partition they are in.

Okay, I'll outline the basics and you can ask questions about any of the steps:


  • I would select the hard drive where Vista is not installed. We'll call it disk 2.
    • If disk 2 is one full partition of 500 GB, then I would split it into at least two partitions. We'll just call them partitions X and Y. I would make X about 80 GB and I would install XP in that. Then Y is left to be about 420 GB. To partition a disk you can use several programs out there or even Vista's partitioning ability. See this google search.
    • If disk 2 is already partitioned, then pick which partition you want to install XP on, and make sure you have no important files there, because they will all be lost.
  • To make it easier to work, go to My Computer and rename that partition (or drive letter) to Windows XP. You rename it just like you would any file. It will make it easier later during installation to recognize that partition.

Okay, now for the installation:

  1. Insert the disk in the computer - but remember to have the installation key written down somewhere.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. When you see "Press any key to boot from CD..." go ahead an press any key.This will be the only time you do this!!!
  4. The installation process will start. Follow the instructions you are given. When it comes time to selecting where you want to install windows, press the arrows on the keyboard until the "Windows XP" partition is selected. I would recommend following the instructions to "delete" that partition, which will turn it into "unallocated space". Then select to "create" a partition in that unallocated space. A new partition is created. Follow the steps for installation - including the step to "format" the partition using the NTFS system (a "Quick" format is okay).
  5. You are past the hard part at this point. Windows will begin to install. For the rest of the installation, the computer will restart a couple of times and you will once again get the message "to boot from CD press any key..." Make sure you DO NOT touch anything or else it will take you back to step one of the installation. Just let the computer do its thing and answer any questions along the way.
  6. Once you are done with the installation, Windows XP will start for the first time, and you'll be asked some basic setup questions. Once you see your desktop, you can remove the installation disk from the computer.

Okay, now XP is installed. All that will take about 45 minutes.
Now, you have to do two important things:

  1. Install any drivers for your computer (such as audio driver, video card driver, possibly keyboard and mouse drivers etc) and of course drivers for your printer, scanner etc... just as if you had just purchased them and were installing them for the first time. You will also need to install the programs you use (such as Microsoft Office, Adobe pdf Reader, Firefox etc).
  2. This next part is really important!!!!!! From now on, your computer will start Windows XP automatically without giving you the option to boot up to Vista. So, you basically have to set up the dual-boot option. That will take you about 30 seconds to do, and you need a free program like EasyBCD. Install it on Windows XP and follow these instructions to set up dual boot. It is very easy.
You can also follow the steps in that website from the beginning if it helps. I just gave you a general overview of how I have done it a bunch of times (I lost count already).

And one last suggestion from me.
Get a program like Acronis True Image. It allows you to make a backup copy of entire partitions or hard drives. That way, in the future you can simply restore a backup and within 20 minutes you have windows installed, with all the programs and drivers you need. So, I would install everything and once you have your computer the way you like it, make an image back up of that partition in case you need it in the future. It will save you hours of work!!!!

All in all - I encourage you do to install XP as dual-boot. It will be practical and you'll learn a lot along the way!!!
 
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