Advice Needed: Reinstalling Windows XP

[applesseed]

My former boss has a Windows XP computer (Compaq computer). He wants to give it to a kid who can't afford new computer. Currently the Windows XP computer has junks that my boss doesn't want/need - he basically wants to wipe out and reinstall XP. The sad thing is I've never reinstall XP - how do I go about doing it? We're hoping not to spend any money for services.

I've Googled Reinstall XP and everything sounds overwhelming. It would be nice if somebody here could give me a step by step process on how to do so. We got the XP installation CD, and no data backup is needed.

Thanks!

 

[Markbnj]

Not that bad, really. Do you have the original XP install cdrom? If so, you can move ahead. If not, the boss will need to acquire XP for the kid.

You'll need to know how to enter the BIOS setup screen when the machine starts. This varies from BIOS to BIOS. You can usually find it on the mfg website.

Once in the BIOS look for the option to set the order of boot devices, and make sure the cd drive is listed as the first boot device.

Once this is done put the cd in the drive and restart. The system should boot off of the windows XP install cd. You'll see a few screens, and the operating system will load, and then you will be presented with a menu asking whether you want to install XP, update XP, or repair XP. Choose repair and a console window will open.

From the console window you can reformat the hard disk to remove all existing data. Make sure the boss has backed up anything he wants to keep. Once the drive is reformatted, restart the computer, and the next time through choose Install Windows XP. If you have questions about specific choices during the install process post them here.

 

[applesseed]

thanks for the quick reply, Markbnj

By reading your post sounds not too difficult.

I think my boss shoudl have the original XP disc and does not need to back up datas. Thanks again.

 

[scottws]

Installing Windows is only tough if you have the hard drives on a RAID or SCSI controller that isn't natively supported, and you don't have the drivers on a floppy (or don't have a floppy drive).

In a vast majority of cases, installing Windows is nearly as simple as installing a program. It just takes a lot longer and asks you more questions.

 

[DaveBC]

Don't forget that after your XP installation. That various device drivers/chipset drivers may need to be installed before the machine is completly functional. Compac may be propriatary with their stuff. But it might not hurt to browse thier website for that models drivers.

 

[Markbnj]

Excellent advice. You should be able to get windows installed and connected to the net without any additional drivers, but if you want to browse around and find what the machine needs, then save them somewhere (a networked pc or a cdrom is perfect), you'll have them handy when you need them.

 

[mechBgon]

I'd like to point out the critical importance of protecting the "raw" WindowsXP installation from worm attacks, too. This page shows how you can keep the computer out of trouble. If it's for a kid, then educate, educate, educate about avoiding warez, cracks, pr0n and other high-risk stuff that ends up letting Trojans, worms and viruses in the door, not to mention spyware/adware. All that glitters is not gold...

Get him/her set up with a Limited user account for normal daily stuff (web surfing, IM, email, etc) and a separate Administrator-class account that is only used when there's an actual need for Admin-level power (installing a new printer & its software, for example). The Limited account is a huge blow against accidental spyware infestations and other malware.

Also (duh) fully patch the system at Windows Update, and make sure the Automatic Updates feature is enabled and set to fully-automatic. If the computer has Microsoft Office, or any components of it such as Word or Outlook, then drag it through Office Update as well.

If you can find out the model of Compaq that is being given away, I'll hunt for the drivers so you can have them on CD as well. A good order of installation is

1) Windows (keep the network cable unplugged)
2) install Service Pack 2 offline from a pre-burned CD (this enables the Windows Firewall)
3) Enable the Automatic Updates feature on the reboot after Service Pack 2 is installed
4) Now install your motherboard chipset drivers before your video drivers, and reboot
5) Install the video drivers and reboot
6) Install the other drivers as the case may be (modem, audio, whatever)
7) Get the antivirus software installed and configured
8) Fully enable Data Execution Prevention like this
9) Now plug in your network cable, update the antivirus software, reboot as needed, and get over to Windows Update for post-SP2 patches. Check again after rebooting, for more patches and for more antivirus updates, until it comes up clean.
10) Check the system over with Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (search Microsoft.com for MBSA)

 

[InlineFive]

And if the computer had business information make sure to run DBaN on it before you install Windows XP.

 

[applesseed]

dood... You guys are AWESOME! Thanks for all your advice.

If in case there's a virus, do I remove that prior to installing XP? What if I am unable to remove the virus - get a new hard disk?

 

[Markbnj]

No, if you reformat you won't have to worry about viruses or anything else that used to be on the disk.

 

[mechBgon]

In case of virus, or even just to ensure that the former owner's information will never be recovered, run DBAN like InlineFive said. It takes a while to complete, so plan a few hours for this stage of the proceedings