How To Install Windows
Firstly lets clear up the definition of O/S. An O/S is a Operating System, this could be Windows (XP, Vista, 2000, ME, 98), Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu) or even Mac OSX. Without an O/S your computer would just be a basic shell running, well a black screen, and of course that's of no use to you, you want all those pretty colours to appear. Well if your lucky and follow this guide we might just get you there.
This guide is very basic and contains NO pictures as my camera is not of sufficient quality to photograph a PC screen.
Part 1
First things first, does your computer have an O/S on it already, or is this a fresh install. If it has one on already make sure you back up any important files that might be saved on it. For the purpose of this guide we will assume it's a fresh install.
Next we need to decide what O/S your going to install on it Windows/Linux etc. This guide will be about Windows, XP specifically. (Most versions of Windows install roughly the same so although I'm talking you through XP, you might be able to figure out others as well).
Next lets check we have everything. You should have the following:
- Install Disk (If Windows is usually holographic if genuine)
- Serial Key for Windows.
- Motherboard Disk (If it was a custom build this should of came with the machine, if not don't worry about this)
- Graphics Card Disk
- A lot of coffee and cigarette's, if you don't smoke,well, now might be a good time to start (Very stressful job this)
Part 2
Now we turn the computer on. You should get some strange screen with either a picture of the manufactures logo, or a lot of text. This is when the computer does it's POST prompts. These are basic checks to make sure everything is still there and working. Usually there will be a bit of text at the bottom saying “Press XX to enter boot menu” (replace XX with whatever key it says). Normally this key will be F8. So start pressing the key until you get a new screen with a list of things to boot from, DVD Drive, Hard Drive, Floppy Drive etc. Put the Windows disk in and selected boot from DVD Drive. It will then come up saying “Press Any Key to Boot From CD”. So press a key and up comes the Windows installer.
It will take about 5 minutes to load all the drivers. Then it will come up with the Terms and Conditions. Press the Page Down bottom then accept these (Read them if you must). Then it will show your details of your hard drive and partitions. Usually you should either have just one big C:/ drive with the possibility of a small (about 8MB) drive. Select the C:/ drive from the list and tell it to format to NTFS (don't use quick format, it isn't really any quicker). Now it will come up with a series of commands about installing Windows and are you sure, just answer yes ti all (It uses a random key for yes so I can't tell you what to press). Then it should start to install on it's own, leave it for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then come back and it should be asking about your country. Select the appropriate country and keyboard and let it finish.
Once it's finished it will re – set on its own then come up with the start screen. Follow the tutorial (very basic) and if your Internet is connected tell it to register Windows now. Then it should let you log in.
Part 3
Once your on the windows desktop, insert the motherboard disk and install all the drivers it lists, and same for the graphics card disk. The go about changing your background installing Anti – Virus and Firewalls, and your favorite programs. Now your all set and your copy of Windows should be up and running.
Remember and install Java, Flash, and Shockwave as you will need these for view content on most websites. These can be found be Googling the respective names.
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