Basic & Advance Computer Education: May 2011

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Lesson 5: Troubleshooting Windows XP Professional Setup

Your installation of Windows XP Professional should complete without any problems. However, this lesson covers some common issues you might encounter during installation.

After this lesson, you will be able to

Troubleshoot Windows XP Professional installations

Estimated lesson time: 5 minutes

Resolving Common Problems

Table 2.6 lists some common installation problems and offers solutions.
Table 2.6 Troubleshooting Tips


Problem	Solution
Media errors occur	If you are installing from a CD-ROM, use a different CD-ROM. To request a replacement CD-ROM, contact Microsoft or your vendor. Try using a different computer and CD-ROM drive. If you can read the CD-ROM on a different computer, you can perform an over-the-network installation. If one of your Setup disks is not working, try using a different set of Setup disks.
CD-ROM drive is not supported	Replace the CD-ROM drive with a supported drive. If replacement is impossible, try another installation method such as installing over the network. After you complete the installation, add the adapter card driver for the CD-ROM drive if it is available.
Computer is unable to copy files from the CD-ROM	Test the CD-ROM on another computer. If you can copy the files using a different CD-ROM drive on a different computer, use the CD-ROM to copy the files to a network share or to the hard drive of the computer on which you want to install Windows XP Professional.
Insufficient disk space	Do one of the following: ª Use the Setup program to create a partition by using existing free space on the hard disk. ª Delete and create partitions as needed to create a partition that is large enough for installation. ª Reformat an existing partition to create more space.
Dependency service fails	In the Windows XP Professional Setup Wizard, return to the to start Network Settings dialog box and verify that you installed the correct protocol and network adapter. Verify that the network adapter has the proper configuration settings, such as transceiver type, and that the local computer name is unique on the network.
Setup cannot connect to the domain controller	Verify the following: The domain name is correct. The server running the DNS service and the domain controller are both running and online. If you cannot locate a domain controller, install Windows XP Professional into a workgroup and then join the domain after installation. The network adapter card and protocol settings are set correctly. If you are reinstalling Windows XP Professional and are using the same computer name, delete the computer account and recreate it.
Windows XP Professional fails to install or start	Verify the following: Windows XP Professional is detecting all of the hardware. All of the hardware is on the HCL. Try running Winnt32 /checkupgradeonly to verify that the hardware is compatible with Windows XP Professional.

During Setup, Windows XP Professional generates a number of log files containing installation information that can help you resolve any problems that occur after setup is completed. The action log and the error log are especially useful for troubleshooting.

Action Log

The action log records in chronological order the actions that the Setup program performs. It includes actions such as copying files and creating Registry entries. It also contains entries that are written to the Setup error log. The action log is stored in SETUPACT.LOG.

Error Log

The error log describes errors that occur during setup and their severity. If errors occur, the log viewer displays the error log at the end of setup. The error log is stored in SETUPERR.LOG.

Additional Logs

Setup creates a number of additional logs, including the following:

% windir%\comsetup.log Outlines installation for Optional Component Manager and COM+ components.
% windir%\setupapi.log Receives an entry each time a line from an .inf file is implemented. If an error occurs, this log describes the failure.
% windir%\debug\NetSetup.log Logs activity when computers join domains or workgroups.
% windir%\repair\setup.log Provides information that is used by the Recovery Console. (In Windows NT 4, this was used by the Emergency Repair Process.) For more information about the Recovery Console, see Chapter 18, "Modifying and Troubleshooting the Boot Process."

NOTE

For additional information about troubleshooting installations, see Lesson 3, "Using Startup And Recovery Tools," in Chapter 18, "Modifying and Troubleshooting the Boot Process."

Lesson Review

The following questions will help you determine whether you have learned enough to move on to the next lesson. If you have difficulty answering these questions, review the material in this lesson before beginning the next chapter. The answers are in Appendix A, "Questions and Answers."

If you encounter an error during setup, which of the following log files should you check? (Choose all that apply.)
1. SETUPERR.LOG
2. NETSETUP.LOG
3. SETUP.LOG
4. SETUPACT.LOG
If your computer cannot connect to the domain controller during installation, what should you do?
If your computer cannot connect to read the CD-ROM during installation, what should you do?

Lesson Summary

The action log, SETUPACT.LOG, records and describes in chronological order the actions that Setup performs.
The error log, SETUPERR.LOG, describes errors that occur during setup and indicates the severity of each error.
A number of additional logs are created during setup, including COMSETUP.LOG, SETUPAPI.LGO, NETSETUP.LOG, and SETUP.LOG.

Lesson 4: Upgrading Earlier Versions of Windows to Windows XP Professional

You can upgrade many earlier versions of Windows operating systems directly to Windows XP Professional. Before upgrading, however, you must do the following:

Ensure that the computer hardware meets the minimum Windows XP Professional hardware requirements.
Check the HCL or test the computer for hardware compatibility using the Windows XP Professional Compatibility tool. Using compatible hardware prevents problems when you start the upgrade on a large number of client computers.

You can upgrade computers directly to Windows XP Professional if they are running earlier versions of Windows that use compatible hardware. If your Windows 95 and Windows 98 client systems are using incompatible or insufficient hardware, you can still take advantage of the Active Directory service functionality provided by a Windows 2000 Server domain by installing the Windows 2000 Server Directory Services Client on these systems.

After this lesson, you will be able to

Upgrade earlier Windows client operating systems to Windows XP Professional

Estimated lesson time: 25 minutes

Identifying Client Upgrade Paths

You can upgrade most client computers running earlier versions of Windows directly to Windows XP Professional. However, computers running some earlier versions of Windows (including Windows 95, Microsoft Windows NT 3.1, and Microsoft Windows NT 3.5) require an additional step. Table 2.5 lists the Windows XP Professional upgrade paths for various client operating systems.
Table 2.5 Windows XP Professional Upgrade Paths for Client Operating Systems


Upgrade from	Upgrade to
Windows 98	Windows XP Professional
Windows Me	Windows XP Professional
Windows NT Workstation 4.0	Windows XP Professional
Windows 2000 Professional	Windows XP Professional
Windows 95	Windows 98 first, and then upgrade to Windows XP Professional
Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, or 3.51	Windows NT 4 Workstation first, and then upgrade to Windows XP Professional

NOTE

Windows XP Professional also upgrades all released service packs for Windows NT Workstation 4.0.

Generating a Hardware Compatibility Report

Before you upgrade a client computer to Windows XP Professional, ensure that it meets the minimum hardware requirements by using the Windows XP Compatibility tool to generate a hardware and software compatibility report. This tool runs automatically during system upgrades, but running it before beginning the upgrade should identify any hardware and software problems and allow you to fix compatibility problems ahead of time.

Generating the Report

To run the Windows XP Compatibility tool and generate a compatibility report, perform the following steps:

Insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
At a command prompt, type d:\i386\winnt32 /checkupgradeonly

NOTE

d:\ represents the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive
Press Enter.

NOTE

Generating the upgrade report can take several minutes. The tool checks only for compatible hardware and software and generates a report that you can analyze to determine the system components that are compatible with Windows XP Professional.

Reviewing the Report

Winnt32 /checkupgradeonly generates a report that appears as a text document, which you can view in the tool or save as a text file. The report documents the system hardware and software that are incompatible with Windows XP Professional. It also specifies whether you need to obtain an upgrade pack for software installed on the system and recommends additional system changes or modifications to maintain functionality in Windows XP Professional.

Upgrading Compatible Windows 98 Computers

For client systems that test as compatible with Windows XP Professional, run WINNT32.EXE to complete the upgrade. To upgrade a Windows 98 computer, complete the following procedure.
To perform the upgrade follow these steps:

Insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The AUTORUN program on the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM displays the Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen.

NOTE

If you do not want to use any switches with WINNT32.EXE, click Install Windows XP and follow the prompts on your screen. These steps are the same as Practice 2 in Lesson 2.
Run WINNT32.EXE with any appropriate switches.
Accept the license agreement.
If the computer is already a member of a domain, create a computer account in that domain. Windows 98 clients do not require a computer account, but Windows XP Professional clients do.
Provide upgrade packs for applications that need them. Upgrade packs update the software to work with Windows XP Professional. These packs are available from the software vendor.
Upgrade to NTFS when prompted. Select the upgrade if you do not plan to set up the client computer to dual boot.
Continue with the upgrade if the Windows XP Professional Compatibility tool generates a report showing that the computer is compatible with Windows XP Professional. The upgrade finishes without further intervention and adds your computer to a domain or workgroup. If the report shows that the computer is incompatible with Windows XP Professional, terminate the upgrade process, and then upgrade your hardware or software.

Upgrading a Windows NT 4 Client

The upgrade process for computers running Windows NT 4 is similar to the upgrade process for computers running Windows 98.

Verifying Compatibility

Before you perform the upgrade, use the Windows XP Professional Compatibility tool to verify that the systems are compatible with Windows XP Professional and to identify any potential problems.

Upgrading Compatible Systems

Windows NT 4 computers that meet the hardware compatibility requirements can upgrade directly to Windows XP Professional. To start the upgrade process, complete the following procedure.
To perform the upgrade follow these steps:

Insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The AUTORUN program on the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM displays the Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen.

NOTE

If you do not want to use any switches with WINNT32.EXE, click Install Windows XP and follow the prompts on your screen. These steps are the same as Practice 2 in Lesson 2.
Click Exit to close the Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen.
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type d:\i386\winnt32 /switch (where d is the drive letter for your CD-ROM and /switch represents one or more switches that you want to use with the WINNT32 command), and then press Enter. The Welcome To Windows page appears.
In the Installation Type drop-down list, select Upgrade and then click Next. The License Agreement page is displayed.
Read the license agreement, click I Accept This Agreement, and then click Next. Setup displays the Product Key page.
Enter your 25-character product key, which is located on the back of the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM case. Setup displays the Upgrading To The Windows XP Professional NTFS File System page.
Click Yes, Upgrade My Drive and then click Next. The Copying Installation Files page appears.
The Restarting The Computer page appears, and the computer restarts. Then the upgrade finishes without further intervention.

Lesson Review

The following questions will help you determine whether you have learned enough to move on to the next lesson. If you have difficulty answering these questions, review the material in this lesson before beginning the next lesson. The answers are in Appendix A, "Questions and Answers."

Which of the following operating systems can be upgraded directly to Windows XP Professional? (Choose all that apply.)
1. Windows NT Workstation 4.0
2. Windows NT 3.51
3. Windows 2000 Professional
4. Windows NT Server 4.0
How can you upgrade a computer running Windows 95 to Windows XP Professional?
Before you upgrade a computer running Windows NT 4, which of the following actions should you perform? (Choose all that apply.)
1. Create a 2-GB partition on which to install Windows XP Professional.
2. Verify that the computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.
3. Generate a hardware and software compatibility report.
4. Format the partition containing Windows NT 4 so that you can install Windows XP Professional.
How can you verify that your computer is compatible with Windows XP Professional and therefore can be upgraded?

Lesson Summary

Before you upgrade a client computer to Windows XP Professional, ensure that it meets the minimum hardware requirements.
Use the Windows XP Professional Compatibility tool to generate a hardware and software compatibility report.
For client systems that test as compatible with Windows XP Professional, run the Windows XP Professional Setup program (WINNT32.EXE) to complete the upgrade.

Lesson 3: Installing Windows XP Professional over the Network

You can install Windows XP Professional over the network. This lesson discusses the similarities and differences between installing from a CD-ROM and installing over the network. The major difference is the location of the source files needed for installation. This lesson also lists the requirements for an over-the-network installation.

After this lesson, you will be able to

Complete a network installation of Windows XP Professional

Estimated lesson time: 30 minutes

Preparing for a Network Installation

In a network installation, the Windows XP Professional installation files are located in a shared location on a network file server, which is called a distribution server. From the computer on which you want to install Windows XP Professional (the target computer), you connect to the distribution server and then run the Setup program.

Installing Windows XP Professional requires you to do the following:

Locate a distribution server. The distribution server contains the installation files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM. These files reside in a common network location in a shared folder that allows computers on the network to access the installation files. Contact a network administrator to obtain the path to the installation files on the distribution server.

NOTE

After you have created or located a distribution server, you can use the over-the-network installation method to concurrently install Windows XP Professional on multiple computers.
Create a FAT partition on the target computer. The target computer requires a formatted partition to which to copy the installation files. Create a partition containing at least 1.5 GB of disk space or more and format it with the FAT file system.
Install a network client. A network client is software that allows the target computer to connect to the distribution server. On a computer without an operating system, you must boot from a client disk that includes a network client that enables the target computer to connect to the distribution server.

Installing over the Network

The Setup program copies the installation files to the target computer and creates the Setup boot disks. After Setup copies the installation files, you start the installation on the target computer by booting from the Setup boot disks. From this point, you install Windows XP Professional as you would from a CD-ROM.

Installing Windows XP Professional over the network involves the following steps:

Boot the network client. On the target computer, boot from a floppy disk that includes a network client or start another operating system that can be used to connect to the distribution server.
Connect to the distribution server. After you start the network client on the target computer, connect to the shared folder on the distribution server that contains the Windows XP Professional installation files.
Run WINNT.EXE or WINNT32.EXE to start the Setup program. WINNT.EXE and WINNT32.EXE reside in the shared folder on the distribution server.
- Use WINNT.EXE for an installation using MS-DOS or Windows 3.0 or later versions on the source system.
- Use WINNT32.EXE for an installation using Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Me, Windows NT 4, or Windows 2000 Professional. Running WINNT.EXE or WINNT32.EXE from the shared folder does the following:
- Creates the $Win_nt$.~ls temporary folder on the target computer
- Copies the Windows XP Professional installation files from the shared folder on the distribution server to the $Win_nt$.~ls folder on the target computer
Install Windows XP Professional. Setup restarts the local computer and begins installing Windows XP Professional.

Modifying the Setup Process Using WINNT.EXE

You can modify an over-the-network installation by changing how WINNT.EXE runs Setup. Table 2.3 lists the switches you can use with WINNT.EXE and describes their functions.
Table 2.3 WINNT.EXE Switches


Switch	Function
/a	Enables accessibility options.
/r[:folder]	Specifies an optional folder to be copied and saved. The folder remains after Setup finishes.
/rx[:folder]	Specifies the optional folder to be copied. The folder is deleted after Setup finishes.
/s[:sourcepath]	Specifies the source location of Windows XP Professional files. This must be a full path of the form x:\[path] or \\server\share\[path]. The default is the current folder location
/t[:tempdrive]	Specifies a drive to contain temporary setup files and directs Setup to install Windows XP Professional on that drive. If you do not specify a drive, Setup attempts to locate the drive with the most available space.
/u[:script_file]	Performs an unattended installation by using an optional script file. Unattended installations also require using the /s switch. The answer file provides answers to some or all of the prompts that the end user normally responds to during Setup.
/udf:id[,UDF_file]	Indicates an identifier (id) that Setup uses to specify how a Uniqueness Database File (UDF) modifies an answer file. The /udf parameter overrides values in the answer file, and the identifier determines which values in the UDF file are used. If you do not specify a UDF_file, Setup prompts you to insert a disk that contains the $UNIQUE$.UDB file.

Modifying the Setup Process Using WINNT32.EXE

You can modify an over-the-network installation by changing how WINNT32.EXE runs Setup. Table 2.4 lists the switches you can use with WINNT32.EXE and describes their functions.
Table 2.4 WINNT32.EXE Switches


Switch	Function
/checkupgradeonly	Checks your computer for upgrade compatibility for Windows XP Professional. If you use this option with unattend, no user input is required. Otherwise the results are displayed on the screen and you can save them under the filename you specify. For Windows 98 or Windows Me upgrades, the default filename is UPGRADE.TXT in the %systemroot% folder (the folder that contains the Windows XP Professional system files). For Windows NT 4 or Windows 2000 upgrades, the default filename is NTCOMPAT.TXT in the %systemroot% folder. For more information about generating a compatibility report, see Lesson 4, "Upgrading Earlier Versions of Windows to WindowsXP Professional."
/cmd:command_line	Specifies a specific command that Setup is to run. This command is run after the computer restarts and after Setup collects the necessary configuration information.
/cmdcons	Copies to the hard disk the additional files necessary to load a command-line interface, the Recovery Console, which is used for repair and recovery. The Recovery Console is installed as a Startup option. You can use the Recovery Console to stop and start services and to access the local drive, including drives formatted with NTFS. You can use this option only after you install Windows XP Professional.
/copydir:foldername	Creates an additional folder within the %systemroot% folder, which contains the Windows XP Professional system files. For example, if your source folder contains a folder called My_drivers, type /copydir:My_drivers to copy the My_drivers folder to your system folder. You can use the /copydir switch to create as many additional folders as you want.
/copysource:foldername	Creates an additional folder within the %systemroot% folder. Setup deletes folders created with /copysource after installation is complete.
/debug[level] [:file_name]	Creates a debug log at the specified level. By default, the debug log file is C:\WINNT32.LOG and the default level is 2. Includes the following levels: 0 (severe errors) 1 (errors) 2 (warnings) 3 (information) 4 (detailed information for debugging) Each level includes the level below it.
/dudisable	Prevents Dynamic Update from running. Without Dynamic Updates, Setup runs only with the original Setup files. This option disables Dynamic Update even if you use an answer file and specify Dynamic Update options in that file.
/dushare: pathname	Specifies a share on which you previously downloaded Dynamic Update files (updated files for use with Setup) from the Windows Update Web site. When run from your installation share and used with /prepareinstall, it prepares the updated files for use in network-based client installations. When used without /prepareinstall and run on a client, it specifies that the client installation will use the updated files on the share specified in pathname.
/duprepare: pathname	Prepares an installation share for use with Dynamic Update files that you downloaded from the Windows Update Web site. You can use this share for installing Windows XP Professional for multiple clients (used only with /dushare).
/m:foldername	Instructs Setup to copy replacement files from an alternate location. Directs Setup to look in the alternate location first and, if files are present, to use them instead of the files from the default location.
/makelocalsource	Instructs Setup to copy all installation source files to the local hard disk. Use this switch when installing from a CD-ROM to provide installation files when the CD-ROM is not available later in the installation.
/noreboot	Prevents Setup from restarting the computer after completing the file-copy phase. This allows you to execute another command.
/s:sourcepath	Specifies the source location of Windows XP Professional installation files. To simultaneously copy files from multiple paths, use a separate /s switch for each source path. If you type multiple /s switches, the first location specified must be available or the installation will fail. You can use a maximum of eight /s switches.
/syspart:[drive_letter]	Copies Setup startup files to a hard disk and marks the drive as active. You can then install the drive in another computer. When you start that computer, Setup starts at the next phase. Using /syspart requires the /tempdrive switch. You can use syspart on computers running Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000 Server. You cannot use it on computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me.
/tempdrive:drive_letter	Places temporary files on the specified drive and installs Windows XP Professional on that drive.
/unattend [number]: [answer_file]	Performs an unattended installation. The answer file provides your custom specifications to Setup. If you don't specify an answer file, all user settings are taken from the previous installation. You can specify the number of seconds between the time that Setup finishes copying the files and when it restarts with number. You can specify the number of seconds only on computers running Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT 4, or Windows 2000 that are upgrading to a newer version of Windows XP Professional.
/udf:id[,udb_file]	Indicates an identifier (id) that Setup uses to specify how a UDF modifies an answer file. The UDF file overrides values in the answer file, and the identifier determines which values in the UDF file are used. For example, /udf:RAS_user, OUR_COMPANY.UDF overrides settings that are specified for the RAS_user identifier in the OUR_COMPANY.UDF file. If you do not specify a UDF file, Setup prompts you to insert a disk that contains the $UNIQUE$.UDF file.

Lesson Review

The following questions will help you determine whether you have learned enough to move on to the next lesson. If you have difficulty answering these questions, review the material in this lesson before beginning the next lesson. The answers are in Appendix A, "Questions and Answers."

On which of the following operating systems running on the client computer do you use WINNT32.EXE to install Windows XP Professional? (Choose all that apply.)
1. Windows 3.0 or later
2. Windows 95
3. Windows 98
4. Windows NT 4
On which of the following operating systems running on the client computer do you use WINNT.EXE to install Windows XP Professional? (Choose all that apply.)
1. Windows 3.0 or later
2. Windows 95
3. Windows Me
4. Windows NT 4
What Windows XP Professional command allows you to verify that your computer is compatible with Windows XP Professional before you begin installing it?
You use the ____________________________ switch with WINNT32.EXE to prevent Setup from restarting the computer after completing the file-copy phase.
You use the ____________________________ switch with WINNT32.EXE to tell Setup to copy all installation source files to your local hard disk.

Lesson Summary

When you install Windows XP Professional, the main difference between an over-the-network installation and an installation from CD-ROM is the location of the source files.
After you connect to the shared folder containing the source files and start WINNT.EXE or WINNT32.EXE, the installation proceeds as an installation from CD-ROM.
Several switches for WINNT.EXE and WINNT32.EXE allow you to modify the installation process.
The /checkupgradeonly switch specifies that WINNT32.EXE should check your computer only for upgrade compatibility with Windows XP Professional.

Lesson 2: Installing Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM

This lesson covers the four-stage process of installing Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM. After you learn about these four stages, you will install Windows XP Professional on your computer.

After this lesson, you will be able to

Install Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM

Estimated lesson time: 70 minutes

The Windows XP Professional Setup Program

The installation process for Windows XP Professional combines the Setup program with wizards and informational screens. Installing Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM to a clean hard disk consists of these four stages:

Running the Setup program. Setup prepares the hard disk for the later installation stages and copies the files necessary to run the Setup Wizard.
Running the Setup Wizard. The Setup Wizard requests setup information about the computer, such as names, and passwords.
Installing Windows XP Professional networking components. After gathering information about the computer, the Setup Wizard prompts you for networking information and then installs the networking components that allow the computer to communicate with other computers on the network.
Completing the installation. Setup copies files to the hard disk and configures the computer. The system restarts after installation is complete.
The following sections cover the four steps in more detail.

Running the Setup Program

To start the Setup program, insert the Windows XP Professional installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive, and start your computer.

Running the Setup program involves the following steps:

After the computer starts, a minimal version of Windows XP Professional is copied into memory. This version of Windows XP Professional starts the Setup program.
Setup restarts the computer and then starts the text-mode portion of Setup, which prompts you to read and accept a licensing agreement.
Setup prompts you to select the partition on which to install Windows XP Professional. You can select an existing partition or create a new partition by using unpartitioned space on the hard disk.
Setup prompts you to select a file system for the new partition. Next, Setup formats the partition with the selected file system.
Setup copies files to the hard disk and saves configuration information.
Setup restarts the computer and then starts the Windows XP Professional Setup Wizard, the graphical user interface (GUI) portion of Setup. By default, the Setup Wizard installs the Windows XP Professional operating system files in the C:\Windows folder.

Running the Setup Wizard

The GUI-based Windows XP Professional Setup Wizard leads you through the next stage of the installation process. It gathers information about you, your organization, and your computer, including the following information:

Regional settings. Customize language, locale, and keyboard settings. You can configure Windows XP Professional to use multiple languages and regional settings.

NOTE

You can add another language or change the locale and keyboard settings after installation is complete. For more information, see Chapter 10, "Configuring Windows XP Professional."
Name and organization. Enter the name of the person and the organization to which this copy of Windows XP Professional is licensed.
Computer name. Enter a computer name of up to 15 characters. The computer name must be different from other computer, workgroup, or domain names on the network. The Setup Wizard displays a default name (the organization name you entered earlier in the process). If Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is installed on your computer, the computer name can be up to 63 characters but should contain only alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and hyphens.

NOTE

To change the computer name after installation is complete, click Start, click My Computer, and then click View System Information. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
Password for Administrator account. Specify a password for the Administrator user account, which the Setup Wizard creates during installation. The Administrator account provides the administrative privileges required to manage the computer.
Time and date. Select the time zone, adjust the date and time settings if necessary, and determine whether you want Windows XP Professional to automatically adjust for daylight savings time.

After you complete this step, the Setup Wizard starts to install the Windows networking components.

Installing Windows XP Professional Networking Components

After gathering information about your computer, the Setup Wizard guides you through installing the Windows XP Professional networking components.

Installing Windows XP Professional networking components involves the following steps:

Detect network adapter cards. The Windows XP Professional Setup Wizard detects and configures any network adapter cards installed on the computer. After configuring network adapters, it attempts to locate a server running the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service (called the DHCP server) on the network.
Select networking components. The Setup Wizard prompts you to choose typical or customized settings for the networking components it installs. The typical installation includes the following options:
- Client For Microsoft Networks. Allows your computer to access network resources.
- File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks. Allows other computers to access file and print resources on your computer.
- QoS Packet Scheduler. Helps provide a guaranteed delivery system for network traffic, such as Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) packets.
- Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Allows your computer to communicate over local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). TCP/IP is the default networking protocol.
NOTE

You can install other clients, services, and network protocols during the Windows XP Professional installation, or you can wait until after the installation has completed.
Join a workgroup or domain. If you choose to join a domain for which you have administrative privileges, you can create the computer account during installation. The Setup Wizard prompts you for the name and password of a user account with authority to add domain computer accounts.

NOTE

To change the domain or workgroup for your computer after you've installed Windows XP Professional, click Start, click My Computer, click View System Information, click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
Install components. The Setup Wizard installs and configures the Windows networking components you selected.

Completing the Installation

After installing the networking components, the Setup Wizard automatically starts the final step in the installation process.To complete the installation, the Setup Wizard performs the following tasks:

Installs Start menu items. The Setup Wizard sets up shortcuts that will appear on the Start menu.
Registers components. The Setup Wizard applies the configuration settings that you specified earlier.
Saves the configuration. The Setup Wizard saves your configuration settings to the local hard disk. The next time you start Windows XP Professional, the computer uses this configuration automatically.
Removes temporary files. To save hard disk space, the Setup Wizard deletes any files used for installation only.
Restarts the computer. The Setup Wizard restarts the computer. This finishes the installation.

Practice 1: Installing Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM

In this practice, you install Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM on to a computer that contains no partitions or operating systems. If your computer will not boot from a CD-ROM or if there is already an operating system loaded on your computer, go to Practice 2 to install Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM without having to boot from the Windows XP Professional installation CD-ROM.

To run the Setup program

Insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive and turn on the computer.

NOTE

Some computers will require you to press a key to boot from the CD-ROM drive. If you are prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press the spacebar.
Setup displays the Windows Setup screen while it is loading files, and then displays the Windows XP Professional Setup screen.

NOTE

If you are loading an Evaluation Edition of Windows XP Professional, press Enter to continue (or F3 to quit Setup). Setup displays the Welcome To Setup screen.

IMPORTANT

You can also use Windows XP Professional Setup to repair or recover a damaged Windows XP Professional installation.
Read the Welcome To Setup screen and press Enter to continue. Setup displays the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen.
Read the licensing agreement, and press F8 to agree with the licensing terms. Setup displays another screen, which prompts you to create a partition in which to install Windows XP Professional.

NOTE

If you want to use only a portion of the available space, enter the amount of space you want to use and then press Enter.

IMPORTANT

You must create a space of at least 2000 MB in size.
Select an area of unpartitioned space, at least 2000 MB in size, and press C. Setup prompts you to enter a size for the partition.
If you want to use all the available space to create the partition, press Enter.

NOTE

If you already have partitions created, you can also delete partitions at this time. If you have a C partition, you might not be able to delete it because Setup has already loaded some files onto it.
Setup displays the list of existing partitions for you to select a partition for the installation.
Press Enter to install Windows XP Professional on the partition you created. Because you are installing into a newly created, unformatted partition, Windows XP Professional Setup prompts you to format the partition.

CAUTION

If you are planning on dual booting your computer with an operating system that does not support NTFS, your C drive cannot be formatted with NTFS. You might want to install Windows XP Professional in a different drive and format that drive with NTFS.
When prompted, format the partition with NTFS.

NOTE

If you format the partition with the FAT file system, Windows XP Professional provides the Convert command, which you can use to convert a partition to NTFS after installation is complete without reformatting the partition and losing all the information contained on the partition.
Setup formats the hard drive, examines it, and then copies files to the Windows XP Professional installation folders.
When Setup prompts you to restart the computer, remove all the disks from the drives, and then press Enter.

IMPORTANT

Ensure that you remove the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive. If you don't and your computer supports booting from the CD-ROM drive, the computer can attempt to reboot from the CD-ROM. If this happens, remove the CD-ROM and then restart the computer.
The computer restarts. A message box appears, prompting you to insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

To run the Setup Wizard

Insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, and then click OK. The Setup Wizard displays a Files Needed dialog box prompting you to verify the path to the Windows XP Professional installation files.
Ensure the path to the Windows XP Professional installation files is correct and then click OK. Windows installs the files. This might take several minutes.
The Setup Wizard prompts you to customize Windows XP Professional for different regions and languages.
Select the appropriate system locale, user locale, and keyboard layout or ensure that they are correct for your language and location, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Personalize Your Software page, prompting you for your name and organization name. Setup uses your organization name to generate the default computer name. Many applications that you install later will use this information for product registration and document identification.
In the Name box, type your name. In the Organization box, type the name of your organization, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Your Product Key page.
Enter your 25-character product key located on the back of the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM case, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Computer Name And Administrator Password page.
Type Pro1 in the Computer Name box.

NOTE

Windows XP Professional displays the computer name in all uppercase letters, no matter how you type it.
If your computer is on a network, check with the network administrator before assigning a name to your computer. The practice sessions in this training kit refer to Pro1. If you do not name your computer Pro1, you must substitute the name of your computer in each practice.
In the Administrator Password box and in the Confirm Password box, type password, and then click Next.

IMPORTANT

For the practice sections in this training kit, you will use password for the Administrator account. You should always use a complex password for the Administrator account (one that others cannot easily guess). Microsoft recommends mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (for example, Lp6*g9f2).
The Setup Wizard displays the Modem Dialing Information page.

NOTE

If the Setup Wizard does not display the Modem Dialing Information page, it is probably because there is not a modem installed on your computer. Skip to step 12.
Ensure that the correct country or region is selected.
Type the correct area code or city code.
If you dial a number to get an outside line, type the number.
Ensure that the correct type of phone system is selected, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Date And Time Settings page.
If necessary, adjust the date and time.
If necessary, select the time zone for your location from the Time Zone drop-down list.
Ensure that the Automatically Adjust Clock For Daylight Saving Changes check box is selected if you want Windows XP Professional to automatically adjust the time on your computer for daylight savings, and then click Next.

NOTE

If you have configured your computer for dual booting with another operating system that can also adjust your clock for daylight savings, enable this feature for the operating system you use most frequently so that the daylight savings adjustment will occur only once.
The Setup Wizard installs some networking files and then displays the Networking Settings page.

To install Windows Networking

Ensure that Typical Settings is selected, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Workgroup Or Computer Domain page.
Ensure that No, This Computer Is Not On A Network, Or Is On A Network Without A Domain is selected and that the workgroup name is WORKGROUP, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard copies files. This process takes several minutes.

To complete the installation

The Setup Wizard finishes the configuration, copies files, and completes the networking portion of the installation. Then the Setup Wizard installs Start menu items, registers components, saves settings, and removes temporary files. This process takes several minutes.
The computer restarts, and the Setup Wizard displays the Welcome To Microsoft Windows page.

IMPORTANT

If your computer attempts to reboot from the CD-ROM, remove the CD-ROM and then restart the computer.

Click Next to continue. The Setup Wizard displays the Will This Computer Connect To The Internet Directly, Or Through A Network page.
If you would like to connect to the Internet at this time, select the appropriate connection method, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Ready To Activate Windows page.

IMPORTANT

At some point you will have to activate Windows XP Professional. However, it is not necessary to activate it while you complete this training kit.
Click Yes, Activate Windows Over The Internet Now, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays The Ready To Register With Microsoft page.
Click Yes, I'd Like To Register With Microsoft Now, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Collecting Registration Information page.
Fill in the appropriate text boxes. The Setup Wizard displays the Ready To Send Information page.
Click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Do You Want To Set Up Internet Access Now page.

NOTE

Internet access is not required for this training kit. If you want to connect to the Internet at this time, click Yes Help Me Connect To The Internet, click Next and follow the instructions on your screen.
Click No, Not At This Time, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Who Will Use This Computer page. Your name should already be entered.
Type Fred for the second user, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Thank You page.
Read the page and then click Finish.
To log on, select Fred (or the account name created for you during setup). You have completed your installation of Windows XP Professional and logged on as an administrator.

Practice 2: Installing Windows XP Professional without Booting from the CD-ROM

If your computer will not boot from a CD-ROM or if there is already an operating system loaded on your computer, you can install Windows XP Professional from a CD-ROM without having to boot from the Windows XP Professional installation CD-ROM. If you have completed Practice 1, do not do this practice.

NOTE

If your computer is configured with an El-Torito compatible CD-ROM drive, you can install Windows XP Professional without using Setup disks. Run the Setup program by restarting the computer with the CD-ROM inserted in the CD-ROM drive.

To run the Setup program

This begins the Collecting Information portion of Setup.

If there is an operating system currently installed on your computer, start the computer, log on, and then insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
When the Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen appears, click Install Windows XP.
If you get a Windows Setup message box indicating that the version of the operating system cannot be upgraded and that option to upgrade will not be available, click OK. Setup displays the Welcome To Setup screen.
In the Installation Type box, select New Installation (Advanced) and then click Next. Setup displays the License Agreement screen.
Read the license agreement, select I Accept This Agreement, and then click Next. Setup displays the Your Product Key screen.
Type in your 25-character product key, and then click Next. Setup displays the Setup Options screen that allows you to configure the following three options:
- Advanced Options, which allows you to control where the installation files are obtained, where the installation files are copied to, whether or not to copy all installation files to the hard disk, and whether or not you want to specify the drive letter and partition during Setup.
- Accessibility Options, which gives you the option of using the Microsoft Magnifier during setup to display an enlarged portion of the screen in a separate window for users with limited vision and the option of using the Microsoft Narrator to read the contents of the screen for users who are blind.
- Select The Primary Language And Region You Want To Use, which allows you to specify the primary language and region you use.
After you have configured any required Setup options, click Next. Setup displays the Get Updated Setup Files dialog box.

NOTE

If your computer has access to the Internet, you might want to ensure that the Yes, Download The Updated Setup Files (Recommended) checkbox is selected and click Next.
Select No, Skip This Step And Continue Installing Windows, and then click Next. If your partition is not currently formatted with Windows XP Professional NTFS, the Setup Wizard displays the Upgrade To The Windows NTFS File System screen.

CAUTION

If you are planning on dual booting your computer with an operating system that does not support NTFS, your C drive cannot be formatted NTFS. You might want to install Windows XP Professional in a different drive and format that drive with NTFS. If you install Windows XP Professional on a drive other than the C drive, for the rest of the practices in the training kit you must be sure you are using the correct drive.
If you get the Upgrade To The Windows NTFS File System screen, ensure Yes, Upgrade My Drive is selected, and then click Next. If you are installing an Evaluation Edition of Microsoft Windows XP Professional, the Setup Wizard displays the Setup Notification screen informing you that this is an evaluation version.
If Setup displays the Setup Notification screen, press Enter to continue. Setup displays the Welcome To Setup screen.

NOTE

You can also use this method to access the Recovery Console to repair an existing Windows XP Professional installation by pressing R. You can quit the installation by pressing F3.

To run the Setup Wizard

On the Welcome To Setup Screen, press Enter to install Windows XP Professional. The Setup Wizard prompts you to select an area of free space or an existing partition to install Windows XP Professional.

NOTE

You can also delete partitions at this time. If you have a C partition, you might not be able to delete it because Setup has already loaded some files onto it. The partition you choose to use must be at least 2000 MB in size. If you cannot use the C partition to install Windows XP Professional, you must replace the C partition in all following practices in this training kit with the appropriate partition, the one on which you install Windows XP Professional.
Select the C partition. The Setup Wizard displays the following message: You chose to install Windows XP on a partition that contains another operating system. Installing Windows XP Professional on this partition might cause the other operating system to function improperly.
Press C to have Setup continue and use this partition.

CAUTION

Depending on the operating system currently installed on the C partition, Setup might display the following message: A \WINDOWS folder already exists that may contain a Windows installation. If you continue the existing Windows installation will be overwritten. If you want to keep both operating systems, press Esc and specify a different folder to use.
If you get a warning about a \WINDOWS folder already existing, press L to use the folder and delete the installation in it. If your partition was not formatted with NTFS and you choose to have the partition formatted as NTFS, then Setup formats it as NTFS and then copies files. Otherwise Setup examines the partition and then copies files.
The Setup Wizard reboots the computer and continues to copy files in GUI mode.
The Setup Wizard displays the Regional And Language Options page.
Select the appropriate system locale, user locale, and keyboard layout or ensure that they are correct for your language and location, and then click Next. Setup displays the Personalize Your Software page, prompting you for your name and your organization name. The Setup Wizard uses your organization name to generate the default computer name. Many applications that you install later will use this information for product registration and document identification.
In the Name text box, type your name. In the Organization text box, type the name of your organization, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Computer Name And Administrator Password page.
Type Pro1 in the Computer Name text box. Windows XP Professional displays the computer name in all uppercase letters, no matter how you type it.

CAUTION

If your computer is on a network, check with the network administrator before assigning a name to your computer. The practice sessions here refer to Pro1. If you do not name your computer Pro1, substitute the name of your computer.
In the Administrator Password text box and in the Confirm Password text box, type password, and then click Next.

IMPORTANT

For the practice sections in this self-paced training kit, you will use password for the Administrator account. You should always use a complex password for the Administrator account (one that others cannot easily guess). Microsoft recommends mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (for example, Lp6*g9f2).
Depending on your computer configuration, the Setup Wizard might display the Modem Dialing Information page.

NOTE

If the Setup Wizard does not display the Modem Dialing Information page, skip to step 13.
Ensure that the correct country or region is selected.
Type the correct area code or city code.
If you dial a number to get an outside line, type the number.
Ensure that the correct dialing tone is selected, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Date And Time Settings page.
If necessary, select the time zone for your location from the Time Zone drop-down list and adjust the date and the time.
Ensure that the Automatically Adjust Clock For Daylight Saving Changes check box is selected if you want Windows XP Professional to automatically adjust the time on your computer for daylight savings time, and then click Next.

NOTE

If you have configured your computer for dual booting with another operating system that can also adjust your clock for daylight savings time, enable this feature for the operating system you use most frequently so that the daylight savings adjustment occurs only once.
The Setup Wizard displays the Networking Settings page.

To install Windows Networking

Ensure that Typical Settings is selected, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Workgroup Or Computer Domain page.
Ensure that No, This Computer Is Not On A Network, Or Is On A Network Without A Domain is selected and that the workgroup name is Workgroup, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard configures the networking components and then copies files. This process takes several minutes.

To complete the installation

The Setup Wizard installs Start menu items, registers components, saves settings, and removes temporary files. This process takes several minutes.
The computer restarts, and the Welcome To Microsoft Windows page appears.

IMPORTANT

Ensure that you remove the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive. If you don't and your computer supports booting from the CD-ROM drive, the computer might attempt to reboot from the CD-ROM. If this happens, remove the CD-ROM and then restart the computer.

Click Next to continue. The Will This Computer Connect To The Internet Directly, Or Through A Network page appears.
If you would like to connect to the Internet at this time, select the appropriate connection method, and then click Next.

NOTE

If you do not want to connect to the Internet at this time, click Skip.
The Setup Wizard displays The Ready To Activate Windows page.
Click Yes, Activate Windows Over The Internet Now, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays The Ready To Register With Microsoft page.
Click Yes, I'd Like To Register With Microsoft Now, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Collecting Registration Information page.
Fill in the appropriate text boxes. The Setup Wizard displays the Ready To Send Information page.
Click Next. The Setup Wizard displays Do You Want To Set Up Internet Access Now page.

NOTE

Internet access is not required for this training kit. If you want to connect to the Internet at this time, click Yes Help Me Connect To The Internet, and then click Next and follow the instructions on your screen.
Click No, Not At This Time, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Who Will Use This Computer page. Your name should already be entered.
Type Fred in the Second User text box, and then click Next. The Setup Wizard displays the Thank You page.
Read the page, and then click Finish.
To log on, select Fred (or the account name created for you during setup). You have completed your installation of Windows XP Professional and logged on as an administrator.

Lesson Review

The following questions will help you determine whether you have learned enough to move on to the next lesson. If you have difficulty answering these questions, review the material in this lesson before beginning the next lesson. The answers are in Appendix A, "Questions and Answers."

If TCP/IP is installed on your computer, what is the maximum length for the computer name you specify during installation?
Can you change the computer name after installation without having to reinstall Windows XP Professional? If you can change the name, how do you do it? If you cannot change the name, why not?
Which of the following statements about joining a workgroup or a domain are correct? (Choose all that apply.)
1. You can add your computer to a workgroup or a domain only during installation.
2. If you add your computer to a workgroup during installation, you can join the computer to a domain later.
3. If you add your computer to a domain during installation, you can join the computer to a workgroup later.
4. You cannot add your computer to a workgroup or a domain during installation.
Which of the following configurations can you change after installing Windows XP Professional? (Choose all that apply.)
1. Language
2. Locale
3. Keyboard settings
4. Network protocol
When you install networking components with typical settings, what components are installed? What does each component do?

Lesson Summary

If your computer does not support booting from a CD-ROM, you can install Windows XP Professional by booting another operating system first and then accessing the Windows XP Professional installation CD-ROM.
The Setup Wizard asks you to provide regional settings, your name and your organization's name, a computer name, and a password for the Administrator account. It also asks you to specify the time zone, time, and date and to decide whether you want Windows XP Professional to automatically adjust for daylight savings time.
Choosing to install networking components using typical settings installs the Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and TCP/IP.
You can customize the networking components during installation or any time after installation.

Chapter 1: Installing Windows XP Professional - Lesson 1: Getting Started

When you install Windows XP Professional, the Windows XP Professional Setup program asks you to specify how to install and configure the operating system. Preparing in advance helps you avoid problems during and after installation.

After this lesson, you will be able to

Identify the hardware and installation information required to install Windows XP Professional successfully

Preinstallation Tasks

Before you start the installation, complete the following tasks:

Ensure that your hardware meets the requirements for installing Windows XP Professional.
Determine whether your hardware is on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).
Decide how you will partition the hard disk on which you will install Windows XP Professional.
Choose a file system for the installation partition.
Determine whether your computer will join a domain or a workgroup.
Complete a preinstallation checklist.

Hardware Requirements

You must determine whether your hardware meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for installing and operating Windows XP Professional, as shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Windows XP Professional Hardware Requirements


Component	Requirements
Central processing unit (CPU)	Pentium 233 megahertz (MHz) or equivalent
Memory	64 megabytes (MB) minimum; 128 MB recommended 4 gigabytes (GB) of random access memory (RAM) maximum
Hard disk space	1.5 GB on a 2-GB hard disk minimum The minimum amount of hard disk space allows for auto-updates over the Internet, additional Windows components, applications that you will be installing, and users' data
Networking	Network adapter card and related cable
Display	Video display adapter and monitor with Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) resolution or higher
Other drives	CD-ROM drive, 12X or faster recommended (not required for installing Windows XP Professional over a network), or DVD drive A high-density 3.5-inch disk drive as drive A, unless the computer supports starting the Setup program from a CD-ROM or DVD drive
Accessories	Keyboard and mouse or other pointing device

Hardware Compatibility List

Although the Windows XP Professional Setup Wizard automatically checks your hardware and software for potential conflicts, before you install Windows XP Professional, you should verify that your hardware is on the Windows XP Professional HCL. Microsoft provides tested drivers for the listed devices only. Using hardware not listed on the HCL could cause problems during and after installation. The most recent versions of the HCL for released operating systems are on the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/.

TIP

If your hardware is not on the HCL, the hardware manufacturer might be able to provide you with a Windows XP Professional driver for the component.

Disk Partitions

The Windows XP Professional Setup program examines the hard disk to determine its existing configuration. Setup then allows you to install Windows XP Professional on an existing partition or to create a new partition on which to install it.

New Partition or Existing Partition

Depending on the hard disk configuration, do one of the following during installation:

If the hard disk is unpartitioned, create and size the Windows XP Professional partition.
If the hard disk is partitioned and contains enough unpartitioned disk space, use the unpartitioned space to create the Windows XP Professional partition.
If the existing partition is large enough, install Windows XP Professional on that partition. Installing on an existing partition overwrites any existing data.
If the existing partition is not large enough, delete it to provide more unpartitioned disk space for creating the Windows XP Professional partition.

Remaining Free Hard Disk Space

Although you can use Setup to create other partitions, you should create and size only the partition on which you will install Windows XP Professional. After you install Windows XP Professional, use the Disk Management administrative tool to partition any remaining unpartitioned space on the hard disk.

Installation Partition Size

Microsoft recommends installing Windows XP Professional on a 1.5-GB or larger partition. Although Windows XP Professional requires less disk space for installation, using a larger installation partition provides the flexibility to install Windows XP Professional updates, operating system tools, or other necessary files in the future.

File Systems

After you create the installation partition, Setup prompts you to select the file system with which to format the partition. Like Microsoft Windows NT 4 and Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional supports the NT file system (NTFS) and file allocation table (FAT). Both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional support FAT32. Figure 2.1 summarizes some of the features of these file systems.

Figure 2.1 NTFS and FAT/FAT32 file system features

Use NTFS when the partition on which Windows XP Professional will reside requires any of the following features:

File- and folder-level security. NTFS allows you to control access to files and folders. For additional information, see Chapter 8, "Securing Resources with NTFS Permissions."
Disk compression. NTFS compresses files to store more data on the partition. For additional information, see Chapter 14, "Managing Data Storage."
Disk quotas. NTFS allows you to control disk usage on a per-user basis. For additional information, see Chapter 14, "Managing Data Storage."
Encryption. NTFS allows you to encrypt file data on the physical hard disk, using the Microsoft Encrypting File System (EFS). For additional information, see Chapter 14, "Managing Data Storage."

The version of NTFS in Windows XP Professional supports remote storage, dynamic volumes, and mounting volumes to folders. Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000, and Windows NT are the only operating systems that can access data on a local hard disk formatted with NTFS.

FAT and FAT32

FAT and FAT32 offer compatibility with other operating systems. You must format the system partition with either FAT or FAT32 if you will dual boot Windows XP Professional and another operating system that requires FAT or FAT32.
FAT and FAT32 do not offer many of the features (for example, file-level security) that NTFS supports. Therefore, in most situations, you should format the hard disk with NTFS. The only reason to use FAT or FAT32 is for dual booting with another operating system that does not support NTFS. If you are setting up a computer for dual booting, you need to format only the system partition as FAT or FAT32. For example, if drive C is the system partition, you could format drive C as FAT or FAT32 and format drive D as NTFS.

Converting a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS

Windows XP Professional provides the Convert command for converting a partition to NTFS without reformatting the partition and losing all the information on the partition. To use the Convert command, click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open text box, and then click OK. This opens a command prompt, which you use to request the Convert command. The following example shows how you might use switches with the Convert command.

Convert volume /FS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:filename] [/Nosecurity] [/X]

Table 2.2 lists the switches available in the Convert command and describes their functions.
Table 2.2 Convert Command Switches


Switch	Function	Required
Volume	Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), volume mount point, or volume name that you want to convert	Yes
/FS:NTFS	Specifies converting the volume to NTFS	Yes
/V	Runs the Convert command in verbose mode	No
/CvtArea:filename	Specifies a contiguous file in the root directory to be the placeholder for NTFS system files	No
/NoSecurity	Sets the security settings to make converted files and directories accessible by everyone	No
/X	Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary, and all open handles to the volume are then not valid	No

For help with any command-line program, at the command prompt type the command followed by /? and then press Enter. For example, to receive help on the Convert command, type Convert /? and then press Enter.

Domain or Workgroup Membership

During installation, you must choose the type of network security group that the computer will join: a domain or a workgroup. Figure 2.2 shows the requirements for joining a domain or workgroup.

Joining a Domain

When you install Windows XP Professional on a computer, you can add that computer to an existing domain. Adding a computer to a domain is referred to as joining a domain.

NOTE

A computer can join a domain during or after installation.

Joining a domain during installation requires the following:

A domain name. Ask the domain administrator for the Domain Name System (DNS) name for the domain that the computer will join. An example of a DNS-compatible domain name is microsoft.com, in which microsoft is the name of the organization's DNS identity.
A computer account. Before a computer can join a domain, you must create a computer account in the domain. You can ask a domain administrator to create the computer account before installation or, if you have administrative privileges for the domain, you can create the computer account during installation. If you create the computer account during installation, Setup prompts you for the name and password of a user account with authority to add domain computer accounts.
An available domain controller and a server running the DNS service (called the DNS server). At least one domain controller in the domain that you are joining and one DNS server must be online when you install a computer in the domain.

Joining a Workgroup

When you install Windows XP Professional on a computer, you can add that computer to an existing workgroup. This process is referred to as joining a workgroup.
If you join a computer to a workgroup during installation, you must assign a workgroup name to the computer. The workgroup name you assign can be the name of an existing workgroup or the name of a new workgroup that you create during installation.

Preinstallation Checklist

Use the following preinstallation checklist to ensure that you have all the necessary information available before you begin installing Windows XP Professional.


Task	Done
Verify that your components meet the minimum hardware requirements.
Verify that all of your hardware is listed on the HCL.
Verify that the hard disk on which you will install Windows XP Professional has a minimum of 1.5 GB of free disk space.
Select the file system for the Windows XP Professional partition. Format this partition with NTFS unless you need to dual boot operating systems with an operating system that requires a FAT partition.
Determine the name of the domain or workgroup that each computer will join. If the computer joins a domain, write down the domain name in the DNS format: server.subdomain.domain. If the computer joins a workgroup, use the 15-character NetBIOS naming convention: Server_name.
Determine the name of the computer before installation.
If the computer will join a domain, create a computer account in that domain. You can create a computer account during installation if you have administrative privileges in the domain
Determine a password for the Administrator account.

Lesson Review

The following questions will help you determine whether you have learned enough to move on to the next lesson. If you have difficulty answering these questions, review the material in this lesson before beginning the next lesson. The answers are in Appendix A, "Questions and Answers."

What are the minimum and recommended memory requirements for installing Windows XP Professional?
The minimum hard disk space required for installing Windows XP Professional is
1. 1.5 GB on a 2-GB hard disk
2. 1 GB on a 2-GB hard disk
3. 500 MB on a 1-GB hard disk
4. 750 MB on a 2-GB hard disk
Where can you find the most recent versions of the HCL for released operating systems?
Joining a domain during Windows XP Professional installation requires which of the following? (Choose all that apply.)
1. You must know the DNS name for the domain the computer will join.
2. You must have a user account in the domain.
3. At least one domain controller in the domain must be online when you install a computer in the domain.
4. At least one DNS server must be online when you install a computer in the domain.
Which of the following statements about file systems are correct? (Choose all that apply.)
1. File- and folder-level security are available only with NTFS.
2. Disk compression is available with FAT, FAT32, and NTFS.
3. Dual booting between Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows XP Professional is available only with NTFS.
4. Encryption is available only with NTFS.

Lesson Summary

The first preinstallation task is to ensure that your hardware meets the hardware requirements for installing Windows XP Professional.
The next preinstallation task is to ensure that your hardware is on the Windows XP Professional HCL.
Additional preinstallation tasks include determining how to partition the hard disk on which you will install Windows XP Professional and deciding whether to format the partition as NTFS, FAT, or FAT32.
Your computer can join a domain or a workgroup during or after installation.