My friend’s got a PC which seems to be on its way to being completely hosed, so I’m fixin’ to reformat her HD tonight and help her do a clean install of XP. Since I’m strictly a Mac user, I just want to make sure that I’m choosing the best options prior to and during the install process.
It’s a 2.5 ghz, Pentium 4 Sony Vaio desktop of some sort.
First of all, basic stuff:
What are the different ways of forcing this thing to use the Windows install CD as its boot drive? I know there are one or two obvious ways, but I know this also car vary from one PC to another.
Secondly:
Just in case there are any viruses hiding at some really deep level where most virus software can’t or won’t look, is there anything I should do at the BIOS level to make sure everything’s fresh and new?
Next:
When formatting the HD, what file system/format is the smartest one to choose?
Furthermore:
What options should I say "No" to during the XP install? If memory serves me correctly, it’s not like installing OS X where you have a fun ‘n’ easy interface that lets you leave out stuff you don’t need, such as foreign language libraries and drivers for printers you don’t own and Garage Band’s library* and whatnot. Is it possible to do a custom install, and if so, is it a good idea?
Lastly:
She’s entitled to a copy of XP, ’cause that’s what came with her computer when she bought it new. Naturally, she doesn’t recall whether she ever owned any system restore CDs or where they might be. Therefore, we’re using my copy of XP which, ahem, doesn’t ever need to be registered. However, since she [i]is[/i] entitled to full, legit status, is there a way to enter her PC’s serial number or something and have MS recognize that she’s fully on the up-and-up?
Like I said, this copy of XP will download and install MS updates just fine the way it is, but I figure, hypothetically, from a support standpoint, it can’t hurt for her computer to have all its ducks in a row. Is this possibly one instance where a person actually [i]would[/i] want to install and run the dreaded WGA? My every instinct says not to, but I figure if WGA’s whole purpose is to tell you how to make everything legit, and facilitate doing so, then it might possibly be of service in this case.
Thanks, as always, for your guidance in this matter!
*I’m pretty sure XP doesn’t include a Garage Band library.
Tagged with: boot drive • different ways • ducks in a row • foreign language • garage band • ghz pentium • hd • interface • libraries • mac user • os x • pentium 4 • printers • s library • serial number • sony vaio • standpoint • vaio desktop • virus software • whatnot
Filed under: Clean Up Computer
1) Download all the drivers for that computer from the manufacturer’s site and put them on a CD (you can do that on a Mac.)
2) Reboot and watch the screen. It’ll tell you what key tohit to get to Startuyp. Go there and change the boot order so the CD drive comes before the hard drive. (That’s the way it should be set – but make sure.
3) Put the CD in the drive. Turn off the computer. Wait a few seconds (to kill any memory-resident viruses). Turn on the computer.
If you get a "Press a key to boot from CD" prompt, press a key.
4) The choices are to continue, to run the Repair console or to abort. (There’s a later Continue choice). Once the installation starts you’ll get a few prompts. Install to the partition Windows is currently on, to the Windows directory. Format the partition. Full format. Then just wait until it’s done. You can use her activation code to activate it if it’s the same level of XP. (Then it’s a legal installation and WGA will be happy.)
Then install the drivers.
Sorry to instigate, but why install XP? Windows 7 seems more user friendly.
If there is no OS on the hard disk, the CD should boot automatically, otherwise just go to the BIOS and select CD for first boot priority.
Viruses don’t go to anything other than the hard disk. They used to infect BIOS’s, but they don’t spread as easily as worms on functioning computers, so BIOS viruses should not be of consern.
When prompted to format the hard disk, select NTFS (quick). NTFS is preferred as it supports files larger than 4GB, as well as several other reasons regarding security and compression.
I don’t think there’s anything during the setup process that asks yes or no questions.
Any software supported by Apple which works great on Mac is terrible on PC, so Quicktime and iTunes should be avoided unless it’s absolutely necessary to install. WGA is fine to install as it only checks the OS to see if it’s genuine. It only runs if you install a MS product, which is the case if you download from Microsoft.com, on that note, it wouldn’t hurt to install MS security essentials as it doesn’t conflict with other antivirus software.
op. system install / re-install steps
print a copy of this file
print a copy of computer notes
export browser Fav’s / bookmarks
back-up files, programs ;
power down
disconnect network and external drives
power up
delete tif files ( temp internet files ) and cookies;
un-install programs;
delete folders;
delete accounts
empty recycle bin
restart computer
Go to BIOS and set boot order with CD boot 1st
place O.S. CD in CD drive, ‘cept don’t close it
power down
close CD drive with O.S. CD in it
restart computer
format primary HDD;
( Fn + F10 ) = disc eject ( DELL )
install op. system;
adjust screen resolution;
load software for external drives and hardware;
test for internet connection;
install additional programs as necessary
If your computer is several years old, consider buying a new hard drive for the fresh install of the op. sys..
When re-installing the o.s., allocate 15gb (15000mb) of space for the op. sys.. Format in NTFS. Partition the rest of the hard drive in 7000mb to 20000mb allocations creating up to 10 partitions. Then, after you boot, you can allocate / format the rest of the hard drive under disk management;
>(r-clik) my computer
> manage
> disk management
Allocate +/- 7 to 20 gb of space for each partition, format in NTFS.
Install additional software (Adobe pdf reader, Java R.E., printer, wireless adaptor, office suite, web browser, widgets,etc.) to a low capacity partition.
AVOID installing to the partition that host’s the op.sys.. AVOID storing anything in the user account “My Documents” folder as that will consume space in the host partition.
Download software to a low capacity partition, install software and programs to another low capacity partition. Create and download documents to another partition. Store music and images and other media files on another partition.
leave at least one partition unused, for migration. At least once a year, migrate your stuff to a unused partition, (especially if you do a lot of document creating, editing, deleting), then format the abandoned partition, for the next time.
With only the op. sys. on the hosting partition, and other file types separated by partitions, it will be easier for your computer to run the op., and easier to run everything else. Also, the search feature will work much faster as you will only have to search a partition for the file you want to find.
And, with your files and software on other partitions, your stuff is already in back-up, and the next op. Sys. Re-install will be already half done and much easier to do and you will only have to format the host partition and not the whole hard drive
Also, increase your RAM to at least double of mfg. Configure or even max it.
http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html
Check the RAM and CPU load with the task manager to determine if you need to increase the RAM capacity;
1st> (r-clik) taskbar
2> task manager
3> performance
Get widgets to monitor the RAM load and CPU load
http://downloads.yahoo.com/
To be more thorough, “wipe” the hard drive before the op. Sys. Install with DBAN
http://www.answers.com/topic/darik-s-boot-and-nuke
Use Eraser to overwrite the contents of the recycle bin instead of emptying the recycle bin;
1st> Open Eraser
2> clik explorer tab near bottom left
3> clik recycle bin in the the explorer tree to show contents of recycle bin
4> edit > select all
5> drag and hold contents over the eraser tab
The explorer closes and eraser opens
6> drag contents back to the eraser que, drop contents
7> set eraser to make one pass;
Edit > preferences > erasing > pseudorandom data > OK
8> (r-clik) eraser que> run all > close
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/eraser_portable
Occasionally use ccleaner for maintenance purposes;
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Occasionally, create a new user account, copy / paste contents from the current user account, to the new user account, then delete the old user account
pg
1. Change boot order in bios to have cd first, rather than HDD
2. Should be ok with the bios, but you could restore to factory settings after making notes for processor type etc in case they dont re-populate correctly.
When xp cd installs, choose the install windows option and not restore option, this should reformat HDD correctly for you
Follow install prompts and use the PC’s XP code when requested (should work if the version of XP is the same ie home edition, professional etc.
A Custom install can be done but would suggest you just let it boogie on and get the PC up and working. You friend can remove any *bloat* that she doesnt require.
Hope that helps
To install xp, just have your xp disc in the drive and when its starting up (before the windows logo) hit f8 do go to the boot menu, boot to the CD and that will get you to the install menus. I believe you should format to NTFS.. As far as I know, nothing in bios can do anything for viruses but if you want to make sure everything is gone after format you can use secure erase to completely erase the HD. (never used this and don’t know how much more effective it may or may not be from a standard format). the links are in the source
I havn’t installed xp in a while so I don’t know whats it shows you in the install but as far as I remember they never give you any drivers to install during the win xp install. You will have to go to the sony website and search with the model number for the drivers that work on her computer.
As for the windows license, if its pirated, chances are the crack already has it registered or has it so it doesn’t need to be registered/ can’t be registered. If you have a version that will let you put the license in than it should be somewhere on the pc case. Dell usually puts that stuff on their case somewhere but I don’t know if that’s the case with sony.
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As to the person suggesting windows 7, the pc is a Pentium 4, and I doubt it has more than a GB of ram. OS’s having system requirements too ya know.