Gordon said:
I will do a clean install of XP. I have some basic questions.
Have you made sure that your PC's hardware components are capable
of supporting WinXP? This information will be found at the PC's
manufacturer's web site, and on Microsoft's Windows Catalog:
(
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx) Additionally, run
Microsoft WinXP Upgrade Advisor to see if you have any incompatible
hardware components or applications.
You should, before proceeding, take a few minutes to ensure that
there are WinXP device drivers available for all of the machine's
components. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed for
Win98/Me. Also bear in mind that PCs designed for, sold and run fine
with Win9x/Me very often do not meet WinXP's much more stringent
hardware quality requirements. This is particularly true of many
models in Compaq's consumer-class Presario product line or HP's
consumer-class Pavilion product line. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K
before it, is quite sensitive to borderline defective or substandard
hardware (particularly motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will
still support Win9x.
HOW TO Prepare to Upgrade Win98 or WinMe
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316639
Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
I want to re-partition my drives. Does that occur during the
installation process or do I need to use a program like FDISK?
Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)
HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
My process is to install XP when disconnected to the Internet, install
zone alarm and then connect to get all updates. Is there a better way to
do this or is the XP firewall sufficient and I do not need to shut down
my connection?
Do *NOT* connect to the Internet until you've a firewall installed and
enabled. WinXP's built-in firewall is enough to provide basic
protection until you get a better one installed. It'll do well enough
while you're getting the Updates, but you'll want to install a better
one for long-term use. Bear in mind that, if you're not using a WinXP
installation CD that includes Service Pack 2, the built-in firewall will
not be enabled by default. Be sure to enable it _before_ connecting the
computer to the Internet.
What additional freeware utilities do I need to get the most out of XP?
To help prevent, and deal with, future problems caused by any sort
of "adware" and/or "spyware, two products that are quite effective are
Ad-Aware from
www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search & Destroy from
www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions. It's even possible
to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your system against most
future intrusions.
You'll also need good anti-virus protection. I've been very happy with
the free version of GriSoft's AVG
(
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php )
--
Bruce Chambers
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