Once all the files have been installed on your PC, you need to supply some additional information. You’ll be asked to supply account names for each of the people who will use your computer. Windows will also check to see if you’re already connected to the internet via a router or local area network. If you are, you’ll be offered the chance to activate Windows now and register with Microsoft. Activation is obligatory in the first 30 days after installation but registration is optional. See below for details. Finally, you’re taken on a tour of Windows, which you can comfortably skip if you have any experience of using it.
Need a refresher on how to use Windows? You can always take the tour after reinstalling.You’ve now got a functional copy of Windows up and running, but it probably won’t be perfect. You’ll still need to install any device drivers that weren’t automatically applied by Windows itself. You’ll also need to ensure that you have a functioning antivirus and spyware protection and you’ll need to download and apply any Windows updates that have been released since your install disc was created.
Windows XP is good at finding drivers but it’s always a good idea to have your existing drivers backed up in an accessible place. To see what drivers are correctly installed, choose Start and right click My Computer, selecting Properties. Move to the Hardware tab and click Device manager. Any device listed with a yellow exclamation mark on them indicates a problem, which at this stage usually means the driver isn’t installed. Right click the device and choose Update driver. This launches The Hardware update Wizard. If you used Driver Guide Toolkit to back them up, you should be able to point the hardware wizard to the folder that you backed all these up to. However, you may still need to go online to pick up one or two of them.
Getting online is therefore a priority as missing drivers and your Windows updates can be picked up from the web. If you don’t have internet access you won’t be able to set up most maintenance tasks. If you’re on dial up, choose Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications and New Connection Wizard and enter your ISP details. If you have a CD from your ISP, this may be able to automatically set this up for you, although you’ll almost certainly have to put up with branding in Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. If you use a broadband modem, use the CD supplied by your ISP or the modem manufacturer to install it.
Product Activation is an initiative by Microsoft to prevent casual copying; the practice whereby Windows CDs are shared by friends or family. This undercuts Microsoft’s profits and forces the price of its software upwards. Activation is quick and easy. It involves your PC making a quick connection to Microsoft. It simply creates a code that identifies your hardware and links your product key to it. If your machine is not online, or your modem isn’t working properly, it may mean a brief free phone call to Microsoft. Have your product key on hand and be ready to provide it to the automated system. Don’t worry about multiple Product Activation if you are reinstalling Windows XP on the same computer. If you have previously activated Windows XP on this computer the activation process will confirm that you are using the same copy of Windows XP with the same hardware.
You’ll need to activate Windows XP within 30 days of installing it.Once online, you can pick up and Windows Updates that you need. To simplify the process use AutoPatcher, which you can get from www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=486480. See the walkthrough for more details.
Once your drivers and updates are in place, you can reinstall your software. Start by ensuring that your antivirus and firewall are in place quickly; other programs can follow. Update these as soon as they are installed. Follow this with Ad-Aware SE, Spybot or Windows Defender to make sure that your system stays free of malware.
Use Device Manager to find out which of your devices need driver upgradesFinally, restore your data or point My Documents to its new location. Somewhere on a separate drive to Windows is ideal. Right click My Documents on the Start Menu and choose Properties. Click Move and browse to the new location.
Now you can reinstall your remaining programs. Restore your backed up email using the Outlook Express Backup Wizard or Outlook’s Import feature. You will also need to enter your email account details into Outlook as these won’t have survived the reinstall. You now have a nice new shiny version of Windows that should be more responsive.
You’ll find that some Microsoft add-ons and updates will require you to validate Windows before you can use them. Microsoft is determined to ensure that its genuine customers enjoy tangible benefits compared to people using illegal copies of Windows. To this end, it has launched the Windows Genuine Advantage programme. This requires you to pass a simple Windows validation test before you can download additional Windows components and free programs developed by Microsoft. Critical updates are still provided to all without Windows Validation, as Microsoft believes that these are vital in the battle against global viruses.
Once you’ve validated your copy of Windows XP a validation key is stored on your PC, so that you can quickly access all the downloads and features that are reserved for Genuine Windows customers. Should your computer fail Windows validation, head to www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx for more information about how to recognise genuine Microsoft software and what to do if you think you may have been sold an illegal copy.
Fully Update
Applying updates to a new installation can be fiddly, but Autopatcher takes the strain.
1
Use AutoPatcher
Download AutoPatcher from www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=486480. Install it and browse to its executable file. Each time you launch it, you need to agree to its license. It then scans your system and identifies what’s installed and what isn’t.
2
Available updates
All available updates and system tweaks are presented to you in a list. Select one and click Module Details to find out more. Check each of the boxes next to components that you want to install. Click Update.
3
All in one
AutoPatcher now updates your system. Depending on how many updates you’ve selected and how big each of them is, the rest of the process may take a few minutes or an hour or two. The speed of your connection will also affect this time. Click Finish when you’re done.
