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you can ask about installing window!!!!!!!!!

To install Windows XP 'Home' or 'Professional' onto your new PC, it will need to meet the following specification or requirement:

1. PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;

2. (Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended)
3. 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended
(64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
4. 1.5 Gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space
Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
5. CD-ROM or DVD drive
6. Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Systems with this specification (or better) should be capable of running Windows XP successfully. Once installed, it may be necessary to obtain extra software called 'Drivers' from the manufacturers of your hardware to obtain maximum performance from your system. These can usually be downloaded from the appropriate web site.

The procedure for installing Windows XP onto a new PC is as follows:

Switch on the PC and put the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM. Press the reset button on the PC and allow it to boot.

The PC should boot to the CD-ROM, if not check your motherboard manual to enable 'Boot to CD-ROM' in its BIOS settings.

Serial-ATA
If you are installing to a Serial-ATA hard disk then keep an eye out for the message (It only appears very briefly):
Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver... Tap the [F6] key a few times. The installation will continue, but will stop in a few moments to give you the opportunity to insert a floppy disk with the Serial-ATA drivers on.

After a few seconds a blue Windows Setup screen will appear.

The system will load some basic files to enable it to begin the install

At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to continue.

The system will check the HDD to determine if / how it is configured

Serial-ATA
If you are installing to a Serial-ATA Hard Disk then Windows will require the Serial-ATA drivers at this point. A message will appear as follows:
Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices installed in your system, or you have chosen to manually specify an adapter...

Insert your Serial-ATA drivers floppy disk and press [S]. If a list of drivers appears, select the correct driver (the motherboard manual should help you with this choice.) Windows XP should load the appropriate driver and continue to install.

At the Windows XP license agreement screen, read the agreement and press the F8 key to continue.

It will be necessary to agree to continue the installation

Highlight Unpartitioned space and press ENTER

The system will 'Partition' the hard disk to enable it to be formatted

Select one of the Formatting options and press ENTER

FAT would be the most common option for home users. If you are confident with operating systems you can select any of the options available. If you select NTFS, note that other operating systems may not be able to access the files created on this drive.

To confirm that you wish to format the HDD, press ENTER

Setup will format the HDD and check it for errors. This may take some time depending on the capacity of the HDD

Once formatted, Setup will copy its files to the HDD.

This make take a few moments depending on the speed of your system

Setup will reboot the PC after a 15 second countdown (or press ENTER to reboot quicker)

During the reboot, remove the Windows XP CD from the CD-ROM Drive. The CD is removed to force the system to boot to the HDD. If this produces an error, configure the BIOS settings to boot to the HDD first

The system should now boot to the HDD to continue the installation

After it has booted to the HDD, place the Windows XP CD back into the CD-ROM drive

A Windows XP screen should appear and the installation will continue

The system will now load and configure the Operating System. During this time, five small green squares will 'pulse' in sequence at the bottom right of the screen. This indicates that the system is actively installing files and settings. If this stops for a long time, simply shutdown and restart your computer.

A Region and Language Options window will pop up during the installation. Configure the options available for your country and then click Next to continue.

If you're unsure about the options, they can also be configured after the installation has completed

At the Personalize your software window, click inside each text box and fill in your name and organisation/company (if you have one) then click Next

Before the next step, locate the Windows XP Product key which should be on the CD case.

At the Your product key window, copy the product key into the boxes exactly as it appears on the CD case, then click Next

If it doesn't work, don't worry, just try typing it in again. It's easy to mis-type a complex set of numbers and letters.

At the What's your computers name? window, type in a name for your PC, then click Next

If you ever create a home network of two machines or more, the name of each machine will need to be different.

At the Modem dialling information window, fill in the required details then click Next

This window will only display if you have a Modem fitted to your PC

At the Time and Date window, check that the time, date and time zone are correct and click Next

Again, don't worry if they're not right as this can also be configured after the installation

At the Network Information window, select Typical settings then click Next

These settings can be reconfigured later as required.

The system will finish the installation and automatically reboot the PC.

Phase Two of the installation is complete and the system needs to reboot again...

Again, remove the XP CD and allow the system to boot to the HDD

The operating System will start for the first time and configure itself

A Windows XP logo should appear for a few seconds as it boots

The system will now attempt to configure its software for your particular hardware setup

At the Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen, click Next

The Windows XP CD is required for further tasks and must be ready in the CD-ROM

At the Setup the Internet screen, follow the instructions as necessary then click Next

Configure your Internet connection as instructed by your ISP (Internet Service Provider)

At the Ready to activate Windows screen, click No, remind me every few days and then click Next

You will have 30 days to test Windows XP, during which you can activate it at any time.

At the Internet Access screen, click No, not at this time, then click Next

This can be configured after installation has completed

At the User Names screen, fill in your name at the top, followed by the names of any other users of your PC in the spaces below

This allows for each person listed to have their own account which 'remembers' their personal preferences and settings

Windows XP is now completely installed on your PC. Click your name from the list to continue.

Windows 95 Hardware Requirements

PC with 386DX or higher processor (486 recommended)
4 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher (8MB recommended)
50MB to 55MB megabytes (MB) of available hard disk space
VGA or higher resolution (256-colour SVGA recommended)
One 3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Windows 98 Hardware Requirements

PC with a 486DX 66 megahertz (MHz) or faster processor
16 megabytes (MB) of memory (24 MB recommended)
140MB to 355MB megabytes (MB) of available hard disk space
VGA or higher resolution (16-bit or 24-bit colour SVGA recommended)
One 3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Installing Windows 95 / 98

Note
If you are installing Windows 95, it will be necessary to boot your PC using the supplied floppy disk, then select 'Install Windows from CD-ROM' from the menu that appears.

The procedure for installing Windows 95/98 onto a new PC is as follows:

Switch on the PC and put the Windows 95/98 CD into the CD-ROM. Press the reset button on the PC and allow it to boot.

The PC should boot to the CD-ROM, if not check your motherboard manual to enable 'Boot to CD-ROM' in its BIOS settings.

From the next menu, select Start Windows 98 setup from the CD-ROM

The system will load some basic software to enable it to install

At the blue Windows 95/98 Setup screen, press ENTER to continue.

The system will check the HDD to determine if/how it is configured

Select Configure unallocated space (recommended) and press ENTER

The system will 'Partition' the hard disk such that it can prepare it for storing data

If prompted, select Yes, enable large disk support and press ENTER

This enables the system to use the maximum space possible on the hard disk

At the Setup will restart now screen, press ENTER or wait and the system will automatically reboot

Phase One of the installation is complete and the system needs to reboot to continue...

From the menu, select Start Windows 95/98 setup from the CD-ROM again

The system will 'format' the HDD. This is the process of clearing the hard disk and preparing it to store data. This can take some considerable time depending on the size of the HDD

At the Setup will perform a routine check on your system screen, press ENTER

A diagnostic program called Scandisk will run and check the HDD for any errors/damage. Again, this may take some time depending on HDD size

At the Windows 95/98 Setup screen, click the Continue button at the lower right of the screen using the mouse (or if no mouse is installed, press TAB until the continue is highlighted with dotted lines and press ENTER

Windows 95/98 will install its 'wizard' software to guide you through the installation

At the Select the directory where you want to install Windows 95/98 screen, click or TAB to the C:WINDOWS line such that a black dot appears to the left hand side (this indicates that this option is selected and is known as a 'Radio button'

This will make the system put all its important files into an area on the hard disk labelled 'Windows'

The Preparing directory screen will appear

The system will now check the HDD for any existing software and make sure that there is enough space on your HDD

At the Setup options screen, click to select Typical, then click the Next button

By selecting 'Typical', you are asking for a default installation of Windows 95/98. This should suit most people and other options can be configured later if required.

Select I want to install the most common components (recommended) and click Next

Again, this indicates that you require a standard installation...

At the Establishing your location screen, select your country/location from the list and click Next. This is a long list that cannot be displayed all at once. Use the scroll bar at the right hand side to see more locations if yours is not immediately visible.

Your location helps Windows to configure itself correctly

Click Next to begin the installation

The system has all the information it needs and will now install and configure the Windows 95/98 software. This may take some time depending on the overall speed of your system

Once completed, remove the Windows 95/98 CD from the CD-ROM and click the Reboot button or wait for the timer

Phase Two of the installation is complete and the system needs to reboot again...

This time, allow the system to boot to the HDD. A Windows 95/98 logo screen should appear as it loads

The CD is removed to force the system to boot to the HDD. If this produces an error, configure the BIOS settings to boot to the HDD first

At the User information screen, type in your name and company name (if appropriate) into the boxes. Place the Windows 95/98 CD back into the CD-ROM. Click Next

The Windows CD is required for further installation tasks and must be ready in the CD-ROM

Read the License Agreement statement and then click I accept the agreement

The software will not allow the install to continue if you do not agree to the statement

Locate your Windows 95/98 Product Key (usually on the back of the CD case) and type it in. Then click Next

Take special care to ensure that the numbers/letters are typed in exactly the same as your Product Key

Click Finish to complete the installation of the software

Windows will now attempt to detect the hardware in your PC and configure itself to use them. It may reboot again as a part of this process...

During the configuration process, the system may ask for the driver disk(s) for some parts of your system. Use the disk(s) that came with your hardware for this.

If you don't have a disk for a particular part, just click Cancel. Individual drivers can be installed at a later date.

Once the configuration process is completed, you will be asked to verify the current time, date and location settings. Check that these are correct then click OK

Again, having the correct time, date and location information is important in the configuration process

Windows will continue its self-configuration, which may take some time, then it will reboot once more

Rebooting is necessary for the system to amend or update its important files which cannot be changed while they are in use

Windows will finish off its hardware configurations, then display the Introduction screen

Windows 95/98 is now completely installed on your PC. Close the intro screen to continue.

PC Troubleshooting

You've just built your PC you're ready to go. You hopefully hit the power button and await the boot up 'bleep' followed by a pleasing flow of text appearing on your monitor - but wait... no bleep, no display, no sounds or lights - what's going on?

Judging by our messaging forums, this is a common horror for our budding PC builders. Having answered many questions on the subject, we've put together this 'advanced troubleshooter' to help you through these difficult times.

With so many complex parts and connections the possibilities of locating the fault seem endless. The reality is that by a simple process of elimination it should be relatively simple (if perhaps a little time consuming) to track down that 'spanner in the works'.

First of all, it is necessary to understand what is happening during the 'boot' process and the minimum hardware needed to achieve a successful boot of the system.

The Power button is pressed.
The Motherboard checks that the CPU is able to process information correctly.
Built in software called the BIOS is processed by the CPU.
The CPU, RAM and Video Card are all checked for basic functionality.
The system will give one 'bleep' to indicate that the system passed all the initial tests, or a series of bleeps to indicate a specific fault.
The next part of the BIOS is run and a display is sent to the monitor.
The BIOS will then do several further tests on connected hardware (RAM, Keyboard, Mouse etc.) and display any errors
The system will then attempt to load the Operating System software from the designated boot drive.

From the above procedure we can determine that a 'bootable' system will only need a PSU, Motherboard, CPU, RAM and a Video card. This will be the start point for tracking down the fault...

Back to basics

Assuming that your new PC is completely assembled, you'll need to undo some of your previous work. First off, power the system off and disconnect all the external cables, including the mains cable.

Inside the case, disconnect any IDE and FDD data cables from the motherboard and disconnect all the front panel connectors except the Power switch cable (it is a good idea at this point to double check with the manual that the Power switch cable is connected correctly.)

Also, remove any or all of the Adapter cards (e.g. modems, soundcards etc.) except for the Video card.

First test boot

Connect just the base unit mains cable and the monitor cable. The rest can be left unconnected for the moment. If there is a switch on the PSU next to where the mains cable plugs in, make sure it is switched to ON.

Press the Power button on the front panel. If your system boots and displays text on the screen, skip to the Bootup is OK, what now? section of this article.

If your system is still not booting at this point, you've eliminated a good deal of possible problems and have only a few parts to test for the fault. We've established that the fault lies either in the PSU, Motherboard, CPU, RAM or Video Card.

Take each part in turn (leaving the motherboard till last) and either replace it with a 'known good' item (i.e. from a working PC) or test it in another working PC. The faulty item can then be easily identified as the one which:

1. When replaced with a 'known good' one allows the PC to boot
or
2. Causes a good PC to stop working correctly.

If you get as far as testing the Motherboard, it is the item with the problem. Before you take it back for a replacement, there are a couple of things you can do to make sure it is faulty.

1. Double check that your CPU and Memory are compatible with your motherboard and that you have configured the motherboard correctly as per the manual.

2. Locate and follow the procedure in the manual to reset the BIOS.

If you've done all this and still no joy, re-package the motherboard and take/send it back to the retailer for testing/replacement.

Bootup is OK, what now?

If your system booted successfully in the 'Back to basics' section, you will have tested the fundamental parts of your PC. The fault therefore must lay in one the devices presently unconnected in your system.

Fault diagnosis at this stage is easier, but can take longer. Your aim now is to connect one item or connector at a time, then power up the system, then connect another item or connector, power up etc. until the system fails to boot again. One of two things will happen:

1. Once all the items are reconnected the system continues to work correctly (Problem solved!)

2. One of the connections/items will cause the system to fail at the next boot.

If you get to stage 2, the last item you connected has the fault. Confirm that you have connected it correctly, with it's instructions (if any) and return it to the retailer if the problem persists.