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Post Info TOPIC: How to Build a PC- Part 5


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How to Build a PC- Part 5
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Installing the Operating System and Software

For all practical purposes, we will assume that you are going to install Windows XP (or 2000) or some future operating system not on the market as of this writing. You may also be interested in installing another system like Linux, BSD, or another. Maybe you are intersted in creating a dual-booting system. For the scope of this tutorial, we can only stick with one example, so MS Windows XP it is! If you need help installing another OS, we provide ample links at The Member's Forum OS Tricks and Tips.

Installing Windows

Once you've booted up with the Windows XP CD, it will ask you some simple questions and have you acknowledge and accept the EULA (end-users license agreement). It will then scan your computer and ask you if you want to format and partition your hard drive. Of course the answer is "yes". You'll need to decide how much of the hard drive you want to use for Windows. The screen will show your drive as C:\ unpartitioned.

Most techies prefer to split up the hard drive into sections (partitions), one for your operating system and another (or others) for the rest of your program and files. It is generally accepted that 15 - 20 GB is more than sufficient for your operating system, with other partitions being any (but hopefully large) size. It is totally an individual choice. Just remember that you need room for the size of Windows XP to expand with it's swap space and temp files.

Anyway, partitioning a large part of your hard drive for XP is a good thing and you'll want to use the NTFS system. There are many reasons for this, but at this point, just take it on faith that this is what you want. Additionally, use the regular format option, not the "quick" version. You can go back and partition and format other sections of your hard drive, making room for your programs and files. Again NTFS is the way to go.

Once this is done, you are ready to install Windows. Select the C:\ partition and let Windows install itself. On reboot, you'll be greeted with all of the fanfare of a quality Microsoft product.

Installing Other Essential Software

When you get to the desktop, go to Start -> My Computer -> and right click. Choose "Properties" and then Device Manager (Hardware Tab). Scroll down the list and make a note of the devices that are not installed or not working properly (yellow exclamation mark by the device). Now is the time to insert the CD that came with the motherboard and let it install all of the "on-board" device drivers and utilities. Once this is done, time to reboot and check the Device Manager again. If there are any yellow exclamation marks by the devices, get the CDs that came with the particular hardware (sound card CD or video card CD) and install the drivers and utilities.

If, for some reason, there is no CD with the hardware you have installed, go to the manufacturer's website and download the updated drivers that you need for your hardware. You may need to do this later, since you are not on line at this time. Yellow exclamation marks can also mean that the device is not installed (physically) in the computer properly. Check cables, power cables, etc. Here is the sequence that you should add programs and updates to your system:

1) Configure your on-line settings and get all Windows Updates. Install them and reboot. Do not go anywhere else on the web (yet).

2) Install your anti-virus software and get all updates and virus definitions.

3) Install your firewall and configure it as needed.

4) Get on-line and get your additional drivers and other updates.

Now you can start loading programs onto your other partitions. If you have not created these other partitions, you can use a third party utility like Partition Magic (7.0 or later) and create or manipulate partitions on the fly.

Finally, after downloading, updating, and all of the other things you'll do, scan and defragment your partitions. Also complete a disk clean-up and a full virus scan. You may want to download anti-spyware / anti- adware utilities to keep your computer clean from nasty scripts that get loaded to your computer when you surf the net.

A word of advice here........... Windows XP and the NTFS file system is stable and secure. If you want to add to the safety of your computer, make a separate account for you that is "restricted" (in the Users Options in the Control Panel). Use this account instead of your "full access" account and make sure that all of your accounts have passwords. Your "restricted" account will limit your access to core files and not allow "executable" files from harming your computer. It is a way to surf the web safer. Use it when you get your e-mail as well.

That's about all for building a computer. Hopefully you have had a successful and rewarding experience. We will add other sections for dual-booting, reformatting, and other topics of interest in the near future. Thanks for being a big part of The Member's Forum! If you should have any questions, please feel free to ask Here.

Next>>>Final Tweaks and Other Helpful Links

TMF©2004



-- Edited by barney at 11:49, 2008-12-20

-- Edited by NicKnayme at 14:16, 2009-02-15

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This article was lifted from the original TMF group's website. Not all links are working. I will work to correct these as soon as I can.

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