Chapter 3Installing Windows XP Professional

Preparing for installationPre-installation requirement;Hardware requirementsHardware compatibility list checkHard disk partitionSuitable file systemJoin domain/workgroup or standalone PC

Hardware requirementsProcessor 300Mhz or higherMemory 128MB or higherHard disk 1.5GB is min requirementNetwork interface card (NIC)Video adapter super VGA (800x600) or higherCD ROM drive / bootable floppyInput devices.

Hardware compatibility list (HCL)To obtain latest list, visit http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/

Hard diskLogical section of hard disk on which computer can write data is called disk partition.Partition allows a division of single physical hard disk space in multiple areas & each of which is treated differently

Required file systemWindows XP Pro supports;File Allocation Table (FAT)File Allocation Table -32bit (FAT-32)NTFS

FAT2 types namely FAT/FAT16 & FAT32Windows 95 & DOS supports FATWindows 98, Me, 2000 & XP supports FAT32

Required file systemNTFSWindows NT, XP, 2000, 2003 & Vista supports NTFSMore security & flexibility compared to FAT32When using dual OS, then use FAT32Advantages ; File & folder-level securityDisk compressionDisk quotaData encryption

Join domain / workgroupDuring installation, you will be prompted whether you want to join domain or a workgroupJoining domain requiresA domain nameA computer accountAn available domain controller & DNS serverJoining a workgroup requiresA new/an existing workgroup name

Join domain / workgroupDomainA logical grouping of computers that share common security & user account information.This information is stored in a master directory database (SAM) which resides on a window server designated as domain controller

Workgroup A collection of individual computers working together on a task in a local area environment (LAN).Workgroup provides easy sharing of files, printers & other sharing devices.

Installing over networkWindows XP installation files are located on a shared folder on a distributed server during network installation.Target computer need to be connected to distributed server & setup is executed then.

Installing over networkRequirementDistributed serverFAT partition on target computerNetwork client

Distributed serverA computer which contains the shared Windows XP installation files that can be accessed by network clientLocated in I386 folder of Windows XP Professional installation CD ROMThis file need to be copied & shared over the server

Installing over networkFAT partitionTarget computer need FAT partition to copy the installation files.Partition size must be at least 1.5GB of hard disk space.

Install a network clientIs the software that allows target computer to connect to a distributed computerIf you dont have OS installed, then you have to boot from a client disk that includes a network client allowing for connection.