Ensure that your computer can run Windows XP.Your computer will need to meet or exceed the minimum system requirements in order to run Windows XP. You can find your system information by either checking the computer manufacturer's manual, or by running DirectX Diagnostic on an existing Windows operating system of the computer. To start the DirectX Diagnostic, open the Run dialog (press WinKey+R simultaneously), type dxdiag, and click OK. Minimum System Requirements 300 MHz Intel or AMD CPU 128 megabytes (MB) of system RAM 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available drive space Super VGA (800x600) or higher display adapter CD or DVD-ROM Keyboard and mouse, or other pointing devices Network Interface Adapter required for Internet and Network Connectivity Sound card and speakers or headphonesINSTALLING WINDOWS XP STEP 1- INSERT THE WINDOWS XP TO CD-ROM AND REBBOT THE COMPUTERSet your computer to boot from CD/DVD.Before inserting the CD, you'll need to set your computer to boot from a CD instead of from the hard drive. This will allow you to load the Windows XP setup files before your computer boots to its installed operating system. You can change the boot order from the BOOT menu in yourBIOS. To enter the BIOS of your computer, you usually press F9 or DEL when your computer starts or notifies you that you can enter "setup". Click the green "BIOS" link for more information.[1] In the BOOT menu, set the order so that your CD/DVD-ROM drive is set as the 1st Boot Device. If you are installing Windows XP from aUSB drive, make sure that the USB drive is set as the 1st Boot Device. You may need to have the USB drive inserted for it to appear as an option.STEP 2-MS-DOS PORTION OF SETUP BEGINS

Step 3-WELCOME TO SETUP

STEP 4- READ THE LICENSE AGREEMENT

STEP 5-CHOOSE AN INSTALATION PARTITION

Step 6:SELECT THE FILE SYSTEM

Step 7:optionally format the partition

Step 8:setup folder copy phase and reboot

Step 9:GUI setup begins

Step 10: regional and language options

Step 11:personalize your software

Step 12 :enter your product key

Step 13:enter a computer name and administrator password

Step 14: supply your date and time settings

Strp 15:network setup

Step 16:choose networking settings Step 16 :enter workgroup or domain information Step 17:set-up completionStep 18:first bootStep 19:change display settings

Step 20:welcome to Microsoft window

Step 21:network setup

Step 22:optionally activated and register windows

Step 23: set up users

Step 24:logon to windows xp for the first time

1. Check Whether Youre Running The 32- Or 64-bit Version Of WindowsClick theStartbutton, right-clickMy Computerand selectProperties. If you dont see x64 Edition listed, youre running the 32-bit version of Windows XP. If this is the case, your machine may not be capable of running the 64-bit operating system.2. Check For Compatibility Issues With SoftwareCheck tomake sure your software will work on a newer OS. You may need to contact vendors to see if there are newer software versions that you will need to install. Youll also want to check withDRM-protected filesto see what their process is for restoring your rights to that data.3. Check For PC IssuesDownload and runWindows 7 Upgrade AdvisororWindows 8 Upgrade Assistantto check for issues with your PC and take the recommended steps to correct them.4. Move Files And Settings To External StorageYou can do this manually or withWindows Easy Transfer(available from Microsoft).5. Install WindowsWith your XP machine on, insert your installation disc or find and open your installation file on your PC. If your PC is connected to the internet, be sure to select theGet important updates for installationoption. ChooseCustominstallation.Choose the correct partition containing your current XP installation (usually the C: drive). Follow the instructions to complete the installation.If you encounter a message that says Windows must be installed to a partition formatted as NTFS, youll need toconvert your drive to NTFS. To do that: Open the find theCommand PromptunderAccessoriesin your program list. Right-click and chooseRun asand choose a user with administrator permissions. In the command prompt, typeconvert DRIVE: /fs:ntfswhere DRIVE is the letter where XP resides. Pressenter. When asked if you would like to force a dismount on this volume,type Y and press enter.Do the same when asked if you want to schedule the drive to be converted next time the system restarts.Restart your computer, and then continue with the installation.6. Move Your Files And Settings Back To Your ComputerAgain, you can do this manually or with Windows Easy Transfer.7. Reinstall Your Software And Update Your DriversUse your original installation disks toreinstall applications and update any driversfor your hardware. In most cases, Windows will take care of driver updates automatically, but you can also find them using Windows Update.8. Post-Installation Clean UpAfter a few weeks, of using your new OS, you can find anddelete the Windows.old folder, which stores files that were used in Windows XP.