Question:
XP Pro Install
I baught a Dell with XP Home that should be coming in soon, I just ordered this version of XP Pro http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846 so when I get my comp I can upgrade it, didn't know i needed XP pro untill recently.
Will this have a manuel, if not how do I go about installing it.
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
I have a step by step instructions...or at least partially set of instructions on that thread. If you have done installs before, then it is the exact same procedure. Just a few different things so you can get your drivers. Dell has 2 partitions on your harddrive. The smaller one is a recovery partition which most people don't find very useful, so they reformat it and make it all one partition.
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
I have never done an OS install before, and I dont quite get the whole driver thing while doing an install. I have no idea what a partition is, I'm not very smart at this computer stuff at all. Am I going to want any of the Dell stuff on my comp or should I just have a clean computer and just use whats ever on the Windows XP Pro (is there even anything on that? like programs wise) I also dont want all of these programs that Dell puts on your comp i keep hearing about like AOL.
"Just a few different things so you can get your drivers. Dell has 2 partitions on your harddrive. The smaller one is a recovery partition which most people don't find very useful, so they reformat it and make it all one partition."
I had no idea what that meant lol
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
The partition is basically a division of your hdd. Dell divides your hdd up into 2 sections called partitions. There is a smaller one that is the recovery partition which will restore your computer back to factory condition if something should happen and you can't get into windows. The larger partition contains your operating system, and is the partition that you will need to select when you install XP Pro.
Here is a step by step guide.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_sg_clean.asp
If you scroll down to half way, you'll see a section called "Step by Step: Clean Installing of XP". If you have a second computer, have that site up and just follow it. It is a very useful guide.
A driver is a program for the hardware. Most pieces of hardware like mouse, lcd, cd/dvd drive, etc... has a driver. An example would be your wireless network driver. With out it, you won't be able to access the internet. If you get them from Dell, they are very easy to install. Goto Dell's Support Site and select your system, it will give you several categories which each contain drivers for your laptop. Some will apply to your hardware, some won't. All you'll need to do is download the file and run it. Majority of them are self installs, so all you have to do is run the program and it will take care of the rest.
In my opinion, it is alot easier to skip the website and just burn a copy of the Dell folder on your XP Home system (located on the c: drive). That folder will have all of the drivers you need for your computer to run properly.
Hope this explains it a little bit better.
SG
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
Wow thank you very much, the help is much appreciated, now when all my stuff comes in i'm ready to go. Thanks again.
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
Kinda relates to this whole thing, but are their any other programs that come with the Dell OS (XP Home) I should burn? I dont have a clue what programs will come on my computer with a XP Pro clean install.
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
Depending on which Dell notebook you got, you may want to reinstall Powerdvd unless you want to use Windows Media Player, but i don't recommend it.
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
You can call/email/chat with Dell and request the extra cds. There is an application cd that will have all of the junk software and dell software on it. The other two cds are Sonic MyRecord (burning software) and CyberLink PowerDVD (dvd decoder/player). Between those three cds, you should have everything that you had previously on your system, but you will be able to choose what you want to have installed and what not to install.
The clean system will have the programs only standard to XP Pro, which is actually for the most part the same that you would get with XP Home. If you paid for any extra software when you were ordering from Dell, you should have a CD with that software. If you don't, call dell and request them.
They should send you all of these cds for free and with 2-day shipping.
SG
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
I know even less about these fantastic machines but this thread is close to what I'd like help with. Will be ordering a new Dell Inspiron 6000 next week and know it will be loaded with junk I don't need. I looked in "Programs" in my now very old Sony Vaio and was afraid to delete many since I didn't know what they were and which ones I really NEEDED. What's the best way to clean out a new laptop when it arrives??
Answer:
Re: XP Pro Install
if you are familiar with doing windows install, that would probably easier. If you aren't, then you can use the add/remove software in the control panel. With the 6000, you can call dell and request the software CDs. The cds will contain all of the software that Dell installs before they send it to you. If by chance you uninstall something that you need, there is a restore partition on the Dell that will restore your computer back to the factory condition, but this will include all of the junk software.
SG