Windows XP Upgrade

1. Verify that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for XP.

   Available hard disk space: 1.5 GB*, Processor speed: 300 MHz, RAM: 128 MB, Video: Super VGA (800 x 600) (* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install.)

2. If your computer is more than a year old, verify BIOS Compatibility with your computer manufacturer and update the BIOS if required. Check with your computer's manufacturer for how to do this. (If you have a Dell, for example, check out www.dell.com or call Dell's technical support)
3. Download Network Card Drivers for Windows XP, but do not install yet. You'll need these after the upgrade. (Some network card drivers are available on the the Software Center. Otherwise, search the website of your Network Card's manufacturer.)
4. Remove Novell NetWare. Carefully! See the NetWare Services page for instructions.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin - it will be emptied during the installation, but doing so now will reduce the possibility of the upgrade advisor finding an error.
6. Verify that Internet Explorer is version 5.01 SP2 or higher. Usually this information is under 'Help' on the tool bar at the top of your window and 'About Internet Explorer'. Upgrade Internet Explorer if required.
7. Unplug all peripherals except: monitor, mouse, keyboard, network, and speakers.
8. Remove any CDs or floppy disks from your drives.
9. Decide whether to Upgrade (recommended) or Clean Install/Dual Boot (advanced users only.)

Most users are advised to perform the Windows XP upgrade. Upgrading to Windows XP will install Windows XP into your current Windows folder. The upgrade will retain all of your installed programs, options, data, favorites, and so on. The upgrade will provide the same functionality as your current version of Windows - with the exception of any incompatibilities; see the XP Upgrade Advisor below, with the added features and stability of Windows XP. New users are advised to view the XP tour, explore the interface, and use the extensive help sections as needed.

Some expert users will opt to install a clean version of Windows XP in addition to their current operating system. A clean installation of XP will be able to see data and files on the user’s hard drive but will not be able to run previously installed programs and drivers. During a clean installation the XP installer will ask where to install XP. Ideally, you should install Windows XP on a different partition from the current Windows installation. It is also possible to install to a new Windows folder on the same partition by using a naming scheme such as Windows.000 or Windows.001. You can not install a clean install of Windows XP over a currently installed Windows folder. Windows XP will also install a boot manager that will prompt you to select which version of Windows you want to run on boot. Running a dual (or multi) boot system is an advanced option and is only recommended for those expert users that are prepared to support themselves in these situations.

Windows 95, Windows NT Server, and Windows 2000 Server cannot be upgraded to Windows XP. Users can, however, perform a clean installation set to dual boot.

Windows XP comes with an XP Upgrade Advisor. This program runs automatically, and will analyze your system in preparation for the Windows XP installation. That's pretty much it. The XP Upgrade Advisor creates a report that tells you what software packages on your system will or will not run on Windows XP. Sometimes it will warn you that a software package might require reinstallation after Windows XP has been installed. If you are performing an upgrade, it is a good idea to remove those packages that the XP Upgrade Advisor says are not compatible (or require reinstallation) before you install Windows XP. Novell MUST be uninstalled prior to upgrading to Windows XP. Failure to remove Novell properly will prevent the XP installer from proceeding. (Again, see the Netware webpage for instructions on removing Novell.)

The XP Upgrade Advisor also reports on the compatibility of the various hardware components in your system. It is a good idea to download the new drivers from the manufacturer prior to the installation of Windows XP (especially for your modem or network card). If your computer is more than a year old, you should contact the manufacturer about the compatibility of your BIOS. Many older systems will require a BIOS upgrade, a simple procedure that involves running a special program from a bootable floppy disk that reprograms your BIOS. If your BIOS is not Windows XP compatible, your attempt to install Windows XP may cause the system to require a complete reinstallation.

Note: The Upgrade Advisor will not report if your BIOS needs updating, you must contact your computer vendor for compatibility of your BIOS and Windows XP.

• On the Software Center webpage, scroll down to Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade and click Windows Download.
• You may be notified that are you accessing an insecure page. If so, click OK.
• You may need to authenticate with your Case ID and password again.
• The file xpweb.exe will start to download. Save it on your hard drive.
• Close all open windows and any running software (except for the VPN client if connecting remotely.)
• Run the file xpweb.exe.
• You will be prompted to extract and run the winxpweb.exe to your temp directory. Click Extract.
• You will be prompted to run the program winxpweb.exe. Click Yes.
• The XP Installer will then upgrade itself from the Microsoft server and analyze your system for XP compatibility. This will take several minutes and should not require any user input. (This is an invisible process on Windows 2000 machines. On Windows 98/ME machines, it is visible.)
• Once the analysis is run. one of three things will happen:
  1. Novell is detected, the user is told to remove Novell and the installer exits.
  2. Some incompatibilities are found and the user is prompted to run the Upgrade Advisor.
  3. No incompatibilities are found, skip ahead.
  If any incompatabilies are found, the user is told to click Run Upgrade Advisor. You may be prompted to download the updated setup files. If so, this will be selected. Click Next. Near the beginning of the installation process, the user is prompted to input the drive letter for the i386 directory. The default drive is C:/. During the updates the setup program might auto-restart the computer. This is normal and happens without any intervention. The user may be prompted again to download the updated setup files. If so, the option will be selected. Click Next. The XP Installer will then analyze your system for XP compatibility. This will take several minutes and should not require any user input. The XP Installer will display an Upgrade Report with any potential conflicts, incompatibilities, required software updates, reinstallations, and so on. This file can be saved or printed.
• Click Finish to exit the Update Advisor.
• The user is prompted to Upgrade or Fresh Install. Upgrade, the recommended option, is already selected. Click Install. XP will install itself without any user intervention. If you want a Fresh Install, skip ahead to the Clean Install instructions.

  On rare occasions of network traffic the user might run into a "can not copy file" error and will need to hit Retry. Do not hit skip file.

• The Windows XP installer takes a while and will reboot the system several times during installation - this is normal. (On VPN over broadband installation can be over 4 hours, while a local installation on a 450Mhz machine took a little under 2 hours)
• Users upgrading from Win98/ME will be prompted for Administrator passwords and for any other user accounts on the system.
• Re-plug in peripheral devices and follow any advice from the Upgrade Advisor.
• Run Windows Update and download any Critical Security Updates from Microsoft (Note: There is a link to these on the Software Center website! Click on the asterisks * in the orange area next to Windows XP!) Additional system information can be found at the Microsoft Windows XP home page.

1. Select the Fresh Install button, then click Okay.
2. Select the drive letter to install the software to.
3. Leave all the directories in the default position and click Extract, then Yes when the extractor finishes.
4. Windows setup will begin. It will likely take a while (possibly over an hour), so be prepared to wait. The computer will, after about 20-30 minutes, reboot automatically then proceed to copy files into your Windows directory. After 20 minutes or so, Windows will reboot again and go to the first setup screen. Do not worry if your computer reboots more than once over the entire setup process.
5. Eventually you will be prompted for your name. Fill in the field and click Next.
6. Enter a computer name and an administrative password. Record these passwords for future reference. Click Next.
7. Windows will continue to install files. Eventually, it will reboot again. After the computer reboots, you may be given an option of operating systems to boot to. Select Windows XP.
8. Run Windows Update and download any Critical Security Updates from Microsoft

• It's asking me for the Windows CD! I don't have one

  If you installed Windows XP from the Software Center after 2:45 PM on 3/22/02, your installation is complete. The Windows XP installer will install the \i386 directory to the drive you have specified and Windows will not need to access the network when you add or remove hardware.
  
  If you installed Windows XP before 2:45 PM on 3/22/02, you may be prompted to insert your Windows XP CD-ROM when you try to add or remove a system component. Your version of Windows XP will point to \\liveupdate\i386, where the necessary files are located. To access these files, you must be connected to Case, either on campus or via VPN, and log into the specified directory. The utility LUlogin.exe logs you into this directory long enough to perform the required installation.

• Network Security shut me off, they say I was doing port scans??

  Windows XP has a few security holes built in to it, especially if you turn on IIS (Internet Information Service, used for serving a personal Webpage or FTP access to your computer) Microsoft has made patches for these security problems but if you do not install them, you are vulnerable! Whenever you update your Windows Operating system always check Microsoft Windows Update for security patches.