Home > Articles > Home & Office Computing > Microsoft Windows Desktop

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Starting the Windows XP Setup Wizard

As mentioned earlier in this chapter you can start the Windows XP Setup Wizard using several different methods. In past versions of Windows NT and Windows 2000, you could start the Setup process using floppy disks that would boot the system, gather hardware information, and then start copying files from the CD (or the network source). That option isn't available with Windows XP. If you boot from the CD, then you will get a full-screen menu that allows you to install Windows XP, browse the CD, or perform additional tasks.

Tip

Before you start to install or upgrade to Windows XP, I highly suggest that you use the Browse This CD option. This will allow you to locate and read any readme.1st or other similar files that may contain updated information that was not available on the first version of the Windows XP CD.

Note

The El Torito Specification. You are probably aware that the BIOS of a standard PC will first look to the A: drive and then the hard disk when looking for sector. In 1995, the "El Torito" Bootable CD-ROM Format Specification Version 1.0 was published, which provides the information that computer manufacturers can use to provide support in a PC for booting from a CD-ROM disk. You can learn more about how this works by reading the specification, which is available at the following URL: http://www.phoenix.com/PlatSS/PDFs/specs-cdrom.pdf. Note that you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to read this, since it is presented in .PDF format.

In the next few sections, you will explore the ways you can start the Setup Wizard.

Booting from the Windows XP CD

The distribution source CD for Windows XP is a bootable CD. Unless your computer is a very old one, you should have a CD-ROM drive that is capable of booting from the distribution CD. Simply place the CD in the drive and power up the system. The computer will boot from the CD and the wizard will pop up on your screen to start the Setup process.

Running the Setup Wizard under Another Version of Windows

The following operating systems can be upgraded to Windows XP:

  • Windows 98 (all versions)

  • Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me)

  • Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

  • Windows 2000 Professional

  • Windows XP (if you want to install a second copy!)

Note

Starting with Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0, the AutoRun feature is found in Microsoft operating systems. Basically, if the CD-ROM drive uses a 32-bit device driver (so it can detect when a CD is inserted into the drive) and if a file named autorun.inf is found in the root directory of the CD, then commands in that file will be used to run a program from the CD. You can disable AutoRun by changing values in the Registry, which we will cover in Chapter 20, "The Windows XP Registry."

If you are running any of these operating systems, then you should be able to pop the Windows XP installation CD into your CD-ROM drive to start the Setup Wizard. If you have AutoRun enabled on the computer, then the wizard will start automatically. If not, simply use Windows Explorer to locate the Setup icon. The Setup program is found in the \i386 folder on the CD. You can double-click on the Setup icon in Windows Explorer, or you can execute the program from the Command Prompt by simply entering the program name as you would to start any other application.

Note

Although you cannot update an MS-DOS or Windows 3.1 computer to run Windows XP, you can run the installation program you are using under these operating systems. For example, in Appendix A you will find the steps you can use to create a bootable MS-DOS floppy disk to boot the computer, attach to the network file share that holds the Windows XP Setup files, and begin the installation. If you are starting the Setup Wizard using either MS-DOS or Windows 3.1, then the Setup program you will need to execute is called winnt.exe. If you are using Windows 98, Windows Me, or any version of Windows NT or later, then use the Setup program winnt32.exe to start the Setup Wizard.

Running the Setup Wizard from a Network Connection

If your network administrator has set up a file share that contains the source files for Windows XP, you can connect to the file share and execute the Setup Wizard program. In this situation, you may find that your network administrator has used a different folder than the standard \i386 folder, so be sure get the full path name you need to use to locate the Setup file.

Lights Out: Performing an Unattended Installation

If you are charged with the task of installing or upgrading a large number of computers, then it can be very tedious to have to go to each PC, run the Setup program, and wait around to respond to the prompts from the Setup Wizard. If this is the case, you can perform the installation in Unattended Setup mode. To do this, you will need to create an answer file that contains the information needed by the Setup application. The Windows XP CD contains a sample of this file, called unattend.txt, which you can customize not only to answer questions about the usual Setup process, but also to configure other applications or drivers to use during setup.

For more information on using Unattended Setup mode, see Appendix A.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020