Install Windows XP

Step one is to get your Windows XP CD and place it in the drive. we need to boot from the CD. To boot from the CD, you will either get a message at startup say 'press any key to boot from the CD' or you will have to go into the BIOS and set the CD/DVD drive to first boot option. To access the BIOS you will have to press a key at startup, usually its either the delete key, esc key, F1 or F2.. if needs be just keep tapping them all until a menu pops up.

Then navigate to the boot section - this will look different in just about everyone's BIOS but it will be in there somewhere.

When prompted press any key to load from the CD. You will then get a screen like the one below.

On the next screen you will see this. To set up Windows XP press Enter.

You will now see this window. Here you select the drive to install Windows onto. If you have multiple hard drives you will see others listed. C is always the default windows drive.

At this point you will want to format the hard drive. This applies if it is a new hard drive or an old one that's been put back to new. There is not really an need to do a full format, a quick format is practically the same. Hit enter on the selected option to continue.

You will then get this screen where the hard drive is been formatted.

After that you will see this screen where all the necessary files are being transferred to your hard drive.

Your computer will then restart.

After your computer has restarted just leave it to load onto this screen (the message about pressing a key to load of the CD will pop up again - just ignore it)

Here you can select the regional and language settings. Click on both the buttons and select the country your in. After doing that click next.

Enter your name at this stage. No need to enter an organization unless you want to.

Enter your product key. This will be on a sticker on your Windows XP CD case. After entering the key put the sticker on the side of your computer case. This way you will never loose it.

Just click next here.

Set the date and time.

Again just click next.

Nearly there now. Just a few more screen to get through.

A welcome screen will pop up. Click next in the bottom right to continue.

Select 'Help protect my PC' option and continue.

Put in any user names that you want. Each name entered will create a separate account for Windows.

You are now done.

Congratulations. you have now installed Windows XP.