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Thread: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

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    Senior Member Mithrandir's Avatar
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    Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    I'm looking to install Windows XP from scratch, but wanted to find out any good tips or advice on setup (apart from updating SP).
    I'd be interested to know any servic es I should enable or disable that might pose a security risk (I know I should disable the messaging service for one), the indexing service, Noting any ref numbers, etc in case I need to reactivate.

    Any tips will be much appreciated.
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    if you're behind a router you should be safe enough to grab all the windows updates

    also once in windows set the page file to 0mb, reboot, defrag, then set the pagefile to be 1.5* your ram, it should be lumped as one block - but that is more of a 'general windows' tip than a fresh install tip...

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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Grab nLite, will make things easier

    Make sure you have SP2 slipstreamed onto it.
    Grab RVMUpdatePack2.1.11, from Ryan VM and integrate it, that will cover almost all of the windows updates.
    Add any drivers that you like, such as ethernet, which may not be integrated into windows. This will then allow you online right away to download any other drives (I hate having a system with no net access - which you need to get the drivers for net access )
    You can integrate all the drivers you need, but these often won't install the control panels that come attached to the .exe driver install (Think nVidia).
    Have a browse of the Ryan VM forums and install any additions you like (I generally grab the latest Firefox and Kels_FindTarget_addon). The latter will add a "find target" menu when right clicking on a shortcut - very handy
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Thanks fot the tips. Also I was thinking of using True Image to create an image straight after a fresh install and optimsation and to activate WinXP. Will I need to reactive XP if I have to use the image?
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Quote Originally Posted by Mithrandir View Post
    Thanks fot the tips. Also I was thinking of using True Image to create an image straight after a fresh install and optimsation and to activate WinXP. Will I need to reactive XP if I have to use the image?
    Provided nothing has changed that would cause a reactivation normally, you will not need to reactivate after expanding the image back onto the drive - assuming its already been activated before hand (Sorry if that sounds confusing )
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    You might want to think about partition layout. Having an OS on one partition and another for your data make re-installation of thye OS a lot simpler. You do need to do a bit of post-installation configuration to make sure all the shortcuts for my documents etc point to the partition you are reserving for data, but it is worth it (IMHO). It also makes backing up a bit simpler.
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Quote Originally Posted by peterb View Post
    You might want to think about partition layout. Having an OS on one partition and another for your data make re-installation of the OS a lot simpler. You do need to do a bit of post-installation configuration to make sure all the shortcuts for my documents etc point to the partition you are reserving for data, but it is worth it (IMHO). It also makes backing up a bit simpler.
    I used to do that, but I reached the conclusion that it is not worth the trouble. It is easy to miss-calculate how much disc space you need for windows, apps & data and then it is hard to change the partion layout, epecaly if you leave it untill space is very low untill you try. The only exception would be if have a class of data that is very large and can easily fill up the disc and stop other stuff from working. For example I am into video editing, and I can easily put 50Gb onto my C Drive in an afternoon. For me it would be a good idea if I created a second partion for that data so that when I fill up the drive with video clips, I don't stop windows from working properly.

    For doing the install, I would try to get hold of an install disc that has as many updates slipstreamed into it as possible. I have an XP one with service pack 2 and updates to april 2007, and when it installs I don't have to many extra updates to install. Personally I don't know how to make those slipstreamed discs, but if you ask around you will probably find someone who does, and can give you a more recent image. (NB: I am not condoning piracy. These slipstreamed install discs still need a valid key to activate, they just install windows with updates pre-applied.)

    Another option would be to apply the beta of XP service pack 3 to your new install, as it will contain all the updates up to about December 2007, and if if messes up your system you won't have lost much time by removing it and starting again.

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    Senior Member JPreston's Avatar
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Last time I did this I think I made a 40Gb partition for Windows and all regularly used applications (antivirus, firewall, firefox etc). Then install all games and other stuff that chews through space on the rest of the drive (or a different drive). I've heard 10Gb is enough for the Windows partition as long as you are diligent about installing stuff elsewhere. This is purely to make re-installing easier, just format the windows partition and re-install and you still have all your media etc safe.

    Quote Originally Posted by chrestomanci View Post
    For doing the install, I would try to get hold of an install disc that has as many updates slipstreamed into it as possible. I have an XP one with service pack 2 and updates to april 2007, and when it installs I don't have to many extra updates to install. Personally I don't know how to make those slipstreamed discs, but if you ask around you will probably find someone who does, and can give you a more recent image. (NB: I am not condoning piracy. These slipstreamed install discs still need a valid key to activate, they just install windows with updates pre-applied.)
    I think the programme is called nlite, I have a slipstreamed SP2 disc somewhere. I'm curious though, is it possible to slipstream generic SATA drivers onto the install disc so there is no need for a floppy during install? I still use a floppy for that.
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    Re: Installing Windows XP (preparation & advice on setup)

    Quote Originally Posted by JPreston View Post
    Last time I did this I think I made a 40Gb partition for Windows and all regularly used applications (antivirus, firewall, firefox etc). Then install all games and other stuff that chews through space on the rest of the drive (or a different drive). I've heard 10Gb is enough for the Windows partition as long as you are diligent about installing stuff elsewhere. This is purely to make re-installing easier, just format the windows partition and re-install and you still have all your media etc safe.



    I think the programme is called nlite, I have a slipstreamed SP2 disc somewhere. I'm curious though, is it possible to slipstream generic SATA drivers onto the install disc so there is no need for a floppy during install? I still use a floppy for that.
    I swear my posts are invisible sometimes
    Yup, its called nLite and it will practically slipstream any driver onto the disk, including any that you may need to load off a floppy

    The only issue with installing the programs on a separate drive/partition, is that some may still need reinstalling (even back to the same location) due to the lost registry settings when you reinstall Windows
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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