Preface

This document describes how to install a fresh Windows XP Professional installation to ensure a smooth and easy installation of the SoftXpand application.

Once all stages described in this document are completed, the computer will be ready for a SoftXpand installation, containing the following components:

• Windows XP Professional and Service pack 2 or higher installed.
• All Windows updates installed.
• All hardware configured and fully updated with the most recent drivers.
• All peripheral devices connected and working properly.
• All in-house and 3rd party applications installed.

Note: that this installation requires formatting the C drive. Further references to this are found in the relevant sections.

Windows Installations Differentiation

There are a number of Windows XP installation types, all sharing the same basic actions but performing them in a different order. This guide refers to a specific installation order. Make the necessary changes if you find differences between instructions given in this guide and what you come across when installing the Windows XP version you have.

Hardware Compatibility

In order to make sure the hardware installed in your PC is fully compatible with SoftXpand, please refer to MiniFrame's certified hardware list.

For additional information regarding hardware selection for a SoftXpand host PC, please review the Hardware section in the knowledge base:

http://www.miniframe.com/knowledge-base/category/hardware.html.

SoftXpand Installation

For installing SoftXpand, please refer to the SoftXpand user Manual found at:
http://www.miniframe.com/knowledge-base/article/softxpand_3_user_manual.html.

Pre-installation Actions

Follow these instructions before starting the Windows installation:

1. Make sure you have a copy of Windows XP Professional on a CD or DVD (depending on the type of drive media installed on your PC). Make sure the disc is bootable.
2. Make sure you have all required hardware drivers or that you have a way to get them later on (for example, from the internet).
   
   • For a new PC, the manufacturer's drivers CDs should be available. Check the PC's carton package.
   • If you do not have any of the required driver CDs, most drivers can be found and downloaded from the internet.
   • Make sure to have the network adapter driver on a removable flash drive or a CD so as to be able to access the internet and search for the missing required drivers.
   • If you are using a RAID configuration or a SATA HDD you may be prompted to click F6 at the beginning of the Windows XP installation for the HDD driver. Make sure you have the HDD driver on a floppy media.
   • If you are reinstalling on an existing Windows, it is recommended to use any of the available computer configuration analyzer software in order to make a list of your hardware specifications. One option is PCWizard, found at - http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php.
3. If you are reinstalling on an existing Windows, backup any data found on the your PC which may be required once the installation is completed.

Case Preparation

Follow these instructions to prepare the hardware for the Windows installations:

1. Make sure all basic hardware is connected properly to the motherboard and case (power supply, data cables and cards).
   Note: It is recommended to start this installation with only the basic hardware configurations: one set of monitor, keyboard and mouse. However, if more than one set is already installed, make sure to make the necessary changes to the instructions listed in this guide.
2. Boot Windows (or turn on the PC) and enter the BIOS (in most cases, a message instructing which key to click to enter the BIOS will display during boot).
3. Set the BIOS to its default.
4. Where relevant, disable all SLI and Crossfire configurations.
5. Configure the PC to boot from the CD. This can be done in one of the following two methods:
   By setting the CDROM as the 1st boot device in the BIOS boot sequence device (or, Boot Device Priority) menu.
   By using the BIOS's boot menu, and selecting to boot from the CD drive (depending on the type and model of the BIOS , accessing the boot menu is done by clicking the DEL, F8 or F10 buttons during the initial computer boot).
6. If extra video cards are already inserted into their slots on the motherboard, make sure the monitor is connected to the port configured in the BIOS as primary monitor (usually the onboard video card is configured by default to be the primary).
7. Make sure a bootable copy of Windows XP Professional is inserted into the CD drive before saving and exiting the BIOS.
   Note: instructions on how to install additional video cards and other peripheral devices (keyboards, mice, and USB sound devices) needed for the SoftXpand host will be given later on in this document.

Windows XP setup - step by step instructions

Follow these instructions to install Windows XP Pro:

1. In the relevant prompt (boot selection menu or CD boot prompt), select to boot from the CD. Windows Setup will now load.
   If prompted, select the required Windows type to install.
2. Once the PC has started to boot from the CD, wait a few moments for the files to get copied onto the HD.
3. If this is a reinstallation over an existing Windows installation, you will be prompted to select which action to take. Click on ‘ENTER’ for starting a new Windows installation.
4. Read the terms and agree by clicking F8.
5. If this is a reinstallation over an existing Windows installation, you will be prompted to select which action to take next - click ESC to continue and install a fresh copy of Windows.
6. In the next screen, it is highly recommended to delete and recreate the C: drive. When recreating it, it is also recommended to assign it a minimum of 40GB disk space. See instructions below.
   

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   General Knowledge: Disk Partitions
   The recommended drive settings are to have Windows installed on the C: drive. For a PC containing a single hard drive, it is also recommended to partition that drive into at least two partitions – one for Windows and other software installations (C: drive) and one for data (D: drive).
   These are the relevant actions available for partitioning a hard drive:
   
   • To repartition a single partition drive: delete the single partition and create two new partitions (see explanations below).
   • To change an existing C drive's size: delete the C drive partition and repartition it with the required space.
   • To delete a partition: select and highlight the drive to delete and click D. In the next screen click ENTER and click L in the last screen.
   • To partition an un-partitioned space (create a new partition): select and highlight it and click C, set the required partition size and click ENTER to create.
   Note: deleting a partition deletes all data from that partition. Perform this action with the outmost caution and consideration.
   

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7. Once the C:\ drive is set to the required size, select and highlight it and click ENTER to continue.
8. In the next screen, select "Format the partition using NTFS file system" and click ENTER. Windows will now format the drive. This may take a few moments. Once formatting is over, the Windows XP installation will start. Again, this may take a few moments.
9. Once the PC boots, make sure Windows does not reboot from the CD.
   Windows will now continue the installation. This may take a few moments.
10. Once the Regional and Language Options screen appears select the relevant region but do not change any language related settings. Click ‘Next’ when finished.
11. In the next screen type in your name and organization and click Next.
12. Insert your product license key and click ‘Next’.
13. Insert the computer's name and administrator password and click ‘Next’. Make sure to store the password in a secure location for future reference.
14. Enter the current date, time and time zone and click ‘Next’. Windows will continue its installation.
15. When prompted click the Custom settings radio button and click ‘Next’.
16. Click Next.
17. Click Next (using this guide, all network, domain access and internet access configurations will be performed when Windows is installed).
18. If required, insert the CD containing Windows XP's SP2. Windows will continue its installation and then restart.
19. In the "Welcome to Microsoft Windows" screen click the Next button and follow the instructions in the next pages as needed.
20. Make sure to create at least one user before completing the setup. Once setup is completed, Windows will start.
21. Make sure not to register the copy of Windows XP. This stage should be done only once all hardware configurations are completed.
22. Log in to Windows with the administrator user account.
23. Depending on your license agreement with Microsoft you may need to activate your copy of Windows XP Pro. Refer to the following link to understand how to activate Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890/en-us.

For a more comprehensive guide on installing Windows XP, please refer to:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/default.mspx.

Post-Setup Actions

Once Windows XP has finished its installation, follow these instructions to finish the installation:

1. It is highly recommended to set the internet connection for the computer now. If possible, configure the network settings as well.
2. Once Windows is up and running proceed to install the most updated hardware drives in the following order:
   
   • Chipset
   • Video card
   • All other hardware drivers.
   It is recommended to use a computer drivers analyzer tools to make sure all drivers are up-to-date. An example of such a tool is found at www.driveragent.com.
3. Install the required video cards into their slots (PCI, PCI-E or AGP).
   Follow these steps per card:
   
   • Shut the PC down and unplug its power cable.
   • Plug an additional video card gently into its suitable port (PCI, PCI-E or AGP).
   • Connect an additional monitor to the video card.
   • Turn on the computer.
   • Install the video card's most recent and updated driver. Check the manufacturer's web site for any updates.
   • Using the monitor already displaying Windows, access the Display Properties dialog box's Settings tab and extend the Windows desktop into the new monitor. Set the resolution as needed.
   Note: When installing NVIDIA hardware, do not install the following components:
   
   • NVIDIA Media Shield
   • NVIDIA and ForceWare Network Access Manager
   For a more detailed explanation on installing a video card, please refer to this KB:
   How to install a video card.
4. Enter Microsoft's Windows update web site and install all critical updates. Go over all software and hardware optional updates and install them where needed.
5. Add all local users (where necessary), setting each user with a password.
6. Install all daily software applications.
7. Install the "User Profile Hive Cleanup Service". This service can be downloaded for free from the following link:
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en.
8. Connect all peripheral devices (keyboards, mice and USB sound devices) to the host PC.
   Check each device to assure it is working properly and functions well on Windows.

For a more comprehensive guide on installing Windows XP, please refer to:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/default.mspx.

Installing SoftXpand

Once the Windows XP installation is concluded, proceed to install SoftXpand. Refer to the SoftXpand user manual for installation information:

http://www.miniframe.com/knowledge-base/article/softxpand_3_user_manual.html.