Tune-up: How to upgrade your system to Windows XP

CNET Labs:
Tune-up: How to upgrade your system to Windows XP

By Mitt Jones
(January 23, 2004)

Illustration by Terry Colon.

Giving that old workhorse PC a new operating system won't infuse it with the dust-raising speed of a new PC, but by upgrading to Windows XP, you can reap big benefits in reliability. XP also provides easier networking, better security, and better multimedia support. Here we'll show you the best way to refresh an older PC with XP.

Upgrading an operating system isn't brain surgery, but it often requires plenty of time and patience. Expect to spend several hours on the project, including a couple of hours for preparation and a few for reinstalling applications after the upgrade. The payoff should be a stable, multimedia-savvy PC that's ready for another couple of years of serious work and fun.

You can upgrade to XP without reformatting your hard drive, but starting fresh should bring a boost in speed, and it also represents your best chance of having a stable system. Here we step through the process of preparing your system for Windows XP, performing a fresh install, restoring your data files and settings, and--finally--reinstalling applications.

		Step 1: Check your system
		Step 2: Download new drivers
		Step 3: Back up your hard drive
		Step 4: Prepare your PC
		Step 5: Save your files and settings
		Step 6: Create a start-up disk
		Step 7: Initialize Windows XP installation
		Step 8: Install Windows XP
		Step 9: Install drivers
		Step 10: Restore files and settings
		Step 11: Look for updates
		Windows shopping
		Online installation help

Mitt Jones is a contributor to Computer Shopper magazine.

Tune-up is featured monthly in Computer Shopper magazine; this feature originally appeared in the February 2004 issue.