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

Step 7: Initialize Windows XP installation

You can run the Windows XP installation routine while your old version of Windows is already running.
At last, it's time to install XP. The best approach for a trouble-free installation is to boot your system from the XP installation CD. Insert the CD, reboot your computer, and watch closely for the message "Press any key to boot from CD" as the system restarts. When you see the message, press a key quickly, or you'll have to reboot and try again. If you don't see the message, you probably need to change the boot order of the devices within your system's CMOS setup routine. Make sure the system is set to boot from the floppy and the CD before it boots from the hard drive.

If your system refuses to boot from the XP CD, don't worry--you should be able to run the routine by inserting the disc while your old version of Windows is already running and letting the disc autoplay.

Tip
You can run the Windows XP installation routine from DOS by entering drive:\i386\winnt.exe (in which drive is the letter of your CD-ROM drive). Enter drive:\i386 when the routine asks where to find the setup files.

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