Installing Software Tutorial 11

Preparing for an OS Upgrade—see Windows Upgrade Center Check system requirements Check Microsoft web site Processor—233 MHz minimum clock speed RAM—256 MB minimum Hard disk space—1.5 GB free space

Check hardware and software compatibility Windows Catalog lists products that are compatible with Windows XP; search to determine compatibility of your computer or other hardware or software products Document settings Collect/compile information about your computer; use Device Manager (Tut 12) to document hardware settings on the computer, My Computer Information and system Information Utility (Tut 9, accessible from Help and Support Center). If you are part of a network, get computer name, workgroup or domain name, IP address.

Free storage space on your hard disk Be sure you have sufficient hard disk space to install XP—1.5 GP (more if installing over a network). Future service packs and updates will require additional space. All space for virtual memory paging file (1.5 times installed RAM), the Internet cache, printer spool files, and temporary files. Empty Internet cache—use Disk Cleanup Wizard (Tut 7) or control from browser Delete temporary files, backup files, and files with lost clusters—use Disk Cleanup Wizard (Tut 7)

Scan for computer viruses—full scan of computer Archive document files—store copy on Zip disk or store them in a Compressed (zipped) folder on the hard disk Uninstall unneeded software applications and utilities Uninstall Windows accessories and components you no longer use or need. Scan for computer viruses—full scan of computer Back up important files on your hard disk Full backup—document and system files; need restore point in case of failure Backup files with your e-mail and address book and your Internet Explorer Favorites folder or Netscape bookmarks

Check the hard disk for errors—ScanDisk or Check Disk Optimize hard disk storage space—use a defragmenter utility to perform a full optimization of the storage space Make a boot disk—see text p. 11.11 for complete details Turn off background programs—antivirus or screen saver programs Remove virus protection feature for the boot sector on the hard disk—turn off write protection on the hard disk (from CMOS); when installing OS, needs to update the boot sector. After installation, turn the virus protection back on.

Reboot the computer—close all running files and clear memory

Working with Applications Types of applications you can install and use under Windows XP Win32 applications—Win XP, 2000, Me, 98, NT Workstation 4.0, Win 95 applications designed for a 32-bit OS Win16 applications—dBase III Plus and Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0 for Windows; 16-bit Windows 3.x applications DOS applications—DOS applications and games are designed for a 16-bit operating environment. Support for these varies in different Windows versions.

Preparing for Software Installation/Upgrade In general, run Check Disk and Disk Defragmenter to assure hard drive is ready for install/upgrade. Reboot computer to clear memory. Install using Add/Remove programs Wizard in the Control Panel

If you are installing a Win 16 application, the software manual or instructions on the installation disk will likely tell you to open Program Manager, select File, Select Run, and then type the command for the Setup program. INSTEAD, open the Control Panel, start the Add/Remove Programs Wizard, let it locate the Setup file for that application, and then install the Win16 application.

Follow the same procedure for DOS applications—use Add/Remove Programs Wizard. Windows XP then monitors the installation of the Win 16 or DOS application, and, if a problem arises, Win XP can attempt to recover the installation program. In the case of Win 16 applications, Win XP copies configuration settings to the Registry.

Win 32 Application Installs the application—usually in the Program Files folder. Installs shared files—copies shared program files, such as DLLs (Dynamic Link Library files), to the Windows folder Updates Registry—copies application settings and other info, such as full path for program files and registration info, to the Registry. Does not modify the Windows 3.x configuration files Win.ini and System.ini

Creates a group folder and shortcuts—Adds a group folder to the All Programs menu, and within the group folder creates shortcuts to the application, as well as to other programs included with that software product (such as Uninstall program), and to Help and Readme files that contain documentation on using the software products.

Win16 Applications The Setup programs perform basically same functions as for Win32 applications except they do not update the Registry and usually have no Uninstall program Instead it updates the Windows 3.x configuration files (Win.ini and System.ini).

Then when you run the Win16 application, it checks these configuration files for the settings that it needs. During installation of the Win16 application, WinXP copies the configuration settings entered by the Win16 installation program in Win.ini and System.ini to the Windows Registry

DOS Applications Install the application using Add/Remove programs Wizard; the install program (which might be named Install.bat) creates a folder for the application on the hard disk and creates any subfolders needed for installing program files and supporting files

Updates the MS-DOS configuration files—the Install program might examine the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat startup files and either make changes to those files or propose that it, or you, make the changes needed for the application to work properly

The Install program for a DOS application does not install shared files nor change the Windows Registry or the Windows 3.x configuration files You have to create a group folder or shortcuts on the All Programs menu after installation (not automatic) A shortcut could be added to the desktop Typically does not come with an Uninstall program

Install/Uninstall Text has good examples of installing and removing applications.

Program Compatibility Wizard (pg. 11.54) Can be used to troubleshoot installation problems Used to test and resolve compatibility problems that you are experiencing with an older program that worked on a previous OS version of Windows

Windows Update (pg 11.65) Tool that updates software on you computer using the Microsoft Windows Update web site Wizard examines your computer system, lists software updates, and installs the updates you select—some are critical (security updates); others less necessary

View Installation History Use Windows Update to display and review a history of updates made to your computer Start/All Programs/Windows Update Maximize the Internet Explorer window Under Windows Update and Other Options, click View installation history (see pg. 11.70) Keep printout for documentation