Installing and Upgrading Windows

Any OS Provides the fundamental link between user and hardware We have to install an OS, not just copy files from one place to another Normally, we also have to provide “drivers” which are links between hardware and the OS Clean install starts with a blank disk drive Upgrade builds on existing, installed OS

Steps to successful install Identify hardware requirements Verify hardware and software compatibility Decide what type of installation to perform Determine how to back up and restore existing data, if necessary Select an installation method Determine how to partition the hard drive and what file system to use Determine your computer’s network role Decide on your computer’s language and locale settings Plan for post-installation tasks

Approved Hardware XP: Upgrade Advisor, Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) and Windows Catalog Vista: Windows Logo’d Products List 7: Windows Compatibility Center web site for 7, RT and 8 now

XP Requirements 233 MHz or better CPU 64 MB RAM or better 1.5 GB hard disk space Network, video and optical drive really handy

Installing XP

Repairing XP The next screen you will see “finds” a copy of XP on the hard disk You are asked, again, if you want to repair the installation; choose “R” to repair windows that will not load to desktop Use this when you run out of other ideas On a clean install, you will get the partition screen (Fig. 14-7)

Product Key XP requires it during setup Vista allows you to skip it (and choose what version of Vista you want to install) but will require it at 30 days Win 7 wants Product Key – not like Vista

Registration/Activation Registration (optional) tells Microsoft who you are and signs you up for a blizzard of Activation (necessary) is anti-piracy action. Too many activations within too short a time span means you get to talk to Microsoft. You have 30 days to activate. Hash of product key and 50-character key based on hardware WE WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THIS CLASS

Vista Requirements 1 GHz CPU or better 512 MB of RAM or better 40 GB hard disk drive with 15 GB free or bigger Network card with Internet access DirectX 9 and 32MB graphics memory DVD drive

Win 7 Requirements 1 GHz or faster CPU 1 GB RAM for 32; 2 GB RAM for GB hard disk space (32); 20 GB for 64 DirectX 9 graphics device Internet Access 128 MB graphics memory for Aero Glass Windows XP mode requires additional GB RAM and 15 GB of hard disk space

DO NOT SET ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD!!!!!

Vista/7 Installation All graphical now I made $90 just by clicking Repair My Computer and choosing Startup Issues; I also tanked an installation of Win 7 by choosing Memory Test and that was all it would do – over and over We will use the “hard disk drive” that Vmware sets up for the install disk and a single partition Follow the prompts, you will be fine

Install Notes Vista does not require a product key at first, but will later on Upgrade (not too likely) or Custom (clean install) option Please do not use a password Set up Windows Updates – Ask me later so we don’t have to wait for them Choose Work as current location for network

Automating the Installation Scripted Installations: use Setup Manager for a text file (Answer file) for XP Allows for unattended installation, Sysprep and Remote Installation Services Use this when you have a bunch of computers to set up for XP

Automated Installation Kit Windows System Image Manager to create answer file Use the answer file to build a Master Installation file (burn to DVD) Master Installation file goes to thumb drive Good thing CompTIA does not test on this

Automating, Part Two Use the Automated Installation Kit for Vista/7 Much more complicated than text file, in XML Definitely for lots of computers Sticky issue: the Product Key (and computer name)

Cloning Use Norton Ghost to make copies of hard disk contents – going away end of month Problem: computer ID (would be the same for all systems – confuses the network); Product Key, again Hardware has to be identical

Sysprep For systems with slightly different hardware This is what HP, Dell etc. do Set up a system, run Sysprep then clone the result to other systems

Network Install Set up one system to be server and connect target systems (clients) to it Server hosts an image of the hard disk drive Handled by network administrator

PXE Some newer computers have this option in BIOS Allows network boot and seek for disk images Once found, install same as with media on local system UEFI going to impact this

UEFI While we are on the subject of UEFI and installation(s), how do we install UEFI on a new 3T hard disk drive and then Windows 7?

Installation Problems Text-mode errors (XP): driver for hard disk/array? The F6 and what to do for floppy No boot device: set optical drive as first boot device in CMOS A BSoD at end of text mode: real trouble, likely hardware not compatible Hardware detection error – often can fix this later

Problems Can’t read/find.CAB files: defective media or drive? Mid-install lockup: Unplug system, count to 10, restart system. Log file(s) will resume setup Log files: (XP) – setuplog.txt and setupapi.log Vista/7: 20 files, setuperr.log for each phase Logs in Windows directory

Post-Installation You did do a data backup? Patches, Service Packs and Updates Upgrading Drivers: Use Windows Drivers then update from source website New software? Or reinstall

Migrating and Retiring Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: – Accessories | System Tools – Start with New system – Run Wizard on old system (can make a disk/flash drive from New System) – Use home network for file transfer – Plan on a long time for transfer

Migrating and Retiring User State Migration Tool: – Runs on a server/Domain – Useful in business setting – More feature rich Usually use File and Settings Transfer Wizard for single PC

Migrating and Retiring Windows Easy Transfer: – Update to File and Setting Transfer Wizard – Accessories | System Tools – Start new transfer or continue existing – Similar process and screens to FSTW

Migration to New Hardware What to do with old drive/system? Migrate in a secure environment Remove data remnents from hard disk drive – Fdisk (or equal) usually works – There are “scrubber” programs that will write random patterns on disk once or more Recycle, don’t trash Don’t start a copy then go to lunch

Data Destruction Savor the moment, and the hammer! Low-level format not really possible with today’s drives – scrub or zero-fill Deleting files does nothing to remove data from the disk surface – only the directory entry gets a change Its not exactly legal to give someone your old computer with Windows installed Recycle, recycle